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
    

    Chris Pantelides in his office with a piece of mass timber.

    izing energy dissipation. Read more.

• 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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Geothermal energy offers a sustainable way to power homes and industries by harnessing the Earth’s heat. However, extracting this energy from deep, hot dry rock layers presents unique challenges, such as maintaining permeable channels—or fractures—within high-temperature, high-pressure, high-stress environments.

The fractures in geothermal reservoirs allow fluids to flow through the reservoir and carry the heat to the surface, where electricity is generated. Sand-like particles, also known as proppants, are usually injected into the fractures to keep them permeable. However, the extreme high-stress and high-temperature conditions at the deep geothermal reservoirs deform and crush the proppant particles, which means lost permeability of the fracture network.

As the demand for geothermal energy rises, these challenges pose increasing obstacles, often hindering clean energy efforts.

Hydraulic fracturing in naturally-fractured rocks for enhanced geothermal energy.

Dr. Shahrzad Roshankhah, an Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, along with her Ph.D. student Ayat Alasadi, is tackling these challenges with her innovative modeling approach. She and her collaborators were recently awarded a $4 million research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop and test “proppants”—small, sand-like particles that should keep fractures permeable while withstanding the harsh conditions found in geothermal reservoirs.

This award will fund a groundbreaking (literally) study focused on improving geothermal energy extraction with these advanced materials.

A New Type of Proppant with Dual Functionality

Proppants, traditionally used to “prop” open fractures in the unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, are critical for enhanced geothermal energy production as well. Supported by the recent DOE grant, Dr. Roshankhah and her collaborators at the University of Oklahoma, Louisianna State University, and Hotrock Energy Research will be developing a special type of tagged proppant that not only maintains fracture permeability but also provides data for monitoring reservoir conditions.

These new proppants are designed to withstand temperatures up to 250°C (482°F) and pressures as high as 70 MPa (over 10,000 psi). By tagging these particles with electromagnetic-sensitive materials, this team enables them to function as diagnostic tools, offering insights into how fluids and heat move within the reservoir. This dual functionality will equip operators with valuable data on reservoir characteristics and performance over time.

Study THCM effects on the particle crush resistance.

At the University of Utah, Dr. Roshankhah’s team leads the simulation phase of this project, using advanced numerical models to predict how these proppants will behave under high-stress, high-temperature conditions. These simulations explore the proppants’ resilience against crushing and their ability to maintain permeability—essential for the flow of fluids through fractures. By combining laboratory experiments, simulations, and field testing, the research team aims to build a comprehensive understanding of how these proppants can optimize enhanced geothermal energy systems.

The final phase of the project includes field testing by Hotrock Energy Research at Utah’s Forge site, a key research facility for geothermal technology development.

Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy Solutions

By enhancing geothermal reservoir efficiency and enabling better monitoring of reservoir conditions, Dr. Roshankhah’s research has the potential to make geothermal energy a more reliable and widely accessible renewable energy source.

Dr. Shahrzad Roshankhah

Ayat Alasadi. Ph.D. student

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Civil & Environmental Engineering Professors to Support $3M U.S. Department of Transportation Grant

Dr. Nikola Markovich and Dr. Abbas Rashidi, professors in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department (CvEEN) at the University of Utah, are part of a consortium awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Their portion of the funding will be approximately $500,000. The two CvEEN professors’ combined expertise in machine vision (MV), artificial intelligence (AI), and optimization algorithms (OA) will be integral to the success of the DOT initiative.

On September 30, 2024, the DOT announced $2.97 million in funding for the establishment of the Mobility Equity Research Center at Florida A&M University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). This new center, named ACCESS-M (Advancing Community-Centric Equitable Systems and Solutions in Mobility), aims to support the department’s mission of expanding accessibility and mobility for underserved populations, including people with disabilities, older adults, Tribal Nations, and rural and disadvantaged communities.

