The primary aim of my research is focused on the development of practical and effective reinforced concrete (RC)-dedicated modelling procedures that can be used to provide meaningful structural assessments of real-world RC infrastructure. To aid in accomplishing this objective, I perform experimental investigations to gain insight into complex RC response phenomena and to validate the adequacies of related modelling procedures, and analytical and numerical studies focused on developing tools and procedures that can be used to assess the structural performance of new and existing RC infrastructure.

General Research Interests:

Current Research Themes

Behaviour and Modelling of RC Slabs and Slab Systems

The structural performance assessment of RC slab systems represents a major challenge in the field of structural engineering that is motivated by a number of common real-world needs: evaluating the implications of now-deficient slab design details comprising existing structures, assessing the performance implications and causes of visual distress in slabs, quantifying the suitability of structure repurposing or retrofit needs, and examining the suitability of new/alternative slab-related construction technologies. My work related to this topic began during my PhD studies which, to a large degree, were focused on developing numerical modelling strategies that could be used to assess the out-of-plane (i.e., through-thickness) shear resisting performance of RC shells under static and dynamic loading conditions, and continually evolved since.

Some ongoing and recently completed projects related to this theme include:

• The numerical assessment of friction-based post-tensioned connections employed in precast modular slab systems

• Development of low-cost shell-based finite element modelling procedures to capture punching shear related phenomena in flat plate structures

• Testing of full-scale slab-column connection assemblies employing alternative shear reinforcement systems and layouts

Damage-Based Assessment of Built Concrete Infrastructure

The management of in-service RC infrastructure represents a major challenge faced by today’s structural engineers. Thus, the development of procedures and tools that can be used to aid in addressing this challenge has the potential to address key deficiencies in the current-state-of-the-art and to provide major societal for years to come. In that light, I have been leading both analytical and experimental research projects aimed at developing and validating damaged-based structural assessment techniques for in-service RC infrastructure. In essence, the goal is to modify the typical structural analysis problem by replacing ‘known loads’ with ‘known damage.’

Some new(er) and recently completed projects related to this theme include:

• Toward the development of crack-based assessment of RC bridge components

• Image-based procedures for measuring in-field concrete damages and crack kinematic measurements

• Testing of visibly shear distressed RC bent caps

Characterization and Modelling of Modern RC Construction Materials

The feasibility of using modern concretes (e.g., fiber-reinforced and ultra-high performance concretes) to improve structural performance continues to emerge as a viable option; yet, the modeling capabilities in this area are still in their infancy. Thus, I intend to pursue to work related to the modeling of these modern concrete-related materials.

Some ongoing and recently completed projects related to this theme include:

• Experimental evaluation of the shear friction performance of UHPC

• Numerical modelling of steel-concrete composite wall elements under in-plane and out-of-plane shear

• Behaviour and modelling of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) slabs under impact loading