My research interests are based in rock mechanics, including the geological and engineering characterization of heterogeneous rock and rockmass systems, improved laboratory and field assessment techniques for rock characterization, advanced numerical modelling for analysis of mechanical behaviour of complex ground conditions, rock engineering for underground excavation and open pit mine slope stability, and investigating linkages between engineering geology characterization and ore body genesis and evolution. This work is applicable to several fields, including mining, tunnelling, and deep geological repositories for nuclear waste storage.

I am also developing a new research area that is focused on investigating the stability of sea stack and similar geological formations in popular areas for geotourism, the effects of climate change on the geomechanics and instability potential of these formations, and associated risks to public safety.

Interested and motivated students are encouraged to get in touch to discuss potential opportunities for research projects.

I am seeking one domestic PhD student to start in September 2020 (preferred) or January 2021 in rock engineering who has some geological knowledge and is interested in geomechanical numerical modelling as well as field and/or laboratory work. Please apply to Dr. Jennifer Day by email for full consideration and include a CV, statement of interest describing your research interests, your reasons for pursuing a PhD and your qualifications, a transcript of previous degrees, and contact information for three referees.

Note: Underlined names are students/HQP who are supervised or co-supervised by me.

Fully Refereed Book Chapters (2)

1. Hutchinson, J., Diederichs, M.S., Walton, G., Day, J.J., Langford, C., Vazaios, I., Palleske, C., Delaloye, D., Duran, F., van der Pouw Kraan, M., and O'Connor, S. 2017. Ch 2.1 - Rockmass behaviour characterization and optimal use of existing data to develop representative models. Pg 14-19. In S.U.M.I.T Program Journal. Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, 112p.
2. Diederichs, M.S., Hutchinson J., Walton, G., Day, J.J., Langford, C., Vazaios, I., Palleske, C., Delaloye, D., Duran, F., van der Pouw Kraan, M., and O'Connor, S.  2017. Ch2.3 - Automated Characterization and Change Detection Within 3D Digitally Scanned Virtual Excavation Boundary and Borehole Models to Quantify Rockmass Deformation Response to Mining Over Time. Pg 24-26. In S.U.M.I.T Program Journal. Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, 112 pages.

Fully Refereed International Journal Publications (8)

1. Day, J. J. 2019. Brittle overbreak prediction for hydrothermal complex rockmasses with healed structure. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 20 pages. DOI: 10.1007/s10064-019-01578-z.
2. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2019. Composite Geological Strength Index approach with application to hydrothermal vein networks and other healed intrablock structures in complex rockmasses. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 30 pages. DOI: 10.1007/s10706-019-00980-4.
3. Packulak, T.R.M., Day, J. J., and Diederichs, M. S. 2018. Assess: The role of rock direct shear testing in determining geomechanical properties of fractures. Tunnels and Tunnelling, Feb-Mar: 32-36.
4. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2017. New direct shear testing protocols and analyses for fractures and healed intrablock rockmass discontinuities. Engineering Geology, 229: 53‑72. DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.08.027.
5. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2015. Optimization of structural contact stiffness and strength for discrete simulation of progressive failure of healed structure. Geomechanics and Tunnelling, 8(5): 414-420. DOI: 10.1002/geot.201500027.
6. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S. and Hutchinson, D. J. 2015. Common Core: Core logging procedures for characterization of complex rockmasses as input into geomechanical analysis for tunnel design. Tunnels and Tunnelling, 1: 26-32.

Fully Refereed Papers Published in Conference Proceedings (23)

