In the News
Asphalt binder and mixture properties paper wins Transportation Research Board award
Amy Epps-Martin, Edith Arambula
Dr. Amy Epps-Martin, of the CIR Asphalt Innovation Lab, with co-authors including TTI Research Engineer Edith Arambula paper comparing measured asphalt binder properties and corresponding asphalt mixture cracking performance parameters in a recent study won a Transportation Research Board award.Read more
Grant focuses on need for resilient infrastructure and diversity enrollment
Petros Sideris, Anand Puppala, Maria Koliou, Luciana Bassoro, Zachary Grasley, Mary Beth Hueste
The Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program led by Dr. Petros Sideris and other CIR experts will offer GAANN Fellows well-rounded training in research and teaching, as well as access to the CIR's advanced equipment including small- and large-scale 3D printers.Read more
TTI’s Mukhopadhyay Develops Test Methods for Cracking-Resistant Concrete
Center for Infrastructure Renewal
In collaboration with TTI Assistant Research Scientist Kai Wei Liu, TTI Senior Research Scientist Anol Mukhopadhyay, part of the CIR Concrete Innovation Lab, recently developed two alkali-silica reaction test methods for cracking-resistant concrete. Read more
TTI’s Anol Mukhopadhyay Increases Awareness of Fly Ash Approach
Anol Mukhopadhyay
TTI Senior Research Scientist Anol Mukhopadhyay presented the session Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fly Ashes and Other Potential Alternatives to Mitigate Alkali–Silica Reaction (ASR) Using an Innovative Performance-based Approach.Read more
NSF-funded research hub to enhance resilience in underrepresented coastal communities
Maria Koliou, Petros Sideris, Anand Puppala, Jim Kaihatu, Michele Meyer
Researchers including Lead PI Dr. Koliou, CIR Interim Director Dr. Puppala and other CIR affiliated faculty will lead a hub of five institutions across the country to conduct fundamental research to support holistic decision-making.Read more
Big Data-Derived Tool Facilitates Closer Monitoring Of Recovery From Natural Disasters
Ali Mostafavi
Texas A&M researchers, including the CIR's Connected Infrastructure Lab's Ali Mostafavi, have mined location-based data to essential establishments during Hurricane Harvey to develop a framework for monitoring communities’ resilience.Read more
ERCOT Can Handle Texas Summer, Says Grid Expert; Nationwide Vulnerabilities ‘Much More Concerning’
Thomas Overbye
The Smart Grid Center Director, Thomas Overbye, at the CIR Control Room Lab doesn’t expect significant problems with the Texas power grid this summer, but says the entire nation is at risk from high-impact, low-frequency events.Read more
Mukhopadhyay Develops Test Methods for Cracking-Resistant Concrete Supporting Bridges
Anol Mukhopadhyay
Dr. Anol Mukhopadhyay, with the CIR Concrete Innovation Lab, has developed two ASR test methods and a four-step process for formulating ASR-resistant concrete mixes.Read more
Texas A&M Researchers Land DOE Grant To Improve U.S. Cybersecurity
Kate Davis
Among the 11 teams to receive a U.S. Department of Energy award is a team from the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) led by Dr. Kate Davis.Read more
IDEAL-CT — Simple, Reliable, Efficient, Repeatable, Cost Effective
Fujie Zhou
State departments of transportation (DOTs) nationwide have long dealt with the problem of asphalt pavement cracking. Many cracking tests have been developed, but no single test has been simple, reliable, efficient, repeatable and cost effective — until now.Read more
Grasley Named Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
Zachary Grasley
Dr. Zachary Grasley has been named the new head of the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University, effective Sept. 1.Read more
Texas A&M team takes first place in GeoPrediction 2021
Md Ashrafuzzaman Khan and Ethan Harris
Doctoral student Md Ashrafuzzaman Khan and civil engineering senior Ethan Harris from the CIR's Geotechnical and Unbound Materials Lab received the Mohr Circle Award by placing 1st in the GeoPrediction 2021 challenge.Read more
Future of Emerging Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) Webinar
Anol Mukhopadhyay
