Asanotheracademicyearcomestoaclose,itiswithgreatpleasurethatwebringtoyouthelatestnewsoftheDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering(CEE).Firstandforemost,IwouldliketoannouncethatwehaveinductedthreenewmembersintoourCEEHallofDistinction:Dr.Pradeep

Kurup(2014),MichaelSongy(2015)andRonnieHebert(2015).Dr.KurupreceivedhisPh.D.inCivilEngineeringfromLSUin1993andiscurrentlyaDistinguishedUniversityProfessorintheDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringattheUniversityofMassachusettsLowell.Mr.Songy,a1979graduateofourB.S.inCivilEngineeringprogram,isafoundingPrincipalandCEOatCSRS.Mr.Hebert,PresidentandCEOofEnvironmentalTechnicalSales,Inc.(ETEC),receivedhisB.S.inCivilEngineeringfromLSUin1969.Allthreeinductees,recognizedatourannualbanquet,areexcellentadditionstoourCEEHallofDistinction.TheCEEfacultyareworkingondesigningsolutionsforourcoastandwaterways.Theyarealsoengagedindevelopingsafeandcost‐effectivephysicalandintelligenttransportationinfrastructure.

Asalways,ournewsletteralsobringstoyouhighlightsofrecentstudentandfacultyawardsandachievements.Ofspecialnoteinthestudenthighlightssection,twoofourspringPh.D.graduatesarefatherandson:SamCooperJr.andSamCooper,III.BothwereadvisedbyDr.LouayMohammadandareemployeesattheLouisianaTransportationResearchCenter(LTRC).AsweapproachanewacademicyearandinthemidstofthePatrickF.Taylorbuildingrenovationthatisalreadywellunderway,CEEwillbebusilypreparingforanABETaccreditationvisit.Alsothisfall,wewillbewelcomingtwonewfacultymembers:Dr.NavidJafari,whoisagraduateoftheUniversityofIllinois(Champaign‐Urbana),specializesincoastal/geotechnicalengineering.Dr.ChaoSun,agraduateofRiceUniversity,specializesincoastalstructures.Welookforwardtofeaturingbothoftheminourfallnewsletter.Sincerely,Dr.GeorgeZ.VoyiadjisBoydProfessor,ChairBinghamC.StewartDistinguishedProfessor

A L U M N I R E G I S T R AT I O N & U P D AT E S TheDepartmentofCivil&EnvironmentalEngineeringisalwaysinterestedinhowouralumniaredoing.Wehopeyouwilltakethetimetosendyourupdatestojmueller@lsu.eduor,ifyouprefer,youcan“snailmail”themto:DepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringLouisianaStateUniversityAttn:JulieMueller3418PatrickTaylorHallBatonRouge,LA70803‐6405Pleaseincludebasicinformationsuchasyourfullname,yearofgraduation,degree,mailingaddress,emailaddress,telephonenumber,company,andyourtitle/position.Foryourupdate,pleaseincludeinformationonyourrecentprofessionalandpersonaldevelopments,alongwithahigh‐qualityphoto,ifavailable.Thanksforstayingintouch!

Volume14 Spring2015

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LouisianaStateUniversity3418PatrickTaylorHallBatonRouge,LA70803‐6405ADDRESSSERVICEREQUESTED

I n T h i s I s s u e

A F O U N D AT I O N O F E X C E L L E N C E P R O G R A M

ToconnectwiththeLSUCollegeofEngineering,pleasevisitwww.eng.lsu.edu/alumni/update

F R O M T H E D E PA R T M E N T C H A I R AletterfromGeorgeZ.Voyiadjis

2 Visitusonlineatwww.cee.lsu.edu Tomakeanimpactfulgift,pleasecontactDr.GeorgeZ.Voyiadjis(225)578‐8668orvoyiadjis@eng.lsu.edu15

Student Highlights Faculty Highlights

As c e s t u d e n t c h a p t e r C o m p e t e s i n d e e p s o u t h r e g i o n a l c o m p e t i t i o n

T hispastMarch,theAmericanSocietyforCivilEngineers(ASCE)atLSUstudentchapterparticipatedinthe2015DeepSouthRegionalCompetitionhostedbytheUniversityofMississippi.Thesteelbridgeteamreceived irstplaceforthesteelbridgeintheconstructionspeedcategory.Thisyear’steammemberswereBradJacobs(Captain),PatrickStiegman(Co‐Captain),LauraIverson,PennyLala,MirandaVidrine,NicoleBell,JoeBoley,BrandonBoucher,andChrisWatson.TheteamwouldliketothanksponsorsAISC,AmericanPrideFabricators,CB&IandShread‐KuyrkendallandAssociatesfortheirsupport.Theconcretecanoeteamreceived irstplaceinwomen’ssprintcategoryandthirdplaceoverall.Thisyear’steammemberswereBrendanCopley(Captain),AliciaFortier(Co‐Captain),ChristaCook,AmyOlson,EnricoTarga,DanielGutierrez,andAdamLinson.ThegroupalsoreceivedsecondplacefortheMeadpaper,writtenandpresentedbyLauraIverson.AbigthankyoutosponsorsC.H.Fenstermaker&Associates;WaskeyBridges,Inc.;Ardaman&Associates,Inc.;SJBGroup,LLC;AcadianEngineers&EnvironmentalConsultants,Inc.;Lafarge;Forte&Tablada;Aucoin&Associates,Inc.;andProfessionalTechnicalSupportServices,Inc.TheASCEstudentchapterwouldliketothankfacultyadvisorDr.MicheleBarbatoandCEEstaffmemberDavidRobertsonfortheirguidanceandsupport.Pleasevisitonlineathttp://lsuasce.weebly.comformoreinformationaboutASCEatLSU.StudentsareencouragedtojointheirFacebookpage(ASCEatLSU)toreceiveupdatesfromthegroup,includinginformationonupcomingmeetingsandactivities.

simulatorasatestbedforexploringthebene itsofconnectedvehicletechnologywhichoffersdynamicwirelessexchangeofdatabetweenvehiclesforimprovingtraf icsafetyandoperation.Successfulimplementationofconnectedvehiclesapplicationswillhavesubstantialeconomicbene itforstateswithhighcrashratessuchasLouisiana.

