Current Graduate Students
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Matthew Bandelt
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil
Engineering 2010, M.S. in Civil Engineering 2011
Project:
Effective Width and Section
Properties of the Girder-Slab® System: Phase II
Advisor: Dr. Shawn Gross
Project Description:
The Girder-Slab®
System is a composite steel and concrete framing system
which utilizes precast hollow core concrete slabs and an
open-web dissymmetric steel beam. This study focuses on
component testing of the Girder-Slab® system to verify
previous full scale test results performed at Villanova.
Additional tests are being performed by varying different
design parameters such as steel and grout strength to
determine how these parameters affect the system.
Awards:
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AISC Education Fellowship
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NSF Graduate Research
Fellowship
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2011
ASCE/SEI Student Structural Design Competition - First
Place Award
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Adam Beckmann
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil
Engineering 2010, M.S. in Civil Engineering 2011
Project:
Tensile Capacity of Grouped
Anchorage with Overlapping Failure Areas
Advisor: Dr. David Dinehart
Project Description: Investigate
accuracy of ACI code equations pertaining to the tensile
capacity of grouped anchorage with overlapping failure
surfaces. This study compares predicted values of the CCD
method and the cone method to experimental results.
Awards:
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Stephen Ernst
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil
Engineering 2010, M.S. in Civil Engineering 2011
Project:
Structural Properties of
Alkali-Activated Concrete
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Yost
Dr. Aleksandra Radlinska
Project Description: Stephen is
currently researching the structural properties and behavior
of alkali activated fly ash concrete (AAFAC). This includes
testing under-reinforced, over-reinforced, and shear
critical AAFAC beams with comparison to traditional portland
cement concrete beams under the same conditions. The
project is funded through an NSF grant looking into using
AAFAC in FEMA temporary emergency shelters.
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Jason Riegler
Education: Temple University - B.S. in Civil Engineering
2009, Villanova University - M.S. in Civil Engineering 2010
Project:
Decorative Concrete Overlay
Advisor: Dr. Leslie McCarthy
Dr. Aleksandra Radlinska
Project Description: The intent of my
project is to determine the durability of decorative
concrete overlay on transportation infrastructure in terms
of strength and exposure to extreme weathering.
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Zachary Ells
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil
Engineering 2010, M.S. in Civil Engineering 2011
Project:
Bearing Capacity of
Filament Wound Fiber Reinforced Polymer Poles
Advisor: Dr. Shawn Gross
Project Description: Filament wound
fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) utility poles are designed to
resist stronger loads and environmental effects while
weighing less and having a longer design life in comparison
to older wooden models. This study investigates the bearing
capacity of different thicknesses of a composite utility
pole provided by Utility Composite Solutions Inc.
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Shane B. Moran
Education:
Villanova University - B.S. in Civil Engineering 2010, M.S.
in Civil Engineering 2011
Project:
Material Properties of Adobe Blocks Made with Recycled
Materials
Advisor: Dr. Aleksandra Radlinska
Project Description:
Papercrete is a new construction material that is comprised
of cement, water and recycled paper. This material has
successfully been used to build homes throughout the
Southwestern United States, but little scientific research
has been conducted on the topic. The purpose of this study
will be to obtain the strength and thermal resistance
properties of papercrete.
Awards:
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Tau Beta Pi National
Engineering Honor Society
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Chi Epsilon National Civil
Engineering Honor Society
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2009 NATGUN Corporation
Scholarship
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2011 ASCE/SEI Student Structural Design Competition -
First Place Award
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Michael Salera
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil Engineering
2010, M.S. in Civil Engineering 2012
Project: Fly Ash
Activated Concrete
Advisor: Dr. Aleksandra Radlinska and Dr. Joseph Yost
Project Description: The goal
of this project is to use 100% fly ash replacement of cement
in concrete. The Alkali Activated Fly Ash Concrete (AAFAC)
will use sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide to from a
binder with the fly ash. The first part of this project
used material testing to formulate a proper mix design.
This mix design will then be used to fabricate 9 beams in 3
different states: underreinforced, overreinforced, and shear
critical. The main concern will be the use of AAFAC to
construct emergency shelters. Missile impact tests will be
performed on AAFAC slabs. The study will look into the
material and structural properties of AAFAC and determine
the practicality of use in the precast field.
