Civil & Coastal Engineering Research Programs - Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment

Civil & Coastal Engineering Research Programs - Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment
civil & coastal research programs
ESSIE graduate students participate in a specialized academic area in Civil Engineering, Coastal Engineering, or
Environmental Engineering Sciences
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Civil & Coastal Engineering
Geosystems Engineering
Geosystems Engineering is a cross-disciplinary program team of faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff dedicated to innovation in geotechnical and geoenvironmental technology for sustainable geo-infrastructure development.
The Geosystems Engineering postgraduate research program focuses on geotechnical and geoenvironmental solutions through collaborative efforts of multi-disciplinary faculty in five interdependent and mutually reinforcing areas:
soil structure interaction
geophysical testing and nondestructive evaluation
computational poro-geomechanics
smart waste management
beneficial use of waste materials
Our inclusive and multi-disciplinary graduate curriculum offers a dynamic transformational point of view that leverages geotechnical and geoenvironmental technologies for environmental, economical, and social sustainability.
The graduate curriculum integrates in-depth training in a core engineering discipline into cross-disciplinary understanding of Geosystems Engineering. The comprehensive knowledge base of our graduates allow them to excel in her/his chosen specialization, adequately addressing the changing need in the global workforces of resilient geo-infrastructure.
Facilities
384 NPUs (64-bit 2.7 GHz) 20 RSU (8 TB) cluster
Experimental laboratories for environmental pollutants
A 2.5-m geotechnical centrifuge
A 10-m testing chamber
Seismic and ultrasonic test systems
GPR testing system
Research Focus
Strength Envelopes for Florida Rock and Intermediate Geomaterials, Multiscale (mm to km) Material Imaging and Characterization, Dynamic Testing for Foundation Capacity and Integrity, Mechanical Wave Simulation and Inversion, Computational Modeling of Multiscale Multiphysics Problems, Theoretical and Numerical Modeling of Instability/Failure of Multiphase Geomaterials, Determining Bearing Resistance of Cantilever Sheet Piles, Discrete Particle Dynamics and Contact Mechanics, Impact and Ground Penetration, Bridge Foundation Engineering, Waste Management and Beneficial Reuse, Computational Mechanics, and Hydro(geo)chemical Processes.
Careers
Our graduates are in demand by various professions such as infrastructure/energy industries, R&D laboratories, academic institutions, and local and federal government agencies. An example of such is seen in established, professional relationships with state government agencies and major design firms both in the U.S. and world-wide.
Geosystems Engineering faculty
Materials & Pavements
Research, education, and service activities in the field of pavements and related materials.
The Materials and Pavement group is devoted to promoting sustainable practices in pavement engineering, enhance understanding of distress mechanisms and failure modes
and develop design approaches for pavement systems that
optimize
performance, develop sustainable construction materials,
develop testing and conditioning procedures to improve material characterization.
Education for Leadership Roles
Innovative foundation systems and lifelines
Safer embankments and retention systems
More effective pavement systems
Enhanced performance construction materials
Research Focus Areas
Nano-modification and polymer modification of materials
Advanced sensing technologies
Advanced experimental methods
Geotechnical centrifuge
Low-environmental impact materials
Sustainable cementitious materials
Computed tomography
Non-destructive evaluation of materials and structures
Multi-scale computer modeling
Research Outcomes
Faster and more accurate condition assessment
Enhanced performance and durability
Lower environmental impact
More effective specifications for materials and construction
Real-time assessment techniques
Guidelines for recycling waste materials
Safer containment systems for waste
Research Benefits
Reduced risk in engineering decisions
Less pollution through recycling and material design
Reduced traffic disruption and highway user costs
Lower maintenance and rehabilitation costs
Sustainable and more reliable constructed infrastructure
Facilities
Geotechnical centrifuges
Mobile field sensing equipment
20-ton in situ truck
Geophysics and NOT
Advanced materials characterization
Variable Pressure SEM
Laser interferometry
Deep foundation test chamber
Full-scale pipe testing facility
Extensive geotechnical, concrete and asphalt laboratories
16 node Silicon Graphics Inc. parallel processor supercomputer
Materials & Pavements faculty
New Infrastructure Planning and Management
New Infrastructure Planning, formerly Public Works, research focus areas include oil spill, radon mitigation, renewable energy, work zone safety, bridge management, in-situ pipe repair, high-speed rail, utility relocation, flowable fill, pavement marking, storm water infrastructure, fiber optics placement along the right-of-way, construction engineering & management, and highway construction, maintenance, quality control, and quality assurance.
