Brian Sheil BE PhD

Dr Brian Sheil studied Civil Engineering for his undergraduate degree at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). His PhD was a collaboration between NUIG and the University of California, Berkeley on the behaviour of pile group foundations.

In 2014, Brian joined the University of Oxford as a postdoctoral researcher in experimental geotechnics focused on industry-funded research projects and was subsequently promoted to departmental lecturer in geotechnical engineering in January 2017. 

He was awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship (at Oxford) in March 2018. At the same time, he was also awarded a Junior Research Fellowship at St Catherine’s College. In January 2021, Brian was also appointed to the position of Honorary Research Senior Lecturer at NUIG. In 2022, he was awarded the title of Associate Professor. In September 2022, Brian moved to University of Cambridge to take up the Laing O'Rourke Associate Professorship in Construction Engineering. He also holds a Visiting Fellowship at University of Oxford. 

He is the PI of the EPSRC-funded ‘FOCUS’ project aiming to develop novel sensors to monitor interactions between soil and structures during underground construction operations. He is the PI of the ‘iDRIVE’ project (Supergen ORE hub) to develop intelligent driveability forecasting for offshore monopiles where he leads a team of three universities plus industry partners. He is the PI of the ‘NERVE’ project (EPSRC Future Manufacturing Hubs) to develop intelligent precast construction elements using embedded optoelectronics. Finally, he is the PI for RAEng ‘Proof of Concept’ and EPSRC ‘Impact Acceleration Account’ awards to commercialise his research on novel fibre optic force sensors. He is an editor of the journal 'Data-Centric Engineering', is an Associate Editor for 'Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering' and is an editorial board member for both 'Tunnelling & Underground Space Technology' and 'Underground Space'. He sits on the ISSMGE Technical Committee TC222 for Geotechnical BIM and Digital Twins and he is a member of the EC3 'Data Sensing & Acquisition' work group. He recently received the 'Young Researcher Award 2022' from the Civil Engineering Research Association of Ireland and the 'Bright Spark Lecture Award' from the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.

A particular focus of Brian's research has been in the area of soil-structure interaction (SSI), covering development of normal and frictional contact stresses exerted by soil onto structures, soil strength mobilization displacements, pore water pressures and their time dependence. His research has included the use of numerical modelling, laboratory testing at model scale, and field testing/monitoring.

Underground construction

Underground construction monitoring represents a new line of research within civil engineering at Oxford University. The aim of this work is to develop the underpinning engineering science for SSI design applied to underground construction. This involves the use of laboratory testing and numerical modelling to elucidate the mechanics of soil-structure interface behaviour. Intelligent monitoring systems are being developed to measure and monitor soilstructure contact stresses on live construction projects to provide (i) field data for rigorous validation of developed design methods and (ii) real-time, automated feedback to site engineers to inform the construction of the field project itself essentially providing ‘early warning’ of unsatisfactory performance. Recent advances in fibre optic sensing will be exploited to develop novel multi-directional contact stress sensors.

Machine learning algorithms are also being employed such that prior data from previous construction projects may be synthesised with newly-acquired data to provide a robust datadriven decision-making process. Monitoring systems developed by Brian's research group have already been successfully trialled on a number of major UK construction projects. They will also be used to guide part of the Thames Tideway construction works in the near future.

• Intelligent underground construction monitoring
• Bayesian machine learning for construction
• Soil-structure interaction
• Construction support fluids

Journals Accepted/Published: 58; Journals Under Review: 22

*Underlined co-authors indicate students, visiting scholars and postdoctoral researchers supervised  

86. Lin, W., Sheil, B.B., Xie, X., Zhang, P. & Zhou, B. Seg2Tunnel: A hierarchical point cloud dataset and benchmarks for segmentation of segmental tunnel linings. In preparation.

85. Lu, B., Sheil, B.B., Zhao, W., Jia, P., Bai, Q. & Wang, W. Laboratory testing of settlement propagation induced by pipe-roof pre-support deformation in sandy soils. In preparation.

84. Phillips et al. A new apparatus for laboratory testing of soil-lubricant-structure interfaces. In preparation.

83. Xu et al. Effects of retaining walls on tunnelling-induced ground displacements: a numerical investigation. In preparation.

