Slug
adda_zekkos
Type
Faculty
Photo
Headshot (PLEASE IGNORE, USE PHOTO FIELD ABOVE INSTEAD)
First Name
Adda
Last Name
Athanasopoulos-Zekkos
Email
adda.zekkos@berkeley.edu
Office
421 Davis Hall
Office Phone
Programs
Energy, Civil Infrastructure and Climate
GeoSystems Engineering
Titles
Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Biography
Adda Athanasopoulos-Zekkos is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley. Zekkos’ research focuses on assessing and mitigating the impact of multi-hazard stressors on geotechnical engineering infrastructure. Her research aims to address infrastructure challenges, including age-related deterioration, population growth and densification, natural and manmade hazards, and evolving demands from climate change. She also received the prestigious National Science Foundation award and the Thomas Middlebrooks Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Education
Ph.D., Civil & Environmental Engineering Dept, University of California at Berkeley, 2008
MSc., Civil & Environmental Engineering Dept, University of California at Berkeley, 2004
Ptychion, Civil Engineering Dept (5-year mandatory program), University of Patras, Greece, 2003
Research Interests
Geotechnical Engineering infrastructure, Population growth and densification, Soil dynamics, Multi-hazard stressor mitigation strategies
Research
Athanasopoulos-Zekkos’ research focuses on the development of new analytical and design solutions to soil dynamics problems such as the resiliency of flood protection systems and soil structures under extreme loading conditions including hurricanes and earthquakes. Her current research projects investigate the response of flood protection systems, the performance of critical systems such as ports during earthquakes, the effects of man-induced vibrations from pile driving in dense urban environments, and the use of new materials and field testing to inform efficient and sustainable maintenance strategies of aging systems. Here are a few of the research projects Athanasopoulos-Zekkos is currently working on below:
- Liquefaction triggering and residual strength - With the majority of research in soil liquefaction engineering focused on the assessment of the likelihood of "triggering" of liquefaction in sands and silty soils, new approaches, and transformative methods for characterizing gravels are needed. Athanasopoulos-Zekkos’ research proposes a plan combining unique large-scale laboratory testing and innovative field testing at key gravel liquefaction sites to develop liquefaction triggering charts and post-liquefaction shear strength recommendations for gravelly soils.
- Transportation asset management - The purpose of transportation asset management is to meet life-cycle performance goals by managing physical assets in the most cost-effective manner. Currently, many agencies manage geotechnical features on the basis of "worst-first" conditions, reacting to failures and incurring significant safety, mobility, environmental, and other intangible costs. Athanasopoulos-Zekkos’ research explores the development of a comprehensive risk management framework for the asset management of retaining wall structures.
- Thriving in a networked world - Collaboration often results in greater productivity and innovation than when working alone. Given the increasing complexity of the problems Geotechnical Engineers address and the increasing connectivity in the world, faculty need to be able to manage their professional connections with greater efficiency and effectiveness. Athanasopoulos-Zekkos’ research applies social network analysis and professional development activities to improve networking and collaboration among geotechnical engineering faculty, especially among women faculty, in order to bridge the isolation created by geographical distances, low representation, and connectivity gaps
CV File
Personal Website
X (Twitter)
Awards
- TC203 Young Researcher Award, ISSMGE TC-203, 2020
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Chi Epsilon Great Lakes District, 2016
- Thomas Middlebrooks Award, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2015
- Arthur Casagrande Professional Development Award: For “contributions in the seismic risk assessment of levee protection systems against flooding”, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2015
- Excellence in CEE, Departmental Faculty Award, 2014
- National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, 2013
- National Science Foundation (NSF), Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Award, 2004-2007
Publications
Select Publications: (for a complete list see here)
- Zekkos, D., Greenwood, W., Lynch, J., Manousakis, J., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., Clark, M., Cook, K.L. and Saroglou, C. (2018). Lessons Learned from The Application of UAV-Enabled Structure-From-Motion Photogrammetry in Geotechnical Engineering. International Journal of Geoengineering Case Histories, Vol.4, Issue 4, p.254-274. doi: 10.4417/IJGCH-04-04-03
- Hubler, J., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., and Zekkos, D. (2018) “Monotonic and Cyclic Simple Shear Response of Gravel-Sand Mixtures”, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol 115, pp. 291-304, Dec 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2018.07.016
- Zekkos, D., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., Hubler, J., Fei, X., Zehtab, K.H., and Marr, A. (2017) “Development Of A Large-Size Cyclic Direct Simple Shear Device For Characterization Of Ground Materials With Oversized Particles”, Geotechnical Testing Journal https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ20160271. ISSN 0149-6115
- Hubler, J., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., and Zekkos, D. (2017). “Monotonic, Cyclic and Post-Cyclic Simple Shear Response of Three Uniform Gravels in Constant Volume Conditions”, ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Vol. 143, Issue 9, doi 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001723
- Grizi, A., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., and Woods, R. (2016). "Ground Vibration Measurements near Impact Pile Driving." J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. , 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001499, 04016035.
- Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., Pence, H., and Lobbestael, A. (2016.) “Ground Motion Selection for Seismic Slope Displacement Evaluation of Earthen Levees", Earthquake Spectra, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, doi: 10.1193/062513EQS169M, February 2016, Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 217-237.
- Carlson, C., Zekkos, D., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A. (2016). “Predictive Equations to Quantify the Impact of Spectral Matching on Ground Motion Characteristics”, Earthquake Spectra, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Journal, doi: 10.1193/090914EQS140M February 2016, Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 125-142.
- Carlson, C., Zekkos, D., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A. and J. Hubler (2014). “Statistical assessment of impact of ground motion modification on ground motion characteristics and time histories” Earthquake Engineering Journal, DOI: 10.1080/13632469.2014.898602.
- Saadi, M. and Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A. (2013). “A GIS-enabled approach for assessing damage potential of levee systems based on underlying geology and river morphology”, Journal of Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Special Issue: Structural Damage Modelling and Assessment Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 936468, Article can be accessed at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/936468.
- Lobbestael, A., Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., and Colley, J. (2013). “Factor of Safety Reduction Factors for Accounting for Progressive Failure for Earthen Levees with Underlying Thin Layers of Sensitive Soils”, Journal of Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Special Issue: Structural Damage Modelling and Assessment Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 893602. Article can be accessed at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/893602.
- Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A., Vlachakis, V.S. and Athanasopoulos, G.A. (2013). “Phasing issues in the seismic response of yielding, gravity-type earth retaining walls – overview and results from a FEM study”, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol.55, pp. 59-70.
- Saadi, M. and Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A. (2013). “A framework for assessing spatial distribution of soil properties in levee systems based on underlying geology and river morphology”, Journal of Geography and Geology, Vol. 5, No.3, pp.22-42.
- Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A. and Seed, R.B., (2013). “Simplified Methodology for Consideration of 2D Dynamic Response of Levees in Liquefaction Triggering Evaluation”, ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Vol. 139, No. 11, pp.1911-1922.
- A. Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, K. Lamote, and G. A. Athanasopoulos, (2012). "Use of EPS geofoam compressible inclusions for reducing the earthquake effects on yielding earth retaining structures", Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering Journal, Vol.41, pp.59-71.
- A. Athanasopoulos-Zekkos and M. Saadi, (2012). “Ground Motion Selection for Liquefaction Evaluation Analysis of Earthen Levees", Earthquake Spectra, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Vol. 28 (4), pp. 1331-1351.