John Rice

Geotech and Associate Department Head

Associate Professor


John  Rice

Contact Information

Office Location: EL 272
Phone: 435-797-8611
Email: john.rice@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

PhD, Civil Engineering, (Geotechnical Engineering), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2008
The Long-Term Performance of Seepage Barriers in Dams
MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, (Geotechnical Engineering), Utah State University, 1989
Liquefaction Potential Mappin in Central Utah
BA, Geology, Humboldt State University, 1984

Biography

John Rice holds a Bachelor’s in Geology from Humboldt State University, a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Utah State, and a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Virginia Tech. After earning his Master’s degree, John worked as a Geotechnical Consultant for Kleinfelder and Woodward-Clyde. After 16 years of consulting, John returned to academics to earn his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech where he studied the long-term performance of seepage barriers in dams. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Utah State University where he teaches and performs reaches in the areas of earth structures and ground improvement.

Teaching Interests

Geotechnical Engineering, Earth structures, dams and levees, ground improvement

Research Interests

Seepage and internal erosin, reliabilty of earth structures, landslides

Awards

Fulbright Foundation Teaching and Research Fellow, 2018

Fulbright Foundation

Younger Professional Paper of the Year, 2016

United States Society on Dams

Elected to Board of Directors, 2015

United States Society on Dam

Nominated for Engineering Educator of the Year, 2014

Utah Engineers Council

Advisor of the Year, 2014

Utah State Univeristy

Engineering Educator of the Year, 2013

ASCE - Utah Chapter

United States Society on Dams Scholarship, 2006

USSD

Instructorship Position, 2005

Virginia Tech

Charles E. Via Doctoral Fellowship, 2004

Virginia Tech

Best Geotechnical Engineering Technical Presentation, 2002

Kleinfelder 16th Technical Training Seminar

Geotechnical Engineering Scholarship, 1987

Utah State University


    Publications | Book Chapters

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Journal Articles

Academic Journal

  • Rice, J.D, Peng, S., (2020). Measuring Critical Gradients for Soil Loosening and Initiation of Backward Erosion-Piping Mechanism. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering/ASCE/, 146:8, doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002277
  • Boulware, L.L, Rice, J.D, A Method for Reliability-Based Assessment of Three-Dimensional Internal Erosion Potential Due to Geomorphic Features. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Rice, J.D, Swainston-Fleshman, M., (2014). Laboratory Modeling of the Mechanisms of Piping Erosion Initiation. ASCE, 140:6
  • Swainston-Fleshman, M., Rice, J.D, (2013). Constant Gradient Piping Test Apparatus for Evaluation of Critical Hydraulic Conditions for the Initiation of Piping. ASTM Geotechnical Testing Journal, 36:6
  • Polanco, L., Rice, J.D, (2012). Reliability Based Underseepage Analysis in Levees Using a Response Surface-Monte Carlo Simulation. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Folkman, S.L, Rice, J.D, Sorenson, A., Braithwaite, N., (2012). Survey of Water Main Failures in the United States and Canada. AWWA Journal, 104:10, 70-79.
  • Rice, J.D, Duncan, M.J, (2010). Deformation and Cracking of Seepage Barriers in Dams due to Changes in the Pore Pressure Regime. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 136:1, 16-25.
  • Rice, J.D, Duncan, M.J, (2010). Findings of Case Histories on the Long-Term Performance of Seepage Barriers in Dams. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 136:1, 2-15. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606-0000175

Professional Journal

  • Rice, J.D, Boulware-Polanco, L., (2014). A Reliability-Based Evaluation of the Effects of Geometry on Levee Underseepage Potential. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Journal (Springer), 32:4

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | MultiMedia

PowerPoint

  • Rice, J.D, (2015). Research on Seepage Control Barriers and Geosynthetics.. Fabricated Geomembrane Institute Seminar- Current Advances & Trends in Containment Technology, *

Web

    Other Media

      An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

      Publications | Technical Reports

      Research Reports

      • Rice, J.D, Duncan, M.J, (2008). A Study on the Long-Term Performance of Seepage Barriers in Dams. Virginia Tech Center for Geotechnical Practice and Research Publication No. 49

      An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

      Publications | Other

      Bulletins

      • McCormick, W.V, Rice, J.D, (2002). Rio Nido Landslide, Sonoma County, California: Engineering Geology and Emergency Response. Engineering Geology Practice in Northern California, CGS Bulletin 210/AEG Special Publication 12

      Newsletter

      • Rice, J.D, (2006). Long-Term Performance of Seepage Barriers. United States Society on Dams Newsletter

      An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

      Teaching

      CEE 6300 - Embankments, Dams, and Slopes, Fall 2023
      CEE 6350, 5350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2023
      CEE 6930 - Special Problems, Spring 2023
      CEE 6350, 5350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2022
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Fall 2022
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Spring 2022
      CEE 5350, 6350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2021
      CEE 5930, 6930 - Independent Study, Fall 2021
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Spring 2021
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Spring 2021
      CEE 6350, 5350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2020
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Spring 2020
      CEE 6930 - Special Problems, Spring 2020
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Fall 2019
      CEE 5350, 6350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2019
      CEE 5930, 6300 - Earth Structures, Spring 2018
      CEE 5930, 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Spring 2018
      CEE 5350, 6350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2017
      CEE 6930 - Special Problems, Fall 2017
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Spring 2017
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Fall 2016
      CEE 5350, 6350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2016
      CEE 6360 - Geotechnical Principles, Spring 2016
      CEE 5350, 6350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2015
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Fall 2015
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Spring 2015
      CEE 5350,6350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2014
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Fall 2014
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Spring 2014
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Fall 2013
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Spring 2013
      CEE 5350,6350 - Foundation Analysis and Design, Fall 2012
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Fall 2012
      CEE 6930 - Special Problems, Fall 2012
      CEE 6300 - Earth Structures, Spring 2012
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Fall 2011
      CEE 6300 - EARTH STRUCTURES, Spring 2011
      CEE 6330 - Ground Reinforcement, Improvement and Treatment, Fall 2010

      Graduate Students Mentored

      Bradley Davis, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2018
      Dane Denison, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2018
      Ibriham Abdelmotelb, Civil & Environmental Engr, January 2017
      Jenn Ostrowsky, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2016
      Jorge Peralta, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2012
      Tomsen Reed, Civil & Environmental Engr, January 2015 - August 2020
      Lourdes Boulware (Polanco), Civil & Environmental Engr - August 2017
      Ibrahim Abdelmotelb, Civil & Environmental Engr, June 2014 - August 2016
      Richard Keiser, Civil & Environmental Engr - December 2014
      Brandon Attasiano, Civil & Environmental Engr 2013
      Jacob Ericson, Civil & Environmental Engr 2013
      Tammy Jacobsen, Civil & Environmental Engr 2013
      Tyler Coy, Civil & Environmental Engr 2013
      Joe Zaleski, Civil & Environmental Engr 2013
      Nathan Braithwaite, Civil & Environmental Engr 2013
      Mandie Swainston, Civil & Environmental Engr 2012
      Brent Randall, Civil & Environmental Engr 2010
      Isaac Stevens, Civil & Environmental Engr 2010
      Ryan Van Leuven, Brent Randall, Civil & Environmental Engr 2010
      Jake Smith, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2009 - July 2010
      Justin Whitmere, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2009 - July 2010
      Lekan Olarunsola, Jake Smith, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2009 - July 2010
      Lourdes Polanco, Civil & Environmental Engr 2009
      Scott Murphy, Civil & Environmental Engr, August 2008 - July 2009