Samuel Ariaratnam
Sunstate Chair of Construction Management and Engineering,
School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Other ASU affiliations
SUM/WTR Faculty Other,
SSEBE | Del E. Webb School of Construction
Water Institute
Senior Global Futures Scientist,
Global Futures Scientists and Scholars
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Phone: 480-965-7399
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CAVC 480 660 S. College Avenue TEMPE, AZ 85287-3005
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Mail code: 3005Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio
Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam is the Sunstate Chair of Construction Management & Engineering and a Professor at Arizona State University. With nearly three decades of leadership in trenchless pipeline engineering, his work has advanced both the academic and practical dimensions of underground infrastructure. He earned his B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo in 1989 and completed his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991 and 1994, respectively.
Dr. Ariaratnam has authored over 350 technical publications and holds five patents related to trenchless technologies. His global impact has been recognized through his election to the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2018), the U.S. National Academy of Construction (2019), and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2023). In 2022, he was named a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)—the Society’s highest honor. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the North American Trenchless Technology Person of the Year (2012), as well as prestigious ASCE honors such as the John O. Bickel Award, Arthur M. Wellington Prize, Pipeline Division Award of Excellence, and the Stephen D. Bechtel Pipeline Engineering Award.
Dr. Ariaratnam has held major leadership roles in the field, serving as Chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) from 2010 to 2013 and currently as President of the ASCE-UESI Board of Governors. In 2022, he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to serve on the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), shaping the future of pipeline safety policy in the United States.
Read a faculty profile of Sam Ariaratnam written in conjunction with the grand opening of the College Avenue Commons in 2014.
Expertise
Infrastructure management & rehabilitation, Trenchless construction methods
Education
- 1994, Ph.D. University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- 1991, M.S. University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- 1989, B.A.Sc. Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada
Research Interests
Sustainable underground urban infrastructure systems, Trenchless Technology
Research Activity
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*, Kavazanjian,Edward. GROUND TEMPERATURE STUDY OF SOUTHWEST GAS OPERATING TERRITORIES. SW GAS CORP(12/1/2013 - 12/31/2015).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*. Project 4473 - the Assess-and-Fix Approach: Using NDE to Help Select Pipe Renewal Methods. H D R, INC(3/13/2013 - 6/30/2014).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*, Lueke,Jason S. Main Breaks: Current Knowledge and Research RoadMap (RFP 04374). WRF(4/15/2012 - 7/15/2014).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*, Lueke,Jason S. Answers to Challenging Infrastructure Management Questions. H D R, INC(10/1/2011 - 10/15/2013).
- Lueke,Jason S*, Ariaratnam,Samuel T. WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK ENERGY UTILIZATION CALCULATOR. CertainTeed(2/1/2010 - 12/31/2010).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*, Karady,George G, Perrings,Charles Aubrey, Williams,Eric David, Williams,Eric David. NSF EFRI-RESIN Sustainable Infrastructures for Energy and Water Supply (SINEWS). NSF-ENG(9/15/2008 - 8/31/2016).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*, Ariaratnam,Samuel T*. Development of a Free-Swimming Accoustic Tool for Liquid Pipeline Leak Detection including Evaluation for Natural Gas Pipeline Application. DOT-PHMSA(6/1/2008 - 8/31/2010).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*. Determination of Safe Pulling Force of Fusible PVC Pipe During Horizontal Directional Drilling Installations. US(5/1/2007 - 12/31/2008).
- Crittenden,John C*, Allenby,Braden Richard, Ariaratnam,Samuel T, Chen,Yongsheng, Fernando,H J S, Garcia,Antonio Agustin, Golden,Jay Stuart, Grimm,Nancy B, Guhathakurta,Subhrajit, Guston,David H, Kaloush,Kamil Elias, Konjevod,Goran, Lant,Timothy W, Li,Ke, Liu,Huan, Perrings,Charles Aubrey, Sawhney,Anil, Stanzione Jr,Daniel Charles, Torrens,Paul Morrison Kevin, Williams,Eric David. CAA: Environmental and Economic Impacts of Material Used in Future Urban Development. SFAz(3/30/2007 - 9/30/2008).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*. Planning for Dev. of Terrorism Liaison Officers (TLO) Training Courses under the 2004 LETPP #2004-GE-T4-0051. AZ DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY(10/15/2006 - 6/30/2008).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*, Ariaratnam,Samuel T*. Project Quantification Measures in Horizontal Directional Drilling. Vermeer Mfg Co(8/5/2005 - 4/30/2016).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*. ATTRACT, RECRUIT AND RETAIN TOP QUALITY CONSTRUCTION LEADERS/MANAGERS. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INST(1/1/2003 - 5/15/2005).