Join the Center for Infrastructure Renewal via WebEx on June 15th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. (CT) for a presentation by Anol Mukhopadhyay on durability based concrete mix design followed by a panel discussion with Karthik Obla, Ivan Diaz, Lisa Lukefahr and Anol Mukhopadhyay on the fly ash shortage.Read more
Yarnold selected for Steel Bridge Task Force Award Lecture
Matthew Yarnold
Matthew Yarnold, with the CIR's Structural and Materials Testing Lab, was chosen to deliver this year's Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award Lecture. The Structural & Materials Testing Lab has the ability to perform both full-scale material testing.Read more
Texas A&M Team Plans Out-Of-This-World Construction
Bjorn Birgisson and Nicole Shumaker
Bjorn Birgisson, with the AIMM lab at the CIR, is part of a team working to use new construction materials for beyond-Earth structures. Read more
Strain On Texas’ Electric Grid Left Millions Without Power
Thomas Overbye
The Smart Grid Center, housed in the CIR's Control Room Lab, is hard at work addressing how the electrical grid can be hardened to deal with these low frequency, but high impact events.Read more
Yong-Rak Kim Received Grant to Develop System For Nuclear Waste Containment
Yong-Rak Kim
Yong-Rak Kim, a CIR affiliated professor, was recently awarded a U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Energy University Program grant to develop a novel system in engineered barriers to permanently isolate and contain nuclear fuel waste. Read more
CIR Researchers Received the Engineering Genesis Award for Multidisciplinary Research
Zachary Grasley, Amy E martin, James Wall
Three CIR researchers and their research teams were presented with the Engineering Genesis Award for Multidisciplinary Research on December 15th.Read more
Researchers Studying How to Use Geothermal Energy to De-Ice Bridges
Anand Puppala
Dr. Anand Puppala, CIR associate director, is the co-investigator on a project looking to an end to the dangerous driving conditions of iced bridges and overpasses through the use of geothermal energy. Dr. Puppala is part of the Geotechnical and Unbound Materials Innovation Lab at the CIR.Read more
The Impact of the Pandemic on the Electricity Sector
Le Xie
Researchers at TAMU, including the Control Room Lab's Dr. Le Xie, created a cross-domain and open-access data hub that showcases the effects human mobility has on the United States’ electricity markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.Read more
Texas is on the fast track to self-driving big rigs
Bjorn Birgisson
Recently, an autonomous trucking company launched construction of a truck terminal near Fort Worth, which makes driverless trucks more of a reality on Texas roadways.Read more
Overbye creates first-of-its-kind Texas Magnetometer Network
Thomas Overbye
Dr. Thomas Overbye, with the Control Room Lab, created the first of its kind magnetometer network, which is used to measure the Earth’s magnetic field at a particular location. This device will help the electrical industry better manage geomagnetic disturbances.Read more
New bridge designs ensure more damage-resistant structures.
Mohammad Salehi, Petros Sideris and Jakub Valigura
Drs. Petros Sideris and Jakub Valigura, and researcher Mohammad Salehi have been working to quantify the benefits of their new bridge design, which suffers less damage and lowers repair costs. This extensive design testing was carried out in the CIR Structural and Materials Testing lab.Read more
Puppala delivered the Ralph B. Peck Medal Lecture at the Geo-Congress 2020 Conference
Anand Puppala
This year, Dr. Anand Puppala, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE., F.ASCE, F-ICE, gave the Ralph B. Peck Medal Lecture at the Geo-Congress 2020 Conference in Minneapolis. His lecture was titled "Problematic Soils: Characterization Challenges, Innovative Solutions and Novel Monitoring Methods."Read more
Researchers look to bring artificial intelligence to construction industry
Zachary Grasley
Dr. Grasley, along with other CIR affiliated researchers, has been working on bringing an artificial intelligence (AI) in construction research opportunity to Texas A&M. Dr. Grasley is the director for the Center for Infrastructure Renewal.Read more
Ali Mostafavi and TAMU researchers are using AI to forecast COVID-19 cases.
