Mervyn J. Kowalsky Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Structural Engineering and Mechanics Office: 417 Mann Hall Phone: (919) 515-7261 Fax: (919) 515-7908 E-mail: kowalsky@eos.ncsu.edu Personal Page: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~kowalsky/

Research Interests

Earthquake engineering design and analysis, behavior of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures, development of alternative performance-based seismic design procedures.

Current research projects include:

1. Seismic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns

Recently, a research project was completed on the influence of tension strain on the buckling of reinforcement in reinforced concrete bridge columns. The goals of this research were as follows: (1) Re-evaluate the parameters that influence buckling of longitudinal reinforcement, focusing on the effects of tension strain, and hypothesize an alternative mechanism. (2) Conduct experimental studies on large scale bridge columns in an effort to investigate the hypothesis. (3) Apply the model in a format which would allow estimation of the column deformation at which buckling of reinforcement is likely to occur.

2. Seismic Behavior of Clay Masonry Structures

Currently, there are two seperate research thrusts in this area. (1) Influence of Confinement on Reinforced Clay Brick Masonry, and (2) Seismic Behavior of Post-Tensioned Clay Brick Masonry Walls.

3. Analysis of an Instrumented Jointless Bridge

Through the use of remote data acquisition, the behavior of an instrumented jointless bridge is explored. The bridge structure, located in Haywood County North Carolina, was recently rehabilitated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. As part of the rehabilitation, the superstructure was widened and a jointless link-slab deck employed. The goals of the research are to validate analysis and design assumptions, investigate limit-states design methods, and develop a strategy and guide for long-term monitoring of jointless link-slab bridges.

Education

Ph.D., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego 1997

MS, Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego 1994

BS, Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego 1993

Representative Publications

Zia, P., Kowalsky, M.J., Ellen G, Longo, S. (2003). "Fatigue Testing of Two Full-Size Pre-cracked AASHTO Bridge Girders" In Press: ACI Special Publication.

Kowalsky, M.J. and Dwairi, H.M. (2003), "Review of Parameters Influencing the Seismic Design of Lightweight Concrete Structures" in Press: ACI Special Publication.

Ewing, B.D. and Kowalsky, M.J. (2003) "Compressive Behavior of Unconfined and Confined Clay Brick Masonry" In-press: ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering.

Rosenboom, O.A. and Kowalsky, M.J. (2003) "Reversed In-Place Cyclic behavior of Post-Tensioned Clay Brick Masonry Walls" In-Press: ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering.

Sullivan T.J., Calvi G.M., Priestley M.J.N, and Kowalsky M.J. (2003) "The Limitations and Performances of Different Displacement-Based Design Methods", Journal of Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 201-241, January.

Moyer, M.J. and Kowalsky, M.J. (2003). "Influence of tension strain on buckling of reinforcement in RC bridge columns." ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 100, No. 1, January.

Fam A., Musiker D., Kowalsky M.J., and Rizkalla S. (2002) "In-Plane Testing of a Damaged Masonry Wall Repaired with FRP", Advanced Composite Letters, Vol. 11, No. 6, November.

Kowalsky, M.J. (2002). "A Performance-Based Approach for the Seismic Design of Concrete Bridges." Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Vol. 29, No. 3 pp. 719-747, March.

Kowalsky, M.J. (2001). "RC Structural Walls Designed According to UBC and Displacement-Based Methods." ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 127, No. 5 pp. 506-516, May.

Priestley, M.J.N. and Kowalsky, M.J. (2000). "Direct Displacement-Based Seismic Design of Concrete Buildings." Bulletin of the New Zealand National Society for Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 33, No. 4 pp421-444, December.

Kowalsky, M.J. (2000). "Deformation Limit States and Implications on Design of Circular RC Bridge Columns." ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 126, No. 8 pp. 869-878, August.

Kowalsky, M.J., Priestley, M.J.N., and Seible, F. (2000). "Dynamic Behavior of Lightweight Concrete Bridges." ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 97, No. 4 pp. 602-618, July.

Kowalsky, M.J. and Priestley, M.J.N. (2000). "An improved analytical model for shear strength of circular RC columns in seismic regions." ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 97, No. 3 pp. 388-396, May.

Kowalsky M.J., Priestley, M.J.N. and Seible, F. (1999). "Shear and Flexural Behavior of Lightweight Concrete Bridge Columns in Seismic Regions." ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 96, No. 1 pp. 136-148, January.

Priestley, M.J.N. and Kowalsky, M.J. (1998)."Aspects of Drift and Ductility Capacity of Rectangular Cantilever Structural Walls." Bulletin of the New Zealand National Society for Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 31, No. 2 pp. 73-85, July.

Kowalsky, M.J., Priestley, M.J.N. and MacRae G.A. (1995). "Displacement-Based Design of RC Bridge Columns in Seismic Regions." Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Vol. 24, No. 12 pp. 1623-1644, December.

Professional Memberships

American Society of Civil Engineers

Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC)

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute

American Concrete Institute

SEAOC Ad-Hoc Performance Based Engineering Committee

American Concrete Institute Committee 213-Lightweight Concrete