Core Research Focus Areas
Structural
Our Structural Engineering group advances infrastructure safety, durability, and sustainability through diverse expertise. They specialize in multi-hazard analysis, assessing structural risk and resilience against various threats, including coastal fluid-structure interactions. Using performance-based design and reliability analysis, they ensure robust structures. Their advanced structural health monitoring employs sensors and networks for non-destructive testing in different types of infrastructure. The team’s work covers reinforced and prestressed concrete, bridge dynamics, extreme value theory, and risk analysis to enhance design codes. Expertise in bridge engineering, advanced materials, and vibration control, they protect structures from wind and seismic effects. With a focus on sustainable materials, they design durable infrastructure with minimal environmental impact, driving engineering innovation. This is achieved through multiscale and multiphysics simulations of materials behavior from the atomic scale to the macroscale, complemented by experimental evaluation and materials characterization at various length scales. Furthermore, they synergistically integrate experiments, simulations, and machine learning to tailor and design next-generation multifunctional materials for civil infrastructure.
Faculty:
- Mehrshad Amini (Multi-hazard analysis, Risk and Resilience Assessment, Coastal Fluid-Structure Interactions, Performance-based Design, Reliability Analysis)
- Sumanta Das (Sustainable Cementitious Materials, Microstructure and Material Modeling, Materials Design for Sustainable and Durable Infrastructure, Fracture Mechanics, Finite Element Analysis, Characterization to Aid in Performance Prediction)
- Mayrai Gindy (Structural health Monitoring, Sensors and Sensor Networks, Non-Destructive Testing, Structural Safety and Reliability, Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete, Live Load Spectra Modeling, Bridge Dynamics and Vibration, Extreme Value Theory, Risk Analysis, Applied Probabilistic Methods, Design Code Calibration)
- George Tsiatas (Bridge Engineering, Structural Reliability and Risk Analysis, Applications of Advanced Materials, Renewal Engineering, Vibration Control for Wind and Seismic Effects, Behavior of Structures Under Extreme Events)
Environmental
The environmental engineering faculty brings together experts in hydrogeology, water treatment, sustainable engineering, and environmental nanotechnology. Their work addresses critical global challenges such as water security, emerging contaminants, and environmental justice. By focusing on practical solutions, this group contributes to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.
In their research, they explore innovative ways to protect water resources and ensure safe drinking water for communities worldwide. They investigate cutting-edge technologies for wastewater treatment, aiming to reduce pollution and promote environmental sustainability. Additionally, their work extends to remediating contaminated sites, safeguarding ecosystems, and mitigating the impact of climate change on water systems. Whether it’s designing smart water networks, developing nanomaterial-based sensors, or implementing community-driven solutions, this group plays a crucial role in shaping a resilient and equitable water future.
Faculty:
- Ali Akanda (Hydrologic Forecasting, Water and Health Security, Emerging Water and Health Issues, Climate-Water-Health Nexus, Climate Change Impacts on Water Security, Water-Related Disasters, Hydroclimatic influences on Cholera, Early Warning Systems to Strengthen the Global Health Community)
- Thomas Boving (Environmental Engineering, Hydrogeology, Water Resources, Water Treatment, Groundwater Remediation, Environmental Science)
- Joseph Goodwill (Physical-Chemical Treatment Process, Water Reuse, Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, Water System Corrosion, Internal Water-Poverty Issues, Water Quality Data and Sensors)
- Vinka Oyanedel-Craver (Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Engineering, Water and Wastewater Technologies, Environmental Nanotechnology, International Development, Environmental Justice, Emerging Contaminants, Plastics Pollution)
- Leon Thiem (Industrial Waste Treatment, Groundwater Contamination, Drinking Water Treatment, Modeling and Remediation, Absorption Process)
Geotechnical
Our Geotechnical Engineering group focuses on enhancing the performance and resilience of structures through a comprehensive understanding of soil behavior and soil-structure interactions. They specialize in geotechnical engineering, marine geotechnics, and geophysical engineering, studying the dynamic and cyclic properties of soils, the behavior of foundations and anchors, and earthquake engineering. Their expertise in experimental and numerical geomechanics allows for precise analysis of soil behavior and foundation performance under various conditions, which is crucial for the development of fixed and floating offshore wind energy projects and coastal resilience strategies. Their innovative research and practical applications are at the forefront of geotechnical engineering, ensuring robust and economical designs.
Faculty:
- Aser Abbas (Geophysical Subsurface Imaging, Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Deep Foundations, Soil Modeling, Machine Learning)
- Christopher Baxter (Geotechnical Engineering, Experimental Geomechanics, Soil Behavior, Offshore Wind Energy, Coastal Resilience, Shear Wave Velocity)
- Aaron Bradshaw (Geotechnical Engienering, Marine Geotechnics, Dynamic Properties of Soils)
Transportation
Our Transportation Engineering group is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of transportation systems through a wide range of expertise. The team excels in traffic and transit system operations, utilizing intelligent transportation systems for optimal traffic management and safety. They focus on intermodal and multi-modal transportation planning to create cohesive and efficient transit networks. Their advanced research in transportation infrastructure integrates smart, green technologies to develop sustainable and energy-efficient highways. With great expertise on traffic flow analysis and anomaly detection, they improve traffic safety and response to unusual conditions. Additionally, the group assesses pedestrian evacuation strategies during extreme events, ensuring the safety and resilience of urban environments. Together, their innovative approaches drive the future of transportation engineering.
Faculty:
- Christopher Hunter (Traffic and Transit System Operations, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Intermodal and/or Multi-Modal Transportation System Planning, Traffic Safety)
- K. Wayne Lee (Transporation Engineering, Engineering Materials and Design, Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure and Systems, Smart Green Highways, Sustainable Energy)
- Natacha Thomas (Traffic Engineering Traffic Flow Analysis, Detection of Traffic Anomalies, Assesing Pedestrian Evacuation During Extreme Events)