Ali Mostafavi
Ali Mostafavi, with the CIR Connected Infrastructure Lab, and other TAMU researchers are hard at work using artificial intelligence (AI) to forecast COVID-19 case growth.Read more
Experts with TTI say there are delays rolling out autonomous vehicles
Robert Brydia
According to TTI researchers, including Robert Brydia with the Connected Infrastructure Lab, autonomous vehicles haven't rolled onto our roadways as fast as they originally thought. Read more
CIR Advisory Panel (CAP) Inaugural Meeting
Center for Infrastructure Renewal
The Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) hosted its inaugural CIR Advisory Panel (CAP) meeting on October 21, 2020, showcasing ongoing CIR research to CAP members and taking them on a virtual tour of the center.Read more
Dr. Alaa Elwany part of EOS, Texas A&M Partnership on AM Program
Alaa Elwany
Dr. Alaa Elwany, with the CIR AIMM Lab, is a member of the partnership between EOS and Texas A&M on Additive Manufacturing Program. The Advanced Infrastructure Materials & Manufacturing (AIMM) Lab focuses on developing advanced, symbiotic and conjoint materials and manufacturing methodsRead more
CIR Virtual Tours Available Now!
Center for Infrastructure Renewal
The Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) recently worked with Clegg Unlimited and can now offer 3D virtual tours of the center’s facilities.Read more
Pravin Saraswatula received the American Coal Ash Association Educational Foundation (ACAAEF) scholarship.
Pravin Saraswatula
PhD student, Pravin Saraswatula with Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s team in the Concrete Innovation Lab at the CIR, has received the American Coal Ash Association Educational Foundation (ACAAEF) scholarship, and was Runner Up in the PhD student category for the 2020 Keese Wootan Transportation Fellowship.Read more
Smart Technology Could Help Divert Power During Blackouts
Prasad Enjeti and Le Xie
Drs. Prasad Enjeti and Le Xie, with the CIR Control Room Lab, were part of a team that developed a device that could help utility companies improve distribution during outages. The Control Room Lab boasts an innovative vision of a large-scale, seamlessly integrated Power System Control Center.Read more
Industrial Engineering Researchers Manufacture Parts In Micro-Gravity For NASA
Alaa Elwany
Dr. Alaa Elwany, with the CIR Advanced Infrastructure Materials and Manufacturing (AIMM) Lab, is part of a team exploring metal additive manufacturing as a way to keep space habitats operational. The AIMM Lab focuses on developing advanced, symbiotic and conjoint materials and manufacturing methods.Read more
Artificial intelligence (AI) can scale up flood mapping using crowdsourced street photos
Amir Behzadan
Dr. Amir Behzadan and his team are working on a project funded by NOAA's Sea Grant Program aimed at engaging with citizen scientists to collect and map flood photos using a crowdsourcing app, and utilizing AI to estimate and display flood depth data at street-level.Read more
Ali Mostafavi and Jeffrey Bullard are part of teams who received X-Grants for interdisciplinary projects
Ali Mostafavi and Jeffrey Bullard
Drs. Ali Mostafavi and Jeffrey Bullard, CIR affiliated faculty, are part of 8 TAMU teams that received X-Grants for interdisciplinary projects. The eight interdisciplinary research projects will share $7 million in funding.Read more
Amy Epps-Martin Named on Women of Asphalt Names 20 to Watch in 2020
Amy Epps-Martin
Amy Epps-Martin, with the CIR Asphalt Innovation Lab, was named on Women of Asphalt Names 20 to Watch in 2020. Women on this list exemplify the values, mission, and goals of WofA. The Asphalt Innovation Lab focuses on investigating, developing and deploying improvements in asphalt technology.Read more
Dr. Surya S. C. Congress will be part of this year’s AirWorks conference
Surya S. C. Congress
Dr. Surya S. C. Congress, associate research scientist with Geotechnical and Unbound Materials Innovation Lab , will be part of this year’s AirWorks conference where he was invited to deliver a lecture on drones. His session, titled Novel Approach for…Read more news Dr. Surya S. C. Congress will be part of this year’s AirWorks conference
