The Texas A&M University College of Engineering Faculty Awards Banquet, held on April 2, 2024, was a momentous occasion, and many distinguished faculty members affiliated with the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) were honored with prestigious awards. Their remarkable contributions to research, teaching, and service were celebrated, reaffirming their commitment to excellence within the academic community.

CIR researchers Dr. Amy Epps-Martin, Dr. Homero Castaneda-Lopez, Dr. Jeffrey Bullard, Dr. Katherine Davis, Dr. Maria Koliou, Dr. Petros Sideris, Dr. Zachary Grasley and Dr Anand Puppala received Genesis awards for their outstanding research efforts. Additionally, Dr. Amy Epps Martin received the prestigious A.P. & Florence Wiley Professorship II in the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Dr. Katherine Davis was honored with the Dean of Engineering Excellence award for her exceptional contributions to the field.

Dr. Anand Puppala, the Director of the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR), received a total of six Genesis awards – four as a Principal Investigator (PI) and two as a Co-PI. These awards recognize CIR’s teams from both TTI and TEES and their commitment to excellence in research, and workforce training activities.

Please take a moment to celebrate with us and recognize the awardees:

 

Professorship Appointments

Amy Epps Martin

A.P. and Florence Wiley Professorship II in the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

 

Dean of Engineering Excellence Awards

Katherine Davis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Associate Professor Level

 

Engineering Genesis Award for Multidisciplinary Research Recipients

This award was created to honor Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) researchers who have secured a grant of $1 million or more for a research project. CIR Affiliated Faculty are denoted with an asterisk (*)

 

PI: Jeffrey Bullard*, Co-PIs: Satish Bukkapatnam, Zachary Grasley*, Zhijian Pei, Petros Sideris*, Kumbakonam Rajagopal

“Design and Modeling of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete for Additive Construction”

 

PI: Katherine Davis*, Co-PI: Ana Goulart

“SCORE-Physics-Aware and AI-Enabled Cyber-Physical Intrusion Response for the Power Grid”

 

PI: Arum Han, Co-PIs: Paul Defigueiredo, Arul Jayaraman, Xiaoning Qian, Homero Castaneda-Lopez*, Jason Gill, Mei Liu

“Microbes Achieve Resistance to MicroOrganism-influenced Rust (μARMOR): An Integrated Platform for Defeating Corrosion”

 

PI: Amy Epps Martin*

“Balanced Mix Design Implementation Effort 2022-2025”

 

PI: Jason O’Kane, Co-PIs: Nasir Gharaibeh, Anand Puppala*, Scott Schaefer

“Automated and Robotic Inspection of Flood Control Systems”

 

PI: Anand Puppala*

“Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) for Integration of Composites in Infrastructure (CICI) — Phase III”

 

PI: Anand Puppala*

“University Transportation Centers Program — National Center for Infrastructure Transformation”

 

PI: Anand Puppala* Co-PIs: James Kaihatu, Jens Figlus

“University Transportation Centers Program — Coastal Research and Education Actions for Transportation Equity (CREATE)”

 

PI: Anand Puppala*, Co-PI: Maria Koliou*

“University Transportation Centers Program — South Plains Transportation Center (SPTC)”

 

PI: Petros Sideris*, Co-PIs: Manish Dixit, Zachary Grasley*, Maria Koliou*, Anand Puppala*, Wei Yan

“Hempcrete 3D Printed Buildings for Sustainability and Resilience”

 

We extend our deepest congratulations to you all! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the infrastructure industry in so many ways!

 

The Structural and Materials Testing Lab, more commonly known as the High Bay, at the Center for Infrastructural Renewal (CIR) is a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a hub for practical engineering research and experimentation. Within its walls, engineers and researchers collaborate to explore real world applications of theoretical concepts.

The High Bay features an impressive 3-foot-thick reinforced concrete strong floor, spanning 70 feet by 120 feet. With a 300-kip tie-down capacity (both tension and compression) on a 3-foot by 3-foot grid, it provides ample space for rigorous testing. Its 8,400 square feet area and 45-foot clear height facilitate investigations into structural behavior, material properties, and innovative designs.

From full-scale bridge support tests to analytical modeling, the High Bay is a dynamic laboratory where engineering knowledge translates into practical solutions. Join us as we explore the intersection of theory and practice, shaping safer and more resilient infrastructure for the future.

Dr. Stefan Hurlebaus, a professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Texas A&M, and his team research connection details for Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) in Texas. This concept of ABC consists of prefabricated bridge unit assemblies where sections involving two girder lines and a composite slab built offsite are erected side-by-side with closure pours.

The team employs two distinct methodologies in their investigation. First, they conduct full-scale experimental testing in the high-bay laboratory, constructing three prefabricated bridge specimens representing different connection details. These specimens undergo various loads to determine their performance, aiming to identify the optimal connection design under specified loading conditions. Second, they use finite element modeling, simulating the behavior of these connections. By confirming experimental results and exploring parameter variations, they seek better outcomes.