ACCESS-M will spearhead research and develop technologies to enhance transportation and infrastructure in historically underserved communities. The center’s research approach is built on three core pillars: policy, technology, and operations. Drs. Markovich and Rashidi will help to bridge technology and operations pillars by using MV, AI, and OA to improve the mobility of goods and people as well as the related infrastructure.

In collaboration with partner institutions—including Arizona State University, Florida State University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Utah—ACCESS-M will drive transportation research and solutions that improve mobility equity nationwide.

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Earthquake-proofing Mass Timber Buildings

Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN) professor Dr. Chris Pantelides‘s research is revolutionizing wood construction.

Sitting in his office in the Meldrum Civil Engineering Building, Dr. Pantelides holds up a block of composite wood, about 12 inches long and 10 inches wide, and smiles.

“What you’re looking at here is the future,” he says.

The deceptively simple piece of lumber is an example of “mass timber” technology, a category of “engineered wood product” set to revolutionize the construction industry. Pantelides has spent the last seven years developing it.

Chris Pantelides in his office with a piece of mass timber.

On the desk before him, amongst other pieces of wood and long metal dowels, sits his latest research paper, titled “Design and Cyclic Experiments of a Mass Timber Frame with a Timber Buckling Restrained Brace.”

The paper, authored by Pantelides, his grad student Emily Williamson, and industry researchers Hans-Erik Blomgren of Timberland, and Douglas Rammer of Forest Products Laboratory, was recently published in the Journal of Structural Engineering. It explores the best ways to build a Buckling Restrained Brace — a type of building support that protects against earthquake damage — with mass timber.

As a construction technique, mass timber is defined by its use of columns, beams, and boards made not of a single piece of wood, but of multiple wood layers or pieces tightly bound together. Mass timber wood products, as well as their production process, have a number of advantages, environmental and structural, over the usual building materials.

“The timber that we’re talking about, it’s very strong. It can take the place of steel or concrete in many building frames, but it’s much lighter,” Pantelides explains. “A mass timber building is one quarter the weight of a concrete building too, requiring a much smaller foundation.”

Thanks to its super-compressed makeup, mass timber is effectively fireproof as well, resistant to moisture damage, and highly durable.
On top of that, with today’s sustainable forestry techniques, using wood is more sustainable and “renewable” than ever.

“It takes only seven seconds for European forests to grow enough timber required for a three bedroom apartment,” Pantelides explains.

Whereas concrete and steel production is highly carbon intensive, every ton of timber grown sequesters 1.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A mass timber building could be 25% faster to build compared to a concrete building, which significantly lowers construction emissions and costs.

Yet despite all this, steel is still the go to for tall buildings, especially in areas with high risk of earthquakes or hurricanes; steel’s ability to bend and not break under pressure is key. Maintaining a building’s structural integrity relies on a deep understanding of such properties — an understanding we don’t have with the generally stiffer mass timber. This is where Pantelides’ research comes in.

With its varied compositions, mass timber is far from one-size fits all; the type of wood used, the size and shape of the wood particles, how they’re stuck together, or even whether individual layers are stacked parallel or perpendicular to each other will greatly influence how the finished product reacts under stress.

Since he first started investigating mass timber, Pantelides has been troubleshooting and experimenting with different “recipes,” eventually arriving at one that calls for shaving dark fir wood into chips, tightly compressing the chips together into planks or boards, and then laminating those layers together with ultra-strong glue. The resulting plywood can then be securely fastened to other pieces of wood with joints made of steel dowels and plates.

Using this formula, Pantelides and his team began to experiment with mass timber versions of earthquake-resistant architectural elements, including the Timber Buckling Restrained Brace (T-BRB) — the focus of Pantelides’ most recent publication.

He and his grad student Emily Williamson developed several different configurations of this brace in CvEEN’s structural engineering lab, using an actuator that applied horizontal forces equivalent to a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, for nine tests in total. Sensors recorded how different elements warped or shifted as the tests progressed, allowing the team to hone in on an ideal design.

A T-BRB/ Mass Timber Frame configuration sits within the metal actuator, where it will be exposed to shaking equivalent to a magnitude 7 earthquake.

