Nitin Tiwari's headshot

Nitin Tiwari

Assistant Professor of Geotechnical Engineering; Director, Geo-CARE Laboratory (geocare.siu.edu)
nitin.tiwari@siu.edu
Engineering B, Room 24
Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering

My research studies how freezing, chemical reactions and changing loads reshape the mechanics of soils and rocks, and turns that understanding into physics-informed machine learning models that predict how the ground beneath our infrastructure will behave. My group also advances 3D printing for construction, from printable earth-based materials stabilized with biopolymers and fibers to underwater 3D concrete printing for marine and offshore infrastructure.

Current projects in the Geo-CARE Laboratory cover freeze–thaw durability of stabilized soils and frozen ground beneath levees; low-carbon soil stabilization through MgO carbonation and microbially induced calcite precipitation; post-wildfire debris-flow hazard; enhanced geothermal systems combined with carbon storage and critical-mineral recovery; and physics-informed neural networks for pavement and subgrade testing.

Geo-CARE Laboratory

Classes

  • CE 320 : Soil Mechanics
  • CE 320L : Soil Mechanics Lab
  • CE 421 : Foundation Design
  • CE 520 : Advanced Soil Mechanics
  • CE 528 : Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering
  • CE 534 : Computational Geotechnics

Education

  • Ph.D., Geotechnical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, 2021
  • M.Engg., Structural Engineering, University Institute of Technology, Rajiv Gandhi Technical University, Bhopal, India (2017)
  • B.Engg., Civil Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Technical University Bhopal, India(2014)

Professional Experience

  • Assistant Professor and Director, Geo-CARE Laboratory, School of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, USA (08/2024–Present).
  • Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA (02/2022–08/2024).
  • Institute Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India (10/2021–01/2022).
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate-I, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India (05/2021–10/2021).
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, TRUBA Institute of Engineering and Information Technology Bhopal, India (01/2018–12/2018)

Honors and Awards

  • Nominee, Junior Board Member election, United States Universities Council on Geotechnical Education and Research (USUCGER) (2026).
  • NSF Travel Award, NHERI DesignSafe Summer Institute for Early-Career Faculty, University of Texas at San Antonio (2025).
  • NSF Travel Award, NHERI@UTexas Workshop “Field Nonlinear Cyclic Shear Measurements in Soil,” Portland State University (2025).
  • Standing Committee member of AKG80 Standing Committee on Geosynthetics, Transportation Research Board (2021–2025). 
  • Postdoctoral Mentor Award Nominee for The Graduate School, Purdue University, USA (2024).
  • Standing Committee member of AKG80 Standing Committee on Geosynthetics Transportation Research Board (2021-2024)
  • Young Scientist Award in Civil Engineering, Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology Bhopal, India (2021).
  • Best Research Award, Annual Academic Award by Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India (2021).
  • Full-time Ph.D. Funding as Teaching Assistantship by Ministry of Education, India 2018-2021

Patents

  • P-4 Megha Jain, Iqbal Hafeez Khan, Tiwari Nitin (2024), “Automatic Digital Impact Testing Apparatus,” Indian Design Registration No. 402460-001 (Status: Granted).
  • P-3 Neelima Satyam, Monika Dagalia, Tiwari Nitin (2023), “Portable Integrated Stand for Constant and Falling Head Permeability Apparatus,” Indian Design Registration No. 393005-001 (Status: Granted).
  • P-2 Neelima Satyam and Tiwari Nitin (2022) ”Method of Culturing Indigenous Bacteria for Bio Treatment of Expansive Soil Subgrade” Indian Patent, Patent No. 202021057003, (Status: Granted).
  • P-1 Neelima Satyam and Tiwari Nitin (2022) ”Process for Culturing Indigenous Bacteria for Treating Clays with Varying Plasticity to Improve Engineering Behavior,” Australian Government Patent, Patent No. 2021105096 (Status: Granted)

