Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
Dr El Mountassir is a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering and Director for Research in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Her research focuses on developing novel technologies using biological and biochemical processes that can alter the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of soils and rocks. Over the last ten year the team at Strathclyde have been developing microbially induced calcite precipitation as a technique for rock grouting, soil stabiliation, well sealing and concrete repair. More recently she has been leading investigations into the potential use of fungi and their hyphal networks in ground improvement applications.
Teaching Interests
I teach CL217 Soil mechanics and the Graduate Apprenticship module EO206 (Soils & Water 2), both to second year students.
Research Interests
My research is largely experimental and focuses on understanding the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of soils and rocks. I am particularly interested in the potential use of biological processes in geotechnical engineering. I am currently developing novel grouting technologies including microbially induced calcite precipitation as a technique for sealing fine aperture fractures and silica sol as a low viscosity grout. I am also investigating the possible deployment of fungi within ground engineering applications.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Behaviour of a collapsible, structured, unsaturated fill material., University of Strathclyde
Award Date: 1 Jan 2011
Master of Engineering, Civil Engineering with European Studies, University of Strathclyde
Award Date: 1 Jan 2005
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Network
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DTP 2224 University of Strathclyde | Hughes-Buchanan, Adam
El Mountassir, G., Ward, A. & Hughes-Buchanan, A.
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/10/22 → 1/04/26
Project: Research Studentship - Internally Allocated
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UKRI FLF - Soil-mycelia systems for slope stabilisation
MRC (Medical Research Council)
1/10/21 → 30/09/25
Project: Research Fellowship
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Treatment of fractured concrete via microbially induced carbonate precipitation: from micro-scale characteristics to macro-scale behaviour
Turner, R., Castro, G. M., Minto, J., El Mountassir, G. & Lunn, R. J., 27 Jun 2023, In: Construction and Building Materials. 384, 14 p., 131467.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Colloidal silica as a grouting material for the temporary encapsulation of heat-generating radioactive waste during removal and transport operations: a proof of concept
Pagano, A. G., El Mountassir, G. & Lunn, R., 22 Mar 2023, (Accepted/In press) In: Frontiers in Energy Research.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Datasets
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Data for: "Hydraulic behaviour of fungal treated sand"
Salifu, E. (Creator), El Mountassir, G. (Creator), Minto, J. (Creator) & Tarantino, A. (Creator), University of Strathclyde, 26 May 2021
DOI: 10.15129/39b39651-8cc6-4c77-9fba-34d426121b95
Dataset
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Data for: "Microscale analysis of fractured rock sealed with microbially induced CaCO3 precipitation: influence on hydraulic and mechanical performance"
Tobler, D. J. (Creator), Minto, J. (Creator), El Mountassir, G. (Contributor), Lunn, R. (Contributor) & Phoenix, V. (Contributor), University of Strathclyde, 4 Oct 2018
DOI: 10.15129/0f92623e-df99-4caf-9734-61cacb235913, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR023032
Dataset
Prizes
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Best paper award at RM4L Conference 2021
Pagano, Arianna Gea (Recipient), El Mountassir, Grainne (Recipient) & Lunn, Rebecca (Recipient), Sept 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Nomination for Strathclyde Teaching Excellence Award
El Mountassir, Grainne (Recipient), 2014
Prize: Other distinction
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Applied Clay Science (Journal)
Grainne El Mountassir (Peer reviewer)
Aug 2022 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Journal peer review
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Invited speaker Cheltenham Science Festival 2022
Grainne El Mountassir (Recipient)
10 Jun 2022Activity: Public Engagement and Other Activities › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation