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ProfessorRolando Orense

Professor

Civil and Environmental Eng

Orcid identifier0000-0002-0581-9563
  • Professor
    Civil and Environmental Eng
  • +6493737599 Ext.88437 (Work)
  • ENGINEERING BLOCK 1 - Bldg 401, 20 SYMONDS ST, AUCKLAND CENTRAL, AUCKLAND, 1010, New Zealand

TEACHING INTERESTS

Current Teaching:

- CIVIL 200 - Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering

- CIVIL 700 - Geotechnical Analysis

- CIVIL 722 - Slope Engineering
- CIVIL 725 - Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering


Postgraduate Supervision:
Current PhD students:

- Shaswat: Ground improvement technique using synthetic fibers to mitigate liquefaction
- Kristian Azul: Integration of geospatial and focused liquefaction tools for regional assessments
- Denny Budiman: Cyclic response of crushable pumice sands through Discrete Element Method

- Yu Chen (Vincent) Pan: The effect of pumice content, fabric, and structure on the undrained cyclic behaviour of pumiceous sands

- Shemelyn Coronacion-Sespeñe: Liquefaction behaviour of partially saturated sand

Completed PhD Students:
-Maryam Roshan Mooshaee (2026): Biopolymer-enhanced bentonite liners for long-term containment of short-chain PFAS and microplastics in landfill leachate

- Omer Altaf (2023): Liquefaction-induced ground damage assessment through regional mapping and site-specific studies (currently with Otago Polytechnic)
- Sam Bahmani (2021): DEM simulation of crushable pumice sands (currently with Unitec)
- David Edkins (2021): Development of seismic testing protocols for non-structural components (currently with RoofLogic)
- Baqer Asadi (2021): Geotechnical characterisation of pumiceous soils for liquefaction assessment (currently with Brian Perry Civil)
- Yu Wang (2021): Numerical study on the seismic behavior of inclined piles in liquefiable soils (currently with EGL)
- Xiaoyu Chen (2020): Measurement of ground deformations during geohazards using magnetic trackers (currently with Trimble)
- Gislaine Pardo Tobar (2019): Mitigation of soil liquefaction with two sustainable materials: Biochar and Laponite (currently with Beca)
- Milad Naghibi (2018): Electro-osmosis consolidation of soils (currently with Knight Piesold)
- Sadeq Asadi (2018): Cyclic properties of natural soil containing pumice (currently with Jacobs)
- Yasin Mirjafari (2016): Soil characterization using Screw Driving Sounding (currently with Aurecon)
- Samuel Harris (2013): The development of a site-specific early warning system for rainfall-induced landslides (currently with GHD)
- Farooq Khalid (2002): Experimental study on failure initiation in sandy slopes due to rainfall infiltration (currently with University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan)

Current ME students:
- Bingwen Wang: Numerical investigation of the 2017 slope failure at Rawene Reserve, Birkenhead

Completed ME students:

- Faizaan Mohammed (2025): In-situ testing and geotechnical considerations for foundation design on Takanini soft soils

- Avantio Pramaditya (2019): Soil improvement of areas prone to earthquake-induced liquefaction
- Zhengfa Huang (2019): Inverse analysis of dynamic soil properties based on ground motion records
- Julia Sit (2018): A review of methodology for seismic-induced displacement of tieback quay wall
- Jeremy Tan (2016): Liquefaction susceptibility of Christchurch soils using critical state soil mechanics
- Yuan Hong (2015): Numerical investigation of liquefaction-induced building settlement
- Yi Lu (2014): Liquefaction susceptibility of iron ores
- Zhiyuan Zhang (2014): Ground treatment depth for residential areas in Christchurch
- Syamal Ram (2013): Performance of sewer pipes with liner during earthquakes
- Elby Tang (2013): Effectiveness of stone columns as a countermeasure for liquefaction-induced lateral spreading
- Michelle Willis (2012): The use of vertical timber piles as a liquefaction countermeasure
- Junya Ohashi (2009): Cyclic shear characteristics of partially saturated Masado soil
- Hiroaki Kanda (2008): Fundamental study on development of an online testing system for in-situ seismic response
- Mitsutomi Ito (2008): A study of the 2006 Southern Leyte Landslide in the Philippines
- Noboyuki Tsuda (2008): Research on the strength and deformation properties of Diliman tuff under different degrees of saturation
- Takahide Arii (2008): Hydraulic properties of unsaturated ground undergoing two-phase flow
- Sho Takahashi (2007): Cyclic shear strength of partially saturated decomposed granite soil “Masado” and deformation of embankment during earthquake
- Suguru Shimoma (2003): Model tests on prediction of sandy slope failure due to rainfall
- Andrew Zapanta (2001): Geotechnical properties of volcanic soils taken from recent eruptions

