Research Overview

Dr. F. Estéfan T. Garcia's primary research interests center on granular materials and granular systems—some of the most widely manipulated materials in modern society. Understanding their fundamental behavior at the scale of individual grains has broad implications across civil engineering, geology, additive manufacturing, and planetary exploration.

His research leverages advanced numerical modeling techniques capable of simulating large-strain deformation while capturing the inherently discontinuous nature of granular systems. In particular, he employs the Distinct Element Method (DEM) alongside high-performance computing to model grain-scale interactions within particle assemblages subjected to processes such as earthquake surface rupture and trapdoor displacement. This work enhances understanding of how ground-surface deformation affects infrastructure and ultimately supports more resilient design against geologic hazards.

Dr. Garcia also uses state-of-the-art imaging technologies to characterize the fabric of granular materials, including grain shapes, sizes, orientations, and packing structures. Through high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (XRCT), he studies how depositional history influences grain fabric in natural sediments and how shear deformation modifies grain-scale structure. These insights connect microscopic grain arrangements with macroscopic deformation behavior.