82. Li et al. Enhanced hybrid algorithms for segmentation and reconstruction of granular grains from X-ray micro computed-tomography images. In preparation.

81. Suryasentana, S.K., Sheil, B.B & Stuyts, B. Physics-Informed Multi-fidelity Neural Network for Interpretable and Data-Efficient Metamodelling and Digital Twin Modelling of Pile Foundations. Submitted.

80. Zhou, X., Shi, P., Suryasentana, S. & Sheil, B.B. Knowledge-based U-Net for automatic boundary separation. Submitted.

79. McNamara, D.P., Sheil, B.B., Jefferis, S.A., Barker, C. & Nicholson, D. et al. On the suitability of the API filter press test for polymer support fluids. Submitted.

78. Templeman, J.O. & Sheil, B.B. Development of a new soil-structure contact stress sensor for underground construction applications. Submitted.

77. Apoji, D., Sheil, B.B. & Soga, K. Shaping the future of tunneling with data-centric engineering. Submitted.

76. Zuo, J., Sheil, B.B. & Acikgoz, S. A three-stage approach based on 1D-CNNs for AE source localisation on historic fibrous plaster ceilings. Submitted.

75. Bayaraa, M., Rossi, C., Kalaitzis, A. & Sheil, B.B. Entity embeddings in remote sensing: application to forecasting anomalous deformation in SAR interferometry. Submitted.

74. Long, T., Zhou, H., Sheil, B.B., Liu, H. & Chen, R. Full-field internal 3D deformations measurement of transparent soil using 3D-DIC combined with optical slicing. Submitted.

73. Li, R., Yin, Z.-Y., Zhang, P. & Sheil, B.B. Enhanced hybrid algorithms for segmentation and reconstruction of granular grains from X-ray micro computed-tomography images. Submitted.

72. Suryasentana, S.K., Sheil, B.B. & Lawler, M. Unsupervised univariate and multivariate Bayesian changepoint detection methods for soil layering identification using CPT data. Submitted

71. Song, G., He, Y. & Sheil, B.B. Predicting soil settlements induced by open caisson construction in sand. Submitted.

70. Sheil, B.B., Orazalin, Z., Prakhya, G. & Rossi, B.  Observed performance of a deep excavation at New College, Oxford. Submitted.

69. Zhang, P., Sheil, B.B., Girolami, M. & Yaji, K. A novel consolidation analysis framework: universal function approximators with physics-informed regularization. Submitted.

68. Wang, Z.L. et al. Effects of scour on the lateral response of piles in sand: centrifuge tests and numerical investigation. Submitted.

67. Suryasentana, S.K., Sheil,B.B. & Lehane, B.M. Multi-fidelity data fusion for the estimation of static stiffness of suction caisson foundations in layered soil. Submitted.

66. Zhou, X., Shi, P. & Sheil, B.B. Knowledge-based multiple point statistics for soil stratigraphy simulation. Submitted.

65. Zhang et al. PiNet: A novel computational paradigm for solving elasto-plastic constitutive relations. Submitted.

64. Zhou, H., Sheil, B.B. & Liu, H. Load transfer model for vertically loaded non-circular piles. Submitted.

63. Tong, L., Zhou, H., Sheil, B.B. & Liu H. A novel method to measure and visualize the three-dimensional displacements of transparent soil. Submitted.

62. Song, G., Morris, J. & Sheil, B.B. Laboratory testing of open caisson construction-induced ground displacements in sand. Submitted.

61. Kbashi, H.J., Sheil, B.B. & Perego, A.M. Dual-comb mode-locked fibre lasers for temperature-independent strain sensing. Submitted.

60. Zhou, H., Tong, L.m Liu, H. & Sheil, B.B. Efficacy of 3D digital image correlation for measuring the deformations of transparent soil. Submitted.

59. Zhang, P., Yin, Z.-Y. & Sheil, B.B. Machine learning assisted constitutive modelling of stress-induced anisotropic behaviour of clay. Submitted.

58. Buckley, R.M., Chen, Y., Sheil, B.B., Suryasentana, S.K., Xu, D., Doherty, J.P., Randolph, M.F. Bayesian optimisation for CPT-based prediction of impact pile driveability. Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering. Accepted.