Dr.Celalettin"Emre"Ozdemir,AssistantProfessorinCEE,wasselectedasoneof35juniorfacultytoreceiveaORAURalphE.PoweJuniorFacultyEnhancementAward."Theawardsrecognizefacultymembersfortheirworkinanyof ivescienceandtechnologydisciplines:engineeringorappliedscience;life

sciences;mathematicsandcomputerscience;physicalsciences;andpolicy,managementoreducation"andcomeswitha$10,000researchgrant.

Dr.FrankTsai,AssociateProfessorinCEE,receivedagrantfromtheLouisianaBoardofRegents,IndustrialTiesResearchSubprogram(ITRS)andindustrialcashmatch,atotalof$226,231,todevelopaconjunctivemanagementframeworkthattakesadvantageoftheBatonRougemulti‐aquifer

systemtomitigatesaltwaterintrusionintheBatonRougearea.TheprojectaimsatworkingwiththeCapitalAreaGroundWaterConservationCommission(CAGWCC)andindustrialpartners(ExxonMobilandGeorgia‐Paci ic)to indscience‐basedeconomicallyfeasiblesolutionstoreducesaltwaterintrusionthreatstopublicsupplywellsandindustrialwells.Resultsofon‐goingBatonRougesaltwaterintrusionstudiescanbefoundonthewebsite:https://sites.google.com/site/franktctsai/home/saltwater‐intrusion‐in‐the‐baton‐rouge‐area

I nJune2015,theLSUCenterforGeoInformatics(C4G)establishedascienti icpartnershipwiththeSpace&EarthGeodeticAnalysisLaboratory(SEGAL)attheUniversidadedeBeiraInterior(UBI)andInstitutoDomLuis(IDL),Portugal.Thiscooperativeprovidesaframeworkforadvancinggeodeticanalysisandmodelingendeavorspursuedbybothentities.ThepartnerswillcollaborativelypursueresearchandsupportfortheprecisepointpositioningofGPS/GNSSdata,gravimetricgeoidmodeling,andtheapplicationofemerginggeo‐informaticstechnologiesandservices.AletterofintentbetweenthetwoinstitutionswasapprovedbyDr.HectorO.Zapata,executiveDirectoroftheLSUInternationalProgramsandDr.RuiManuelSilvaFernandes,directoroftheSEGALatUBI. Overthecomingmonths,theC4GandSEGALwilldevelopnewtoolsandautomationscriptsforanalyzingGlobalNavigationandSatelliteSystems(GNSS)data.Theseeffortsareessentialforstudying

subsidence,measuringtectonicmotions,assessingclimatechange,andmore.Additionalactivitiesmayincludetechnicalsupport,publicationcooperatives,andcoordinatedtrainingandoutreachevents.“Subsidenceisaleadingcause,ifnottheprincipaldriverofwetlandslossesinLouisiana,”C4GresearcherJoshuaKentsaid.FindingspublishedbytheU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)indicatethatLouisiana’scoastalwetlandsarelostatarateof24.1mi2(62.4km2)peryearsince1932.“That’snearlyonefootball ieldeveryhour.”BoydProfessorandC4GDirector,GeorgeZ.Voyiadjisaddedthat,“modellingofsubsidenceprocessesincoastalLouisianainvolvesavarietyofcausesincludingtectonicactivities,Holocenesedimentcompaction, luidwithdrawal,etc.”TheC4GleveragesitsvastnetworkofcontinuouslyoperatingGNSSreferencestations(CORS)torecordpositionalchangesacrosstheStateandthenorthernGulfofMexico.“Wewillworktogethertodevelopautomationscriptsandprocessingroutinesthatcanmorequicklyproducethedataweneedtoimproveoursubsidencemodels.”

C 4 G E s ta b l i s h e s S c i e n t i f i c Pa rt n e rs h i p W i t h S pa c e & E a rt h G e o d e t i c A n a lys i s L a b

C E4 4 6 0 V i s i t s B oy k i n B r o t h e rs , I n c .

O nMarch23,studentsenrolledinthecapstoneprojectclass(CE4460DesignofBridges),alongwithinstructorDr.AymanOkeil,visitedaprecastingplant.Thestudentswereabletotourtheplantandseeproductionstepsofseveralongoingprojects.Mr.Greenwoodexplainedtothestudentstheinsandoutsofprecastconcreteproduction.Theylistenedtohowformsareprepared,reinforcementisplacedandprestressed,andwentintotheconcretebatchplantcontrolroom.Fieldtripssuchastheseprovidestudentsanopportunitytosee“realworld”applicationsoftheengineeringprinciplesandpractices.ThevisitwasarrangedbyMr.PaulFossier,LouisianaStateBridgeEngineer,whoalsoguestlecturesthecourse,andMr.SamGreenwoodfromBoykinBrothers,Inc.inBatonRouge.

GEAUX ENGINEERING

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Student Highlights Faculty Highlights

CongratulationstoDr.GeorgeZ.Voyiadjis,CEEDepartmentChairandBoydProfessor,forbeingelectedtoDistinguishedMembershipinASCEClassof2015.ThehighesthonorASCEcanbestow,DistinguishedMembershipisawardedbyASCE'sBoardofDirectorstomemberswhohave

"attainedeminence"intheircivilengineeringspecialty,asstatedintheSociety'sbylaws.Thenewclassof2015comprises13professionalshighlyregardedfortheircontributionsaspractitionersoracademics.