1. Clark, M.D. and Day, J. J. 2019. Sample selection guidelines for unconfined compressive laboratory tests in hydrothermally veined rockmasses. Canadian Geotechnical Society Conference, GeoStJohn’s, St. John’s, NF, Canada, 10 pages [oral presentation].
2. Day, J. J., and Clark, M. D. 2019. Accounting for intrablock structures at rockmass and laboratory specimen scales. Canadian Geotechnical Society Conference, St. John’s, NF, Canada, 7 pages [oral presentation].
3. Packulak, T.R., Diederichs, M.S., and Day, J. J. 2019. Evaluating characterization methods of joint surface roughness to improve preliminary strength estimates of rock joints. Canadian Geotechnical Society Conference, GeoStJohn’s 2019, St. John’s, NF, Canada, 8 pages [oral presentation].
4. Ahmed Labeid, M., Dossett, W., Diederichs M.S., and Day, J. J. 2019. The impact of water saturation on rough and smooth granite joints. ISRM 14th International Congress of Rock Mechanics, Foz do Iguassu, Brazil, 8 pages [oral presentation].
5. Clark, M. D., Day, J. J., and Diederichs, M.S. 2019. Assessing the mineralogical relationship of skarn-related hydrothermal veins to their geomechanical behaviour in intact laboratory tests. 53rd US Rock Mech. / Geomech. Symposium, American Rock Mechanics Association, New York, NY, USA, 11 pages, ARMA-2019-1954 [oral presentation].
6. Packulak, T.R., Ahmed Labeid, M.T., Rudderham, G.A., Day, J. J., and Diederichs, M.S. 2019. Evaluating characterization methods for joint surface roughness. 53rd US Rock Mech. / Geomech. Symposium, American Rock Mechanics Association, New York, NY, USA, 8 pages, ARMA-2019-1994 [oral presentation].
7. Labeid, M., Jaczkowski, E., Packulak, T., Day, J. J., and Diederichs M. S. 2019. The effect of saturation, scale and loading rate on the mechanical response of low porosity rocks and implications for tunnel project site investigation. World Tunnel Congress 2019, Naples, Italy, 10 pages [oral presentation].
8. Day, J. J. 2018. Integrating healed intrablock rockmass structures into geotechnical design. CSCE 2018 Annual Conference, Canadian Society of Civil Engineering, Fredericton, NB, 10 pages.
9. Packulak, T.R.M. and Day, J. J. 2018. The role of rock direct shear testing and practical aspects of boundary conditions. CSCE 2018 Annual Conference, Canadian Society of Civil Engineering, Fredericton, NB, Canada, 10 pages.
10. Packulak, T.R.M., Day, J.J., and Diederichs, M.S. 2018. Practical aspects of boundary condition selection on direct shear laboratory tests. Geomechanics and geodynamics of rock masses, ISRM-EUROCK 2018, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 6 pages.
11. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2017. Investigating normal and shear stiffness properties of fractures and healed sedimentary nodular structure in the Cobourg limestone. Canadian Geotechnical Society Conference, GeoOttawa 2017, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 8 pages.
12. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2017. The influence of mineralogy and grain scale features in healed intrablock structure on direct shear properties in the Cobourg limestone. 51st US Rock Mechanics, Geomechanics Symposium, 25-28 June, San Francisco, CA, USA, ARMA-2017-0608, 12 pages.
13. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2017. Application of Composite Geological Strength Index for healed rockmass structure to deep mine access tunnels. World Tunnel Congress 2017 – Bergen, Norway, ISBN 978-82-92641-40-8, 10 pages.
14. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2017. An overview of the influence of healed intrablock structure on rockmass behaviour. Canadian Institute of Mining 2017 Convention, April 30 – May 3, Montreal, QC, Canada, 6 pages.
15. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2016. Validation of Composite Geological Strength Index for healed rockmass structure in deep mine access and production tunnels. Tunnelling Association of Canada Conference, October 16-18, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 8 pages.
16. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2015. Effects of structural contact stiffness and strength on progressive failure of healed structure. In: Proceedings of the ISRM Regional Symposium EUROCK 2015 & 64th Geomechanics Colloquium – Future Development of Rock Mechanics, Schubert, W. & Kluckner, A. (eds), Salzburg, Austria, 7-10 October 2015, ISRM-EUROCK-2015-071, pp. 433-438. Austrian Society for Geomechanics: Salzburg.
17. Van der Pouw Kraan, M. C., Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2014. Impact of joint properties on rockmass behaviour predictions for underground excavations. International Discrete Fracture Network Engineering Conference, October 19-22, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 10 pages.
18. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2014. Component and system deformation properties of complex rockmasses with healed structure. 48th U.S. Rock Mechanics Geomechanics Symposium, ARMA, Minneapolis, MN, USA, ARMA-2014-7537, 11 pages.
19. Day, J. J., Hutchinson, D. J., and Diederichs, M. S. 2014. Challenges in characterization of complex rockmasses, using drill core, as input into geomechanical analysis for tunnel design. World Tunnel Congress 2014 – Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, 10 pages.
20. Day, J. J., Duran, F. I., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2013. Accounting for rockmass structure in open pit and underground mine design. 47th U.S. Rock Mechanics Geomechanics Symposium, ARMA, San Francisco, CA, USA, ARMA-2013-377, 10 pages.
21. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2013. Incorporation of geostructural data into discrete analysis for tunnel design. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress, May 31 – June 7, 2013, Geneva, Switzerland, 8 pages.
22. Day, J. J., Walton, G., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2012. The influence of structure on rockmass strength at depth. Tunnelling Association of Canada Conference, Montreal, QC, 8 pages.
23. Day, J. J., Hutchinson, D. J., and Diederichs, M. S. 2012. A critical look at geotechnical classification for rock strength estimation. 46th U.S. Rock Mechanics Geomechanics Symposium, ARMA, Chicago, IL, USA, ARMA-2012-563, 10 pages.