Journal Publications

  • J-23 Tiwari, Nitin, R. V. B. S. Raghavamsi, Sakshi Khare, and Boonam Shin. Mitigating spectral bias in physics-informed neural networks through short-time Fourier transform synthesis for viscoelastic modeling. Computers and Geotechnics, 197, 108180, 2026
  • J-22 Tiwari, Nitin, Nur Sazzad Hossain Chy, and Bijay Nepal. Nexus of enhanced geothermal systems, carbon sequestration, and critical minerals recovery: A comprehensive review of multi-benefit subsurface resource platforms. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 236, 116986, 2026
  • J-21 Tiwari, Nitin, Bijay Nepal, and Suvechha Dhakal. Freeze–thaw damage in granular geomaterials integrating pore-scale thermodynamics with contact network degradation. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 2026
  • J-20 Tiwari, Nitin, Suvechha Dhakal, and Bijay Nepal. An algorithmic finite element framework for layer-by-layer 3D printing of fiber-reinforced stabilized geomaterials. Advances in Engineering Software, 222, 104299, 2026
  • J-19 Suvechha Dhakal and Tiwari, Nitin. Evaluating the printability and buildability of earth-based fiber–biopolymer composites for 3D printing applications. Scientific Reports, 16, 27439, 2026
  • J-18 Tiwari, Nitin and Neelima Satyam. Indigenous bacteria-driven eco-friendly soil stabilization: A bioinspired approach through microbially induced calcite precipitation for sustainable infrastructure development. Indian Geotechnical Journal, Springer, 54(6):2286 – 2302, 2024
  • J-17 Antonio Bobet, Haitao Yu, and Tiwari, Nitin. Seismic response of shallow circular openings to rayleigh waves. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 135, 2023
  • J-16 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Anand J. Puppala. Closure to ”effect of synthetic geotextile on stabilization of expansive subgrades: Experimental study”. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 35(5), 2023
  • J-15 Tiwari, Nitin, Fabio Rondinella, Neelima Satyam, and Nicola Baldo. Experimental and machine learning approach to investigate the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures with silica fume filler. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 13(11), 2023
  • J-14 Tiwari, Nitin, Fabio Rondinella, Neelima Satyam, and Nicola Baldo. Alternative fillers in asphalt concrete mixtures: Laboratory investigation and machine learning modeling towards mechanical performance prediction. Materials, 16(2), 2023
  • J-13 Tiwari, Nitin, Nicola Baldo, Neelima Satyam, and Matteo Miani. Mechanical characterization of industrial waste materials as mineral fillers in asphalt mixes: Integrated experimental and machine learning analysis. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(10), 2022
  • J-12 Tiwari, Nitin and Neelima Satyam. An experimental study on strength improvement of expansive subgrades by polypropylene fibers and geogrid reinforcement. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 2022
  • J-11 Tiwari, Nitin and Neelima Satyam. Evaluation of strength and water susceptibility performance of polypropylene fiber-reinforced and silica fume-modified hot mix asphalt. Advances in Civil Engineering Materials, 10(1):380 – 395, 2021
  • J-10 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Meghna Sharma. Micro-mechanical performance evaluation of expansive soil biotreated with indigenous bacteria using micp method. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 2021
  • J-9 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Anand J. Puppala. Strength and durability assessment of expansive soil stabilized with recycled ash and natural fibers. Transportation Geotechnics, 29, 2021
  • J-8 Tiwari, Nitin and Neelima Satyam. Coupling effect of pond ash and polypropylene fiber on strength and durability of expansive soil subgrades: An integrated experimental and machine learning approach. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 13(5):1101 – 1112, 2021
  • J-7 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Anand J. Puppala. Effect of synthetic geotextile on stabilization of expansive subgrades: Experimental study. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 33(10), 2021
  • J-6 Meghna Sharma, Neelima Satyam, Tiwari, Nitin, Shubham Sahu, and Krishna R. Reddy. Simplified biogeochemical numerical model to predict pore fluid chemistry and calcite precipitation during biocementation of soil. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 14(9), 2021
  • J-5 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Kundan Singh. Effect of curing on micro-physical performance of polypropylene fiber reinforced and silica fume stabilized expansive soil under freezing thawing cycles. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 2020
  • J-4 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Jasmin Patva. Engineering characteristics and performance of polypropylene fibre and silica fume treated expansive soil subgrade. International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering, 6(2), 2020
  • J-3 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Sanjay Kumar Shukla. An experimental study on microstructural and geotechnical characteristics of expansive clay mixed with eps granules. Soils and Foundations, 60(3):705 – 713, 2020
  • J-2 Tiwari, Nitin and Neelima Satyam. An experimental study on the behavior of lime and silica fume treated coir geotextile reinforced expansive soil subgrade. Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 23(5):1214 – 1222, 2020
  • J-1 Tiwari, Nitin and Neelima Satyam. Experimental study on the influence of polypropylene fiber on the swelling pressure expansion attributes of silica fume stabilized clayey soil. Geosciences (Switzerland), 9(9), 2019

