Completed Research Studies

The research activities at the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory are funded by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and various industrial sponsors. Most of the projects include large-scale testing and many include the development of comprehensive analytical models. Research results are used to evaluate the design, behavior, and durability of reinforced and prestressed concrete, structural steel, masonry, and composite structures.

Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete

(TxDOT 0-6491) Non-Destructive Evaluation of In-Service Concrete Structures Affected by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) or Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF)
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2009 - 2012

(TxDOT 0-6416) Shear Cracking in Inverted-T Straddle Bents
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2009 - 2012

(TxDOT 0-6374) Effects of New Prestress Loss Predictions of TxDOT Bridges
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2008 - 2012

(TxDOT 0-6348) Controlling Cracking in Prestressed Concrete Panels and Optimizing Bridge Deck Reinforcing Steel
Principal Investigator: Richard Klingner
Project Period: 2008 - 2012

(TxDOT 0-5831) Bursting and Shear Behavior of Prestressed Concrete Beams with End Blocks
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2007 - 2012

(NSF) Resonant Wireless Sensor Nets for Civil Infrastructure Health Monitoring
Principal Investigator: Sharon Wood
Project Period: 2008 - 2011

(TxDOT 5-5253-1) Strut-and-Tie Model Design Examples for Bridges
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2009 - 2011

(TxDOT 0-6306) Shear Strengthening of Large Reinforced Concrete Elements Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Sheets
Principal Investigator: James Jirsa
Project Period: 2008 - 2011

(Samsung) Frequency Response of Damaged External Post-Tensioned Tendons
Principal Investigator: Sharon Wood
Project Period: 2009 - 2010

(TxDOT IAC) Shear Load Testing and Autopsies of ASR/DEF Damaged Trapezoidal Box Beams
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2008 - 2010

(TxDOT IAC) Shear Strength of ASR/DEF Affected Bridge Bent Caps
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2007 - 2009

(NCHRP 12-72) Blast Resistant Design Guidelines for Concrete Bridge Columns
Principal Investigator: Eric Williamson
Project Period: 2004 - 2008

(NSF) Use of Carbon Fiber Materials to Provide Alternative Load Paths in RC Structures Vulnerable to Progressive Collapse
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2005 - 2008

(TxDOT 0-5367) Development of Simple Bridge Deck Details at Expansion Joints
Principal Investigator: James Jirsa
Project Period: 2005 - 2008

(TxDOT 0-5253) Strength and Servicability Design of R/C Mambers in D-Regions
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2005 - 2008

(TxDOT 0-5197) Allowable Design Release Stresses for Prestressed Concrete Beams
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2004 - 2008

(TxDOT IAC) Shear Strength of ASR/DEF Affected Bridge Bent Caps
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2007 - 2009

(TxDOT IAC) Development of a New Family of Prestressed Concrete I-Beams
Principal Investigator: Oguzhan Bayrak
Project Period: 2005 - 2008

Structural Steel

(TxDOT IAC) High Mast Test Specimens
Principal Investigator: Todd Helwig
Project Period: 2008 - 2012

(NSF-0700682) Elevated Temperature Performance of Beam End Framing Connections
Principal Investigator: Michael Engelhardt
Project Period: 2007 - 2010

(TxDOT 5-5574-01) Implementation of Straight and Curved Steel Girder Erection Design Tools
Principal Investigator: Todd Helwig
Project Period: 2009 - 2010

(TxDOT 0-5574) Curved Plate Girder Design for Safe and Economical Construction
Principal Investigator: Todd Helwig
Project Period: 2006 - 2009

(TxDOT 0-5498) Methods of Evaluating the Redundancy of Steel Bridges
Principal Investigator: Eric Williamson
Project Period: 2005 - 2009

(TxDOT 5-4124) Bridge Strengthening Through the Use of Post-Installed Shear Connectors
Principal Investigator: Michael Engelhardt
Project Period: 2007 - 2009

(TxDOT 0-5706) Impact of Overhang Construction on Girder Design
Principal Investigator: Todd Helwig
Project Period: 2006 - 2009

(TxDOT 9-1526) Investigation of the Fatigue Life of Steel Base Plate to Pole Connections for Traffic Structures
Principal Investigator: Karl Frank
Project Period: 2005 - 2009

(TxDOT 5-4124) Bridge Strengthening Through the Use of Post-Installed Shear Connectors
Principal Investigator: Michael Engelhardt
Project Period: 2007 - 2009

Masonry

(NSF) Performance-Based Design of New Masonry Structures
Principal Investigator: Richard Klingner
Project Period: 2006 - 2009