Fred K. Boadu
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Fred Boadu received his B.S. (Hons) in geological engineering from the University of Science and Technology, Ghana, a Post-Graduate Diploma in applied geophysics from McGill University, an M.S. in geophysics from the University of Calgary, and his Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1994. He was an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Science and Technology, School of Mines (Tarkwa, Ghana) from 1982 to 1984. Since 1986, he has worked for several oil companies (Chevron, Amoco, and Mobil) during the summer months on a variety of research projects. He is also a consultant for Texaco, Inc. and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.
Dr. Boadu’s research focuses on the areas of exploration, engineering and environmental geophysics. Current research involves characterizing the transport and storage properties of porous media such as fractured rocks, soils and human tissue. The work involves modeling, laboratory and field experiments. Fractal concepts and neural networks are used to interpret results. Recently, Dr. Boadu has been involved in research regarding nitrate contamination in groundwater, and as well, in education and awareness campaign of the implications in potential health hazards in Ghana
Current Research Interests
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering 2001
- Associate Research Professor of Global Health, Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers 2019
- Faculty Network Member of The Energy Initiative, Nicholas Institute-Energy Initiative, Initiatives 2012
Contact Information
- 163 Hudson Hall, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708
- Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708-0287
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boadu@duke.edu
(919) 660-5432
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http://applied-geophysics.cee.duke.edu
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology 1994
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Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers 2015 - 2019
- Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering 1994 - 2001
- Recognition
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In the News
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NOV 8, 2022 Duke Engage -
MAY 8, 2017 Bass Connections -
NOV 20, 2015 Duke Today -
NOV 20, 2015 -
OCT 31, 2014
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Awards & Honors
- Expertise
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Global Scholarship
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Expertise
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Research
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- Research
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Selected Grants
- In Search of Clean and Sustainable Water for Poor Rural Communities in Ghana Engaging Academic Institutions in Science and Technology awarded by Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation 2010 - 2011
- Ground Truthing of Electromagnetic Signals from Earthquakes from Simultaneous 3 KM Deep Borehole and Surface Measurements at the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2008 - 2010
- Petrophysical Characterization of Saturated and Unsaturated Soils Using Electrical Geophysical Method: Artificial Neural Network Approach awarded by National Science Foundation 2003 - 2009
- Desiccation Cracks and Their Effect on Permeability in Clays awarded by National Science Foundation 2003 - 2008
- Imaging Subsurface Hydraulic Properties from Spectral Electrical Tomographic Images: Artificial Neural Network Approach awarded by National Science Foundation 2002 - 2006
- A Non-invasive Investigation of the Structural Changes in Contaminated Soils Over Time awarded by National Science Foundation 1999 - 2004
- Non-Invasive Characterization awarded by Lord Foundation of North Carolina 2000 - 2003
- Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability to Pesticides Contamination in Farmlands Within Nsawam District, Ghana: An Integrated Approach awarded by National Science Foundation 2001 - 2002
- Request for Supplemental Funds to Purchase an Equipment for Studying Elastic Wave Propagation in Unconsolidated Materials awarded by Lord Foundation of North Carolina 1999 - 2002
- A Non-Invasive Investigation of the Structural Changes in Contaminated Soils over Time awarded by National Science Foundation 1999 - 2001
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Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants
- Seed Grant: Belonging While Black at Duke Book Club: Inclusion and Professional Advancement awarded by Duke Office for Faculty Advancement 2021
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Boateng, K. A., Y. A. Tuffour, S. Agyeman, and F. Boadu. “Potential improvements in montmorillonite-nanoclay-modified Cold-Mix Asphalt.” Case Studies in Construction Materials 17 (December 1, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01331.Full Text
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Pratson, L. F., A. Stroujkova, D. Herrick, F. Boadu, and P. Malin. “Predicting seismic velocity and other rock properties from clay content only.” Geophysics 68, no. 6 (January 1, 2021): 1847–56. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1635037.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “A support vector regression approach to predict geotechnical properties of soils from electrical spectra based on Jonscher parameterization.” Geophysics 85, no. 3 (May 1, 2020): EN39–48. https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2019-0256.1.Full Text
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Owusu-Nimo, F., and F. K. Boadu. “Evaluating effective stress conditions in soils using non-invasive electrical measurements – Laboratory studies.” Journal of Applied Geophysics 174 (March 1, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2020.103961.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., and S. Ampadu. “Assessing Relations between Electrical and Geotechnical Properties of Sand-Clay Mixtures Using Jonscher Fractal Power Law Model.” Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 24, no. 1 (March 1, 2019): 77–85. https://doi.org/10.2113/JEEG24.1.77.Full Text
