Selected Research Projects

• Infrastructure Monitoring, Maintenance and Renewal.
  Research and technical support in condition assessment, real-time monitoring, nondestructive performance evaluation, maintenance programs and renewal actions for civil systems. Research in design of inspection programs, development of advanced testing methods, implementation of asset management concepts, evaluation of new materials and design details and creation of decision-support tools that integrate system, material and cost data to achieve optimal life-cycle performance.
  
• Fast Hybrid Testing. 
  This procedure combines physical testing with model-based simulation, with a rate of loading significantly higher than that in conventional tests, approaching the real-time response of a structure under earthquake loads. Using a high performance communication network, this method can also be used to connect geographically distributed laboratories. 
  
• Policy and Research on Engineering and Management Decisions for Civil Infrastructure Systems.
  Quantitative risk and policy analysis, technical performance assessment, value engineering and life cycle analysis. Modeling and analysis techniques as well as statistical and numerical analysis capability. Affiliates have significant experience in transportation, water and building infrastructure projects.
  
• Cost Characterization of "Green" Building Practices. 
  Modeling and analysis of energy and environmental impact of buildings, including forecasting uncertainties. Automated optimization and diagnostics to minimize costs based on modeled and measured behavior.
  
• Life Cycle Cost Optimization of Structures. 
  Analytical approaches including initial cost and operational cost as well as economic and non-economic costs associated with vulnerability. Issues of societal assessment of acceptable risk and tradeoffs of resources. Perceptions of risk and reliability.
• Safety and Reliability in Civil Engineering. 
  Optimal decision-making for civil infrastructure systems (CIS) based on minimum expected total cost; bridge engineering and management; life-cycle safety assessment, maintenance, and management of CIS under natural and man-made hazards.
  
• Life Cycle Performance Criteria for Public Infrastructure and the Built Environment. 
  Analytical evaluation of contractor selection and delivery system performance including design-build, design-build-operate-maintain, public/private/partnerships and performance contracting to ensure optimal life cycle operation of infrastructure and public facilities.
  
• Development of High Performance Concrete Materials. 
  Experimental study and prediction of long-term performance of construction materials (concrete, steel, fiber reinforced polymers).
  
• Optimal Asset Management for Storm and Wastewater Systems. 
  Hydraulic overflows from sanitary and storm sewers cause significant pollution. These sewers also fail due to structural collapse, root intrusion, etc. Risk-optimization techniques are used to find a replacement policy that recognizes the asset management constraints facing cities.
• Life-Cycle Performance of Deteriorating Structures