Dr.FrankTsai,AssociateProfessorinCEE,wasrecentlyappointedasthenewDirectorofLouisianaWaterResourcesResearchInstitute(LWRRI).TheLWRRIispartoftheNationalInstitutesforWaterResources(NIWR)authorizedbySection104oftheWaterResourcesResearchActof1984.Themissionof

theLWRRIisto(1)plan,facilitateandconductresearchtoaidintheresolutionofStateandregionalwaterproblems,(2)promotetechnologytransferandthedisseminationandapplicationofresearchresults,(3)provideforthetrainingofscientistsandengineersthroughtheirparticipationinresearch,and(4)provideforcompetitivegrantstobeawardedundertheWaterResourcesResearchAct.TheLWRRIisamultidisciplinarycenterforaddressingwaterissuesinthestate,drawingonfacultyfrommultipledepartmentsanduniversities.Inthisregard,theLWR‐RIservesasaresourceforstateof icialswhowantunbiased,scienti icallydefensibleinformationonhowtoaddressthestate’swaterproblems.Moreinfor‐mationcanbefoundintheinstitute’swebsitehttp://www.lwrri.lsu.edu/

Dr.LouayMohammad,Irma‐LouiseRushStewartProfessorinCEE,wasrecentlyappointedtotheLouisianaProfessionalEngineeringandLandSurveyingBoardTransportationEngineeringPracticeCommittee.HewasalsorecentlyappointedasamemberoftheTransportationResearchBoardCommitteeon

CharacteristicsofAsphaltPavingMixturestoMeetStructuralRequirements(AFK50).

Dr.SherifIshak,CEEProfessorandCollegeofEngineeringInterimAssociateDeanforAcademicAffairs,wasrecentlyappointedasachairoftheTRBCommitteeonArti icialIntelligenceandAdvancedComputingApplications(ABJ70).Thepurposeofthecommitteeistoprovideafocalpointforexpert

systemresearchactivitiesacrossthevarioustransportation‐relateddisciplines,andtoactasaforumfortheevaluationanddisseminationofinformationrelativetothebene itsofthetechnologytothetransportationprofession.Thecommitteeispoisedtoplayacriticalroleintransportationresearchandapplicationsinthecomingyearsbystudyinghowtobesttakeadvantageofrecentcomputationaladvancestohelpaddressspeci ictransportationchallenges.Dr.IshakwasalsoselectedtoserveonaNCHRPpanelforConnectedandAutomatedVehicles.ThispanelischargedwithmaintainingandexecutingresearchalignedwiththeConnectedandAutomatedVehicles(CV/AV)roadmapdevelopedbyNCHRP20‐24(98).CVtechnologiesarecurrentlyunderdevelopmenttoenablesafe,interoperablenetworkedwirelesscommunicationsamongvehicles(V2V),theinfrastructure(V2I),andtravelers’personalcommunicationdevices(V2X).Suchtechnologieswillreducehighwaycrashes;providedataforassessingtheperformanceofthetransportationsystem;providecontinualaccesstoaccurateinformationontheoperationofthesystemtotravelers;andreduceunnecessarystops,delays,andemissions.AVtechnologiesarealsounderdevelopmentandwillsigni icantlychangefundamentalplanning,design,andoperationalcharacteristicsfortheroadnetwork.Dr.IshakreceivedtworesearchgrantsfromtheLouisianaTransportationResearchCenter(LTRC)toundertakeresearchinkeytransportationareas.The irstgrant($99,521)istoexploretherecentlycollectednaturalisticdrivingdatabytheFederalHighwayAdministration’s(FHWA)StrategicHighwayResearchProgram(SHRP)2.Thedatacontainsover5,000,000tripsummaryrecordsof3,400driversandvehiclesthatparticipatedinanaturalisticdrivingstudyinseveralregionsoftheUnitedStates.ThisprojectisexpectedtooutlinethedevelopmentofadistractionindexthatwillshedmoreinsightintotheeffectsofdistracteddrivingonLouisianadrivers.Thesecondgrant($150,000)appliestheLSUdriving

E V E G S t u d e n t s h av e s u c c e s s at w e r c

T woteamsofLSUenvironmentalengineeringstudentsparticipatedinthe25thannualWERCconferenceinNewMexico,competingagainst20otherschools.ThestudentswontheFreeportMcMoranInnovationinSustainabilityaward,whichcamewitha$2,500cashprice.Theteam,ledbyHaLeighEngler,wonthisawardfortheirdesignofahydroponicwastetreatmentfoodproductionsystem.AteamledbyKelseyWallsalsowonajudgesinnovationawardforanoveloil:waterseparationsystem.Thisawardcamewitha$500cashaward.  Picturedabove(lefttoright):Dr.AymanOkeil,Sam

Greenwood,BrandonBollich,MarcHoffmann,JohnBootheandAbdullahAlHashim.

K e n i lw o rt h s t u d e n t , W i t h as s i s ta n c e f r o m c e e fa c u lt y & g r a d s t u d e n t s , w i n s s c i e n c e fa i r p r o j e c t

K enilworthScienceandTechnology(KST)CharterSchoolstudentQue’asiaStafford’ssciencefairprojectoncoastalprotectionalternativeshasearnedtheSchoolHonorableMentionAwardinPollutionPreventionfromtheLouisianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality.Thissmallscalestudywouldhelpreducepollutionby indinganalternativetolimestoneconsumptionforbuildingcoastalprotectionstructures.Thesuggestionwastouse luorogypsum,abyproductofhydro luoricacidproduction.Thestudyshowedthatitmaybepossibletousethisbyproductincoastalprotectionconstructionsandreducetheproductionoflimestoneandreleasethelandcurrentlyusedforstoring luorogypsum.Que'asiaworkedwithDrs.M.TeresaGutierrez‐WingandMicheleBarbatooftheLSUDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringfortheproject,aswellasgraduatestudentsC.DavisLofton,YasserBigdeliandSogandKarbalaieali. 

4 “Like”usonFacebook.Searchfor“LSUDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering”

Student Highlights Research Highlights

ConnectwithusonFacebook!Searchfor“LSUDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering.”Click“like”andaddustoyourinterestlisttoreceivenewsandupdatesfromthedepartment!

tothebuiltandnaturalenvironment.Forexample,byconsideringthecoastaldynamicsofsealevelrise,theirresearchdocumentsanddemonstrateshowtoassessimpactstosaltmarshesandcoastalmorphology(asdisplayedinthegraphicbelow),toincorporatetherelatedhumanpopulationchanges,andproject,forexample,alterationstothe100‐year loodplain(seecontourplotbelow).Approximately20manuscriptsthatstemfromtheEESLR‐NGOMprojectwillbepublishedspring2016inaspecialcollectionoftheAmericanGeophysicalUnionEarth’sFuturejournal.