Upon project completion, the highest-rated system will be chosen for potential implementation in Texas bridges. The rating will include parameters such as ease of fabrication, efficient assembly, durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The ABC unit features a fully continuous girder connection. This design aims to reduce cracks on the deck surface. The anticipated result is enhanced long-term durability and overall performance, leading to faster replacement of bridges when needed and hence minimizing traffic control.

The research conducted in the High Bay by Dr. Hurlebaus and his team allows them to apply theoretical engineering concepts to tangible, real-world structures. Through this process, they engage in critical thinking about structural design and focus on optimal testing methodologies. These experiences within the CIR High Bay cultivate highly proficient engineers ready to tackle future challenges in the field.

To read more about the High Bay lab visit cir.tamu.edu/facilities/structural-and-materials-testing/

Dr. Stefan Hurlebaus’ current group: sites.google.com/tamu.edu/shurlebaus/students

Visit us online at cir.tamu.edu

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting was held in Washington, D.C. from January 7th to January 11th, 2024.  

The TRB is a division of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (formerly the National Research Council of the United States) which serves as an independent adviser to the President of the United States, the Congress and federal agencies on scientific and technical questions of national importance. The TRB Annual Meeting is a major event that brings together thousands of transportation professionals from around the world. The meeting features a wide range of sessions and workshops covering all transportation modes, with more than 5,000 presentations in nearly 800 sessions.  

Earlier this month, numerous CIR faculty and students attended the annual meeting, taking advantage of the opportunity to network, share research, and participate in various workshops, lectern sessions, committee meetings, and poster sessions. These activities provided insights into the current state of transportation research and the future of the industry.  

Aaron Leavitt, M.S., EIT, Associate Transportation Researcher in the Materials and Pavements Division of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), conducts research in multiple CIR labs. He was eager to share his research at TRB, stating, “TRB this year was a great experience. TTI/TAMU was well represented with many workshops, presentations, and posters.” Aaron presented his research, conducted with TTI Senior Research Engineer Dr. Amy Epps Martin and TTI Research Engineer Dr. Edith Arambula Mercado, at one of the poster sessions. 

“My paper developed a model to predict the IDEAL-CT parameter  from the post-peak load-displacement curve. This ratio, which correlates well with measured field cracking data, is predictable with aging, making it an excellent candidate for evaluating pavement cracking performance with aging,” Aaron explained.  

Ayazhan Bazarbekova, TEES Civil Engineering Graduate Research Assistant, shared her experience at the TRB via a LinkedIn post: “I presented two of our recent projects on soil stabilization, learned from the lectern sessions, participated in the committee meeting, explored the exhibition, and most importantly, connected with friends, mentors, and inspiring minds.” Ayazhan also announced that she was awarded a travel grant by the National Center for Infrastructure Transformation (NCIT), one of the National University Transportation Centers (UTC) recently funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

Ayazhan conducted her research under the guidance of Drs. Yong-Rak Kim and Dallas Little of TAMU and Dr. John Rushing of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). She further stated, “The TRB annual meeting is a great platform to connect with leading minds in academia and industry and explore recent advancements in transportation research. It’s an honor to be involved in this activity, and I am grateful to the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University, TEES, the CIR, and ERDC for their positive feedback and support in making this opportunity possible.” 

Dr. Jianxin Huang, TEES Civil Engineering Postdoctoral Researcher, attended the TRB conference for the first time. There, he had the privilege of presenting his research on polymer soil stabilization, a project supported by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). Reflecting on his experience at TRB, Dr. Huang shared his enthusiasm via a LinkedIn post: “It was amazing to reconnect with my mentors, friends and colleagues. Meeting with old and new friends and exchanging ideas with other researchers and professionals made my first TRB experience beyond expectation.”

Dr. Anand Puppala, Director of CIR, and Dr. Nripojyoti Biswas, Senior Research Engineer at TAMU, organized a comprehensive workshop and panel discussion on “Stabilization of Geomaterials with Different Polymer Additives.” The discussion provided invaluable insights into advanced geomaterial technologies.

CIR leadership would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all of you who attended the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting this year. Your participation and contributions to this prestigious event have not only enriched the discussions and workshops but also elevated the reputation of our esteemed institutions. The knowledge you shared, the insights you provided, and the connections you made during the meeting are invaluable. Your active involvement in various sessions, workshops, and poster presentations has undoubtedly left a significant impact on the attendees and the broader transportation community. 

To the students who presented their research, your hard work and innovative ideas are a testament to your commitment to your studies and your passion for transportation research. Your presentations were insightful and thought-provoking, contributing to the depth and breadth of knowledge shared at the meeting. 

To the faculty members who guided these students and shared their own research, your expertise and dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers are truly inspiring. Your leadership and commitment to excellence are what make TAMU, TEES and TTI stand out in transportation research.  

We wish you all many more years of groundbreaking research and impactful contributions to the global transportation and infrastructure industries!  

For more information about the Transportation Research Board, click here.