A researcher at the forefront of geotechnical engineering at the Faculty of Engineering at uOttawa, Mamadou Fall became interested in the field while growing up near the ocean in Dakar, Senegal. “Some parts of the coast experienced landslides, which showed me the power and danger of the ground beneath our feet. I was fascinated by how engineers managed to build structures on these soils while preserving the natural beauty and addressing the risks,” says Fall.
After years studying geotechnical engineering in Senegal, and later in Germany, Fall moved to Ottawa in 2006 to join the Faculty of Engineering. He is currently a distinguished university professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, while also serving as chair of the Department of Civil Engineering.
Fall remains captivated by the dynamics of soil and its impact on construction and environmental stability, and continues to research the complexities of this relationship.
Currently, Fall is focusing on helping Canada tackle infrastructure challenges while trying to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For him, geotechnical engineering continuously requires more innovative solutions and approaches to reach net-zero emissions, like developing low-carbon energy infrastructure or finding ways to extract necessary materials in a sustainable way.
Fall’s team at uOttawa is working to create robust structures for clean energy production, whether nuclear, wind, solar or geothermal. It’s also focusing on advancing technologies for effective carbon dioxide sequestration and promoting sustainable practices in resource extraction.
“Canada’s diverse geology and environmental conditions present unique challenges,” Fall says.
The country’s expansive permafrost regions, for example, threaten infrastructure stability as they thaw due to global warming. The west coast of Canada faces significant earthquake risks, while other coastal regions feature deposits of soft clays and organic soils. All these issues must be overcome when constructing foundations, embankments and other civil engineering structures.
Fall believes that geotechnical engineering research will become increasingly relevant the more we continue to feel the impact of climate change. “Climate change is reshaping our approach to infrastructure,” he says. “Geotechnical engineering is crucial in adapting to and mitigating this impact while building infrastructure for low-carbon energy production.”
Get in touch
Are you a student interested in working on Mamadou Fall’s research team? To inquire about undergraduate, graduate or postdoctoral opportunities, email Professor Fall and include your CV and a brief description of your research interests.
Companies and agencies can also email Fall about potential collaborations or partnership opportunities.