Book Chapters

B-2 Tiwari, Nitin and Neelima Satyam. Performance evaluation of reinforced expansive soil subgrade with polypropylene fiber and geogrid. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 165:545 – 557, 2022

B-1 Tiwari, Nitin, Neelima Satyam, and Jasmin Patva. Experimental study on the swelling behavior of expansive soil reinforced with coir geotextile. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 138:119 – 128, 2021

Conference Papers

  • C-18 Bijay Nepal, Tiwari Nitin (2027), “Frost Damage Under Pressure: Rethinking Freeze–Thaw Testing of Cemented Soils through Confined Triaxial Experiments,” ASCE2027: The Engineering and Infrastructure Experience, Philadelphia (accepted, poster).
  • C-17 Bijay Nepal, Tiwari Nitin (2027), “Particle-Scale Simulation of Frost Damage in Cemented Soils: Role of Confining Stress Using the Discrete Element Method,” ASCE2027, Philadelphia (accepted, poster).
  • C-16 Khymeng Ly, Mukul Bhattarai, Tiwari Nitin (2027), “Bicarbonate-Activated MgO Carbonation for Accelerated Subgrade Stabilization,” ASCE2027, Philadelphia (accepted, podium).
  • C-15 Nur Sazzad Hossain Chy, Tiwari Nitin (2027), “Numerical Analysis of Coupled Stress–Temperature Effects on Fracture Network Evolution and Heat Extraction in Geothermal Reservoirs,” ASCE2027, Philadelphia (accepted, podium).
  • C-14 Subin Rimal, Minu Treesa Abraham, Tiwari Nitin (2027), “Non-Landslide Sampling Strategies in Post-Wildfire Landslide Susceptibility Modeling: Insights from the San Gabriel Complex Fire,” ASCE2027, Philadelphia (accepted, poster).
  • C-13 Bijay Nepal, Suvechha Dhakal, Tiwari Nitin (2026), “Freeze–Thaw Damage in Granular Geomaterials Integrating Pore-Scale Thermodynamics with Contact-Network Degradation,” Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) Conference, SIU Edwardsville (poster).
  • C-12 Nur Sazzad Hossain Chy, Bijay Nepal, Tiwari Nitin (2026), “Integrating Geothermal Energy, Carbon Storage, and Critical-Mineral Recovery: A Multi-Benefit Subsurface Platform,” Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) Conference, SIU Edwardsville (poster).
  • C-11 Subin Rimal, Minu Treesa Abraham, Tiwari Nitin (2026), “Investigating Drivers of Post-Fire Debris Flows through Multi-Temporal Remote-Sensing Data,” ICGESI 2026 (accepted).
  • C-10 Tiwari Nitin, R. V. B. S. Raghavamsi, Boonam Shin (2026), “Fourier-Based Spectral Components in Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Enhanced Pavement Testing Accuracy,” ASCE Geo-Congress 2026.
  • C-9 Suvechha Dhakal, Tiwari Nitin (2026), “Printability and Structural Integrity of Fiber-Reinforced Earth-Based Materials for 3D Printing,” ASCE Geo-Congress 2026, 532–543.
  • C-8 Tiwari Nitin, Boonam Shin (2025), “Optimizing Lightweight Deflectometer Testing Protocol with Viscoelastic-Plastic Model Integration and APT and Physical Model Validation,” Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.
  • C-7 Tiwari Nitin, Neelima Satyam (2025), “Sustainable Subgrade Stabilization Using Indigenous Bacteria through Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation for Infrastructure,” Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.
  • C-6 Tiwari Nitin, Md. Asad, Antonio Bobet (2024), “Seismic Response of Unsupported Shallow Circular Openings to Rayleigh Waves” 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering: WCEE2024.
  • C-5 Tiwari Nitin, Boonam Shin, Peter Becker and Antonio Bobet (2023)“Advancing Light Weight Deflectometer Measurements: Integrating Viscoelastic Plastic Model through Numerical Simulation and Large-Scale Laboratory Physical Model Validation”, Lectern Session paper, Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.
  • C-4 Tiwari Nitin, Fanio Rondinella, Neelima Satyam and Nicola Baldo (2022), ”Silica Fume as a Surrogate Filler in Asphalt Concrete Mixture: Laboratory Investigation and a Machine LearningBased Prediction”, World Multidisciplinary Civil Engineering-Architecture-Urban Planning Symposium, Prague, Czech Rebulic, 13-17 June 2022
  • C-3 Tiwari Nitin, Neelima Satyam (2020), Experimental Study on Swelling attributes of synthetic geotextile reinforced expansive soil, 36th International Geological Congress, India
  • C-2 Tiwari Nitin, Neelima Satyam and Jasmin Patva (2019), Experimental study on the influence of polypropylene fiber on swelling pressure - expansion attributes of clayey soil, International Conference on Geotechnics for High Speed Corridors, India. (Paper No. 26)
  • C-1 Tiwari Nitin, Neelima Satyam and Jasmin Patva (2019), Experimental Study on the Swelling Behavior of Expansive Soil Reinforced with Coir Geotextile, Indian Geotechnical Conference 2019, TH03-80