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Ampadu, S. I. K., F. F. J. Ayeh, and F. Boadu. “Deriving SPT N-Values from DCP Test Results: The Case of Foundation Design in a Tropical Environment.” Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 36, no. 4 (August 1, 2018): 2517–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-018-0480-4.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Regression Models to Estimate Critical Porosity of Soils from Basic Soil Properties Based on Percolation Theory.” Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 36, no. 2 (April 1, 2018): 1207–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0387-5.Full Text
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Ampadu, S. I. K., P. Ackah, F. O. Nimo, and F. Boadu. “A laboratory study of horizontal confinement effect on the dynamic cone penetration index of a lateritic soil.” Transportation Geotechnics 10 (March 1, 2017): 47–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2016.12.002.Full Text
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Momayez, M., F. Boadu, N. Cassidy, and D. Jongmans. “Introduction to the JEEG-NSG geotechnical assessment and geo-environmental engineering geophysics special issue.” Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 18, no. 4 (December 1, 2013): 201–3. https://doi.org/10.2113/JEEG18.4.201.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., F. Owusu-Nimo, F. Achampong, and S. I. K. Ampadu. “Artificial neural network and statistical models for predicting the basic geotechnical properties of soils from electrical measurements.” Near Surface Geophysics 11, no. 6 (January 1, 2013): 599–612. https://doi.org/10.3997/1873-0604.2013011.Full Text
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Momayez, M., F. Boadu, N. Cassidy, and D. Jongmans. “Introduction to the JEEG - NSG geotechnical assessment and geo-environmental engineering geophysics special issue.” Near Surface Geophysics 11, no. 6 (January 1, 2013): 589–90. https://doi.org/10.3997/1873-0604.2013049.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., and F. Owusu-Nimo. “Exploring the linkages between geotechnical properties and electrical responses of sand-clay mixtures under varying effective stress levels.” Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 16, no. 2 (June 1, 2011): 73–83. https://doi.org/10.2113/JEEG16.2.73.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Predicting the engineering and transport properties of soils using fractal equivalent circuit model: Laboratory experiments.” Geophysics 76, no. 5 (January 1, 2011). https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2010-0299.1.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., and F. Owusu-Nimo. “Influence of petrophysical and geotechnical engineering properties on the electrical response of unconsolidated earth materials.” Geophysics 75, no. 3 (January 1, 2010). https://doi.org/10.1190/1.3374465.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., J. Gyamfi, and E. Owusu. “Reply to the discussion.” Geophysics 74, no. 3 (January 1, 2009). https://doi.org/10.1190/1.3109662.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., F. Owusu-Nimo, and A. Menyeh. “Exploring the linkages between geotechnical properties and geophysical responses of unconsolidated materials - Laboratory measurements.” Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society 21st Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2008 1 (December 1, 2008): 25–35.
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Owusu-Nimo, F., F. K. Boadu, and A. Menyeh. “Geotechnical parameters from integrated geophysical methods: Laboratory measurements and regression models.” Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society 21st Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2008 1 (December 1, 2008): 204–14.
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Skokan, C., and F. Boadu. “Humanitarian geophysics.” Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society 21st Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2008 1 (December 1, 2008): 20–24.
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Boadu, F. K., F. Owusu-Nimo, and A. Menyeh. “Nitrate contamination in groundwater at farmlands in Nsawam, Ghana: The role of fractures from azimuthal resistivity surveys.” Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 13, no. 1 (March 1, 2008): 27–32. https://doi.org/10.2113/JEEG13.1.27.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., and B. C. Seabrook. “Effects of clay content and salinity on the spectral electrical response of soils.” Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 11, no. 3 (September 1, 2006): 161–70. https://doi.org/10.2113/JEEG11.3.161.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., J. Gyamfi, and E. Owusu. “Determining subsurface fracture characteristics from azimuthal resistivity surveys: A case study at Nsawam, Ghana.” Geophysics 70, no. 5 (January 1, 2005). https://doi.org/10.1190/1.2073888.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Use of multifractal seismic waveform parameters to characterize the hydraulic properties of fractured media: Numerical experiments.” Geophysical Journal International 155, no. 2 (November 1, 2003): 557–66. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-246X.2003.02066.x.Full Text
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Brian, Seabrook, Seabrook Boadu, and F. K. “Relating Electrical Response and Petrophysical Properites of Sands Subjected to Stress Changes.” Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 7 (2002): 88–100.
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Boadu, F. K. “Chapter 11 Permeability estimation with an RBF network and Levenberg-Marquardt learning.” Handbook of Geophysical Exploration: Seismic Exploration 30 (December 1, 2001): 171–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-1401(01)80025-2.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Predicting oil saturation from velocities using petrophysical models and artificial neural networks.” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 30, no. 3–4 (September 1, 2001): 143–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0920-4105(01)00110-3.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Petrophysical Parameters Affecting NMR Relaxation Time and Cementation Factor: Artificial Neural Network Analysis.” J. of Engineering. & Environmental. Geophysics, 2001.