The results of Pantelides’ research will be invaluable in accelerating the use of mass timber construction, allowing it to become tougher and taller.

Mass timber is expected to proliferate in even earthquake- and hurricane-prone areas, responding to the increased demand for more sustainable construction materials. The most recent version of the International Building Code, the central set of building regulations in the US, included a construction type that allows the use of mass timber in buildings up to 18 stories. A 25-story-tall hybrid mass timber and concrete building, the new world record, was just built in Wisconsin.

“I think in the next 20 years, there won’t be many buildings less than 12 stories or maybe even 18 stories built with steel and concrete. It just won’t be feasible anymore. In the near future we will even see skyscrapers, over 50 stories tall, that are built using mass timber.”

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The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the nation’s oldest engineering society, has been supporting Civil & Environmental Engineering students at the University of Utah since 1924. For a century, the ASCE Student Chapter has been providing students with invaluable opportunities outside the classroom, preparing them for successful professional careers.

On Thursday, September 16, 2024, the chapter celebrated its 100th anniversary by hosting a banquet with distinguished guests, including Feniosky Peña Mora, ASCE national president-elect, and Larry Magura, ASCE Region 8 director. Several notable department alumni also attended, including Blaine Leonard, former chapter president and ASCE past president, as well as Anna Lisonbee and Austin White, who revitalized the chapter in 2017. Easton Hopkins, who continued their legacy, was also present.

Dr. Christine Pomeroy, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and the chapter’s faculty advisor since 2015, shared insights into the chapter’s history during the event. She reflected on the chapter’s beginnings in 1924, just 21 years after the Civil Engineering Department was founded. Despite changes over the decades, the chapter has remained committed to advancing civil engineering and fostering professional growth.

Throughout its history, the chapter has achieved numerous accolades. From 1995 to 1997, the U dominated the Rocky Mountain Region’s concrete canoe competition, earning top awards in subsequent years. The chapter has consistently been recognized as one of the top 5% of ASCE student chapters, particularly during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. They also excelled in steel bridge competitions, with first-place finishes from 1999 to 2001 and third place in 2016.

“As we reflect on our history, we feel a deep sense of pride in the accomplishments of our members,” said Dr. Pomeroy at the banquet. “As civil engineers, we have the unique opportunity to shape the world around us,” continued Dr. Pomeroy. “Our work has the power to improve lives, build communities, and create a sustainable future.”

Recent achievements include winning the Timber Strong competition in 2022, marking the first year of ASCE’s new student conferences. The chapter also took second place in this year’s Construction Competition and student Erik Bond secured second place in the Ethics Paper Contest. Additionally, Summer Stevens won the prestigious Mead Paper contest in 2022.

This year, the chapter was honored with the Region 8 Outstanding Student Chapter award, a recognition they’ve strived for since 2018. As the ASCE Student Chapter celebrates this remarkable milestone, it does so with pride in its past and optimism for its future.

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Civil Engineering Student Sayal Shrestha Earns Honors at National Symposium

In early 2024, Ph.D. student Sayal Shrestha was awarded funding by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Intermountain Chapter to further his research in concrete and structural engineering. The funds supported his participation in the TriDurLE Annual Symposium 2024, held at the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center, College Station, TX. The symposium, themed “Advancements in Transportation Infrastructure: Durability, Sustainability, and Resilience,” brought together leading industry professionals and academics.

At the symposium, Sayal presented his research through a poster titled “Experimental Performance and Analysis of Corroded Precast Concrete Columns Repaired with CFRP Shell and Headed Steel Bars.” His work focuses on investigating the repair of corroded concrete columns using advanced materials, contributing to innovations in concrete rehabilitation techniques. His poster earned him one of the prizes in the “Poster and Student Solutions Driven Competitions” category.

“The symposium was an invaluable opportunity to engage with experts in the field of concrete durability and structural engineering,” Sayal shared.

Sayal, under the mentorship of Civil & Environmental Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Chris Pantelides, continues to push the boundaries of structural engineering research by improving concrete resilience.