- Ariaratnam,Samuel T*. LARGE DIAMETER CONCRETE LINED SEWER ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION. PROJ. ENGR. CONSULTANTS(5/15/2002 - 12/31/2005).
- Westerhoff,Paul*, Ariaratnam,Samuel T, Beckman,James R, Chasey,Allan Dee, Dey,Sandwip Kumar, Fox,Peter, Hu,Qiang, Hu,Qiang, Lee,Taewoo, Li,Yantao, Mignolet,Marc Paul, Mitropoulos,Panagiotis, Mobasher,Barzin, Roy,Della M, Roy,Della M, Roy,Ramendra P, Ruddell,Benjamin Lyle, Sawhney,Anil, Sommerfeld,Milton R, Sommerfeld,Milton R, Tao,Nongjian, Wang,Joseph, Wang,Joseph, Wiezel,Avi. SRPASU COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. SRP-SALT RIVER PROJECT(7/1/1993 - 4/30/2012).
Courses
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CON 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 592 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 680 | Practicum |
| CON 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 592 | Research |
| CON 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 592 | Research |
| CEE 580 | Practicum |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CON 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 545 | Construction Project Mgmt |
| CON 598 | Special Topics |
2025 Fall
2025 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CEE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 592 | Research |
| CEE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 680 | Practicum |
| CON 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 592 | Research |
| CON 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 592 | Research |
| CEE 580 | Practicum |
| CON 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CON 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 545 | Construction Project Mgmt |
2024 Fall
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CEE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 592 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 680 | Practicum |
| CON 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 592 | Research |
| CON 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CNE 455 | Construction Project Mgmt |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 592 | Research |
| CEE 580 | Practicum |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CON 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 545 | Construction Project Mgmt |
| CON 545 | Construction Project Mgmt |
2023 Fall
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CON 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 455 | Construction Project Mgmt II |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 592 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 680 | Practicum |
| CON 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CON 592 | Research |
| CON 795 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CNE 455 | Construction Project Mgmt II |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CEE 580 | Practicum |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 599 | Thesis |
| CON 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CON 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 545 | Construction Project Mgmt |
| CON 545 | Construction Project Mgmt |
2022 Fall
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CON 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 592 | Research |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
| CEE 799 | Dissertation |
| CON 595 | Continuing Registration |
2022 Spring
2021 Fall
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CON 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 792 | Research |
| CEE 790 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 792 | Research |
| CON 592 | Research |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CEE 593 | Applied Project |
| CEE 590 | Reading and Conference |
| CON 593 | Applied Project |
| CON 599 | Thesis |
2021 Spring
Honors / Awards
- 2025 Board Certified Pipeline Water (BC.PLW) Designation, ASCE
- 2025 Elected as Fellow, Utility Engineering & Survey Institute (UESI), ASCE
- 2024 Dietrich Stein Trenchless Outstanding Contribution Award, China-U.S. Joint Center for Trenchless Research & Development
- 2023 Elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA)
- 2023 Named Sunstate Chair of Construction Management and Engineering at Arizona State University
- 2022 Appointed to the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
- 2022 Elected as Distinguished Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- 2022 Elected as Fellow, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE)
- 2021 Stephen D. Bechtel Pipeline Engineering Award, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- 2021 Named the Beavers-Ames Chair in Heavy Construction at Arizona State Univ.
