Background and activities

Professor of Geological Engineering. 30 years of experience in research and implementation of rock engineering, tunnelling and hydropower projects.

On going and future research projects:

  • Establishment of MSc Program in "Rock and Tunnel Engineering" at the Institute of Engineering (IOE) of Tribhuvan University in Nepal
  • Effects of swelling rock mass on the stability and support requirement in water tunnels
  • Impact of peaking operation in water tunnels due to frequent start / stop
  • Applicability of unlined/shotcretelined high pressure tunnels in the Himalaya
  • Plastic deformation and tunnel squeezing
  • Water inflow and injection grouting for watertight tunnels
  • Longterm stability of waterway system for hydropower
  • Deformation behavior of concrete dams

Completed research collaboration projects:

  • Applicability of unlined/shotcretelined high pressure tunnels in the Himalaya
  • Decesive Parameters for Open Pit Slopes (DePOPS)
  • Stability of tunnels subject to plastic deformation - a contribution based on the cases from the Nepal Himalaya - Main Supervisor to the PhD thesis written by Dr. Pawan Kumar Shrestha (2014) 
  • Developing future 20 000 MW hydroelectric power in Norway with pumped storage: CEDREN project (Hydro PEAK) implemented through GEMINI-center (2011).
  • Underground gas storage project: An EEA project, which was implemented in cooperation between IGB, SINTEF Bygg and the Czech Technical University in Prague (2009)
  • Probable dynamics and possible course of events of the burst debris flood” at the inclined shaft of Svandalsflona hydropower project on 9th May 2009 (2009).

Commission member, external advisory, panel of expert

  • Department's representative at the Norwegian Hydropower Center (NVKS)
  • FME HydroCen (Norwegian Research Centre for Hydropower Technology) – a research initiative of national importance within renewable energy sector in Norway and is funded by NFR. Involved as scientific advisor in issues related to engineering geology and tunnel stability issues, research member of the technical committee, scientific advisor and main supervisor of two PhD Projects for Work Package One (WP 1.1) - Hydropower structures innovation (2017 - 2024).
  • ISRM commission member for hard rock tunnelling (2011 - 2016)
  • External advisor: Geolab Nepal (NORAD/PEEDA/KU)
  • Panel of Expert: Mristi Hydropower Project, Nepal (2013 - 2017)
  • Panel of Expert: Super Dordi Hydropower Project, Nepal (2016 - 2021)
  • Panel of Expert: Upper Kontum HPP Vietnam (complete)

Work experience

  • September 2018 - to date: Professor at NTNU
  • June 2008 - September 2018: Associate Professor at NTNU
  • May 2006 - May 2008: Consultant - Tunnelling and Hydropower for projects - Rothang Pass Tunnel and Parbati II HPP in India and Mristi HPP, Madi HPP (lower and supper), Middle Modi etc. in Nepal.
  • January 2002 - April 2006: PhD research fellow at NTNU
  • July 1998 - December 2001: Construction Manager for Khimti HPP
  • January 2001 - May 2001: Technical Auditing for Kaligandaki "A" HPP for the Editor General Office of Nepal (an special assignment)
  • August 1996 - June 1998: MSc Fellow (NORAD) for Hydropower Development at NTNU
  • August 1994 - July 1996: Manager - Planning and Contracts at Himal Hydro
  • November 1992 - July 1994: Tunnel Engineer for Jhimruk HPP

Scientific, academic and artistic work

A selection of recent journal publications, artistic productions, books, including book and report excerpts. See all publications in the database

Journal publications