James Leak
james leak

Dr James Leak

University Tutor

Biography

I completed my bachelors degree in Civil Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University. During this time, I developed a strong interest in Geotechnics. Subsequently, I completed my PhD, studying particle size distribution (PSD) effects and inherent variability in the random specimen generation procedure in the discrete element method (DEM) and their respective impacts on soil behavior.

I specialize in assessing PSDs of granular materials using grading entropy coordinates and the internal stability criteria associated with the method. I am particularly interested in soil fabric effects resulting from PSD. My other research interests include:

• DEM
• Liquefaction susceptibility
• Particle breakage in soils
• Ground remediation techniques
• Force chain buckling mechanisms

I have a strong interest in both teaching and science communication and am currently employed as a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier university. I am always interested in working on projects that demonstrate science and engineering to new audiences.

Research Groups

Research Areas

Date


8 results

Exploring the Use of Rock Flour for Sustainable Peat Stabilisation

Conference Proceeding
Bernal-Sanchez, J., Coll, J., Leak, J., & Barreto, D. (2024)
Exploring the Use of Rock Flour for Sustainable Peat Stabilisation. In Geo-Congress 2024: Soil Improvement, Sustainability, Geoenvironmental, and Cold Regions Engineering (450-460). https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784485330.046
This paper aims to investigate the mechanical behaviour of peat stabilised with glacial rock flour for foundation construction. Peat, a natural organic soil, presents challeng...

A Grading Entropy Review of PSD-Based Frost Susceptibility Criteria

Conference Proceeding
Leak, J., Barreto, D., Wright, C., Bernal Sanchez, J., & Imre, E. (2024)
A Grading Entropy Review of PSD-Based Frost Susceptibility Criteria. In T. M. Evans, N. Stark, & S. Chang (Eds.), Geo-Congress 2024: Soil Improvement, Sustainability, Geoenvironmental, and Cold Regions Engineering (714-724). https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784485330.072
Particle size distribution (PSD) is recognised among geotechnical engineers as an informative soil descriptor, and often used to predict geomechanical behaviours. However, the...

Using grain size distribution to estimate permeability

Conference Proceeding
Imre, E., Bálint, Á., Houng, D. T. Q., López, L. L., Répássy, L., Mwinken, D. K., …Feng, S. (in press)
Using grain size distribution to estimate permeability. In Proceedings of the XVIII ECSMGE 2024
This study examines the saturated water permeability using samples of loose and dense 2-fraction coarse sand mixtures. Besides the non-normalised entropy variables some additi...

Particle size distribution induced fabric effects on the onset and post liquefaction behaviours of soils

Conference Proceeding
Leak, J., & Barreto, D. (in press)
Particle size distribution induced fabric effects on the onset and post liquefaction behaviours of soils. In Proceedings of the XVIII ECSMGE 2024
Liquefaction in soils is a detrimental phenomenon. Microscale behaviours and their influence on the macroscale response during and after the onset of liquefaction are not well...

Quantifying Particle Breakage and Its Evolution Using Breakage Indices and Grading Entropy Coordinates

Journal Article
Leak, J., Barreto, D., Dimitriadi, V., & Imre, E. (2022)
Quantifying Particle Breakage and Its Evolution Using Breakage Indices and Grading Entropy Coordinates. Geotechnics, 2(4), 1109-1126. https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics2040052
Particle breakage in soils is a well-recognised behaviour. Conventional methods for quantifying the breakage process rely on calculating the area between the particle size dis...

Revisiting Hardin’s parameters for the quantification of particle breakage – A statistical entropy approach

Conference Proceeding
Leak, J., Barreto, D., Dimitriadi, V., & Imre, E. (2021)
Revisiting Hardin’s parameters for the quantification of particle breakage – A statistical entropy approach. In Powders & Grains 2021 – 9th International Conference on Micromechanics on Granular Mediahttps://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202124907001
It is well recognised that particle breakage in granular materials is affected by stress level, stress path, initial density, and particle size distribution (PSD), amongst oth...

A guide to modeling the geotechnical behavior of soils using the discrete element method

Book Chapter
Barreto Gonzalez, D., & Leak, J. (2021)
A guide to modeling the geotechnical behavior of soils using the discrete element method. In P. Samui, S. Kumari, V. Makarov, & P. Kurup (Eds.), Modeling in geotechnical engineering (79-100). London: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821205-9.00016-2
This article describes the discrete element method (DEM) for the modeling of the geotechnical behavior of soils. Emphasis is made on a description of the algorithms and capabi...

Grading entropy coordinates and criteria for evaluation of liquefaction potential

Conference Proceeding
Barreto Gonzalez, D., Leak, J., Dimitriadi, V., McDougall, J., Imre, E., & Lőrincz, J. (2019)
Grading entropy coordinates and criteria for evaluation of liquefaction potential. In Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering for Protection and Development of Environment and Constructions, (1346-1353). https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429031274
Several methods are commonly used for the evaluation of liquefaction potential in soils. These include criteria based on SPT and CPT tests, shear wave velocity measurements an...

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