Research title:
Experimental evaluation of liquefaction-induced landslides using advanced laboratory testing
Abstract:
My research focuses on liquefaction-induced landslides and the mechanisms that lead to rapid and large ground deformation during earthquakes. I am particularly interested in understanding how soil behaviour evolves from the initial triggering of liquefaction to large-deformation and catastrophic mobility. My research combines advanced laboratory testing, numerical analysis, and the study of earthquake-induced landslide case histories, with the aim of improving our understanding, prediction, and assessment of these hazardous phenomena.
Main supervisor:
Professor Gabriele Chiaro
Co-supervisors:
Dr Sean Rees
Research interests:
Earthquake geotechnical engineering, Soil liquefaction, Landslides, Advanced laboratory testing, Numerical modelling
Personal interests:
Travelling, Reading, Quantum mechanics, Watching K-dramas, Exploring cafés
Academic history:
Doctor of Philosophy (University of Canterbury, New Zealand, 2026 - present)
Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Kansai University, Japan, 2026)
Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Kansai University, Japan, 2024)
Publications:
-Kunisawa et al. (2025). Volcanic ash clay and risk of catastrophic landslide, GeoVadis: The Future of Geotechnical Engineering, pp. 437–442.
-Kunisawa et al. (2026). Centrifuge modeling of liquefaction under a partially-drained condition, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026).
-Shiga et al. (2026; co-author). Geotechnical field measurements and structural damage in Iskenderun following the 2023 Turkey-Kahramanmaras earthquake sequence, Geoenvironmental Disasters, 13, 52.
-Tobita et al. (2026; co-author). Centrifuge modelling of a high embankment under seismic motions: LEAP-ASIA 2025 Tests at Kansai University, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026).
-Tobita et al. (2024; co-author). Numerical analysis of buildings in Golbasi during the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, Proceedings of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE2024).