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Boadu, F. K. “Using Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Oil Saturation from Velocities Based on Petrophysical Models.” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 30 (2001): 143–54.
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Boadu, F. K. “Predicting the transport properties of fractured rocks from seismic information: Numerical experiments.” Journal of Applied Geophysics 44, no. 2–3 (May 1, 2000): 103–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-9851(99)00020-8.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Wave propagation in fluid-saturated media: Waveform and spectral analysis.” Geophysical Journal International 141, no. 1 (April 1, 2000): 227–40. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-246X.2000.00073.x.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., and B. Seabrook. “Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity and Porosity of Soils from Spectral Electrical Response Measurements.” J. of Engineering. & Environmental. Geophysics 5, no. 4 (2000): 1–9.
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Boadu, Fred Kofi. “Hydraulic conductivity of soils from grain-size distribution: New models.” Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 126, no. 8 (2000): 739–46. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2000)126:8(739.Full Text Link to Item
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Boadu, F. K. “Neural inversion for oil saturation from seismic velocities.” Seg Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 19, no. 1 (January 1, 2000): 1417–21. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1815668.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Inversion of fracture density from field seismic velocities using artificial neural networks.” Geophysics 63, no. 2 (January 1, 1998): 534–45. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1444354.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Rock properties and seismic attenuation: Neural network analysis.” Pure and Applied Geophysics 149, no. 3 (January 1, 1997): 507–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s000240050038.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Fractured rock mass characterization parameters and seismic properties: Analytical studies.” Journal of Applied Geophysics 37, no. 1 (January 1, 1997): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-9851(97)00008-6.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Relating the hydraulic properties of a fractured rock mass to seismic attributes: Theory and numerical experiments.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 34, no. 6 (January 1, 1997): 885–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(97)80002-0.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K., and L. T. Long. “Effects of fractures on seismic-wave velocity and attenuation.” Geophysical Journal International 127, no. 1 (January 1, 1996): 86–110. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.1996.tb01537.x.Full Text
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Debrah, S. K., D. Sanogo, and F. O. Boadu. “On-Farm Experiments with Sorghum to Assess the Acceptability of New Varieties and Herbicide Treatments.” Electroanalysis 82, no. 2 (1996): 219.
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Boadu, F. K., and L. T. Long. “Statistical distribution of natural fractures and the possible physical generating mechanism.” Pure and Applied Geophysics Pageoph 142, no. 2 (June 1, 1994): 273–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00879304.Full Text
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Boadu Fred, O. “Policy on private water sales in rural Ghana.” Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 120, no. 6 (1994): 944–61.
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Boadu, F. K., and L. T. Long. “The fractal character of fracture spacing and RQD.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences And 31, no. 2 (January 1, 1994): 127–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(94)92802-9.Full Text
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Boadu Fred, O. “Law and natural-resource development. Case of water in Lesotho.” Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 117, no. 6 (1991): 698–710.
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Conference Papers
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Ampadu, S. I. K., T. D. Arthur, P. Ackah, and F. Boadu. “Construction and Monitoring of the Short-Term Strength Development of a Cement-Stabilized Lateritic Pavement Layer Under Tropical Climatic Conditions.” In Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 164:727–41, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77230-7_55.Full Text
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Boadu, F., and F. Owusu-Nimo. “On the use of a fractal equivalent circuit model to predict the geotechnical properties of soils.” In Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and 80th Annual Meeting 2010, Seg 2010, 1944–49, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.3513224.Full Text
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Boadu, F. K. “Neural inversion for oil saturation from seismic velocities.” In 2000 Seg Annual Meeting, 2000.
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
- Bass Connections Team Leader. Health and Well-being Associated with Small-scale Gold Mining in Amansie West District, Ghana. 2019 - 2020 2019 - 2020
- Bass Connections Faculty Team Member. Human Health Risks, Environmental and Ecosystem Damage Associated with Contamination of Used Motor Oil at Auto-mechanic Villages in Ghana. August 2016 - May 2017 2016 - 2017
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Service to the Profession
- Associate Editor. Journal of Engineering and Environmental Geophysics. 2004 2004
- Member. External Advisory Committee on the Initiative for Transforming and Sustaining Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (ITSSTEM). North Carolina Central University. 2004 2004
- Member. Research Committee. Society for Exploration Geophysicists. 2004 2004
- Regional Coordinator for Africa. Global Affairs Committee. Society of Exploration Geophysicists. 2004 2004
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