Dr. Castaneda-Lopez selected to serve on committee on Corrosion of Buried Steel at New and In-Service Infrastructure
Homero Castaneda-Lopez
Dr. Homero Castaneda-Lopez, with the CIR's Corrosion Lab, was selected to serve on an ad hoc committee that will examine the state of knowledge and technical issues regarding the corrosion of steel used for earth applications in unconsolidated earth or rock in different geologic settings.Read more
Eric Gonzalez received 2020 TEES Staff Excellence Award
Eric Gonzalez
Eric Gonzalez of the Texas A&M Center for Applied Technology (TCAT) received one of the 2020 TEES Staff Excellence Awards.Read more
Jacob Rogers wins NSF Graduated Research Fellowship
Jacob Rogers
Jacob Rogers, graduate research assistant in the Shield lab has received the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRF) to study the failure behavior of various polymers impacted at hypervelocities.Read more
Overbye Appointed Holder of Erle Nye ’59 Chair for Engineering Excellence
Thomas Overbye
Dr. Thomas Overbye, director of the TEES Smart Grid Center housed at the CIR Control Room Lab, was recognized for his exceptional record as a researcher and educator. The Control Room Lab boasts a Power System Control Center, featuring an integrated training room and facilities.Read more
CIR Lab Highlighted in Texas Transportation Researcher
Center for Infrastructure Renewal
The Center for Infrastructure Renewal Labs were highlighted in the Texas Transportation Researcher 55.4 issue. Our unique 138,000 square foot facility boasts 12 labs, and is the national leader in the development of transformative infrastructure.Read more
Dr. Ali Mostafavi helped develop a flood prediction tool
Ali Mostafavi
Dr. Ali Mostafavi, CIR researcher with the Connected Infrastructure Lab, was part of a team that developed a flood prediction tool that can improve emergency response during hurricanes. The Lab focuses on research where vehicles and the infrastructure will be able to talk to each other.Read more
Dr. Zofia Rybkowski is working to develop a self-reliant building “skin”
Zofia Rybkowski
CIR researcher and supervisor of the Advanced Infrastructure Materials and Manufacturing Lab, Dr. Zofia Rybkowski, is working with various materials to develop a self-reliant building “skin.” The AIMM Lab focuses on developing advanced, symbiotic and conjoint materials and manufacturing methods.Read more
Dr. Anand Puppala received a grant from the National Science Foundation
Anand Puppala
Dr. Anand Puppala, associate director for the CIR, received a grant of the Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that allows Dr. Puppala and his team to keep working toward extending the life-cycle of civil infrastructure.Read more
Dr. Stephanie Paal received the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award
Stephanie Paal
Dr. Stephanie Paal, researcher with the Structural and Materials Testing Lab, received the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Structural and Materials Testing Lab is one of the largest, best-equipped facility of its kind in the country.Read more
Dr. Anand Puppala was recently recognized with the 2020 Ralph B. Peck Award
Anand Puppala
Dr. Anand Puppala, CIR associate director, was recently recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Geo-Institute with the 2020 Ralph B. Peck Award. His research looks at expansive soils and ways to mitigate their distress to built infrastructure, and researches solutions.Read more
Corrosion and Materials Reliability Lab developed a seminar detailing the lifespan of continuous galvanized rebar
Homero Castaneda-Lopez
Dr. Homero Castaneda-Lopez, supervisor of the National Corrosion and Materials Reliability Lab, developed a seminar detailing the lifespan of continuous galvanized rebar ("CGR"). The Corrosion Lab provides solutions to the corrosion needs of industry and government.Read more