57. Hensman, P., Orazalin, Z. & Sheil, B.B. Monitoring the construction of a deep energy-from-waste bunker in soft clay and peat. Géotechnique. Accepted.

56. Swallow, A.W. & Sheil, B.B. Embodied carbon analysis of microtunnelling using recent case histories. Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering. Accepted.

55. Zhang, P. et al. Interpretable data-driven constitutive modelling of soils in the small-data regime. Computers & Geotechnics. Accepted.

54. Zhou, H., Wang, Z., Sheil, B., Liu, H. & Wang, C. Numerical investigation of the lateral response of pile groups in sand under local scour conditions. Computers & Geotechnics. Accepted.

53. Suryasentana, S.K., Lawler, M. & Sheil, B.B. Probabilistic soil strata delineation using DPT data and Bayesian changepoint detection. Journal of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering. Accepted.

52. Zhang, P., Yin, Z.-Y. & Sheil, B.B. A novel physics-informed data-driven paradigm for consolidation analysis. Géotechnique. Accepted.

51. O'Dwyer, K.G., McCabe, B.A. & Sheil, B.B. Experimental testing of the interface shear strength between concrete and sand-bentonite mixtures. Géotechnique Letters. Accepted.

50. Jing, Y., Sheil, B.B. & Acikgoz, S. Segmentation of large-scale masonry arch bridge point clouds with a synthetic bridge simulator and the BridgeNet neural network. Automation in Construction. In press.

49. Yu, H., Zhou, H., Sheil, B.B & Liu, H. Finite element modeling of helical pile installation and its influence on uplift capacity in strain softening clay. Canadian Geotechnical Journal. In press.

48. Sheil, B.B., Templeman, J.O., Orazalin, Z., Phillips, B.M. & Song, G. Undrained uplift resistance of under-reamed open caisson shafts. Géotechnique. In press.

47. Bayaraa, M., Sheil, B.B. & Rossi, C. A combined InSAR-geotechnical monitoring workflow for tailings dams: application to Cadia mine, Australia. Géotechnique. In press.

46. McCabe, B.A., Sheil, B.B., Phillips, B.M. & O'Dwyer, K.G. Discussion of “Experimental study on the pipe-soil interface under the influence of pipe jacking stagnation time” by Tianliang Li, Wen Zhao, Run Liu, Jianyong Han and Cheng Cheng. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering. In press.

45. Zhou, H., Sheil, B.B. & Liu, H. Non-circular cavity expansion in undrained critical state soil: semi-analytical solution and its application. ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics. In press.

44. Zhang, P., Yin, Z.-Y., Jin, Y.-F. & Sheil, B.B. Physics‐constrained hierarchical data‐driven modelling framework for complex path‐dependent behaviour of soils. International Journal for Numerical & Analytical Methods in Geomechanics. Accepted.

43. Saberi, M., Annan, C.-D. & Sheil, B.B. An efficient numerical approach for simulating soil-pipe interaction behaviour under cyclic axial displacement. Computers & Geotechnics. In press.

42. Zhang, P., Yin, Z.-Y., Jin, Y.-F., Yang, J. & Sheil, B.B. Physics-informed multi-fidelity residual neural networks for hydromechanical modelling of granular soils and foundation considering internal erosion. ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics. In press. Editor's Choice Award.

41. Watford, M., Templeman, J.O., Orazalin, Z., Zhou, H., Franza, A. & Sheil, B.B. Numerical analysis of the deep soil failure mechanism for perimeter pile groups. Géotechnique Letters. In press.

40. Sheil, B.B. & Templeman, J.O. (2021) Bearing capacity of large-diameter open caissons embedded in sand. Géotechnique. In press.

39. Sheil, B.B. (2021) Hybrid Framework for Forecasting Circular Excavation Collapse: Combining Physics-Based and Data-Driven Modeling. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 147(12): 04021140. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002683.

38. Sheil, B.B., Suryasentana, S.K., Templeman, J.O., Phillips, B.M., Cheng, W.-C & Zhang, L. (2021) Prediction of pipe jacking forces using a Bayesian updating approach. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002645.

37. Bai, X.-D., Cheng, W.-D. & Sheil, B.B.(2021) Pipejacking clogging detection in soft alluvial deposits using machine learning algorithms. Tunnelling & Underground Space Technology, 113: 103908. DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2021.103908.

