Blending Visionary Research with Student Success in Structural Engineering
Dr. Chris Pantelides has served as a structural engineering professor at the University of Utah for 33 years. In that time, he has built a state-of-the-art structural engineering lab in the Layton Engineering Building, received numerous honors and distinctions from leading engineering societies, and graduated 20 Ph.D. students. Additionally, Pantelides has consistently been a leader in driving groundbreaking research in structural engineering, seismic retrofit with fiber reinforced polymer composites, accelerated bridge construction, and mass timber construction.
Notably, Pantelides’ research is focused on building a better future by increasing the resilience and sustainability of future infrastructure, reducing environment impacts of construction, and improving user safety in an increasingly climate-impacted world.
Yet above all his achievements, Pantelides is deeply committed to mentoring his graduate students, dedicating extensive time to guiding them through hands-on research in the structure’s lab. This commitment recently culminated in four co-authored publications with different Ph.D. students in four prestigious journals, all since July 2024:
Recent Co-authored Publications
- Journal of Structural Engineering
- “Nonlinear Models of Multistory Timber Frames with Timber Buckling-Restrained Braces” with former Ph.D. student Dr. Emily Williamson. This study develops a seismic-resistant mass timber model, using the OpenSees framework to simulate an eight-story braced frame under earthquake loads, advancing mass timber as a primary building material in structural engineering. Read more.
- Journal of Bridge Engineering
- “Seismic Performance of Self-Centering Post-Tensioned Concrete Columns Reinforced with Steel–GFRP Bars and GFRP Spirals” with Ph.D. student Duc Q. Tran. This research introduces a hybrid bridge column reinforcement using steel and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars to enhance seismic resilience and longevity, especially in corrosive environments. Read more.
- Engineering Structures
- “Hybrid Bridge Bent Using Stretch Length Anchors with Post-Tensioning and Shear Key Alternatives” with Suman Neupane, current Ph.D. student. This paper presents self-centering bridge bents using post-tensioning and stretch length anchors, which improve seismic performance by reducing residual drift and maxim
izing energy dissipation. Read more.
- “Hybrid Bridge Bent Using Stretch Length Anchors with Post-Tensioning and Shear Key Alternatives” with Suman Neupane, current Ph.D. student. This paper presents self-centering bridge bents using post-tensioning and stretch length anchors, which improve seismic performance by reducing residual drift and maxim
- ACI Structural Journal
- “Seismic Performance of Corroded Precast Reinforced Concrete Columns with Intentional Debonding” with Ph.D. student Sayal Shrestha. This study examines corrosion’s impact on the seismic resilience of reinforced concrete bridge columns, providing insights crucial for bridge construction in seismic regions. Read more.
From innovative hybrid materials and self-centering bridge designs to new modeling techniques for mass timber structures, the work produced by Dr. Pantelides and his students will contribute to safer, more durable construction in seismic regions, paving the way for accelerated construction practices and environmentally friendly building solutions.
Beyond his role as a mentor, Dr. Pantelides is a recognized leader in structural earthquake engineering, particularly for advancing mass timber construction. In July 2024, he shared his expertise at the World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Milan, Italy, presenting two papers that underscore his commitment to both student development and the future of structural engineering. Through his leadership, Dr. Pantelides not only drives innovation in structural engineering but also inspires and empowers the next generation of engineers to never stop creating a more resilient future.
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