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Project Abstracts Select a category: |
The faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Civil Engineering at NC State University participate in numerous research activities that cover six specialty areas: computer-aided engineering, construction, geotechnical, structures and mechanics, transportation systems and materials, and water resources and environmental engineering. Some of the projects are conducted through our three research centers. The Center for Nuclear Power Plant Structures, Equipment and Piping focuses on nuclear power plant projects such as efforts to develop advanced technologies to reduce design, fabrication, and construction costs for future plants. The Center for Transportation and the Environment promotes projects related to the impacts of surface transportation on the environment. The Center for Transportation Engineering Studies performs research to serve the technical needs of the NC Department of Transportation such as projects on pavement strength and composition. Our several laboratories make many of our projects possible. For example, the design and testing of a remotely controlled drilled shaft inspection system is performed in our Construction Automation and Robotics Laboratory. Studying refuse decomposition to better understand landfills takes place in our environmental engineering laboratory. Our Constructed Facilities Laboratory (CFL) houses research activities related to structural engineering, material engineering, soil improvement, and construction systems. The CFL is currently and clearly focusing on close interaction with local and national industry to develop new innovative structural systems and to test new products for civil engineering infrastructure. The current and new activities deal with testing a new Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bridge deck, which is extremely lighter than concrete decks, is durable, and significantly reduces the construction time. The other projects include using advanced composite material for new construction as well as repair and strengthening of existing structures and bridges. There is also a project supported by the National Science Foundation that deals with innovative systems to increase the earthquake resistance of masonry structures. The projects described above are just a few examples of the interesting research taking place in our department. On the following pages, there are abstracts of more research projects organized according to specialty. These projects demonstrate our enthusiasm for innovative research. |
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