Research

Please visit each specific program area to learn about the research in that area. Interdisciplinary research endeavors are listed below.

Construction Engineering and Management

The CEM program research is active and focused on :

  • project delivery systems
  • infrastructure maintenance and management
  • best practices in field operations
  • simulation and visualization – Visit the STROBOSCOPE site

Research and Laboratory Infrastructure 
Desktop computing. The CEE department computer lab contributes significantly to our educational mission and student use. Additionally, we maintain 4 to 5 general use computers and printers for graduate student use. Click here for more>>>>

Mission specific lab computing. We have 3 mission specific research labs. These labs include the Field Operations Analysis Lab (FOAL), Asset Management Lab, and Visualization Lab.

FOAL LABThe Field Operations Analysis Lab consists of state of the art digital technologies and analysis tools for operational analysis of field operations.

ASSET Management LAB
As part of the very significant and long-term research Partnership for Highway Maintenance Monitoring Program and for Innovation in Maintenance/Construction Contracting, we have begun the development of a Computer-assisted wireless data collection infrastructure .

Visualization LAB
We have begun an initiative to establish a visualization lab which compliments the data collection successes we have experienced with the development of the FOAL lab.

Environmental and Water Resources Engineering

The Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Program offers graduate studies and research opportunities in the planning and design of a broad scope of environmental and water resources projects, including the ones listed below:

Air Quality Research
Bioremediation
Coastal Engineering
Drinking Water Research
Environmental Biogeochemistry
Environmental Biotechnology
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Fluid Mechanics
Environmental Nanotechnology
Environmental Quality Monitoring and Modeling
Ground Water and Pollutant Transport
Hydrology and Water Resources Management
Lakes and Reservoirs
Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Water and Wastewater Treatment

Geotechnical Engineering

Current Research Projects

  • The Application of Energy Concepts to the Evaluation and Remediation of Liquefiable Soils
  • Behavior of Soils Under High Pressure Impact
  • Characterization of Construction Material Surface Topography
  • Characterization of Rock Fractures Based on Cylindrical Samples
  • Compaction and Compressibility of Municipal Solid Waste
  • Comparison of Computer Programs for Analysis of Reinforced Slopes
  • Composite Piles for Bridge Superstructures
  • Consolidation in Soil-Bentonite Backfilled Trenches
  • Deformations and Stability of Water-Filled Tubes
  • Design of Geotechnical Interfaces
  • Development and Implementation of a Rockfall Hazard Rating System
  • Development of an Improved Numerical Model for Concrete-to-Soil Interfaces in soil-Structure Interaction Analysis
  • Development of an Internet/GIS-Based Landslide Inventory
  • Development of a Pilot-Scale Subsurface Barrier Test Facility
  • Earth Force Reduction by a Synthetic Compressible Inclusion
  • The Effects of Vibration on the Penetration Resistance and Pore Water Pressure in Sands
  • Evaluating the Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil-Bentonite Cutoff Walls
  • Experimental and Analytical Investigations of Piles and Abutments of Integral Bridges
  • Experimental Study of Liquefaction Behavior of Sand
  • Geotechnical Engineering in Piedmont Residual Soils
  • Geotechnical and Environmental Problems with Pyritic Shales
  • The In-Situ Evaluation of Soil Liquefaction Potential Using a Piezovibrocone Penetrometer
  • Investigation of Shear Strength for Pseudo-Static Analysis of Repaired Landslides
  • Laboratory and Field Study of Composite Piles for Bridge Substructures
  • Passive Site Remediation for Liquefaction Risk Mitigation
  • Performance of Improved Ground and Reinforced Soil Systems during Earthquakes — Case Studies and Numerical Analysis
  • Prediction and Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping of Ground Motions and Site Response Due to Varying Local Soil Conditions in Charleston, SC and Two Neighboring Counties: First Phase Development of a GIS for Seismic Hazard Evaluation
  • Quality Control for Ground Improvement
  • Review of Computer Programs for Analysis of Deep Foundations
  • Steady-State Strength Behavior of Interfaces as an Abrasion Process
  • Unique Geological and Geotechnical Factors Associated with Liquefaction of Ancient Beach Deposits in Coastal SC
  • Use of Slug Tests to Assess Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil-Bentonite Cutoff Walls

Structural Engineering and Materials

The Structural Engineering and Materials program offers graduate studies and research opportunities focused on the broad advancement of structural engineering and the built environment. Specific research topics include:

Bridge Engineering Center
Computation Modeling, Materials and Mechanics
Earthquake Engineering
Sustainable Infrastructure Materials
Thin-Walled Structures

Transportation Infrastructure and Systems Engineering

The Transportation Infrastructure and Systems Engineering (TISE) Program of the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech provides unique graduate study and research opportunities. The program includes all aspects of planning, design, construction, operation, management, and rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure and systems.

TISE program is multimodal, with an emphasis on ground transportation by private automobiles and transit, and air transportation. As its name suggests, TISE Program consists of two sub-areas: Infrastructure and Systems.

Interdisciplinary

Civil Infrastructure Engineering

Civil Infrastructure Engineering emphasizes the highly interdisciplinary nature of civil infrastructure projects by drawing on a diverse mix of faculty both within CEE and outside. Projects would systematically address issues of deterioration science, assessment technology, renewal engineering, socio-economic and environmental impact methodologies, and innovative financial vehicles such as privatization, user fees, enterprise zones and independent authorities.

Contact Information:
Dr. Antonio A. Trani, (540) 231-4418, e-mail: vuela@vt.edu

Geoenvironmental Engineering

The geoenvironmental engineering program is jointly offered by the environmental, geotechnical and hydrosystems programs to provide a course of study in waste containment, soil and groundwater remediation, and environmental restoration. The focus is on waste in any phase (solid, liquid, dissolved, vapor, adsorbed to soil) that is in the ground. This includes landfills and uncontained subsurface pollutants and contaminated waste sites.

Contact Information:
Dr. George M. Filz, (540) 231-7151, email: filz@vt.edu, or
Dr. John C. Little, (540) 231-8737, e-mail: jcl@vt.edu or
Dr. Mark A. Widdowson, (540) 231-7153, e-mail: mwiddows@vt.edu