- 2020 Elected as Fellow, International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT)
- 2020 Best Reviewer, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - Journal of Pipelines Systems Engineering and Practice
- 2019 International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) Gold Medal Recipient
- 2019 Elected to the U.S. National Academy of Construction (NAC)
- 2019 Pipeline Division Award of Excellence, American Society of Civil Engineers
- 2019 Named Honorary President, International Institute of Utility Specialists (IIUS)
- 2018 Elected as Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE)
- 2017 Appointed to serve on a National Academies Committee on the “Study of Propane Gas Pipeline Facilities”
- 2015 Arthur M. Wellington Prize, American Society of Civil Engineers
- 2015 Elected as Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers
- 2014 Elected as Honorary Fellow, International Institute of Utility Specialists (IIUS)
- 2013 Emerald Literati Award for Excellence
- 2012 Named 2012 North American Trenchless Technology Person of the Year
- 2010 Elected Chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technology
- 2010 Appointed to serve on a National Academies Committee on “Underground GeoEngineering for Sustainable Development”
- 2008 Appointed to the Plastic Pipe Institute Municipal Advisory Board
- 2007 Elected as Vice Chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technology
- 2007 No-Dig 2006 Outstanding Paper Award (Assessment Category)
- 2006 15th Anniversary Award, North American Society for Trenchless Technology
- 2006 The Phoenix Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40 List”
- 2005 Elected in the Executive Sub-Committee of the International Society for Trenchless Technology
- 2005 Who’s Who in Engineering Education (WWEE)
- 2005 Inducted as an “Honorary Member”, National Utility Contractors Associat. of AZ
- 2005 Who’s Who in Professionals and Executives (WWPE)
- 2004 Halliburton Energy Services Award, for contributions to the advancement of Petroleum Technology
- 2003 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association’s Young Civil Engineer Achievement Award
- 2003 Appoint. to the Graduate College, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2003-2005
- 2001 John O. Bickel Award, American Society of Civil Engineers
- 2001 Certificate of Recognition, City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering
- 2001 10th Anniversary Award, North American Society for Trenchless Technology
- 2000 Award of Recognition, California Department of Transportation
- 1991 William E. O’Neil Construction Award for Excellence in Construction Mgmt.
- 1989 University of Waterloo Letterman Award
Editorships
- Co-Editor, Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management (2011-present)
- Editorial Board Member, Tunnel Construction (2018 – present)
- Editorial Board Member, Pipeline Science and Technology Journal (2017 – present)
- Editorial Board Member, Tunneling and Underground Space Technology (2015 – present)
- Editorial Advisory Board, Trenchless Technology Magazine (2001 – present)
- Editorial Advisory Board, Inzynieria Bezwykopowa (2000 – present)
- Associate Editor, J. of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice (ASCE) (2010-2020)
- Assistant Specialty Editor, J. of Constr. Engineering and Management (ASCE) (2005-2015)
Professional Associations
- Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE)
- U.S. National Academy of Construction (NAC)
- European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE)
- Arizona Board of Technical Registration (AZBTR)
- Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario (APEO)
- Distribution Contractors Association (DCA)
- North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT)
- Common Ground Alliance (CGA)
Work History
- Professor & Sunstate Chair of Construction Management and Engineering, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (01/23-present)
- Professor & Beavers-Ames Chair in Heavy Construction, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (03/21-12/22)
- Professor & Construction Engineering Program Chair, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (04/11-present)
- Professor, Del E. Webb School of Construction, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (07/08-present)
- Associate Professor, Del E. Webb School of Construction, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (08/01-07/08)
- Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (07/00-08/01)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (07/96-07/00)
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (07/95-07/96)
- Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois (01/95-07/95)
Industry Positions
Ariaratnam Enterprises, Inc., Edmonton, Alberta & Scottsdale, AZ, President (08/97-present)
Owner of a consulting firm that provides services on underground construction projects including design review of horizontal directional drilling projects and expert witness services on construction claims. Projects have been in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Brazil, China, Chile, Hong Kong, Russia, and New Zealand.
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Champaign, IL. Short Form Research Contract (08/89-08/94)
Performed research at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL) in several areas involving “facilities management” including pre-design planning, condition assessment technologies & methods, life cycle analysis & costing strategies, real property planning & management, and strategic planning. Worked closely with Army installation personnel and Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
M.M. Dillon Engineering Limited, Cambridge, Ontario. Site Project Engineer (04/89-08/89)
Project Engineer on various projects including subdivision development, highway widening, and bridge rehabilitation. Overall duties involved Project Management aspects of construction activities including scheduling, coordination of contractor activities, issuing progress payment certificates, claims, and inspection.