Ronaldo I. Borja works in theoretical and computational mechanics with applications to geomechanics, geotechnical engineering, and geosciences. His research includes the development of mathematical and
computational frameworks for multiscale and multi-physical processes in geomechanics and geosciences. He is the author of a textbook titled Plasticity Modeling & Computation published by Springer. He serves as editor of two leading journals in his field: the International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics published by Wiley and Acta Geotechnica published by Springer. He is the recipient of the 2016 Maurice A. Biot Medal of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the 2025 Mary F. Wheeler Medal of the U.S. Association for Computational Mechanics, and the 2025 John Booker Medal of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics. He is currently a Yushan Fellow of the Ministry of Education in Taiwan and a Visiting Chair Professor at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, working on the problem of land subsidence induced by groundwater withdrawal.
Books
Plasticity Modeling & Computation, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg, 2013
ISBN 978-3-642-38547-6 (ebook), ISBN 978-3-642-38546-9 (print book) (cover)
Multiscale and Multiphysics Processes in Geomechanics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg, 2011
ISBN 978-3-642-19630-0 (ebook), ISBN 978-3-642-19629-4 (print book) (cover)
Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers
2016 - 2018
Choo, J., White, J.A., Borja, R.I. "Hydromechanical modeling of unsaturated flow in double porosity media," International Journal of Geomechanics, DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000558, D4016002, 2016,
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Bennett, K.C., Regueiro, R.A., Borja, R.I. "Finite strain elastoplasticity considering the Eshelby stress for materials undergoing plastic volume change," International Journal of Plasticity, Vol. 77, 2016, pp. 214-245,
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Borja, R.I., Choo, J. "Cam-Clay plasticity. Part VIII: A constitutive framework for porous materials with evolving internal structure," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 309, 2016, pp. 653-679,
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Semnani, S.J., White, J.A., Borja, R.I. "Thermo-plasticity and strain localization in transversely isotropic materials based on anisotropic critical state plasticity," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 40, No. 18, 2016, pp. 2423-2449,
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Tjioe, M., Borja, R.I. "Pore-scale modeling of deformation and shear band bifurcation in porous crystalline rocks," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 108, No. 3, 2016, pp. 183-212,
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Semnani, S.J., Borja, R.I. "Quantifying the heterogeneity of shale through statistical combination of imaging across scales," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 12, No. 6, 2017, pp. 1193-1205,
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Bennett, K.C., Borja, R.I. "Hyper-elastoplastic/damage modeling of rock with application to porous limestone," International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 143, 2018, pp. 218-231,
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Favero Neto, A.H., Borja, R.I. "Continuum hydrodynamics of dry granular flows employing multiplicative elastoplasticity," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 13, No. 5, 2018, pp. 1027-1040,
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Zhao, Y., Semnani, S.J., Yin, Q., Borja, R.I. "On the strength of transversely isotropic rocks," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 42, No. 16, 2018, pp. 1917-1934,
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2013 - 2015
Borja, R.I., Song, X., Rechenmacher, A.L., Abedi, S., Wu, W. "Shear band in sand with spatially varying density," Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Vol. 61, No. 1, 2013, pp. 219-234,
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Liu, F., Borja, R.I. "Extended finite element framework for fault rupture dynamics including bulk plasticity," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 37, No. 18, 2013, pp. 3087-3111,
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Borja, R.I., Song, X., Wu, W. "Critical state plasticity. Part VII: Triggering a shear band in variably saturated porous media," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 261-262, 2013, pp. 66-82,
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Borja, R.I. Plasticity Modeling & Computation, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg, 2013, ISBN 978-3-642-38547-6 (ebook), ISBN 978-3-642-38546-9 (print book).