Presentations and Invited Lectures

  • Delivered Invited Expert Talk to civil engineering students and faculty at Lakshmi Narain College of Technology (LNCT), Bhopal, India (05/2026).
  • Delivered Invited Expert Talk to computer science students and faculty at Sagar Institute of Research and Technology (SIRT), Bhopal, India (05/2026).
  • Delivered Keynote on AI Transforming Geotechnical Engineering: From Challenges to Solutions during a Faculty Development Program at Sharda University, India (02/2026).
  • Delivered Invited Talk on Eco-Driven Stabilization of Expansive Soils Using Native Microbial Communities, NSF NHERI GSC Geotechnical RSR Workshop Series (11/2025).
  • Delivered Invited Inaugural Session on Geotechnical Innovation for Sustainability: Resilient Infrastructure in a Changing Climate during the International Faculty Development Program on Sustainable Construction Materials at Netaji Subhas University of Technology, India (online, 09/2025).
  • Delivered Theme Lecture on Sustainable Geotechnical Solutions for Resilient Infrastructure in a Rapidly Changing Climate, Geo-Environmental Engineering theme, Indian Geotechnical Conference (IGC 2024), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, India (12/2024).
  • Delivered Keynote Session on Sustainable Geotechnical Solutions for Resilient Infrastructure in Changing Climate during Short Term Training Program On Extreme Hydro-Meteorological Events In a Changing Climate & Application of RS & GIS at Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India (07/2024).
  • Delivered Keynote Lecture on Sustainable Geotechnical Solutions for Resilient Infrastructure in a Rapidly Changing Climate, GeoHorizons: Geotechnical Innovation and Sustainable Developmentsmonthly lecture series at Indian Geotechnical Society, Indore chapter, India 06/2024.
  • Delivered Keynote Lecture on Engineering Solutions for a Climate-changed World: Towards Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure during FDP: Innovative Inventions in Civil Engineering (IICE2024)at Sandip Institute of Technology and Research Centre, Nashik, India (05/2024).
  • Delivered Technical Presentation Expansive Soil Biotreated with Indigenous Bacteria Using MICP Method organized by AKG30(1) subcommittee on Geo-Environmental Aspects of Geomaterials, Transportation Research Board (TRB), Washington D.C. USA (01/2024).
  • Delivered Professional Development Training Advances in Tunnel Monitoring: Instrumentation and real-time assessment organized by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Construction, India (06/2022).
  • Delivered Expert Talk on Impact of Black Cotton Soil on Indian Roads: Causes and Cures, during Professional Development Program for Faculty on Materials in Civil Engineering organized by Vignan Institute of Tech. and Science, Hyderabad, India (03/2022).
  • Delivered Professional Development Training on Introspection, Need of an Hour during AICTE-CSVTU MoU Joint Teachers Training Program Motivation, Team Building and Leadership For Technical Teachers organized by Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Tech. University, Bhilai, India (08/2021).
  • Delivered Technical Talk on Sustainable Methods for Mitigating the Swelling-shrinkage Behavior of Expansive Soil organized by RWTH Aachen University, Germany (10/2021).
  • DeliveredWebinar Technical Talk on Impact of Black Cotton Soil on Indian Roads: Causes and Cures organized by Sagar Institute of Science and Technology, Bhopal, India (12/2021).
  • Delivered a keynote session as chief guest on Role of Engineers in Building a Nation” during the Engineer’s Day organized by Sagar Institute of Science and Technology, Bhopal, India (09/2021).
  • Delivered Webinar under SAGE Talk series on Micro-mechanical performance evaluation of Biotreated expansive soil organized by Sagar Group of Institutions, Bhopal, India (05/2021).
  • Delivered Webinar Technical Talk on Micro-Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Expansive Soil Bio-treated organized by TIT Group of Institutions, Bhopal India (05/2021).
  • Delivered Webinar under SAGE Talk series on Control Mechanism of Expansive Soil Subgrade organized by Sagar Group of Institutions, Bhopal, India (05/2020).
  • Delivered Tutorial on Geophysical Testing using GPR and ERT during Short course on Geotechnical Aspects of Earthquake Engineering organized by Professor Neelima Satyam IIT Indore, India (12/2019)
  • Delivered Tutorial on Detailed Ground Response Analysis using DEEPSOIL during Short course on Geotechnical Aspects of Earthquake Engineering organized by Professor Neelima Satyam IIT Indore, India (12/2019)
  • Delivered Tutorial on Assessment of Liquefaction Potential using MATLAB during Short course on Geotechnical Aspects of Earthquake Engineering organized by Professor Neelima Satyam IIT Indore, India (12/2019)

