Krishna Kanta Panthi

Krishna Kanta Panthi is a Professor at the Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). With over 31 years of experience in rock engineering, tunnelling, and hydropower projects, he leads international initiatives like the NORHED II Project (2021-2026), training 4 PhD fellows and 90 MSc graduates in Nepal. His work spans Norway, Nepal, and Vietnam, focusing on technical advisory roles and project management.

• Professor (2018–present), NTNU
• Associate Professor (2008–2018), NTNU
• Consultant (2006–2008) for hydropower projects in India and Nepal

His research integrates Rock Engineering, Engineering Geology, and Tunneling to address long-term stability of hydropower tunnels, stress-induced instability, and swelling rock dynamics. Recent projects highlight applications of machine learning in rock mass classification and 3D stress modeling for Norwegian hydropower sites.

From 2025 publications, key trends include empirical vs. numerical support analysis, ML-driven tunneling optimization, and swelling rock management. Subfields span TBM performance prediction, wedge stability, fault stress distribution, and plastic deformation in flysch. These align with his focus on Himalayan and Norwegian geological challenges.

He has supervised numerous Master’s theses and PhD projects, including Dr. Pawan Kumar Shrestha’s 2014 PhD on tunnel strain in Nepal and Dr. Bibek Neupane’s 2021 work on unlined tunnel fatigue. His outreach includes technical advisory roles for projects in Nepal and Vietnam.