36. Swallow, A. & Sheil, B.B. (2020) Group shape effects on the lateral capacity of pile groups in undrained soil. Géotechnique. DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.20-P-222.

35. Sheil, B.B., Suryasentana, S.K., Mooney, M.A., Zhu, H., McCabe, B.A. & O'Dwyer, K. (2020) Discussion: machine learning to inform tunnelling operations: recent advances and future trends. Proceedings of the ICE - Smart Infrastructure and Construction, 173(1): 180-181. DOI: 10.1680/jsmic.2020.173.1.180.

34. Templeman, J.O., Phillips, B.M. & Sheil, B.B. (2021) Cutting shoe design for open caissons in sand: influence on vertical bearing capacity. Proceedings of the ICE – Geotechnical Engineering. Published online ahead of print. DOI: 10.1680/jgeen.20.00218.

33. Franza, A. & Sheil, B.B. (2020) Pile groups under vertical and inclined eccentric loads: elastoplastic modelling for performance based design. Computers & Geotechnics, 135:104092. DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104092.

32. Sheil, B.B., Byrne, B.W. & Martin, C.M. (2020) Rate effects on the uplift capacity of pipelines embedded in clay: finite element modelling. Computers & Geotechnics. Published online ahead of print. DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104155.

31. Sheil, B.B. (2020) Discussion of “On the Pointlessness of Machine Learning Based Time Delayed Prediction of TBM Operational Data” by Georg H. Erharter and Thomas Marcher. Automation in Construction, 124: 103559. DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103559.

30. Sheil, B.B. (2020) Probabilistic forecasting of microtunnelling jacking forces. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 109: 103749. DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2020.103749

29. Sheil, B.B., Suryasentana, S.K., Mooney, M.A. & Zhu, H. (2020) Machine learning to inform tunnelling operations: recent advances and future trends. Proceedings of the ICE – Smart Infrastructure & Construction. Published online ahead of print. DOI: 10.1680/jsmic.20.00011

28. Michael, R., Justin, C.D., Cortés, L.P., Burd, H.J., Sheil, B.B. & Barraquer, R.I. (2021) Deformations and Ruptures in Human Lenses With Cortical Cataract Subjected to Ex Vivo Simulated Accommodation. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 62(1): 12. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.1.12.

27. Chieh, W.-C., Bai, X.-D. & Sheil, B.B. (2020) Identifying characteristics of pipejacking parameters to assess geological conditions using optimisation algorithm-based support vector machines. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 106: 103592. DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2020.103592.

26. Royston, R., Sheil, B.B. & Byrne, B.W. (2020) Undrained bearing capacity of the cutting face of large-diameter caissons. Géotechnique. Published online ahead of print. DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.20.P.210.

25. Sheil, B.B., Suryasentana, S.K. & Cheng, W-.C. (2020) An assessment of anomaly detection methods applied to microtunnelling. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 146(9): 04020094. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002326.

24. Royston, R., Sheil, B.B. & Byrne, B.W. (2020) Monitoring the construction of a large-diameter caisson in sand. Proceedings of the ICE - Geotechnical Engineering. Published online ahead of print. DOI: 10.1680/jgeen.19.00266.

23. Mayall, R.O., McAdam, R.A., Whitehouse, R.J.S., Burd, H.J., Byrne, B.W., Heald, S.G., Sheil, B.B. & Slater, P.L. (2020) Flume tank testing of offshore wind turbine structural dynamics under the influence of foundation scour and scour protection. ASCE Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 165(5): 04020033. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000587.

22. Templeman, J.O., Sheil, B.B. & Sun, T. (2020) Multi-axis force sensors: a state-of-the art review. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 304:111772. DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2019.111772.

21. Sheil, B.B. (2020) Lateral limiting pressure on square pile groups in undrained soil. Géotechnique, 71(4): 279-287. DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.18.p.118.

20. Sheil, B.B., Martin, C.M. & Byrne, B.W. (2019) Simulation of overburden pressure during laboratory investigations of axial pipe-soil interaction. Géotechnique, 71(3): 272-278. DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.18.t.040.

19. Georgiadis, K. & Sheil, B.B. (2019) Effect of torsion on the undrained limiting lateral resistance of piles in clay. Géotechnique, 70(8): 700-710. DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.19.ti.010.

