Rorik Peterson
Mechanical and Chemical Engineering
University of Alaska Fairbanks
United States of America
Biography
Dr. Peterson is an assistant professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. His current research involves modeling frost heave of soils, and the fracture of brittle materials (rock, concrete) due to ice lensing. He is also involved with numerical dispersion models for tracking volcanic ash clouds.
Research Interest
Modeling frost heave and other phenomena associated with seasonal freezing and thawing of soils Wind Diesel Power Integration Dispersion models for tracking volcanic ash clouds Dr. Peterson conducts theoretical and experimental research in frost heave and geomorphological pattern formation due to spontaneous differential frost heave. Techniques include analytical stability analysis as well as scaled laboratory simulations. Dr. Peterson also studies wind-diesel power integration and optimization technology, and the use of energy storage to increase renewable energy penetration in small power grids.
Publications
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RA Peterson and KG Dean (2008) "Forecasting exposure to airborne volcanic ash based on ash dispersion modeling", J. Volcanology and Geothermal Res. 170, 230-246 doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.10.003.
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RA Peterson. (2008) "Stability analysis and numerical simulation of differential frost heave" Mathematical Geosciences, 40(3), 277-298, doi:10.1007/s11004-008-9150-z.
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RA Peterson and WB Krantz (2008) "Differential frost heave model for patterned ground formation: Corroboration with observations along a North American arctic transect" J. Geophys. Res. 113, G03S04, doi:10.1029/2007JG000559.
