Research and Sponsored Projects
Our research activities are primarily focused on two interrelated thrusts: Thrust I: Multi-scale investigations of innovative materials for civil infrastructure applications, and Thrust II: Advanced structural engineering solutions for improving the safety and resilience of civil infrastructures.
Given the multi-disciplinary nature of these research domains, our ongoing efforts have crossed traditional disciplinary boundaries and led to research collaborations with other civil engineering disciplines, such as Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Construction Engineering, as well as other engineering departments, such as Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering.
Our research has been sponsored through competitive awards and contracts from a diverse group of national, state, and local agencies. To date, Prof. Shafei has served as a PI or Co-PI on more than $10.0M funded research projects. He has secured a variety of research and educational projects from funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), Midwest University Transportation Center (MTC), Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC UTC), Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), FHWA Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF), Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB), Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Iowa Energy Center (IEC), Iowa Board of Regents, and Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC).
Research Thrust I – Innovative Civil Infrastructure Materials
Example projects include:
Project Title: Non-Proprietary Ultra-High Performance Concrete Mix Design for ABC Applications
Sponsor: Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center
Project Title: Multifunctional Systems for Transforming Strength, Durability, and Energy Efficiency of Concrete Materials
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Title: Fiber-Reinforced Concrete in Bridge Decks
Sponsor: Iowa Highway Research Board
Project Title: Investigation of Spray Technologies for Restoration and Repair of Structures in Space
Sponsor: NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium
Project Title: Shrinkage and Temperature Forces in Frame Piers
Sponsor: Iowa Highway Research Board
Project Title: Development of Agricultural-Based Phase Change Materials for Energy Efficiency of Concrete in Building Applications
Sponsor: Iowa Energy Center
Project Title: Field Investigation of Bridge Deck Reinforced with GFRP Rebar
Sponsor: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Project Title: Laboratory and Field Evaluation of an Alternative UHPC Mix and an Associated UHPC Bridge
Sponsor: Iowa Department of Transportation
Research Thrust II – Advanced Structural Engineering Solutions
Example projects include:
Project Title: Rethinking the Role of Building Envelopes
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Title: Steel Reinforcement Section Loss Guidance Tables
Sponsor: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Project Title: Performance-Based Risk Assessment and Mitigation Tool for Buildings under Extreme Wind Events
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Title: Increase Service Life at Bridge Ends through Improved Abutment and Approach Slab Details and Water Management Practices
Sponsor: Iowa Highway Research Board
Project Title: Evaluation of the Performance of Proposed Short-Span T-Beam Bridge
Sponsor: Iowa Department of Transportation
Project Title: Beam End Repair for Prestressed Concrete Beams
Sponsor: Iowa Highway Research Board
Project Title: Material Design and Structural Configuration of Link Slabs for ABC Applications
Sponsor: Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center
Project Title: Condition-Based Maintenance and Management of Aging Transportation Infrastructure
Sponsor: Midwest Transportation Center
See the links below for the completed/ongoing activities related to each research thrust:
Thrust I: Innovative Civil Infrastructure Materials
Thrust II: Advanced Structural Engineering Solutions