About

Dr. Swan attended Drexel University (Drexel) from 1980 until 1987 where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in June 1985 and his Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on geotechnical and geosynthetics engineering in June 1987, after which he started his career in the private consultation and laboratory-testing sector of the geotechnical engineering industry focused on the use of geosynthetics in constructed earthen structures. He has spent more than 20 years pursuing this career, which allowed him to gain valuable geotechnical engineering experience and to rise through project management, staff management and finally into company ownership.
Dr. Swan has extensive experience with MSE walls from material selection and evaluation, design, construction, as well as forensic analysis. Dr. Swan has over 30 years of active membership with ASTM International, participating in the development and standardization of laboratory test methods related to geosynthetics and soils, specifically for the evaluation of the mechanical interaction of soil reinforcement (geosynthetics or steel) within earthen structures. His test development helped to standardize test methods to measure the interface shear strength, pullout resistance and connection strength required for the design of MSE structures. In addition to having over 60 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications, in 2018, Dr. Swan received recognition from the ASTM Committee D18 on soil and rock for his participation in the development of ASTM STP 1605 “Railroad Ballast Testing and Properties” and in 2002, for the development of ASTM Standard D 6706-01 “Test Methods for Measuring Geosynthetic Pullout Resistance in Soil.” Dr. Swan stepped away from his consulting career to embark on a new career path as a university professor. He started his teaching career as a Faculty Associate within the Department of Engineering Technology and Construction Management at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) in November 2008. In 2013, Dr. Swan had the opportunity to return to Drexel as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (CAEE) within the College of Engineering (COE), primarily teaching upper-level undergraduate courses. Currently Dr. Swan is a Teaching Professor within the department and received his PhD in civil engineering in 2022.

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Organizational Affiliations

Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Drexel University

Past Affiliations

Graduate Student, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Drexel University

Education

Civil Engineering
BS, MS, PhD, Drexel University (United States, Philadelphia)