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Dr. Abbas Rashidi’s Role in Groundbreaking NSF Research 

The intersection of technology and education is creating new possibilities for learning, and at the forefront of this transformation is a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Abbas Rashidi, an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, is playing a key role in a $900,000 collaborative research initiative titled “An AI-Enhanced System to Integrate Unstructured Observations with Formal Engineering Education.” 

Supplementing Learning with AI 

 A joint effort with Stevens Institute of Technology and Mississippi State University, the project aims to bridge the gap between real-world observations and formal engineering education. Civil and construction engineering students often encounter various components—such as structural elements, materials, and equipment—in their everyday environments. These spontaneous observations have the potential to enhance learning, but without expert guidance, students may struggle to connect these real-world experiences with their academic knowledge. 

Dr. Rashidi and his collaborators are addressing this challenge by developing an AI-driven mobile app designed to act as an on-demand educator. This application will allow students to use their smartphones to analyze and learn from construction projects they encounter in their daily lives or during site visits. 

The app will use Enhanced Observation Guidance to directs students’ attention to key construction components and provide real-time explanations of what they’re seeing. 

It will then link these observations to the students’ formal coursework and educational materials available on web-based platforms. Additionally, the app-to-web interface system will be able to generate detailed reports on students’ observations and performance, offering instructors valuable insights to tailor course activities. 

Innovative Technology at Work 

The AI-enhanced learning system will be built on Activity Learning Theory, which emphasizes the role of sensory, mental, and physical activities in the learning process. Dr. Rashidi’s critical role in creating the platform will be the development of the novel hybrid image-audio processing system, which will integrate imagery and audio data to recognize and classify construction components with greater accuracy. 

The innovative audio processing and signal source separation algorithms will eliminate the need for multiple microphones by enabling a single smartphone to capture and analyze audio signals from up to 100 feet away. 

By harnessing the power of AI, this research involved in this project aims to provide students with a more interactive and effective learning experience, ultimately preparing them for the complexities of the modern engineering landscape. 

Broad Implications for Education 

The impact of this AI-enhanced learning platform extends beyond construction engineering. While the initial focus is on this field, the methods and technologies developed can be adapted for use in other disciplines.  

Specifically, researchers on this project are designing the app with accessibility in mind, featuring color palettes for users with color vision deficiency, subtitles and audio narrations to ensure an inclusive learning experience—foundations which will be key to the development of similar AI-driven education tools in other fields of study. 

We look forward to seeing the transformative impact of this project and the continued contributions of Dr. Rashidi and his collaborators to the future of engineering education.  

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Incorporating physical principles into machine learning models unlocks new levels of precision in landslide prediction 

Landslides pose a significant natural hazard, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and loss of life. Traditional methods for predicting landslides often fall short due to the complex nature of terrain and the uneven distribution of landslide data. 

To tackle these challenges, researchers have utilized the Physics-Guided Machine Learning (PGML) framework. This innovative method, recently published in Acta Geotechnica by Dr. Tong Qiu, Professor and Department Chair of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah, and Dr. Te Pei, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the City University of New York, enhances the accuracy and reliability of machine learning (ML) models for landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM). 

ML models typically rely on large datasets to identify patterns and make accurate predictions. However, when data is scarce or unevenly distributed, traditional ML models can yield inconsistent results that don’t align with physical laws or established knowledge of landslide behavior. The PGML framework addresses this issue by integrating physical principles—specifically, knowledge of landslide mechanics—into the ML models, resulting in predictions that are both data-driven and physically consistent. 

The study tested the PGML framework using data from over a thousand debris flows triggered by a storm event in Colorado’s Front Range. Researchers employed the “infinite slope model,” a standard method in landslide analysis, to calculate the factor of safety—a measure of a slope’s likelihood to fail. This factor was then used to guide the ML model’s predictions, ensuring they remained grounded in physical reality. 