The faculty’s research is recognized for its prominence and for its impact in understanding new house evaluation and Radon mitigation, effective oil spill response capabilities, truck damage factor determination, durability of in-situ pipe repair, guidelines for storm water infrastructure, durability of pavement marking, preventive maintenance strategy, use of flowable fill in pavement sections, and user cost data for bridge management.
Education for Leadership Roles
Sustainable infrastructure management
Innovative solid waste management
Timely and effective disaster management
Innovative information delivery
State-of-the-art education for public works leaders
Innovative public versus private services
Creative public works finance
Sustainable growth management
Air and water quality control
Research Focus Areas
New house evaluation and radon mitigation
Effective oil spill response capabilities
Truck damage factor determination
Durability of in-situ pipe repair
Guidelines for storm water infrastructure
Durability of pavement marking
Preventive maintenance strategy
Use of flowable fill in pavement sections
User cost data for bridge management
Renewable energy
Research Outcomes
Sustainable public safety
Cost savings for both public and private sectors
Enhanced disaster response capabilities
Sustainable infrastructure management
Research Benefits
Cost-effective infrastructure maintenance
Public safety
Effective data management
Infrastructure durability
Facilities
Florida Department of Transportation
Soil Mineralogy and Pedology Lab
in the Soil and Water Sciences Department
Based on future research needs, our department facilities can also be used
Vehicles within our department
Ample computer access within our program
GIS facilities within the University
New Infrastructure Planning and Management faculty
Structural Engineering
The structural engineering faculty have a complementary set of expertise in theoretical, analytical, computational, experimental and field investigation techniques well suited to address critical infrastructure issues.
This program includes infrastructure system response to extreme-event loading, durability of infrastructure and materials, health monitoring, evaluation and strengthening of existing structures, and the development of construction methods to improve long-term sustainability of new infrastructure.
Structural Engineering research within ESSIE at the University of Florida includes:
Infrastructure system response to extreme-event loading, durability of infrastructure and materials
Health monitoring, evaluation and strengthening of existing structures
The development of construction methods to improve long-term sustainability of new infrastructure
Education for Leadership Roles
Structural Engineering Analysis
Bridge and Building Structural Design
Research Focus Areas
Extreme event loading and infrastructure system behavior
Wind
Vessel Impact
Blast
Durability, evaluation, and strengthening of existing structures
Connections to concrete
Computational mechanics, structural dynamics, and structural analysis
Research Outcomes
Improved safety and reliability of structures
Lower maintenance and rehabilitation costs
Improved understanding of structural behavioral under extreme events
Research Benefits
Building code enhancement
Sustainable and more reliably constructed infrastructure
Cost-effective repair methods
Facilities
Two parallel-processing supercomputers
Structural testing laboratory with strong wall and floor
Electronic data acquisition systems
Field instrumentation for monitoring structural performance during extreme events
Building enclosure wind teaching and testing laboratory
Full-scale hurricane simulation facility
Structural Engineering faculty
Sustainable Construction Engineering
The future of construction in the US and around the world includes the need to maintain and build new housing, schools, healthcare facilities, shopping, government and safety services; more clean water and waste water treatment facilities; and more sustainable energy resources. We will need more roads, rail, public transit and ports to move people and goods. Coupled with retirement projections, employers seek new, qualified professionals able to complete these big projects while maintaining the sustainability triple bottomline: people, planet and profit.
The Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering conducts funded sustainable construction engineering research which considers this future state and prepares our graduates to be leaders in the field. While considering the interconnection of people and technology, research projects investigate:
Smart and Intelligent Construction
This theme of research focuses on the development and test of the next generation Intelligent Information Systems (IIS) and Intelligent Physical Systems (IPS) for the design, engineering, construction and operations of built environments (e.g., buildings, industrial facilities, and smart transportation systems etc.). Specifically, it aims at augmenting human cognitive and physical capabilities and developing a 21st century data-capable civil engineering workforce via Intelligent Cognitive Assistants (ICAs) and Collaborative Robots (Cobots).
Sustainable Workforce
This research bridges the space between understanding the future of work in civil engineering in the United States and characterizing the competencies, learning technologies, and ecosystems that equip and sustain an inclusive workforce for that future. Topics include hazard recognition, safety, leadership, satisfaction, personal resilience, organizational culture, training, informal learning and social considerations. When employees thrive in the workplace and are professional prepared for work, organizational outcomes such as sustaining the workforce; achieving safety, productivity, and profitability goals; planning, designing and constructing intelligent and/or resilient infrastructure; and addressing current and future challenges such as infrastructure and disaster management are also achieved.