Song, X., Borja, R.I. "Mathematical framework for unsaturated flow in the finite deformation range," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 14, No. 9, 2014, pp. 658-682,
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Borja, R.I., Rahmani, H. "Discrete micromechanics of elastoplastic crystals in the finite deformation range," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 275, 2014, pp. 234-263,
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Song, X., Borja, R.I. "Finite deformation and fluid flow in unsaturated soils with random heterogeneity," Vadose Zone Journal, Vol. 13, No. 5, 2014, DOI: 10.2136/vzj2013.07.0131,
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Bennett, K.C., Berla, L.A., Nix, W.D., Borja, R.I. "Instrumented nanoindentation and 3D mechanistic modeling of a shale at multiple scales," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2015, pp. 1-14,
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Lin, J., Wu, W., Borja, R.I. "Micropolar hypoplasticity for persistent shear band in heterogeneous granular materials," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 289, 2015, pp. 24-43,
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Choo, J., Borja. R.I. "Stabilized mixed finite elements for deformable porous media with double porosity," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 293, 2015, pp. 131-154,
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Tjioe, M., Borja, R.I. "On the pore-scale mechanisms leading to brittle and ductile deformation behavior of crystalline rocks," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 39, No. 11, 2015, pp. 1165-1187,
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2010 - 2012
Liu, F., Borja, R.I. "Finite deformation formulation for embedded frictional crack with the extended finite element method," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 82, No. 6, 2010, pp. 773-804,
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Borja, R.I., White, J.A. "Continuum deformation and stability analyses of a steep hillside slope under rainfall infiltration," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2010, pp. 1-14,
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Borja, R.I., White, J.A. "Conservation laws for coupled hydromechanical processes in unsaturated porous media: Theory and implementation." Chapter 8 in: Mechanics of Unsaturated Geomaterials, L. Laloui (Editor), ISTE Ltd. and John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ, Published June 2010, pp. 185-208, ISBN 9781848212664.
Ebel, B.A., Loague, K., Borja, R.I. "The impacts of hysteresis on variably saturated hydrologic response and slope failure," Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 61, No. 6, 2010, pp. 1215-1225,
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Liu, F., Borja, R.I. "Stabilized low-order finite elements for frictional contact with the extended finite element method," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 199, No. 37-40, 2010, pp. 2456-2471,
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Borja, R.I. (Editor) Multiscale and Multiphysics Processes in Geomechanics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg, 2011, ISBN 978-3-642-19630-0 (ebook), ISBN 978-3-642-19629-4 (print book).
White, J.A., Borja, R.I. "Block-preconditioned Newton-Krylov solvers for fully-coupled flow and geomechanics," Computational Geosciences, Vol. 15, No. 4, 2011, pp. 647-659,
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Idinger, G., Aklik, P., Wu, W., Borja, R.I. "Centrifuge model test on the face stability of shallow tunnel," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2011, pp. 105-117,
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Teufelsbauer, H., Wang, Y., Pudasaini, S.P., Borja, R.I., Wu, W. "DEM simulation of impact force exerted by granular flow on rigid structures," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 6, No. 4, 2011, pp. 119-133,
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Borja, R.I., White, J.A., Liu, X., Wu, W. "Factor of safety in a partially saturated slope inferred from hydro-mechanical continuum modeling," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 36, No. 2, 2012, pp. 236-248,
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Uzuoka, R., Borja, R.I. "Dynamics of unsaturated poroelastic solids at finite strain," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 36, No. 13, 2012, pp. 1535-1608,
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Borja, R.I., Rahmani, H. "Computational aspects of elasto-plastic deformation in polycrystalline solids," Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 79, No. 3, 2012, page 031024 (9 pages), DOI: 10.1115.4005898,
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Borja, R.I., Liu, X., White, J.A. "Multiphysics hillslope processes triggering landslides," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2012, pp. 261-269
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2007 - 2009
Borja, R.I., Foster, C.D. "Continuum mathematical modeling of slip weakening in geological systems," Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 112, No. B04301, 2007, doi:10.1029/2005JB004056,
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Andrade, J.E., Borja, R.I. "Modeling deformation banding in dense and loose fluid-saturated sands," Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, Vol. 43, No. 5, 2007, pp. 361-383,
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Sanz, P.F., Borja, R.I., Pollard, D.D. "Mechanical aspects of thrust faulting driven by far-field compression and their implications for fold geometry," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2007, pp. 17-31,
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Foster, C.D., Borja, R.I., Regueiro, R.A. "Embedded strong discontinuity finite elements for fractured geomaterials with variable friction," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 72, No. 5, 2007, pp. 549-581,
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Borja, R.I., Sun, W.C. "Estimating inelastic sediment deformation from local site response simulations," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2007, pp. 183-195,
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Borja, R.I. "Localized and diffuse bifurcations in porous rocks undergoing shear localization and cataclastic flow." Book Chapter in Computational Plasticity (Computational Methods in Applied Sciences), E. Onate and R. Owen (Editors), Springer, Published October 23, 2007, ISBN-10: 1402065760; ISBN-13: 978-1402065767.