The PGML framework’s performance was evaluated across different geographic regions with varying ecological and terrain characteristics. The results showed that while traditional ML models often produced unrealistic predictions, the PGML approach significantly improved the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of predictions across diverse regions. 

By integrating physical laws into machine learning models, the PGML framework not only enhances our ability to predict landslides more reliably but also sets a new standard for how machine learning can be applied elsewhere in geotechnical engineering research, as well as other complex geological systems. 

Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Utah

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Fighting Forever Chemicals

Posted: September 3, 2024

Dr. Ramesh Goel Leads $1.6M EPA Research on PFAS Known as “forever chemicals,” per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and firefighting foams. Their resistance to degradation combined with their potential to accumulate in […]

PhD Student Omar Bakelli Completes RECS 2024 Program

Posted: August 7, 2024

Bakelli’s Participation Propels Him into the Forefront of Carbon Sequestration Research University of Utah PhD student Omar Bakelli recently participated in the 20th annual Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) program, held from July 21-30, 2024, across Colorado and Wyoming. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), RECS 2024 provided an immersive experience for […]

From Classroom Concepts to Real-World Impact

Posted: July 17, 2024

Dr. Weidhaas Champions Local Solutions for Water Reclamation in Arid Utah On June 18, 2024, Environmental Engineering Professor Dr. Jennifer Weidhaas shared her insights and experiences with the groundbreaking PureSojo project as part of the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow. This innovative initiative, developed in collaboration with the City of South Jordan, represents a significant leap […]

Nanobubbles: Tiny Powerhouses with Huge Potential

Posted: June 20, 2024

University of Utah Environmental Engineering Professor is at the Forefront of New Nanobubble Technology Peculiarly powerful, nanobubbles have opened a new frontier in science and engineering, creating promising environmental and medical applications. But what exactly is a nanobubble? Imagine a tiny water bubble that’s 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. Then imagine […]

Dr. Ramesh Goel Leads $1.6M EPA Research on PFAS

Known as “forever chemicals,” per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and firefighting foams. Their resistance to degradation combined with their potential to accumulate in living organisms has raised significant concerns about their impact on human health and the environment. While significant progress has been made in understanding PFAS, we are still unraveling the dangers they pose, including their environmental impact.

As PFAS contamination through land applied biosolids and their plant uptake continues to escalate risks to both environmental and public health, Dr. Ramesh Goel‘s groundbreaking research will be tackling this critical issue head-on, supported by a nearly $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This project — one of ten grants awarded nationwide to address the PFAS crisis in agricultural, rural, and tribal communities — underscores the University of Utah’s dedication to tackling critical challenges that affect the region.

 An Urgent Concern 

PFAS chemicals in municipal wastewater has become a pressing environmental issue. Current treatment methods at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are largely ineffective at removing or fully degrading PFAS, leading to their presence in biosolids. Biosolids, the nutrient-rich organic material generated from sewage treatment, are commonly used as fertilizers in agriculture. It is estimated that between 2,749 to 3,450 kilograms of total PFAS are present in the biosolids produced in the U.S., with half of these chemicals entering agricultural soils. In 2019, approximately 4.5 million dry tons of biosolids were generated by municipal WWTPs in the U.S., and around 2.44 million dry metric tons were applied to land.

This recent set of EPA grants is focused on developing a better understanding of “bioaccumulation,” or how pollutants like PFAS can become more concentrated in plants and animals that grow or graze on polluted ground.

A Comprehensive Approach

To address the diverse range of expertise needed and the extensive methodologies, Goel’s project brings together six researchers from different institutions, alongside industrial partners and agricultural stakeholders, to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to combatting this critical environmental issue.

The project’s collaborative action plan will lead investigations into how PFAS behave during wastewater treatment and ultimately accumulate in biosolids. By understanding these processes, Dr. Goel’s project aims to develop effective strategies to minimize the risks associated with PFAS in agricultural environments, protecting both the food supply and the health of farming communities.

The research will employ a variety of methods, including full-scale WWTP sampling, field experiments to study PFAS uptake in plants under different cover crop scenarios, and lab-scale tests on plant uptake of toxic PFAS. Additionally, the project will explore the use of modified biochar as a potential mitigation strategy.

