Research
Our Structural Engineering & Structural Mechanics research spans a broad array of subject areas, including materials, computational mechanics, structural modeling, experimental studies, engineering in the face of natural hazards, and bridge engineering.
Computational Multiscale & Multiphysics Lab
Our major interests are investigating various multiscale and multiphysics problems, including: establishing an integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) approach for desired mechanical properties and failure performances of the final product; first principles-based computational predictions of material behaviors in atomistic, quasi-continuum and continuum length scales; and computational predictions of material deterioration processes across different length scales subjected to multiphysics phenomena. We are also interested in developing new computational methods, including the extended finite element method (XFEM), the extended element-free Galerkin method (XEFGM), the extended particle difference method (EPDM), and computational model reduction techniques.
George Hearn Laboratory
Our research interests are in the design, service, and repair of highway bridges. We seek to increase understanding how bridges deteriorate, development of best practices on decision making for bridge structure and decking preservation, and are developing a national database of design details that increase durability of bridges.
Current/recent projects:
- Agency Rules for Bridge Preservation (USDOT FHWA)
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Guides for Bridge Preservation Actions (AASHTO)
Mija Hubler Laboratory
Our research addresses structural evaluation and redesign with a focus is on construction materials testing, developments in the design code, and infrastructure and construction material aging.
Current projects include:
- Concrete metamaterial for stress and electromagnetic wave attenuatio
- Self-assembly of microstructural inclusions in composite materials
- Nanoparticle injection technology for remediating leaks of CO2 storage formations
- Material aging effects on performance based earthquake designConcrete remediation methods to improve building energy efficiency
- New test methods to improve concrete creep prediction
- Engineering microstructure of living building materials
- Imaging and mechanical testing of cement hydrate micro-structure evolution
- Correlations of fracture resistance to spatial statistics of material microstructure
We are a group of scholars who believe in the power of engineering and engineering scholarship to make communities safer and more resilient in the face of natural hazards. Our research relates to seismic safety of concrete buildings, snow loads on structures, earthquake-induced liquefaction and mitigation strategies, induced seismicity, and diversity and inclusion in the structural engineering profession.
Victor Saouma Laboratory
Our research has focused on alkali silica reaction, nuclear containment vessel structures, nonlinear transient finite elements, experimental mechanics and structural testing, fracture mechanics, dams, probabilistic methods, real time hybrid simulation.
Current/recent projects include:
- Analysis of ASR expansion for Mactacuaq dam New Brunswick Hydro
- Long Tern Assessment of Dams Suffering from Alkali Aggregate Reaction US Bureau of Reclamation
- Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Alkali-Silica Reaction Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Report on Numerical Modeling of Nuclear Structures Electric Power Research Institute
Yunping Xi Research Group
Our group's research focuses on sustainable development of construction materials and long-term structural health monitoring and modeling. We are currently focused on:
- Long-term performance of nuclear power plant containment structures, bio-shielding walls, above ground and underground waste storage.
- Neutron and gamma irradiation effects on cementitious materials in nuclear power plants
- Alkali-activated cementitous materials as a replacement for Portland cement.
- Recycled aggregate concrete.
- Using lunar regolith to make construction materials on the moon.
- Effect of regional nuclear wars on climate change (nuclear winter) and crop production.
Current Projects include:
- Time-dependent THMC Properties and Microstructural Evolution of Damage Rocks in Excavation Damage Zone - Department of Energy/Nuclear Energy University Program
- Knowledge Transfer for the Computer Code Developed for Analysis of Irradiated Concrete - Nuclear Regulatory Commission