Faculty Directory

Biography

Mike's research group focuses on geoconstruction monitoring, intelligent geoconstruction processes, ground vision and ground improvement as applied to underground construction and tunneling, earth dams and levees, urban excavations and pavement systems. In recent years, Mike's group:

(1) developed a real-time technique to improve foundation construction at the seabed floor for the Venice lagoon restoration project;
(2) developed a real-time boulder detection system for tunnel boring machines (currently being used in Seattle),
(3) advanced the understanding of intelligent vibratory and static roller compaction techniques and developed specifications for intelligent compaction adoption; and
(4) advanced understanding of ground control using pressurized TBM tunneling and soil conditioning.

Mike's current research includes real time tunnel boring machine monitoring, ground vision to look ahead of the tunnel boring machine, advancing horizontal directional drilling, earth dam and levee monitoring via remote sensing and geophysical methods, and rapid assessment of earth constructed conditions.

Mike teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in underground construction and tunnel engineering, earth retaining structures, foundations, soil mechanics, instrumentation and monitoring, nondestructive evaluation and intelligent geosystems, and infrastructure engineering. Mike is a registered Professional Engineer and actively consults on construction projects in the U.S. and Europe.

Education

• PhD Civil Engineering, Northwestern University, 1996
• MS Civil Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 1993
• BS Civil Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, 1991
• BA Physics, Hastings College, 1991
• Registered Professional Engineer, Colorado #39682

Labs & Research Centers

Publications

• Mooney, M., Proshchenko, V., Chiappalone, F., Nebbia, D. “Seattle Ship Canal TBM performance optimization using AI machine learning.” Proc. Rapid Excavation & Tunneling Conference, June 8-11, 2025, Dallas, TX.
•  Mooney, M. “Rapid small diameter directional tunneling using simultaneous pilot bore and pipe-in-pipe concept.” Proc. Rapid Excavation & Tunneling Conference, June 8-11, 2025, Dallas, TX.
• Chao, Z., Geng, Z., Mooney, M.A., Cheng, H., Chen, R-P. “Earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine vibration-based classification charts for real-time ground type and composition detection.” Geotechnique, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.24.01356.
• Mooney, M., Zheng, H., Naito, C., Quiel, S., Ouyang, Z. “Experimental characterization of large diameter tunnel lining radial joint rotation behavior.” Proc. North American Tunneling Conference, June 23-26, 2024, Nashville, TN.
• Shetty, R., Bigdeli, M., Mooney, M. “Quantifying foam destruction during conditioning of fine-grained soils.” Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2024, 153(105971, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2024.105971.
• Mooney, M., Zheng, H., Yu, H. “Three implementations to reduce geotechnical risk on underground projects using information engineering and AI.” Proc. Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground – Zhou, Guan & Li (eds), Macao, China, June 14-17, 2024.
• Zheng, H, Mooney, M.A., Gutierrez, M. “Updating model parameters and predictions in SEM tunneling using a surrogate-based Bayesian approach.” Geotechnique, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.22.00299.
• Yu, H and Mooney, M.A. “Characterizing the as-encountered ground condition with tunnel boring machine data using semi-supervised learning.” Computers and Geotechnics, 2023, 154(105159), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2022.105159.
• Gangrade, R., Mooney, M.A., and Trainor-Guitton, W. “Quantification of Stratigraphic Transition Location Uncertainty for Tunneling Projects.” ASCE J. Geotechnical & Geoenv. Engineering, 2022, 148(8), https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002815.
• Gangrade, R, Grasmick, J, Trainor-Guitton, W and Mooney, M.A. “Risk-based Methodology to Optimize Geotechnical Site Investigations in Tunnel Projects.” ASCE J. Geotechnical & Geoenv. Engineering, 2022, 127 (104589), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2022.104589.
• Grasmick, J and Mooney, M.A. “A Probabilistic Geostatistics-Based Approach to Tunnel Boring Machine Cutter Tool Wear and Cutterhead Clogging Prediction.” ASCE J. Geotechnical & Geoenv. Engineering, 2021, 147(12), https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002701.
• Epel, T, Mooney, M.A., and Gutierrez, M. “The Influence of Face and Shield Annulus Pressure on Tunnel Liner Load Development.” Tunneling and Underground Space Technology, 2021, 117 (104096), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.104096.
• Zheng, H, Bragard, C, Herranz-Calvo, C, Mooney, M.A. and Gutierrez, M. “Observed Performance and Analysis of SEM Cavern Construction in Downtown Los Angeles.” ASCE J. Geotechnical & Geoenv. Engineering, 2021, 147(11), https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002639.
• Gangrade, R, Grasmick, J and Mooney, M.A. “Probabilistic Assessment of Void Risk and Grouting Volume for Tunneling Applications.” Rock Mech Rock Eng (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02528-6.

Awards & Honors

• Inducted into US National Academy of Construction (2024)
• ASCE Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award (2024)
• Underground Construction Association Outstanding Educator Award (2024)
• Tan Swan Beng Endowed Visiting Professor, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore (2019)
• World Tunnels Congress Scientific Committee Chair (2016)
• Grewcock Distinguished Chair in Underground Construction & Tunneling (2013-present).

Additional Information

M. Mooney CV

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