• Computer-Aided Engineering

• Construction Engineering and Management

• Geotechnical / Geoenvironmental Engineering

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics

• Transportation Systems and Materials

• Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

Departmental researchers have found that multidisciplinary approaches are essential to effectively address the problems encountered today. As reflected in these research project abstracts, faculty continue new, interdisciplinary collaborative projects within the department, the college and the university, as well as within other universities and institutions around the country. These efforts reflect the multidisciplinary and team research philosophy of present day research and provide important impetus for sustained growth by helping to attract research funding for these interdisciplinary research teams and industrial partnerships.

Faculty members within the department are its real strength. Many are highly accomplished in their fields and are committed to engaging in activities to provide the best response to the needs of the profession and a challenging and rewarding environment for graduate students. The Department is committed to continue its mission of promoting scientific and applied research by providing a solid foundation which engineers of tomorrow will require as they address an increasing variety of needs and opportunities.

Faculty members continue to receive national recognition for their outstanding work. The following are several examples of the awards and honors presented to faculty for their accomplishments. Dr. Sami H. Rizkalla, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Constructed Facilities Laboratory (CFL) was elected Fellow of the International Institute for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) in Construction; Dr. Mort Barlaz, Professor and Associate Department Head, received the 2004 Distinguished Individual Achievement Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America; Dr. H. Christopher Frey, Professor, was elected to serve as President-elect of the Society for Risk Analysis for 2005. This international multidisciplinary scholarly society provides an open forum for researchers in the area of risk analysis including risk assessment, characterization, communication, management and policymaking; Dr. Richard Kim, Professor, received the 2004 Special Award by the Korean Society of Pavement Engineers; and Dr. Mo Gabr, Professor, will chair the technical committee of the 2005 North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) International Conference to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The projects described in this brochure are examples of some of the exciting research taking place in the department. They are also illustrative of our efforts to create solutions through innovation and multidisciplinary research contributions covering a broad spectrum of basic and applied research. The faculty in Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, their students, and colleagues continue to identify new research opportunities in an effort to find solutions to the problems currently faced by the profession and to predict issues that will challenge the profession in the future.