Borja, R.I., Sun, W.-C. "Coseismic sediment deformation during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake," Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, B08314, doi:10.1029/2007JB005265, 2008,
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Liu, F., Borja, R.I. "A contact algorithm for frictional crack propagation with the extended finite element method," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 76, No. 10, 2008, pp. 1489-1512,
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Borja, R.I. "Assumed enhanced strain and the extended finite element methods: A unification of concepts," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 197, Nos. 33-40, 2008, pp. 2789-2803,
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White, J.A., Borja, R.I. "Stabilized low-order finite elements for coupled solid-deformation/fluid-diffusion and their application to fault zone transients," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 197, Nos. 49-50, 2008, pp. 4353-4366,
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Sanz, P.F., Pollard, D.D., Allwardt, P.F., Borja, R.I. "Mechanical models of fracture reactivation and slip on bedding surfaces during folding of the asymmetric anticline at Sheep Mountain, Wyoming," Journal of Structural Geology, Vol. 30, No. 9, 2008, pp. 1177-1191,
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Young, Y.L., White, J.A., Xiao, H., Borja, R.I. "Liquefaction potential of coastal slopes induced by solitary waves," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2009, pp. 17-34,
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Moriguchi, S., Borja, R.I., Yashima, A., Sawada, K., "Estimating the impact force generated by granular flow on a rigid obstruction," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2009, pp. 57-71,
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Liu, F., Borja, R.I. "An extended finite element framework for slow-rate frictional faulting with bulk plasticity and variable friction," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 33 No. 13, 2009, pp. 1535-1560,
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Borja, R.I., Koliji, A., "On the effective stress in unsaturated porous continua with double porosity," Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Vol. 57, No. 8, 2009, pp. 1182-1193,
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2004 - 2006
Borja, R.I. "Foreword," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 193, Nos. 27-29, 2004, page iii,
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Borja, R.I. and Aydin, A. "Computational modeling of deformation bands in granular media, I: Geological and mathematical framework," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 193, Nos. 27-29, 2004, pp. 2667-2698,
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Borja, R.I. "Computational modeling of deformation bands in granular media, II: Numerical simulations," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 193, Nos. 27-29, 2004, pp. 2699-2718,
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Casciati, S., Borja, R.I. "Dynamic FE analysis of South Memnon Colossus including 3D soil-foundation-structure interaction," Computers and Structures, Vol. 82, Nos. 20-21, 2004, pp. 1719-1736,
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Li, C., Borja, R.I., Regueiro, R.A. "Dynamics of porous media at finite strain," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 193, Nos. 36-38, 2004, pp. 3837-3870,
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Borja, R.I. "Cam-Clay plasticity, Part V: A mathematical framework for three-phase deformation and strain localization analyses of partially saturated porous media," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 193, Nos. 48-51, 2004, 5301-5338,
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Foster, C.D., Regueiro, R.A., Fossum, A.F., Borja, R.I. "Implicit numerical integration of a three-invariant, isotropic/kinematic hardening cap plasticity model for geomaterials," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 194, Nos. 50-52, 2005, 5109-5138,
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Aydin, A., Borja, R.I. and Eichhubl, P. "Geological and mathematical framework for failure modes in granular rock," Journal of Structural Geology, Vol. 28, No. 1, 2006, 83-98,
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Borja, R.I. "On the mechanical energy and effective stress in saturated and unsaturated porous continua," International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 43, No. 6, 2006, 1764-1786,