Education for Leadership Roles
More Effective Project Delivery Systems
Advanced Project Management and Control Systems
Advanced Safety Management Methods
Sustainable Infrastructure Renewal Research Focus Areas
Advanced Project Planning and Delivery
Intelligent Infrastructure Asset Management Systems
Advanced Project Safety Management
New Construction Methods, Material and Equipment
Intelligent Real Time Construction Information Management Systems
Research Outcomes
Improved Project Planning
More Efficient and Cost Effective Project Delivery
Improved Infrastructure Management Decisions
Safer more cost effective work technologies and processes
Research Benefits
Improved Project Outcomes
Infrastructure Assets Conservation and Optimization
More Cost Effective Investment in Capital Projects
Safety of the Work Force and the Public Facilities
State of the Art Project Controls Laboratory
Multiple Digital Recording Equipment Systems for Data Collection
Multiple Vehicles Available for Project Trips
Research Assistants Assigned Individual State of the Art Work Station Research Opportunities
Activity funded research program with multiple sponsors
Research Assistantships and fellowships
Competitive stipend and full tuition
Sustainable Construction Engineering faculty
Transportation Engineering
Transportation systems are
highly complex
and continue to present significant challenges in our everyday lives
Transportation engineers continue to pursue innovative solutions to meet urban and regional mobility needs.
The Department of Civil Engineering offers Doctoral and master’s programs in Transportation Engineering. The UFTI offers students exciting opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies such as connected/automated vehicles, AI and data science, the theory of traffic flow, simulation and optimization of transportation systems, traveler behavior, infrastructure design and monitoring, dynamic traveler information systems, and safety and sustainability of multi-modal transportation systems.
We are looking for students with strong analytical capabilities (one or more of statistics, AI/ML, big data analytics, optimization, simulation modeling, programming, GIS) and excellent written and oral communication skills interested in addressing various current and future transportation problems. Students from a variety of undergraduate/masters disciplines including Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial and Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Urban Planning, and Economics will be considered based on interests and expertise.
Current research initiatives focus on autonomous and connected vehicles, AI and data science in transportation, safety analysis, and infrastructure systems. The University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI) provides extensive and transdisciplinary research opportunities related to transportation.
For additional information, visit
transportation.institute.ufl.edu
Transportation Engineering faculty
Water Systems
The Water Systems group embraces education and research in Hydrology, Potable Water, Storm Water, and Wastewater.
Overview
The Water Systems group develops the science and engineering for conveyance, treatment and reuse of urban waters including potable, wastewater and stormwater, manage water resources, model and measure the fate and transformation of chemicals, particulate matter and pathogens impacting water resources, and assess the human and environmental health impacts from these constituents while modeling the components of the hydrologic cycle and the impacts of climate on water resources, human and environmental health.
The National Academy of Engineering considers access to clean water as a critical social, environmental, and economic challenge for the 21st century. Accordingly, the Potable Water research is at the forefront of addressing global water quality issues, investigating innovative treatment technologies and addressing the challenge using alternative water sources as a replacement for high quality fresh groundwater. The development of hydrologic restoration systems to restore the urban water cycle and also reduce chemical and thermal loadings to the surrounding environs is the hub of Storm Water research.
Studies conducted in Florida and throughout the World have demonstrated the sustainability of municipal maintenance practices and resilience of storm drainage systems to provide chemical and particulate load control compared to current best management practices. Major foci of Wastewater research are the development of reuse processes pertinent to human urine, landfill leachate, and membrane concentrate. Research follow an integrated urban water system simulation and optimization approach, and it shows the volumetric benefits of wastewater reuse while identifying the need for advanced wastewater treatment to manage chemicals such as nutrients, metals or emerging contaminants such as endocrine disruptors.
Education for Leadership Roles
Developing innovative methods for hydrologic assessments
Elucidating the generation, transport, fate and cycling of rainfall-runoff (stormwater) quantities and chemical loads from biogenic and anthropogenic sources
Improving the understanding of water use to optimize water conservation ethodology Preserving Surface Water and Groundwater Quality
Improving Drinking Water Quality
Improving Stormwater Collection and Treatment
Improving Wastewater Treatment
Developing more sustainable urban water systems
Research Focus Areas
Contaminant transport and fate
Decision support systems
Ecohydrology and hydrologic restoration
Hydrology
Stormwater control
Water resources planning and management
Water conservation
Urban water infrastructure
Fundamental characterization of aqueous and particulate-phase contaminants including emerging contaminants: representative ambient monitoring, methodology and load quantification.
Sourcing and generation of aqueous and particulate phase contaminants, physics and chemistry of contaminant transport and fate.
Water contaminant control: systems, unit operation and processes, and materials development, in particular innovative mass transfer materials and low impact development materials.
Water reuse as part of the urban water cycle: volumetric and contaminant load impacts.
