James M. Tantalla, PhD, PE
Associate Principal
James Tantalla, a geotechnical engineer, joined MRCE in 2002. He was the manager of MRCE's in-house Soils Laboratory from 2004-2011. He was promoted to Associate Principal in 2024.
James has managed numerous projects for bridges and transportation facilities, marine facilities, buildings and site development, water/wastewater facilities, utilities and dams. His services range from feasibility studies, geotechnical investigations, foundation recommendations, ground improvement, foundation and retaining wall designs and expert and forensic work. James supervises design and preparation of technical work including analyses and evaluations for settlement and stability projects, design calculations and reports, design drawings, construction specifications and contract drawings.
He has authored several publications on geotechnical subjects such as frozen soil characterization and slope stability analysis.
Publications:
Teaching An Old Giant New Tricks, 2022
Design and Construction of the Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant Cofferdam and Cut-Off Wall, 2016
Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant: Taming The Ohio River To Create Green Energy, 2016
Design and Construction of High-Capacity Rock Anchors for the Willow Island Hydroelectric Project, 2014
Characterization of Seasonally Frozen Soils for Seismic Design of Foundations,2014
Cannelton Hydroelectric Cofferdam Cutoff Wall, 2013
Spatial Variability of Material Properties for Slope Stability Analysis and Fragility Curve Generation," Ph.D Thesis, 2002
Spatial Variability of Soil Properties in Slope Stability Analysis: Fragility Curve Generation," 8th International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability, 2001
Education
- Stevens Institute of Technology, BSCE, 1996
- Princeton University, MSEM, 1998
- Princeton University, Ph.D, 2002
Professional engineering licenses
- New York
- New Jersey
- Virginia
Memberships/Honors/Activities:
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Notable projects:
- NYSTA Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge - Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement, New Jersey/ New York
- NYSDOT Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project - Contract 1, New York
- PANYNJ JFK Airport - Central Terminal Area, Roadways, Utilities And Ground Transportation Center, New York
- Willow Island Hydroelectric project, West Virginia
- Cannelton Hydroelectric projects. Kentucky