STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Research
The structures group at the Pennsylvania State University conducts analytical, laboratory, and field research on steel, advanced composites, concrete, and timber structures. Projects are funded by industry, state government agencies, and federal agencies. Laboratory facilities include the Bernard Hankin Construction Engineering and Management Research Laboratory, the Civil Infrastructure Testing and Evaluation Laboratory (CITEL), and the Protective Technology Center (PTC)
Recently completed and ongoing research is focused in the areas of:
Recently completed and ongoing research is focused in the areas of:
- Analysis and design of blast containment structures
- Full-scale laboratory testing of structures and structural components
- Performance characteristics of bridge and highway barriers
- Laboratory and field studies of timber bridges and bridge decks
- Field testing of highway bridges subject to dynamic and impact loads.
- Evaluation of railroad bridges subject to heavy axle loads
- Analysis, design, and behavior of horizontally curved steel bridges
- Fatigue evaluations of highway bridge networks
- Performance of commercial and residential enclosed wall systems
- Evaluation and design of high performance concrete materials
- Performance of FRP (fiber reinforced polymers) materials for repair and retrofit
- Study of shear keys on adjacent precast concrete box girders
- Seismic protection of buildings and building content