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, United States Universities Council on Geotechnical Education and Research (USUCGER) (2025–Present)
  • Lifetime Member Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS), Since 2020
  • Member, National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) (2020- Present)
  • Member, Institution of Structural Engineers (2020- Present)
  • Member, American Concrete Institute (ACI) (2019- Present)
  • Member International Association of Engineers (IAENG) (2014- Present)

Professional Service: Peer Reviewer

More than 100 verified manuscript reviews (2020–2026) for more than 30 journals, including:

  • International Journal of Geomechanics, ASCE Since 2024
  • G´eotechnique, ICE Since 2023
  • Acta Geotechnica, springer Since 2021
  • Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE Since 2020
  • Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Elsevier Since 2022
  • International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, Springer Since 2020
  • Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board Since 2021
  • Materials, MDPI Since 2021
  • International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering, Springer Since 2022
  • Indian Geotechnical Journal, Springer Since 2023
  • Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting Since 2021
  • Geocongress Since 2022
  • Energies, MDPI Since 2023
  • Natural Hazards, Springer Since 2023
  • Ceramics International, Elsevier Since 2023
  • Applied Sciences, MDPI Since 2022
  • Construction Building Material, Elsevier Since 2023
  • Soil & Tillage Research, Elsevier Since 2023
  • Sustainability, MDPI Since 2021
  • Bulletin of engineering geology and the environment, Springer Since 2022
  • Cleaner materials, Elsevier Since 2023
  • Minerals, MDPI Since 2022
  • Environmental science and pollution research international, Springer Since 2022
  • Deep Underground Science and Engineering
  • International Journal of Pavement Engineering
  • Journal of Testing and Evaluation, ASTM
  • KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
  • Materials Circular Economy
  • Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management
  • Geomicrobiology Journal
  • Plant and Soil
  • Soil Use and Management
  • Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
  • Applied Thermal Engineering
  • Eng, MDPI
  • National Center for Infrastructure Transformation (NCIT), proposal reviewer (2025)