June 2025 — Senior Managing Consultants Philip Shaller and Macan Doroudian of Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi) have been awarded the 2025 Outstanding Geotechnical Project Award by the San Diego chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The recognition highlights their pivotal role in a high-risk slope stabilization project that significantly benefited the Carlsbad, California community.
The origins of the project date back to 2020, when residents living near the 4200 block of Trieste Drive in Carlsbad reported signs of slope failure on city-owned land behind their homes. Cracks and fissures formed in the soil and backyard terrain began to shift, endangering both private property and public safety. To make matters worse, heavy winter rains in early 2024 further exacerbated the multitude of slope movement related problems.
In response, the City of Carlsbad declared a storm-related local emergency and paved the way for fast mitigation efforts. This declaration activated emergency protocols and allowed for expedited construction timelines. ESi was consulted and experts Shaller and Doroudian spearheaded the geotechnical analysis and response.
Dr. Shaller is a Senior Managing Consultant with over 30 years of experience in engineering geology. He has been involved in high-profile projects including the 2006 Ka Loko Dam failure and investigations of damaged infrastructure and ground deformation following earthquakes.
Dr. Doroudian has provided geotechnical insights to clients on a broad array of projects, including soil erosion evaluation, pipeline failures, and stabilization of large landslides. An expert in both field instrumentation and laboratory testing, he currently serves on the ASCE KSTAT Standards Committee.
Utilizing data collected and comprehensive analyses, they determined the cause of the slope movement and devised an effective remediation strategy. They navigated challenging subsurface conditions and the inherent instability of an active landslide zone to develop a safe and effective plan, mitigating damage to the surrounding community.
Through swift assessment, planning, and technical execution, Shaller and Doroudian were able to implement a solution that successfully stabilized the area and brought an end to the declared emergency.
Their efforts not only averted further risk but also underscored the essential role of geotechnical experts in protecting infrastructure and improving community safety.
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