Our cutting-edge research aims to enable our society to develop sustainable and intelligent
infrastructure systems. We support practical solutions to societal challenges through
the discovery of knowledge. Our graduate and undergraduate students work side by side
with faculty in numerous labs and research groups that are breaking ground in many
fields of engineering.
Research Strengths:
Environmental Engineering
Our research in environmental engineering focuses on the improvement of the environmental
quality of air, water and soil. With approximately 7,500 sq. ft. of laboratory and
office space, we perform various research activities such as physico-chemical and
biological remediation and treatment, modeling, solid and hazardous waste control,
and drinking water system design. Our faculty has expertise in air pollution control,
process and molecular modeling, environmental nanotechnology, life cycle analysis,
solid waste treatment and management and water/wastewater treatment for developing
communities, among other fields.
Our research in geotechnical engineering includes the development of advanced methods
for soil characterization, the design and performance of foundations and earth structures,
and physical modeling of geosystems subjected to natural hazards including floods,
hurricanes, and earthquakes. Our geotechnical lab includes standard, advanced and
full-scale testing facilities; including two automated triaxial testing systems, two
resonant columns, and a 15g-ton centrifuge for physical model testing. Our faculty
have expertise in soil dynamics, liquefaction, advanced field and laboratory methods,
non-destructive evaluation, unsaturated soil behavior, engineered soils, mine tailings,
and centrifuge modeling techniques, among others.
Our research in structural engineering includes the development of advanced materials,
non-destructive evaluation techniques, and the use of sensing mechanisms to expand
the remaining life and the use of structural systems. Our 7,400 sq. ft. high-bay lab
allows us to test full-size specimens in a variety of configurations. Our faculty
have expertise in materials engineering, advanced sensing, probabilistic methods,
and dynamics, among other fields.
Our research in water resources engineering includes the study of flood formation
and routing with applications to the hydraulics of levee and dam breaches and urban
flooding, particle transport with application to transport of sediments and contaminants
in natural system, morphodynamics of rivers, estuaries, deltas and submarine systems,
and river basin management. Our 9,700 sq. ft. lab is well-equipped to perform high-resolution
velocity and topo-bathymetric measurements, as well as particle characterization.
Our faculty has expertise in hydrology, fluid and sediment transport mechanics and
morphodynamics.
Research in transportation engineering includes the development and evaluation of
novel approaches to improve the efficiency and safety of the transportation network,
as well as making it more reliable and resilient. Our faculty have expertise in a
number of areas, including port operations, freight logistics, urban transit, high-speed
railroad and pavement design. Their research also addresses the impact of the transportation
system on the environment, natural resources and public health.
Our Railway Engineering group conducts basic and applied research related to performance
and condition assessment and safety of the railway infrastructure and operations.
Our faculty have expertise in health monitoring, remote sensing, inspection, diagnostics
and prognostics for track and structures; laboratory and in-situ testing at the material,
component and system levels along with computer modeling and simulations; and structural,
soil, track and vehicle dynamics. These research activities are supported by state-of-the-art
computational and experimental facilities.
