معرفی
James Tinjum is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering. His interdisciplinary expertise spans geotechnical, geological, environmental, transportation, and sustainable energy engineering.
Education
- PhD 2006, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- MS 1995, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- BS 1993, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Interests
Professor Tinjum’s research integrates energy geotechnics with environmental sustainability. He investigates wind energy site design, district-scale geothermal heating/cooling systems, beneficial reuse of industrial byproducts (e.g., coal-combustion residuals, cement kiln dust), life-cycle environmental analysis, and remediation of contaminated sites. Additional focus areas include thermal conduction in unsaturated soils, landfill liner performance, and PFAS management in Wisconsin.
Recent Research Directions
His 2020–2024 publications reveal a strong emphasis on geothermal system performance, wind-turbine foundation–soil interaction, and emerging contaminant transport (PFAS, chromium). Fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing (FO-DTS) is a recurring enabling technology, applied to both geothermal borefields and landfill covers. Life-cycle assessment methodologies are consistently employed to quantify environmental benefits of renewable energy and waste-reuse strategies.
Scientific Awards
- 2018 Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- 2003 ASCE Zone III Practitioner Advisor of the Year
- 2002 ASCE Wisconsin Section Outstanding Young Engineer
Teaching & Mentoring
Professor Tinjum teaches core geotechnical courses (Soil Mechanics, Foundation Systems) alongside specialized offerings in wind-energy balance-of-plant design and sustainable systems engineering capstone. He supervises numerous master’s and doctoral students through GLE 790/890 research credits each semester.
Labs & Teams
He directs field-scale instrumentation campaigns at two wind-turbine sites and multiple campus/district geothermal installations, leveraging fiber-optic sensing networks and thermal response testing to advance energy geotechnics.
