Internship Report

To be able to accomplish my Internship Program at Thammasat University,

Faculty of Engineering is a great experience with regards to academic, cultural and
social aspects. Thammasat University is one of the leading institutions of higher
learning in Thailand. It is the second oldest existing university which is already
known for its tradition of excellence and innovation. I took the chance of
participating in the International Research Internship Program for it would allow me
to experience working in a cross-cultural environment which would be helpful for my
future endeavors.
After arriving in Thailand, we were welcomed by Dr. Montalee as well as our
respective professors. Our first day in Thailand was about a tour of the university
and of our respective laboratories where we would be conducting our research.
Together with my research adviser, Professor Ryan Ramirez, we had planned that
majority of our work would predominantly be about learning how to operate the Triaxial Apparatus while learning theories and concepts about shearing stress of soil. I
also had the chance to meet the professors of my co-researchers who would be
conducting experiments in the same field. Along with our own experimentation, I
had the chance to observe and inquire the works of my colleagues in the field of
wind engineering and materials engineering. This program also allowed us to
experience Thai culture by visiting historical temples and experiencing night life
particularly in Bangkok City.
During a span of one month, we mainly worked on getting the parameters of
the soil specimen necessary for determining Modified Cam Clay model. Before the
successful trial of one specimen, it took us considerable amount of time to create a
specimen that is good enough to be mounted to the apparatus. Professor
Kasemchart introduced us to Modified Cam Clay by giving us the basic ideas and
fundamentals from which we could explore with the references that he suggested.
He has also shared some experiences on his professional career as an engineering
consultant while giving us brief introduction of different softwares applicable to the
field of Geotechnical Engineering. Nattavut Nakharuethai, a student of Professor
Kasemchart, provided as an on-site experience of bored piling operations by
enumerating several equipment and processes for conducting the procedures. For
the duration of the program, I gained better understanding of the general principles
and operations for handling the Tri-axial Apparatus. The experimentation program
that we conducted helped me explore the theories and fundamentals learned to
practical situations.
To conclude, the internship program provided an opportunity to improve
several areas of development. My immersion to a cross-cultural environment
allowed me to advance my communication skills through exchange of ideas and
knowledge. It has strengthened my interest in the field of Geotechnical Engineering
particularly constitutive modelling. I would like to expand the knowledge that I have

gained from my mentor and personal experiences by pursuing higher studies of Soil
Mechanics. Finally, I would like to thank the Faculty of Engineering of University of
Santo Tomas and Thammasat University for making this internship program
possible.