Shawn Griffiths

Shawn Griffiths is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming, within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.S.C.E. from the University of Arkansas, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Utah State University. His academic appointment and active research and teaching roles confirm his status as a current faculty member.

Education:

• Ph.D., Civil Engineering (Geotechnical), University of Texas at Austin, 2015
• M.S.C.E., Civil Engineering (Geotechnical), University of Arkansas, 2011
• B.S., Civil Engineering, Utah State University, 2009

Shawn Griffiths' research focuses on geotechnical earthquake engineering, particularly in surface wave testing, site response analyses, and uncertainty quantification in shear wave velocity profiles. He also has strong interests in engineering education, soil-structure interaction, and the rehabilitation of dams and levees. His work aims to solve real-world problems through interdisciplinary collaboration and practical modeling approaches. He emphasizes the importance of understanding soil behavior under seismic loads and improving predictive models for infrastructure resilience.

The recent publications reflect a consistent focus on seismic site characterization, nonlinear soil behavior, and uncertainty in geotechnical models. His research integrates field data (e.g., surface wave and borehole testing) with computational methods to enhance the accuracy of seismic load estimation for bridges, buildings, and transportation systems. There is a clear trend toward quantifying uncertainty and improving modeling fidelity in complex geotechnical environments.

Shawn Griffiths is affiliated with key professional organizations in his field:

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)

He teaches foundational and advanced courses in geotechnical engineering, including Soil Mechanics (CE 3600), Geotechnical Engineering (CE 4630/CE 5700-07), and Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (CE 5640). His teaching philosophy emphasizes self-learning, critical thinking, and a positive, professional environment. He encourages students to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process and fosters a balanced, industrious academic culture. While no specific graduate students are named, he welcomes prospective students into his research group and values mentorship. Although no grants are explicitly detailed, his technical reports suggest involvement in funded projects related to seismic risk in transportation infrastructure. His research program is based at the University of Wyoming, where he continues to expand surface wave and borehole testing applications in high-seismic-risk regions.