Dr.HagenhasaP.E.withtheStateofFlorida,andisaDiplomateofbothCoastalandWaterResourcesEngineering.HeisapastmemberoftheBoardofGovernorsfortheASCE/Coasts,Oceans,PortsandRiversInstituteandpresentlyservesonthepredictivemodelingtechnicaladvisorygroupforthe2017LouisianaCoastalMasterPlan.In2012,Dr.HagenhostedtheTenthInternationalConferenceonHydroscience&EngineeringandwashonoredwithanOutstandingAchievementAwardforAdvancementoftheState‐of‐the‐ArtinHydroscience&Engineering.In2014,hewaselectedaFellowoftheAmericanSocietyofCivilEngineers.

2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5 U n d e r g r a d u at e S c h o l a rs h i p Awa r d R e c i p i e n t s

P leasejointhedepartmentincongratulatingthefollowing2014‐2015undergraduatescholarshiprecipients.Theawardcommitteeselectedstudentswhohavedemonstratedacademicexcellenceandmeetthecriteriaspeci ictoeachaward.A.W.NolanJr.ScholarshipAlyssaBienes RachelDavidGarrettJohnsBatonRougeWaterCompanyScholarshipAmyOlson KelseySchmaltzC.CarterBrownBookFundRobertDavisChevronTexacoScholarshipinCivilEngineeringJarrettLogan RebeccaLaporteJosephBresowar JacobWattsClaudiaCalderaDr.YalcinB.AcarMemorialScholarshipJarrettLogan RobertDavisEnvironmentalTechnicalSales,Inc.ScholarshipAustinOllar KevinBrownErinKrielowLahrMemorialScholarshipHaLeighEngler AlyseAldridgeRebeccaLaporte MollieCampbell

FrankJ.GermanoMemorialScholarshipElizabethHutchinson JosephBresowarKyleHaigler MarisaBordesRolandoCampoblancoFrankMineoScholarshipPhillipDiBenedetto HannahPittmanTravisHonore’JamesA.Nugent,Jr.ScholarshipKyleKesslerJosephW.Carmena,Sr.MemorialScholarshipMarisaFanguyL.Ralph(‘49)andJacquelineL.DartezScholarshipJasonXu JasonXuMcDermottScholarshipMatthewKettererRayKazmannMemorialScholarshipJeremyVezina VictoriaSampleRobertE.Watson,Jr.MemorialScholarshipSarahBelangerStanleyM.andHilmaR.CothrenScholarshipEvanLuke JacobWattsUniroyalChemicalEnvironmentalEng.ScholarshipCodyEstopinal KyleighArdoinWilliamJ.CrawfordMemorialScholarshipKristenAlevizon MerrickPattonAaronBennett

T E DxLS U : D r . B r i a n W o ls h o n

D r.BrianWolshon,EdwardA.KarenWaxSchmittProfessorinCEE,recentlygaveatalkforTEDxLSU2015,itsthemebeing“connections.”InhisTEDxtalk,presentedonFebruary28,Dr.Wolshonexplainedthedifferencebetweenwhattheaveragedriverseeswhenthey'resittingintraf icandwhatthattraf icengineersees. TEDtalksbeganin1984andthisyearwasthe3rdyearforTEDxLSU.Thesebrieftalks,heldacrosstheworld,andsharedasvideosonlineforalltosee,focusontechnology,entertainmentanddesign.TowatchDr.Wolshon’stalk,visithttp://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/Traf ic‐Solutions‐30‐seconds‐at

13

T heDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringwouldliketocongratulatespringPhDgraduatesSamCooperJr.(58)andSamCooperIII(30),fatherandson.BothworkedwithadvisorDr.LouayMohammad,Irma‐LouiseRushStewardProfessor,attheLouisianaTransportationResearchCenter(LTRC)hereontheLSUcampus.SamJr.isasectionleaderatLTRCinchargeoftechnologytransferandtraining.SamIIIworksasanasphaltresearchengineer.SamJr.’sresearchfocusedonsustainability—speci ically,onrepurposingasphaltshinglesbymixingthemwithroad‐buildingmaterialswhilemakingsurethematerial’squalityisunaffected.SamIIIlookedathowfactorsinmixturedesignpracticesaffecttheproductionofthematerialusedtobuildroads.

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Research Highlights Student Highlights

O nMarch27,2015,theDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering(CEE)heldthe4thannualCEEGraduateStudentResearchConferencetoshowcasetheresearchworkbeingperformedbygraduatestudentsinthedepartment.HeldinPatrickF.TaylorHall,participantsdisplayedresearchposterstoconferenceguestsandjudges.TheconferencealsofeaturedguestspeakerDr.GusKousoulas,Of iceofResearch&EconomicDevelopment(ORED) AssociateViceChancellor.

Judgingfortheconferencewasconductedbyapanelcomprisedoffacultyandstudentsfromeachresearchconcentrationarea.Eachwasreviewedfortechnicalcontent,deliveryoftheposterpresentation,anddesignandclarity.Resultsweretalliedandthefollowingwinnerswereannounced:MohammadrezaYaghoobi(1stPlace:$600)LargeScaleAtomisticSimulationofSizeEffectsDuringNanoindentation Advisor:Dr.GeorgeZ.VoyiadjisMatthewBilskie(Tiedfor2ndPlace:$300)AssessmentofCoastalFloodRiskinaChangingClimateAlongtheNorthernGulfofMexico Advisor:Dr.ScottHagenShadiHanandeh(Tiedfor2ndPlace:$300)PerformanceofReinforced/StabilizedPavedandUnpavedTestSectionsBuiltoverWeakSoftSoilUnderFull‐ScaleMovingWheelLoads Advisor:Dr.MuradAbu‐FarsakhHonorableMentionMoinulMahdi(Transportation)AgnimitroChakrabarti(Water/Coastal)JonathanBarnett(Environmental)FirouzRosti(Geotech)YasserBigdeli(Structures)