Unit operation and process modeling: scalable physical models and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Integrated physical, chemical, biological and thermal treatment phenomena for water cycle components.
Coupling fundamental monitoring and material balance testing with urban water modeling.
Fundamental and applied studies of physical-chemical water treatment processes, such as adsorption, coagulation, ion exchange, and oxidation, for a wide range of water qualities including surface water, groundwater, membrane concentrate, landfill leachate, and human urine.
Innovative applications of ion exchange for water treatment.
Fundamental studies in aquatic chemistry with a focus on the role of natural organic matter.
Fundamental and applied studies of adsorption and photocatalysis, including surface optimization.
Bottom up integrated urban water system simulation and optimization.
Research Outcomes
Sustainable solutions to water quantity and quality problems.
New technologies for assessing contaminant transport in surface and groundwater.
Sustainability of urban rainfall-runoff systems.
Improved methods water conservation and decision support systems for implementation.
Research Benefits
Sustainability of surface and groundwater systems
Restoration of groundwater, wetlands and other hydrologic systems
Improved surface and groundwater quality
Improved drinking water quality
Beneficial water reuse
Balanced development of supply and demand management systems
Facilities
Laboratory and field sites for research
Environmental Engineering Science Unit Operations and Process (UOP) Testing facilities
The Water Institute at the University of Florida provides important university-wide linkages for collaborative research and education
Environmental Engineering Science Unit Operations and Process (UOP) Testing facilities
Water Treatment Process Labs and associated state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation
Water Reclamation and Reuse Laboratory
Water Systems faculty
Coastal & Oceanographic Engineering
The Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering group comprises faculty who are recognized for their research related to coastal and estuarine physical processes. Their work spans sediment transport in beaches, estuaries, and lakes; wave transformations over varied seabed types; inlet hydrodynamics, morphodynamics, and wave-current interactions; estuarine and coastal physics; extreme storms; storm surge and inundation modeling; coastal erosion; nature-based coastal defense systems; water quality processes; saltwater intrusion into estuaries and aquifers; and the impact of climate and sea level variability on coastal systems. In the face of climate extremes and increasing coastal populations, this research has never been more crucial, while striving to inform sustainable coastal development, hazard mitigation, and adaptation strategies. Funded primarily by federal agencies, the group’s research is deeply integrated with teaching and training programs, equipping future professionals with tools to tackle these urgent global challenges.
Education for Leadership Roles
The Program
prepares students for leadership roles in academia, government and industry; and
sensitizes students to sustainable environments.
Research Focus Areas
Physical processes associated with sediment transport in beaches, estuaries and lakes
Wave transformations over sandy and muddy bottoms
Inlet/breach hydrodynamics, morphodynamics and wave-current interactions
Estuarine and coastal physics
Extreme storms: storm surge, inundation, and coastal erosion
Hurricane resilience
Interannual variability of climate and sea level
Implications of sea level rise on coastal processes
Salt intrusion into estuaries and aquifers
Coastal Nature based solutions
Coastal water quality
Research Outcomes
Enhanced understanding of coastal and estuarine processes
Forecasting of storm surge and flooding
Impacts of sea-level rise on freshwater resources and coastal sustainability
Research Benefits
Safeguard people and infrastructure from storms
Assess salinization threats to freshwater resources
Optimize beach nourishment costs
Enhance safety of ports and harbors
Facilitate safe coastal navigation and recreation
Aid in search and rescue operations
Coastal & Oceanographic Engineering faculty
Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics
The Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics
(CESD)
specialization brings together faculty with expertise in coastal hydrodynamics, geo-mechanics, and ecology.
The Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics (CESD) program brings together students and faculty with interests in coastal hydrodynamics, geo-mechanics, and ecology. The goal is to advance fundamental science, provide solutions for resilient coastal communities, and train the next generation of scientists and engineers to succeed in academic and non-academic careers.
With nearly 40% of the world’s population living within 100 kilometers of the coast, understanding the dynamics of coastal ecosystems is critical to ensure the resilience of human and natural coastal communities. As coastal ecosystems sit at the interface between marine and terrestrial environments, their structure and stability are driven by complex interactions among hydrodynamic forces, geotechnical properties of natural and man-made substrates, and organisms that biogenically build coastal reefs and wetlands. Thus, advancing knowledge of these systems and developing solutions for sustaining natural and built coastal environments requires multi-disciplinary research.
Students trained in this specialization will be prepared to pursue academic and industry careers in the fields of coastal, environmental, and geotechnical engineering, as well as complementary engineering disciplines, such as mechanics, structures, ecology, environmental science, geology, natural resource management and coastal resilience, depending on their individual interests.
Additional information on the CESD specialization
Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics faculty