I-Hsuan Ho

I-Hsuan Ho is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering & Mines, University of North Dakota. His research laboratory is located in Leonard Hall, where he leads investigations in geotechnical engineering and geomechanics. He holds professional engineering licensure in Minnesota (PE#62821) and teaches courses including GeoE 455-Geomechanics, GeoE 323-Engineering Geology, and CE/ME 306 Fluid Mechanics.

Education

• Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering - Iowa State University (2009)
• M.E. in Geotechnical Engineering - University of Colorado, Boulder (2004)
• M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering - National Cheng-Kung University, Taiwan (2001)
• B.S. in Civil Engineering - National Chiao-Tung University, Taiwan (1999)

Research Focus

Dr. Ho's research spans multiple geotechnical specializations with emphasis on energy applications and computational methods. Primary domains include: Energy Geotechnics (deep/shallow geothermal systems, pavement heating), Computational Geomechanics (FEM/DEM modeling), Infrastructure Load Reduction (tunnel engineering, buried structures), and Soil Behavior (unsaturated mechanics, slope stability, ground improvement). His work frequently combines experimental validation with advanced numerical simulations.

Recent publication analysis reveals strong focus on tunnel engineering (especially high-filled cut-and-cover structures), load reduction techniques, geothermal pavement applications, and time-dependent soil behavior. Approximately 60% of recent publications involve numerical modeling (FEM/DEM), while 30% incorporate experimental validation.

Academic Activities

Dr. Ho actively recruits MS/PhD students for research in energy geotechnics, computational geomechanics, and geotechnical engineering. He maintains international collaborations with visiting scholars from Chinese institutions including Lanzhou Jiaotong University and Lanzhou Institute of Technology. Current research projects investigate geothermal pavement systems, soil-structure interaction in tunnels, and slope stabilization methods.