B.Eng., M.Eng., PhD (Memorial), CARD Chair in Ice Mechanics, P.Eng.

• Assistant Professor

Contact Information

Ph: 709-864-4370
Em: rstaylor[at]mun.ca
Office: EN2110E

Personal Profile

Dr. Taylor has been with CARD since its inception in 2011, initially as a senior research engineer and then as a principal investigator for ice mechanics. A graduate of Memorial University, Dr. Taylor holds doctoral and master’s degrees in ocean and naval architectural engineering, as well as an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.

Dr. Taylor’s research encompasses a variety of significant ice-engineering problems, particularly those related to ice-load estimation for the design of offshore structures and the mechanics of compressive ice failure. Much of his work is focused on fracture processes in ice and the analysis of associated scale effects. Dr. Taylor recently completed a Research & Development Corporation (RDC) IgniteR&D-funded program focused on spalling, non-simultaneous ice failure and extension of the probabilistic fracture mechanics model developed during his doctoral studies, which were supported by C-CORE. He is also a co-investigator on a Statoil-RDC-Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council-funded initiative focused on an investigation of dynamic interactions between ice and compliant structures.

As the new CARD Chair in Ice Mechanics, Dr. Taylor will lead research programs, build a team of full-time researchers and graduate students and develop collaborative relationships with other academic and industry-based researchers. Dr. Taylor will also contribute to a strong academic program in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science by teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, supervising student projects and theses and providing academic and professional service.