4 t h A n n u a l C E E G r a d u at e S t u d e n t R e s e a r c h C o n f e r e n c e

PicturedAbove:Dr.AymanOkeil(CEEGraduateProgramCoordinator),Dr.GusKousoulas(OREDAssociateViceChancellor)andDr.GeorgeZ.Voyiadjis(CEEDept.Chair)

N e w Fa c u lt y R e s e a r c h h i g h l i g h t : D r . S c o t t C . H a g e n

O nJanuary8,2015,ScottC.HagenjoinedthefacultyoftheDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringatLouisianaStateUniversitywherehewasnamedtheJohnP.LabordeEndowedChairforSeaGrantResearchandTechnologyTransfer.HealsohasanappointmentwiththeLSUCenterforComputationandTechnology,andisafellowoftheLSUCoastalStudiesInstitute.Dr.Hagenspenttheprevious17yearsattheUniversityofCentralFloridawhereheestablishedtheinternationally‐recognizedCoastalHydroscienceAnalysis,ModelingandPredictiveSimulations(CHAMPS)Lab.Dr.Hagenwillcontinuetobuildonhisresearchprogramincoastalhydroscienceandengineering,focusingonmassivelyparallel,highperformancecomputationalmodelingofocean,coastal,andinlandastronomicalandmeteorological(i.e.,windandpressurevariations)tidesand lows.HisadvancesinDEM(digitalelevationmodel)developmentandunstructuredmeshgenerationhavereceivedglobalattentionandarebroadlyapplied.Dr.Hagenandhisteamhavedevelopednumeroushindcast,nowcastandforecasttideandstormsurgemodelsthatspanfromthedeepoceanthroughcoastallandmargins(seebelowforanexampleinthenorthernGulfofMexicothatisinclusiveofthecoastal loodplainsofMississippi,Alabama,andtheFloridapanhandle).Hismorerecenteffortsexpandintotransportandbiogeophysicalmodeling,withemphasisonthecoastaldynamicsofglobalclimatechangeingeneralandsealevelriseinparticular.

Dr.Hagentrainsandmentorsstudentstoconductscienti icresearch,tobene itsocietythroughenvironmentalcommunicationandoutreach.Forexample,hehasledteamsthatincludegraduatestudentsworkinginconjunctionwithindustryandgovernmentcounterpartstodevelopcoastalinundationmodelsindirectsupportofFEMA loodplainmapping.These loodinsurancestudieshavebeenimplementedfortheFloridapanhandle,theAlabamacoastalareas,andtheeastFlorida/Georgiacoastal loodplains.Presently,Dr.HagenandhisstudentsarecontributingtothesouthFloridacoastalinundationmodeldevelopment.Dr.Hagenhascultivatedhisresearchprogramtoestablishsynergisticactivitiesandpursueinterdisciplinaryapproaches.HewillbeginhistenureatLSUasaco‐PIonanNSFCoastalSEESgrantthatwillexploretheco‐evolutionofdeltaiclandscapesandhumansystemresponsebyfocusingonchangesincoastal loodrisksduetohumanmanipulationsofsedimentdelivery.Forthepast iveyears,Dr.Hagenhasservedasthescienti icPIonamulti‐institutional,multi‐disciplinary(includingfacultyrepresentingbiology,civil/coastal/environmentalengineering,andthesocialsciences)projectthatleverageshistwodecadesofexperiencewithtide,wind‐waveandhurricanesurgemodeling.This“EcologicalEffectsofSeaLevelRiseinthenorthernGulfofMexico”(EESLR‐NGOM)studywasfundedatnearly$3MbyNOAA’sCenterforSponsoredCoastalOceanResearchandisprovidingoutputsandoutcomesthatareofferingimmediatebene itstostakeholdersthroughouttheregionaswellasprovidelong‐termpositiveimpacts.Thekeystakeholdersinthisregion(spanningMississippi,AlabamaandtheFloridapanhandle)includecoastalresourcemanagers,decisionmakers,thethreeNationalEstuarineResearchReserves,andconsultingagencies.ThisprojecthasalsoservedasthefoundationforthenorthernGulfofMexicoSentinelSiteprogramandwillenableassessmentofnumerousactionsconsideredbytheRESTOREActandrelatedprograms.WhentheEESLR‐NGOMprojectbegan,thevastmajorityofsealevelriserelatedresearchtookabathtubmodelingapproach(i.e.,elevatethewatersurface,inundatethepresent‐dayDEM,andassessimpactstothevariablesofinterest).Whilethatsimpli iedapproachprovidedmuch‐neededpreliminaryinsights,Dr.Hagenandhisinterdisciplinaryteamofcolleaguesandstudentshaveadvancedtheparadigmtomodelbiogeophysicalprocesseswithtime‐dependentchanges

2 0 1 5 C E E S t u d e n t Awa r d s RebeccaLaPorteCivilEngineeringAcademicAwardAwardedforacademicexcellenceAliciaFortierCivilEngineeringLeadershipAwardAwardedforleadershipandserviceKyleKesslerCivilEngineeringFacultyAwardforLeadershipAwardedbythefacultyforacademicexcellenceandleadershipMerrickT.PattonEnvironmentalEngineeringAcademicAwardAwardedtotheseniorwiththehighestGPAintheprogramKelseyBoppEnvironmentalEngineeringFacultyLeadershipAwardAwardedbythefacultytotheseniorwhohasexcelledinbothacademicsandleadershipMatthewDecellEnvironmentalEngineeringStudentAwardAwardedtotheseniorwhohasexcelledintheprogram,votedbytheenvironmentalengineeringstudentsSamuelCooper,IIIGraduateStudentoftheYearAward