TEACHING & SUPERVISION

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  • PHD OR SUB-DOCTORAL SUPERVISION OPPORTUNITY
    Ground improvement methods for existing structures
    1 Jan 2021
    Enrolment information: NZ Citizens, NZ Permanent Residents Introduction Infrastructure and environment The Canterbury earthquake sequence has shown that liquefaction is a major geotechnical hazard to residential buildings and other structures. Houses have tilted and sank non-uniformly due to the loss in bearing capacity following liquefaction. In order to mitigate liquefaction-induced damage to residential houses, ground improvement techniques, like densification method, have been recommended to retrofit the foundation ground under existing structures which has been judged to be susceptible to liquefaction. In most cases, however, the effect of such densification on the structure, specifically the amplification of ground motion brought about by the stiffer ground, is not considered in the design. This project will examine if densification technique will produce higher surface ground motions which will be detrimental to houses and structures built on top of the improved soil. Using various strong motion records, representative soil profiles will be analysed using equivalent linear, non-linear and effective stress analytical procedures to assess the effect on surface ground motions resulting from ground densification. Moreover, the appropriate thickness of the improved zone for lightweight residential houses will be investigated. What we are looking for in a successful applicant Knowledge of earthquake geotechnical engineering principles. Objectives 1. Determine the effect of improved zone on the surface ground motion. 2. Examine the most appropriate thickness of densified zone that is appropriate for lightweight structures.
  • PHD OR SUB-DOCTORAL SUPERVISION OPPORTUNITY
    Liquefaction of sands and its effects on buried structures
    1 Jan 2021
    Enrolment information: NZ Citizens, NZ Permanent Residents, International Introduction Infrastructure and Environment The recent Canterbury earthquakes have highlighted the effects of soil liquefaction on the built environment. This research will examine (1) the influence of various factors on the liquefaction susceptibility of sandy sites and the magnitude of associated ground deformations (settlement, lateral spreading); (2) the effect of the liquefaction to buried structures (piles, pipelines); and (3) the effectiveness of various countermeasure techniques. What we are looking for in a successful applicant Knowledge of earthquake geotechnical engineering. Objectives 1. To examine the influence of various factors on the liquefaction susceptibility of sandy sites and the magnitude of associated ground deformations (settlement, lateral spreading); 2. To investigate the effect of the liquefaction on buried structures (piles, pipelines); and 3. To assess the effectiveness of various countermeasure techniques.
  • PHD OR SUB-DOCTORAL SUPERVISION OPPORTUNITY
    Dynamic properties of soils
    1 Jan 2021
    Enrolment information: NZ Citizens, NZ Permanent Residents, International Introduction This research will investigate the seismic properties of soils using laboratory tests or in-situ field investigation and/or numerical analysis and their effect(s) on the response of structures. What we are looking for in a successful applicant Knowledge of earthquake geotechnical engineering. Objectives 1. To investigate the dynamic properties and liquefaction characteristics of various types of soils. 2. To understand the effects of these properties on the dynamic response of structures.
  • GENERAL SUPERVISION OPPORTUNITY
    The current research of Dr Rolando Orense
    Enrolment information: NZ Citizens, NZ Permanent Residents, International Introduction - Geotechnical earthquake engineering/soil dynamics - Soil liquefaction and ground remediation techniques - Slope movements and landslide risk mitigation - Site and soil characterisation Research groups: - Geomechanics Group