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Andrade, J.E., Borja, R.I. "Quantifying sensitivity of local site response models to statistical variations in soil properties," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2006, 3-14,
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Borja, R.I., Andrade, J.E. "Critical state plasticity. Part VI: Meso-scale finite element simulation of strain localization in discrete granular materials," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 195, Nos. 37-40, 2006, 5115-5140,
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Andrade, J.E., Borja, R.I. "Capturing strain localization in dense sands with random density," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 67, No. 11, 2006, 1531-1564,
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Borja, R.I. "Conditions for instabilities in collapsible solids including volume implosion and compaction banding," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2006, 107-122,
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White, J.A., Borja, R.I., Fredrich, J.T. "Calculating the effective permeability of sandstone with multiscale lattice Boltzmann-finite element simulations," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2006, 195-209,
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Borja, R.I. "Condition for liquefaction instability in fluid-saturated granular soils," Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2006, 211-224,
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2001 - 2003
Borja, R.I. and Regueiro, R.A. "Strain localization of frictional materials exhibiting displacement jumps," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 190, Nos. 20-21, 2001, pp. 2555-2580,
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Regueiro, R.A. and Borja, R.I. "Plane strain finite element analysis of pressure-sensitive plasticity with strong discontinuity," International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 38, No. 21, 2001, pp. 3647-3672,
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Borja, R.I., Lin, C.H. and Montáns, F.J. "Cam-Clay plasticity, Part IV: Implicit integration of anisotropic bounding surface model with nonlinear hyperelasticity and ellipsoidal loading function," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 190, Nos. 26-27, 2001, 3293-3323,
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Borja, R.I., B. Duvernay and Lin, C.H. "Ground response in Lotung: Total stress analysis and parametric studies," Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 128, No. 1, 2002, pp. 54-63,
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Borja, R.I. and Lai, T.Y. "Propagation of localization instability under active and passive loading," Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 128, No. 1, 2002, pp. 64-75,
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Borja, R.I. "Finite element simulation of strain localization with large deformation: Capturing strong discontinuity using a Petrov-Galerkin multiscale formulation," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 191, Nos. 27-28, 2002, pp. 2949-2978,
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Montáns, F.J. and Borja, R.I. "Implicit J2 bounding surface plasticity using Prager's translation rule," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 55, No. 10, 2002, pp. 1129-1166,
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Borja, R.I. "Bifurcation of elastoplastic solids to shear band mode at finite strain," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 191, No. 146, 2002, pp. 5287-5314,
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Borja, R.I., Sama, K.M. and Sanz, P.F. "On the numerical integration of three-invariant elastoplastic constitutive models," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 192, Nos. 9-10, 2003, pp. 1227-1258,
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Lai, T.Y., Borja, R.I., Duvernay, B.G. and Meehan, R.L. "Capturing strain localization behind a geosynthetic-reinforced soil wall," International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 27, No. 5, 2003, pp. 425-451,
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1998 - 2000
Borja, R.I. and Tamagnini, C., "Cam-Clay plasticity, Part III: Extension of the infinitesimal model to include finite strains," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 155, 1998, pp. 73-95.
Borja, R.I., Tamagnini, C. and Alarcón, E. "Finite strain elastoplastic consolidation, Part 2: Finite element implementation and numerical examples," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 159, 1998, pp. 103-122.