11

CEE In Focus Student Highlights

6

KimberlyKoehl,LSUseniorcivilengineeringstudent,wasselectedtocompeteatthe56thAnnualIHEEPConference(InternationalHighwayEngineeringExchangeProgram)asanArea2Louisianarepresentativeinthestudentcompetition.Area2includesAlabama,Arkansas,Florida,Georgia,Kentucky,Louisiana,Mississippi,NorthCarolina,SouthCarolina,Tennessee,Virginia,andWestVirginia.AttheIHEEPconference(heldinNewOrleans,September28‐October2,2014),Ms.KoehlmadeapresentationonTheImpactofRecyclingAgentsontheDesignofAsphaltMixturesContainingRoo ingShinglesundertheSupervisionofDr.LouayMohammad.Shewasawardedsecondplaceatthiscompetitionamongothermasteranddoctoratedegreecandidates.Dr.JuliusCodjoe,arecentPh.D.graduateinCEE,wasrecentlyhonoredwiththeUSDepartmentofTransportation2014StudentoftheYearAward.Studentsoftheyearareselectedbasedontheiraccomplishmentsinsuchareasastechnicalmeritandresearch,academicperformance,professionalism,andleadership.Dr.CodjoewasnominatedbytheLouisianaTransportationResearchCenter,underthedirectorshipofHarold“Skip”Paul,forhisoutstandingaccomplishmentsintheseareas.Eachyear,theUSDepartmentofTransportationhonorsthemostoutstandingstudentfromeachparticipatingUniversityTransportationCenter(UTC)forhis/herachievements,andpromisingoutlookforfuturecontributionstothetransportation ield.Dr.CodjoewastheawardrecipientoftheNationalCenterforIntermodalTransportationforEconomicCompetitiveness(NCITEC),theUTCbranchgoverningLouisianaStateUniversity,MississippiStateUniversity,UniversityofDenver,UniversityofMississippi,andHamptonUniversity.Dr.CodjoeisnowaResearchAssociateatLSU,assistingDr.SherifIshakinmanagingon‐goingfundedresearchprojectswithintheDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering.Theirresearchincludesstudyingdrivingbehaviorofdistracteddriversusingnaturalisticanddrivingsimulatordata,establishinganintelligenttransportationsystems(ITS)laboratory,exploringITSapplicationsinusingexistingvideodetectioncamerasfortraf iccounting,developmentofanoptimalrampmeteringcontrolstrategyfortheI‐12,anddevelopmentofavirtualtest‐bedforconnectedvehiclesresearch.

LS U A C Q U I R E S I T S F I RS T S T R O N G F L O O R F O R L A R G E - S CA L E S T R U C T U R A L T E S T I N G

S tructuraltestingfacilitiesintheDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringhavejustreceivedamajoraddition.Astrong loorwasaddedtotheexistingStructuralEngineeringLaboratoryintheEngineeringLabAnnexBuilding(ELAB).Theenhancementproject,whichwassponsoredbytheLouisianaBoardofRegentswithDrs.GeorgeVoyiadjisandAymanOkeilasPIs,wascompletedinApril2015.Large‐scaletestingofactualinfrastructurecomponentseliminatesmanyofthechallengesthatdown‐scaledspecimensintroduce.Loadinglarge‐scalespecimen,suchasbridgegirders,requiresspecialfacilitiesthatarecapableofaccommodatingthesizeofsuchspecimens,andmoreimportantly,canexertthelargeloadscapableofbringingthemtofailure.

Thenewstrong loorhasafootprintof20ftx50ftandathicknessequalto4ft.Itisequippedwith48anchoragepoints,eachcapableofresistinganupliftforceequalto50‐kips.Byengagingmultipleanchoragepoints,loadsintheorderofhundredsofthousandsofpoundscanbeapplied.Suchcapacitywillallowtestinglarge‐scalespecimenssuchasbridgecomponents.

Thestrong loorcomplementsexistingtestfacilitiesincluding550‐kipMTSloadframeand100‐kipInstronhydraulicjackinadditiontomultiplesmallertestingsystems.Thestructuralengineeringfacultywillcontinuetodevelopthisfacilitytofurtherenhanceitscapabilities.Theseenhancementsincludeaddingastrongwallforexertinglateralloadsinorthogonaldirections,anoverheadcrane,andstate‐of‐the‐arttestingequipment.Theshownschematicillustratesthecompletedstrong loorandfutureoverheadcraneandstrongwalladditions.Italsoshowshowspecimenscanbeloadedinvariousdirectionswhiletheirresponseismeasuredusingstate‐of‐the‐artnon‐contactmeasurementsystem.Oncecompleted,multi‐axialtestingforresearchandproductcerti icationoflarge‐scalecomponentswillbepossible.

FormoreinformationabouttheStructuralTestingandMaterialCharacterizationLaboratory,contactDr.AymanOkeil(aokeil@lsu.edu).

Heavysteelreinforcementin4‐ftthickstrong loor

Completedstrong loorshowing50‐kipanchoragepoints

Schematicshowingfuturevisionforlarge‐scaletestingatLSU

Dr. Pradeep Kurup Dr.PradeepKurupisaProfessorintheDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering(CEE)attheUniversityofMassachusettsLowell(UMassLowell).HewasrecentlyrecognizedasDistinguishedUniversityProfessor,thehighestaccoladebestowedonaUMassLowellfacultymember,forhisexemplaryteaching,fornationallyandinternationallyacclaimedresearchandforoutstandingservicetotheuniversitycommunityandhisprofession.HewasalsoawardedtheCEEDepartment’sTeachingExcellenceAwardin2002.Dr.PradeepKurupgraduatedin1985,withaB.Tech.inCivilEngineeringfromtheUniversityofKerala,India.HereceivedhisM.Tech.inCivilEngineeringfromtheIndianInstituteofTechnology,Madras(1987).HeholdsaPh.D.inCivilEngineering(1993)fromLouisianaStateUniversity(LSU).Subsequenttohisdoctoralresearchheworkedasapost‐doctoralresearcherintheDepartmentofCivilEngineeringatLSU.In1994hejoinedLouisianaTransportationResearchCenter(LTRC/LSU)asaResearchAssociateIV.HewassoonpromotedtoResearchAssociateV,andnominatedtotheGraduateFacultyintheDepartmentofCivilEngineeringatLSU(1996).In1997,Dr.KurupjoinedtheDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineeringatUMassLowellasanAssistantProfessor.HewastenuredandpromotedtoanAssociateProfessorin2001,andsubsequentlypromotedtoaFullProfessorin2005.Anexpertingeotechnicalengineering,Dr.Kurup’sresearchhasearnedhimrespectaroundtheworld.HeisarecipientoftheprestigiousNSFCAREERAward(1999),andwasalsoawardedtheCivilEngineeringResearchFoundation(CERF)CareerDevelopmentAwardbytheASCE.HehasbeensuccessfulinobtainingresearchfundsfromFederalagenciestotalingmorethan$3.5million.Hisscholarlyworkhascoveredarangeofareasincluding,minimallyinvasivedeterminationofengineeringsoilproperties,evaluationofearthquakeliquefactionpotential,in‐situinterpretationofcontaminatedsediments,anddevelopmentofnovelsensingsystemsfordirectpushtechnologies.Dr.Kuruphasdevelopednoveltestingdevices,equipment,andinterpretationmethodsthatprovidereal‐worldsolutionstoindustryandvariousagenciesintheUnitedStates,includingtheFederalHighwayAdministration,DepartmentofDefense,andtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).AmonghisresearchprojectsfundedbytheNSFisthedevelopmentofanovelelectronic“nose”thatcandetectsubsurfacevolatileorganiccompounds,andanovelelectronic“tongue”thatcandetectandidentifytracesoftoxicheavymetalssuchasarsenic,mercury,lead,andcadmiuminsoilandgroundwater.ThesetechnologieshaveattractedtheattentionoftheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.HehastwopendingpatentswiththeUSPTOandPCT.

