Structural Research

Time-Dependent Response of Reinforced Concrete Buildings near Collapse

Summary: The goal of this research is to understand the impact of sustained gravity loads on the evolution of large-scale collapse in reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. The goal will be accomplished by integrating experimental testing, computational modeling, and probabilistic collapse assessment.

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation

Collaborators: Dr. Ying Tian (University of Nevada Las Vegas)

Students: Ali Elawadi, Mohammed Shubaili, Russell Clark

Time period: 2018-2022

Enhanced Camber Calculations for Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders

Summary: The objective of this study was to develop accurate prestressed girder camber calculations and validate them with available data.

Funding Agency: Missouri Department of Transportation

Collaborators: Dr. Gopalartnam, Maria Lopez, Thomas Murphy, John Holt

Students: Ali Elawadi

Time period: 2019-2021

Evaluation of Finger Plate and Flat Plate Connection Design

Summary: This project investigates the cause(s) of premature deterioration of MoDOT finger plate and flat plate expansion devices under high traffic volumes and then uses that information to design new Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) finger plate and flat plate designs that are intended to last 40 years or more with minimal maintenance.

Funding Agency: Missouri Department of Transportation

Collaborators: Dr. Salim, Dr. Elsisi, David Barett, Cory Imhoff, Gregory Kuntz, Matt Wombacher

Students: Andre Pelican, Zhonghua Peng

Time period: 2013-2015

Integrated Experimental and Analytical Evaluation of Dynamic Progressive Collapse in Flat-plate Buildings

Summary: The overall goal of this project is to evaluate the potential of dynamic progressive collapse in older reinforced concrete flat-plate buildings subjected to the sudden loss of an interior or exterior supporting column.

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation

Collaborators: Dr. Ying Tian (University of Nevada Las Vegas

Students: Zhonghua Peng, John Marcanik, Chris Henquinet, Russell Voss

Time period: 2010-2015

Funded Research

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) "Identification of a Response and Rescue Network for the St. Louis Region ", $224,000, 06/22-06/24 (Co-PI – 20% credit)

Lunda Construction "STEM Curriculum for Rocheport Bridge Outreach", $39,451, 02/22-06/23 (PI – 100% credit)

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) " Enhanced Camber Calculations for Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders", $79,999, 09/20-11/21 (PI, 60% credit)

National Science Foundation (NSF) – “Collaborative Research: Time-dependent Response of Reinforced Concrete Structures Near Collapse”, $221,532, 7/18 – 7/21 (PI, 100% credit)

National Science Foundation (NSF) – “Research Initiation: Improving Engineering-Related Social Cognitions through Teaching Practices”, $199,913, 9/19-9/21 (PI, (50% credit), supplement ($11,399)

National Science Foundation (NSF) – “S-Stem Track 2 - Synergistic Strategies in the Gateway 8: Increasing Retention and Success of Students from Low-income Backgrounds in Civil Engineering”, $959,547 (Co-PI 25% credit)

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) "Evaluation of Finger Plate and Flat Plate Connection Design", $297,298, 10/14-12/15 (PI, 60% credit)

Iowa State Midwest Transportation Consortium “Experimental Evaluation of Existing and Retrofit Designs of Bridge Finger Joints”, $73,570, 9/15-12/16 (Co-PI, 30% credit)

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) " Live Load Effect in Reinforced Concrete Box Culverts Under Soil Fill", $80,000, 8/12-8/13 (PI, 65% credit)

National Science Foundation (NSF) “Collaborative Research: Dynamic Disproportionate Collapse in Flat Plate Buildings” 6/11-5/14, $180,000 (PI, 100% credit)

Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC), "Mitigation Options for Blast Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Cable Stayed Bridge Towers" $100,313, 7/08-6/13 (Phase One ($20,230) awarded-completed, Phase Two ($18,000), Supplement ($4554), Phase 3 $88,096) (PI, 100% credit)

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) "Reliability-based Evaluation of Bridge Components for Consistent Safety Margins ", $273,753 ($130,463 UMC portion, 85% Orton), 9/08-6/10

Missouri Department of Transportation (MODot), "Calibration of Load and Resistance Factors in LRFD Foundation Design Specifications ", $125,000 ($19,705 UMC portion, 100% Orton), 9/08-6/10

Leonard Wood Institute, "New Generation of Wastewater Treatment Systems for a Base Camp", $ 893,691 (7% Orton), 9/08-9/09

Leggett and Platt, "Testing and evaluation of Quik Grid concrete reinforcement " $11,428 (80% Orton), 1/09-12/09

Research Council, "Impact damage resistance of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthened concrete beams" , $7,304, 10/08-9/09

Research Board, "Evaluation of Alternate Resistance Mechanisms for Progressive Collapse", $29,600, 9/09 – 8/10

Army Corp of Engineers, "Inter Personal Agreement”, $5,464, 6/09 – 8/09