The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University is a cooperative
research center for academia, government, and industry. The Center’s mission is to
advance trenchless technology by serving as an independent source of knowledge, research,
and education in the field. Trenchless technology includes a large family of methods
used for installing and rehabilitating underground utility systems with minimal surface
disruption and destruction resulting from excavation. The TTC utilizes a three-pronged
approach to accomplish its mission: research & development, education, and technology
transfer.
TTC was initiated as the Trenchless Excavation Center in 1989 and formally became
the TTC in Nov. 1991. It was created to promote research, development and technology
transfer in the trenchless industry. In addition to its research activities, a strong
effort has been focused towards the education of engineers, contractors, government
agencies and others about the availability and capability of trenchless methods for
the solution of difficult underground infrastructure problems. The TTC has worked
with various organizations in evaluating and developing new technology for the industry.
Industry members contribute financial support, expertise and guidance – principally
through the Industry Advisory Board (IAB). Organizations like the Louisiana Contractors’
Educational Trust Fund play an important role in supporting the TTC.
Facilities
Main Offices
The main offices for the Trenchless Technology Center are on the second floor of the
Engineering Annex building on the Louisiana Tech University main campus. The space
includes four offices, a conference room and an information reference room with an
extensive collection of research and information materials related to trenchless technology.
On South Campus
TTC facilities on the South Campus include the National Trenchless Technology Research
Facility and an adjacent field testing facility.
The National Trenchless Technology Research Facility provides the Trenchless Technology Center with high-bay research space with an overhead
crane where large scale experiments can be performed. A 20-foot-by-20-foot soil box,
allows applying horizontal and vertical loads to soil and structures within it, and
the construction of purpose-built testing frames. The soil box of this scale is one
of only a few in North America and is one of the largest. The facility was completed
in 2007.
The field testing site of approximately 70,000 sq. ft. has been used for a variety of field tests related
to HDD research, pipe systems and ground movements associated with upsizing during
pipe replacement, etc. The field testing facility contains four soil test sections,
each approximately 14.6 m long, containing local clay, sand, silt and a clay-gravel
mixture to a depth of about 2m. The test section has a 3-m by 6-m jacking pit at one
end. The facility has electric power available to the site and is accessible to large
construction equipment.
Bogard Hall Laboratories
Additional laboratories are housed in the Bogard Hall building. Materials Characterization Lab has been used for testing the short- or long-term pressure response of a variety
of pipes and pipe lining systems, and Rheology Lab for HDD drilling fluid properties. State-of-the-art Electromagnetic Lab is an advanced research and testing facility for developing sensors for trenchless
applications.
Facilities Overview – pdf
Faculty
Matthews, John – Ph.D.
Department: Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Trenchless Technology Center
Areas of Responsibility: Director Trenchless Technology Center, Professor of Construction Engineering Technology
Office: Engineering Annex 203
Phone: (318) 257-2852
Email: matthews@latech.edu
Alam, Shaurav, Ph.D.
Department: Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Trenchless Technology Center
Areas of Responsibility: Associate Director of TTC Research, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering & Construction
Engineering Technology
Office: Bogard Hall 246
Phone: (318) 257-2053
Email: shaurav@latech.edu
Jaganathan, Arun, Ph.D.
Department: Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Trenchless Technology Center,
Center for Applied Physics
Areas of Responsibility: Associate Professor of Civil Engineering & Construction Engineering Technology
Office: Bogard Hall 247
Phone: (318) 257-2905
Email: arun@latech.edu
Faculty Emeritus
Iseley, Tom – Ph.D.
Department: Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Trenchless Technology Center
Areas of Responsibility: Associate Director of TTC International Operations, Professor of Civil Engineering
& Construction Engineering Technology
Office: Engineering Annex 200
Phone: (318) 257-2072
Email: dtiseley@latech.edu
Sterling, Raymond, Ph.D.
Department: Trenchless Technology Center
Areas of Responsibility: Professor Emeritus, Research Professor (Retired)
Phone: (318) 257-4072
Email: sterling@latech.edu
Staff
Quade Wells
Department: Trenchless Technology Center
Areas of Responsibility: South Campus Lab Manager and Property Inventory Custodian
Contact Information:
Office: NTTRF, South Campus
Phone: (318) 257-5303
Email: jqwells@latech.edu
Wagner, Fredda
Department: Trenchless Technology Center, Center for Applied Physics
Areas of Responsibility: Office Manager, Trenchless Technology Center; Administrative Assistant, Center for
Applied Physics
Office: Engineering Annex 201
Phone: (318) 257-4072
Email: fredda@latech.edu
Dr. John J. Kraft IV
Department: Trenchless Technology Center, Construction Engineering Technology
Areas of Responsibility: Director of Special Schools, Lecturer
Contact Information:
Office: BOGH 252
Phone: (318) 257-5744
Email: jkraft@latech.edu
Dr. Shaik Hussain
Department: Trenchless Technology Center
Areas of Responsibility: Research Scientist, Adjunct Instructor
Contact Information:
Office: NTTRF, South Campus
Phone: (318) 257-5303
Email: hshaik@latech.edu
Richard Edwards
Department: Trenchless Technology Center
Areas of Responsibility: Research Scientist
Contact Information:
Office: NTTRF, South Campus
Phone: (225) 360-6055
Email: richardr@latech.edu