Partially Refereed Extended Abstracts Published in Conference Proceedings (11)

1. Clark, M.D. and Day, J. J. 2019. The implications of including skarn related rock in sample selection and its effects on mine planning. Energy, Mining, and Petroleum 2019 Conference, Fredericton, NB, Canada, October 27-29, 1 page [oral].
2. Rudderham, G. A., Day, J. J., Park, A. F., Hinds, S. J., and Wilson, B. J. K. 2019. Strain analysis of quartz veins in the Mispec Bay area, NB, Canada. Energy, Mining, and Petroleum 2019 Conference, Fredericton, NB, Canada, October 27-29, 1 page [oral].
3. Hyslop, A., Kruse, S., and Day, J. J. 2019. Structural and geomechanical analysis of the 2016 Elephant Rock failure, Hopewell Provincial Park, New Brunswick, Canada. Energy, Mining, and Petroleum 2019 Conference, Fredericton, NB, Canada, October 27-29, 1 page [poster].
4. Clark, M.D., Day, J. J., and McFarlane, C. R. M. 2019. Application of geological laboratory techniques for insight into the geomechanical behaviour of skarn-related veined rocks. Atlantic Geoscience Society 45th Colloquium, Fredericton, NB, February 8-9, 1 page [oral].
5. Gonzalez, J. J., Lentz, D. R., Walker, J. A., and Day, J. J. 2019. Chemostratigraphic assessment of drill core S916 from the Heath Steele E Zone, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Atlantic Geoscience Society 45th Colloquium, Fredericton, NB, February 8-9, 1 page [poster].
6. Healy, T. H. and Day, J. J. 2019. Province-wide engagement of youth in the minerals industry: A New Brunswick Gemstone Contest. Atlantic Geoscience Society 45th Colloquium, Fredericton, NB, February 8-9, 1 page [oral].
7. Bradley, D. C., Waugh, L. M., Day, J. J., and Hanscom, G. 2018. Photogrammetric inspection system for underground hydroelectric infrastructure. 3rd Virtual Geoscience Conference, Kingston, ON, Canada, 22-24 August, 2 pages [oral].
8. Diederichs, M. S., Day, J. J., Ghazvinian, E., Perras, M., Paraskevopoulou, C., and Walton, G. 2017. Progressive brittle damage processes and failure in rock. ISRM Progressive Rock Failure Conference 2017, PRF 2017; Ascona; Switzerland; 5-9 June 2017 [oral].
9. Diederichs, M. S., Jaczkowski, E., Day, J. J., Ghazvinian, E., Lam, T., and Jensen, M. 2017. Influence of clay-mineral matrix on mechanical properties of a heterogeneous argillaceous limestone.  Submitted to 7th International Conference on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement, Davos, Switzerland, 24-27 September, 3 pages.
10. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2015. The influence of intrablock structure on the behaviour of excavations in complex rockmasses. Advances in Earth Science Research Conference, AESRC, Kingston, ON, March 27-29, 1 page [oral].
11. Day, J. J., Diederichs, M. S., and Hutchinson, D. J. 2013. The influence of intrablock structure on rockmass strength. 4th Canadian Young Geotechnical Engineers and Geoscientists Conference, cYGEGC, Mont-Tremblant, QC, October 3-6, 2 pages [oral].

Invited Keynote Presentations (1)

1. Day, J. J. 2018-19. Where geology meets engineering in hydrothermally altered environments: considering veins in geotechnical design. Atlantic Geoscience Society 2018-19 Lecture Tour to four universities: Memorial University, Newfoundland; Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia; St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia; University of New Brunswick Fredericton, New Brunswick.

News Articles (1)

1. Gray, A., Rudderham, G., Clark, M., and Day, J. J. 2019. UNB Earth Sciences: Silver Standard – McAllister 2019 Field Trip to Spain and Portugal. ENGEOActions, Engineers and Geoscientists New Brunswick Newsletter, Fall 2019, pg. 28-29.