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Sergio J. Yanez Cart
Education:Universidad
de Santiago de Chile - B.S. in Civil Engineering 2006.
Villanova University - Ph.D. in Civil Engineering candidate.
Project: Seismic
Performance of Steel Moment Frames using Cellular Beams
Advisor: Dr. David Dinehart
Project
Description: I
am studying the second phase of an ongoing project. My
primary work will be test a cellular beam and get data about
the behavior of steel moment frame connections. 4 full scale
beam-column connections tests will be evaluated in
accordance with qualifying cyclic test set-up requirements.
Pin connections assemblies at the top and bottom of the
column will be used to approximate inflection points at
mid-story level. 2 beams with steel filler plate condition
and 2 without, will be tested.
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Zeyn B. Uzman, PE, SE, F.NSPE
Education: University of Michigan, BSE(CE) 1982, University
of Michigan, MSE(CE) 1983
Project: Experimental
Evaluation of GFRP Bars as Reinforcement for Cast-in-Place
Bridge Decks:
Low Cycle Fatigue Study: Phase II
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Yost
Project
Description: The project is the continuation of a study
performed by Angela Russo, BSCE ’08,
MSCE ’09 Villanova University. In this project, the effect
of cyclic loading on GFRP reinforcement in bridge
decks is investigated. The samples model a continuous span
condition over three support, similar to that
found in bridge decks in actual application. The previous
study examined the loading condition resulting
in maximum negative bending over the interior support.
100,000 cycles of loading was applied to the
samples. This research investigates the affects due to
loading creating maximum positive moment in one
span. Both 100,000 and 2,000,000 cycles are being
investigated.
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Timothy
Harrington
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil Engineering
2009, M.S. in Civil Engineering 2011
Project: Ductile Joist
Research, Phase III
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Yost
Project
Description: Open web steel joists are a common building
component used to support roofs, floors, and decks. This
study focuses on developing and testing steel joists that
experience ductile failure, characterized by yielding of the
tension members prior to buckling of the compression
members. The ultimate goal is to provide a safer, more
reliable joist by controlling the primary limit state and
offering visual warning prior to failure.
Awards:
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2010 ASCE/SEI Student Design
Competition - First Place Award
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2008 The Moles President’s
Scholarship Recipient
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Christopher Rapone
Education: Villanova University – B.S. in Civil Engineering
2010, M.S. in Civil
Engineering 2012
Project: Arching Action
in Concrete Bridge Decks
Advisor: Dr. David Dinehart
Project Description: Chris is currently involved in an
Intern-Research Assistantship between Villanova University
and AECOM. This Assistantship combines two summers of
interning at AECOM with the traditional research project
experience. This summer Chris worked in AECOM’s
Philadelphia office in their Structures Department. He
gained experience reviewing shop drawing and construction
submittals. He also was involved in the design process of a
few of the company’s projects. In addition to the in-office
experience, Chris got the opportunity to visit numerous
field sites throughout the summer. As of this point, Chris
is investigating the possibility of researching arching
action in concrete bridge decks. This technology, if
implemented, would result in the decrease or the total
alleviation of the need for reinforcing steel in concrete
bridge decks. This technology is currently being utilized
in bridge design by AECOM in Canada and the United Kingdom,
but has yet to be incorporated in the United States.
Awards:
2008-2009 Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellow
Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society
Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honor Society
Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence
MSCE Tuition Scholarship
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Current Undergraduate Students
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Christopher Poppe
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil Engineering
2011
Project: Behavior of
Alkali Activated Fly Ash Concrete Beams
Advisor: Dr. Aleksandra Radlinska and Dr. Joseph Yost
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Joseph Shook
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil Engineering
2012
Project: Shrinkage
Properties of Alkali Activated Slag Cements
Advisor: Dr. Aleksandra Radlinska
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Michael Miller
Education: Villanova University - B.S. in Civil Engineering
2011
Project: Optimizing
Properties of Alkali Activated Slag Cements
Advisor: Dr. Aleksandra Radlinska
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