18. O'Dwyer, K.G., McCabe, B.A. & Sheil, B.B. (2019) Interpretation of pipe-jacking and lubrication records for drives in silty sand. Underground Space, 5(3): 199-209. DOI: 10.1016/j.undsp.2019.04.001.

17. Michael, R., D'Antin, J.C., Cortés, L.P., Sheil, B.B., Burd, H.J. & Barraquer, R.I. (2019) Ex vivo simulated accommodation in human donor eyes with and without cortical cataract. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 60(9): 3164-3164.

16. Sheil, B.B., McCabe, B.A., Comodromos, E.M. & Lehane, B.M. (2018) Pile groups under axial loading: an appraisal of simplified nonlinear prediction models. Géotechnique, 69(7): 565-579. DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.17.R.040.

15. Sheil, B.B., Martin, C.M., Byrne, B.W., Plant, M., Williams, K & Coyne, D. (2018) Full-scale laboratory testing of a buried pipeline in sand subjected to cyclic axial displacements. Géotechnique, 68(8): 684-698. DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.16.P.275.

14. Sheil, B.B. (2017) Numerical simulations of the reuse of piled raft foundations in clay. Acta Geotechnica, 12:1047–1059. DOI: 10.1007/s11440-017-0522-8.

13. Sheil, B.B., McCabe, B.A, Zhang, Feng, Lie & Zhang. (2016) Discussion: An analytical approach for predictions of single pile and pile group behaviour in clay, Geotech., 80: 349-350.

12. Sheil, B.B. & McCabe, B.A. (2016) Biaxial loading of offshore monopiles: numerical modelling. ASCE Int. J. Geomech, 17(2): 04016050.

11. Sheil, B.B., McCabe, B.A & Li (2016) Discussion: An analytical approach for predictions of single pile and pile group behaviour in clay, Geotech., 86: 245.

10. Wang, A.D., Wang, W.D., Huang, M.S., Wu, J.B., Sheil, B.B. & McCabe, B.A. (2016) Discussion: Interaction factor for large pile groups. Géotechnique Letters, 6(3): 234-240.

9. Sheil, B.B. & McCabe, B.A. (2016) An analytical approach for predictions of single pile and pile group behaviour in clay. Geotech., 75: 145-158.

8. Sheil, B.B. & Finnegan, W. (2016) Numerical simulations of wave-structure-soil interaction of an offshore monopile. ASCE Int. J. Geomech., 17(1): 04016024.

7. McCabe, B.A., Sheil, B.B. et al. (2016) Discussion: An empirical correlation between the compression index and water content of soft Irish soils. ICE Geotech. Eng., 169(1): 90-92. DOI: 10.1680/jgeen.15.00101.

6. Sheil, B.B., Curran, B. & McCabe, B.A. (2016) Recent experiences of utility microtunnelling in Irish limestone, mudstone and sandstone rock. Tunnelling & Underground Space Tech., 51: 326-337. DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2015.10.019.

5. Sheil, B.B., McCabe, B.A., Hunt, C.E. & Pestana, J.M. (2015) A numerical study of single pile and pile group installation effects in clay. Journal of Geo-engineering Sciences, DOI: 10.3233/JGS-140027.

4. McCabe, B.A. & Sheil, B.B. (2015) Pile group settlement estimation: suitability of nonlinear interaction factors. ASCE Int. J. Geomech. 15(3): 04014056. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000395.

3. Sheil, B.B. & McCabe, B.A. (2015) Numerical modelling of pile foundation angular distortion. Soils & Foundations 55(3): 614-625. DOI: 10.1016/j.sandf.2015.04.012.

2. McCabe, B.A., Sheil, B.B., Buggy, F., Long, M. & Farrell, E. (2014) Empirical correlations for the compression index of Irish soft soils. ICE Geotech. Eng. 167(6): 510-517. DOI: 10.1680/geng.13.00116

1. Sheil, B.B. & McCabe, B.A. (2014) A finite element-based approach for predictions of rigid pile group stiffness efficiency. Acta Geotechnica 9(3): 469-484. DOI: 10.1007/s11440-013-0240-9.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in postgraduate or postdoctoral research opportunities.