Borja, R.I., Chao, H.Y., Montáns, F.J., and Lin, C.H. "Nonlinear ground response at Lotung LSST site," Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, 125, No. 3, 1999, pp. 187-197,
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Borja, R.I., Chao, H.Y., Montáns, F.J., and Lin, C.H. "SSI effects on ground motion at Lotung LSST site," Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 125, No. 9, 1999, pp. 760-770,
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Montáns, F.J. and Borja, R.I. "Modelo de plasticidad multiaxial para arcillas sometidas a carga dinámica," Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1999, pp. 169-192.
Borja, R.I., Tamagnini, C. and Alarcón, E. "Consolidación elastoplástica con deformaciones finitas: Implementación con elementos finitos y ejemplos numéricos," Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1999, pp. 269-296.
Regueiro, R.A. and Borja, R.I. "A finite element model of localized deformation in frictional materials taking a strong discontinuity approach," Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, Vol. 33, No. 3, 1999, pp. 283-315,
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Borja, R.I., Lin, C.H., Sama, K.M., and Masada, G.M. "Modelling non-linear ground response of non-liquefiable soils," Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2000, pp. 63-83,
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Borja, R.I., Regueiro, R.A., and Lai. T.Y "FE modeling of strain localization in soft rock," Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 126, No. 4, 2000, pp. 335-343,
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Borja, R.I. "A finite element model for strain localization analysis of strongly discontinuous fields based on standard Galerkin approximations," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 190, Nos. 11-12, 2000, pp. 1529-1549,
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1995 - 1997
Borja, R.I. and Alarcón, E., "A mathematical framework for finite strain elastoplastic consolidation, Part 1: Balance laws, variational formulation, and linearization," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 122, 1995, 145-171.
Borja, R.I. and Wren, J.R., "Micromechanics of granular media, Part I: Generation of elastoplastic constitutive equation for assemblies of circular disks," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 127, 1995, 13-36.
Borja, R.I. and Alarcón, E. "Un marco matemático para la consolidación elastoplástica con deformaciones finitas," Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería, 11(3), 1995, 345-381.
Wren, J.R. and Borja, R.I. "Micromechanics of granular media, Part II: Overall tangential moduli and localization model for periodic assemblies of circular disks," Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 141, 1997, 221-246.
Borja, R.I., Tamagnini, C., and Amorosi, A. "Coupling plasticity and energy-conserving elasticity models for clays," Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, 123(10), 1997, 948-957,
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1992 - 1994
Borja, R.I. "Free boundary, fluid flow, and seepage forces in excavations," Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 118(1), 1992, 125-146.
Borja, R.I. "Generalized creep and stress relaxaton models for clays," Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 118(11), 1992, 1765-1786.
Borja, R.I., Wu, W.H., and Smith, H.A. "Nonlinear response of vertically oscillating rigid foundations," Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 119(5), 1993, 893-911.
Kishnani, S.S. and Borja, R.I. "Seepage and soil-structure interaction in braced excavations," Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 119(5), 1993, 912-928.
Borja, R.I. and Wren, J.R. "Discrete micromechanics of elastoplastic crystals," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 36(22), 1993, 3815-3840.
Borja, R.I., Wu, W.H., Amies, A.P., and Smith, H.A, "Nonlinear lateral, rocking, and torsional vibration of rigid foundations," Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 120(3), 1994, 491-513.
Borja, R.I. and Amies, A.P. "Multiaxial cyclic plasticity model for clays," Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 120(6), 1994, 1051-1070.
Smith, H.A., Wu, W.H., and Borja, R.I. "Structural control considering soil-structure interaction effects," Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, 23(6), 1994, 609-626.
Borja, R.I. and Wu, W.H. "Vibration of foundations on incompressible soils with no elastic region," Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 120(9), 1994, 1570-1592.