7 10 ForbiographiesofallCEEHallofDistinctionmembers,visitonlineathttp://www.cee.lsu.edu/alumni/hod

CEE In Focus CEE In Focus

PicturedAbove:Dr.GeorgeZ.Voyiadjis(CEEDept.Chair),Dr.PradeepKurup(2014Inductee)andDr.MehmetTumay(CEEEmeritusProfessor,CEEHallofDistinctionMember)

C E E H a l l o f D i s t i n c t i o n B a n q u e t 2 0 1 5

O nMay4,2015attheLodCookAlumniCenter,theLSUDepartmentofCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering(CEE)helditsannualHallofDistinctionbanquettohonorthreenewinductees:Dr.PradeepKurup(Univ.ofMassachusettsLowell),RonnieHebert(ETC)andMichaelSongy(CSRS).Inadditiontotheinducteesandtheirguests,alsoinattendancewerecurrentCEEHallofDistinctionmembers,membersoftheCEEExternalAdvisoryBoard,aswellasfaculty,staffandstudents.

2014

involvedwiththeBatonRougeGrowthCoalition,servingasaBoardMembersince2012.HeisanactivememberoftheAmericanSocietyofCivilEngineers,theLouisianaEngineeringSociety,andformerChairmanoftheLouisianaSocietyofProfessionalLandSurveyors.Mr.SongyhasbeenleadingstudiesontheemergingissuesandopportunitiesfacingLouisiana,aswebegintoexperiencerapidgrowthassociatedwithindustrialexpansion.HewasinvitedasadistinguishedpanelspeakerfortheConnectPolicyForum(May2014)andtheLouisianaSmartGrowthSummit(November2014),aswellasfeaturedintheBusinessandIndustryConnection(BIC)AllianceMagazineinFebruary2015.

CEEHallofDistinctionMembers

2001CharterMembersAraArmanDr.ElvinDantin*L.LaneGrigsbyDr.ChesterP.Siess*BinghamC.Stewart*2002VerdiAdamDr.DipakRoy*Wm.CliffordSmith2003Dr.JamesM.ColemanAnnForteTrappey2004Dr.GeorgeMunfakhDr.KamK.Movassaghi2005Dr.KennethL.McManisLarryA.McKee

2006John“Jack”Donahue,Jr.Ronald“Ron”Rodi2007Dr.J.TinsleyOdenRecepYilmaz2008RobertA.“Bob”DeasonFrankJ.Germano*2009JohnA.GravesDr.MehmetT.Tumay2010Dr.ShahramSarkaniSherriHammondLeBas

2011Dr.Song‐KaiYan*Dr.RodolfoJ.Aguilar2012LloydGuilloryDr.TaehyoPark2013PaulFossier,Jr.Dr.AnandPuppala2014WilliamE.Rushing,Jr.Dr.PradeepKurup2015RonnieHebertMichaelSongy

*Deceased

2 0 1 5 C E E Fa c u lt y a n d s ta f f Awa r d s Dr.SherifIshakResearchAchievementAwardDr.SureshMoorthyEducationalAchievementAwardDr.ChesterWilmotCareerServiceAwardGraceMasonStaffServiceContributionAward

9

CEE In Focus CEE In Focus

8 ForbiographiesofallCEEHallofDistinctionmembers,visitonlineathttp://www.cee.lsu.edu/alumni/hod

Dr.Kuruphasauthored/co‐authoredoversixtypapersinpeerreviewedjournalsandconferenceproceedingsthatarerecognizedfortheirrigorouspublicationstandards.Hispublicationsareregardedhighlyworldwidehavebeencitedintoprefereedjournals(suchastheAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials,ASCEJournalofGeotechnicalandGeoenvironmentalEngineering,SensorsandActuators,InternationalJournalforNumericalandAnalyticalMethodsinGeomechanics,ComputersandGeotechnics,etc.),andinseveralconferenceproceedings.Hehasdeliveredmorethanthirty‐ ivepresentations(includingkeynotelectures,andacentenaryseminar)atuniversities,symposiums,nationalmeetings,andinternationalconferences(inJapan,France,UnitedKingdom,Turkey,Malaysia,CanadaandIndia).Hisserviceactivitiesareverybroad.HecurrentlyservesintheGeoenvironmentalEngineeringCommitteeoftheGeo‐Institute,AmericanSocietyofCivilEngineering.HeservedasAssociateEditorfortheInternationalJournalofGeotechnicalEarthquakeEngineering(IJGEE).Heisamemberofseveralprofessionalsocieties,andhasorganizedandchairedsessionsatmeetingsandconferences.HehasservedonseveraltechnicalcommitteesoftheAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials‐SoilandRock(D18.02,D18.05,andD18.11).HehasservedontwoNationalTransportationResearchBoard(TRB)Committees(AFS50:ApplicationsofNontraditionalComputingToolsIncludingNeuralNets,andAFP30:SoilandRockProperties).Heisamemberinseveralprofessionalsocieties,andhasorganizedandchairedsessionsatmeetingsandconferences.HehasservedonseveralNSFreviewpanels,andhasreviewedresearchproposalsfortheU.S.CivilianResearch&DevelopmentFoundation,andpapersfornumerousprofessionaljournals.AlongwithPresidentialawardrecipients(PECASE),NSF‐CAREERawardrecipients,NobelLaureates,MedalofScience&MedalofTechnologyrecipients;Dr.KurupwasinvitedbyNSFandits50thAnniversarypartnerstoparticipateinthe“ScientistsandEngineersintheSchoolsProgram”tovisitlocalmiddleschoolsandserveasarolemodel. Michael B. Songy

MichaelSongy,afoundingPrincipalandCEOatCSRS,Inc.,earnedhisB.S.inCivilEngineeringfromLouisianaStateUniversityin1979.Hehasmorethanthreedecadesofindustryleadershipandclientserviceexperienceonlarge‐scaleinfrastructureandcapitalimprovementprogramsthroughoutLouisiana.Mr.Songyhasawell‐deservedreputationintheindustryasaskilled,strategicleaderwhounderstandstheneedsofpublic‐sectorownersandprivate‐sectorcontractors.UnderMr.Songy’sleadershipasCEO,CSRSiscommittedtocontinuehelpingitsclientsdeliverprogramssuccessfullywithintoday’schallengingeconomicandlegislativeclimatesandwasrecentlyrecognizedbytheGreaterBatonRougeBusinessReportasthe2014“CompanyoftheYear”with100ormoreemployees.SincefoundingCSRS,Mr.Songyhasbeenresponsiblefortheoveralldirectionofprofessionalservicesprovidedtoclients,includingcommitmenttobudget,schedule,quality,innovationandclientsatisfaction.Mr.Songy'sconsultingassignmentshasvariedwidelyandincludestransportationplanningandmanagementofcapitalimprovementprograms–suchastheEastBatonRougeCity‐ParishGreenLightPlanandtheDepartmentofTransportationandDevelopmentARRAProgram,feasibilityanalysesforlanddevelopmentstrategies,engineeringandstormwatermanagement,andimpactassessmentsforlocalgoverningauthorities.Mr.SongyalsoservedasBoardChairmanfortheBatonRougeAreaChamberfrom2014‐2015andhasservedasaBoardMemberoftheChambersince2011.Mr.Songyisalsoextensively

2015

2015

Ronnie Hebert RonaldR.E.Hebert(“Ronnie”),PresidentandCEOofEnvironmentalTechnicalSales,Inc.(ETEC),receivedhisB.S.inCivilEngineeringfromLouisianaStateUniversityin1969.In1996,RonniefoundedETEC,acompanyspecializinginthewater,wastewater,sludge,anddrainageindustries.ETEC’smainheadquartersislocatedinBatonRouge,Louisiana,withotherlocationsinJackson,Mississippi,LittleRock,ArkansasandMemphis,Tennessee.Withover46yearsofexperienceinthis ieldandinallaspectsofengineering,fromconceptionanddesign,projectmanagement, inancing,construction,tooperationsandmaintenance,Ronniehasbeeninvolvedinthousandsorprojectsvaluedinthebillionsofdollars.AsPresidentandCEO,RonnieisresponsibleforallaspectsofETEC’Srepresentationofover100nationalmanufacturers.Ronniegrewupinan“engineering”environment.Hisfather,thelateRoyA.Hebert(PE,PLS)wasanLSUalumnusaswellandco‐founderofHebertBrothersEngineers,GeneralContractors(theirLouisianacontractor’sLicensewasNo.4!).In1964,RonniegraduatedfromSt.JohnHighSchoolinPlaquemine,Louisiana.HeservedintheUnitedStatesArmyasCaptainandasCompanyCommanderofCompanyA,LouisianaArmyNationalGuard769thEngineerBattalionlocatedinPlaquemine,Louisiana.AftergraduatingfromLSUin1969,hecompletedtheUnited

PicturedAbove:RonaldRodi(CEEHallofDistinctionMember),RonnieHebert(2015Inductee)andDr.GeorgeZ.Voyiadjis(CEEDept.Chair)

PicturedAbove:SherriLaBas(SecretaryofLADOTDandCEEHallofDistinctionMember),MichaelSongy(2015Inductee)andDr.GeorgeZ.Voyiadjis(CEEDept.Chair)

StatesArmyEngineerSchoolinFortBelvoir,Virginia.RonnieisaregisteredProfessionalEngineerinbothCivilandEnvironmentalEngineering.AssociationsincludemembershipintheAmericanSocietyofCivilEngineers(LifeMember),theLouisianaEngineeringSociety,TheNationalSocietyofProfessionalEngineers,ChiEpsilonandotherlocalorganizations.Hehaspersonallybeenageneroussupporterofmanycharitieswithinthecommunity,includingtheLouisianaEngineeringFoundationMathCounts,LouisianaSheriff’sAssociation,St.VincentdePail’sUniformsforKids,BoysTownandtheWorldWarIIMuseuminNewOrleans.Inadditiontohispersonalphilanthropy,ETECrecentlymadeadonationtowardstherefurbishingoftheLSUHydraulicsLaboratory,whichuponcompletionwillbenamedEnvironmentalTechnicalSales(ETEC)HydraulicsLaboratory.ETEChasalsoestablishedscholarshipfundsforengineeringstudents.RonnieismarriedtoDebbieDupontHebert,whoisalsoanLSUalumnus.Theyaretheproudparentsofthreechildren:DanielRoyHebert,DavidGeraldHebert(deceased)andCinclareHebertSessums.Theyarealsograndparentsof ivewonderfulgrandchildren:JosephRoyHebert(afreshmanatLSUinEngineering),JohnDanielRoyHebert,AnnaKernHebert,ElizabethCinclareSessumsandJohnBradySessumsJr.