A robust community engagement plan is also a key component of the project. This plan aims to share knowledge and findings with industrial partners, agricultural extension agents, utilities, and the public, ensuring that the research has a broad impact.

Dr. Ramesh Goel, right, and PhD student Anjan Goswami, left, perform PFAS extraction from soil and biosolids.

Setting the Stage in PFAS Management

The anticipated outcomes of this research include a deeper understanding of the relationship between WWTP processes and PFAS partitioning, the development of standard operating procedures for studying PFAS in agricultural soils and plants, identification of potential mitigation strategies to reduce PFAS contamination in agricultural systems, and educational outreach through workshops and surveys to disseminate knowledge and best practices.

Running through 2027, this groundbreaking research is poised to offer invaluable insights into the behavior of PFAS in the environment and contribute to the development of effective strategies to safeguard public health and the environment. Dr. Goel’s leadership as the Principal Investigator of this project highlights his expertise and commitment to environmental research.

PFAS analytical method development based on EPA 1633.

Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah

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PhD Student Omar Bakelli Completes RECS 2024 Program

Posted: August 7, 2024

Bakelli’s Participation Propels Him into the Forefront of Carbon Sequestration Research University of Utah PhD student Omar Bakelli recently participated in the 20th annual Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) program, held from July 21-30, 2024, across Colorado and Wyoming. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), RECS 2024 provided an immersive experience for […]

U Grad Breaking Boundaries in Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted: July 30, 2024

Innovative Alzheimer’s Treatment Developed at the U Featured in Journal of Nuclear Medicine Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating brain disorder with limited treatment options, has long challenged researchers. Specifically, researchers have struggled with slowing the buildup of amyloid beta plaques, harmful clumps in the brain that exacerbate the disease by damaging brain cells and causing memory […]

From Classroom Concepts to Real-World Impact

Posted: July 17, 2024

Dr. Weidhaas Champions Local Solutions for Water Reclamation in Arid Utah On June 18, 2024, Environmental Engineering Professor Dr. Jennifer Weidhaas shared her insights and experiences with the groundbreaking PureSojo project as part of the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow. This innovative initiative, developed in collaboration with the City of South Jordan, represents a significant leap […]

Nanobubbles: Tiny Powerhouses with Huge Potential

Posted: June 20, 2024

University of Utah Environmental Engineering Professor is at the Forefront of New Nanobubble Technology Peculiarly powerful, nanobubbles have opened a new frontier in science and engineering, creating promising environmental and medical applications. But what exactly is a nanobubble? Imagine a tiny water bubble that’s 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. Then imagine […]

From Airports to Highways: Dr. Markovich’s Impact on Utah’s Infrastructure

The efficiency of our transportation systems is crucial to our increasingly fast-paced world. From ensuring planes land safely to optimizing traffic flow and managing snowstorms, transportation engineering is at the heart of keeping our lives on track.

At the University of Utah, Dr. Nikola Markovich is using cutting-edge data science techniques to innovate and improve a wide array of infrastructure to keep our communities moving smoothly and safely.

Backed by funding from UDOT and in collaboration with fellow Civil & Environmental Engineering Professors, three of his recent projects are optimizing resources, improving efficiencies, and saving the state millions.

Revolutionizing Aircraft Operation Tracking

Conducted with Associate Professor Dr. Abbas Rashidi, one of Dr. Markovich’s key projects addresses a significant issue in airport operations. Many airports, particularly smaller ones, lack proper air traffic control towers, which hinders their ability to accurately track aircraft operations. This deficiency impacts the allocation of funding, as well as the monitoring of emissions and noise pollution.

To combat this, Drs. Markovich and Rashidi developed an innovative solution: an algorithm and hardware system that utilizes cameras to track aircraft, even capturing tail numbers—unique identifiers of individual planes. This system has been implemented at several airports across Utah, including Bountiful, Brigham City Municipal, Spanish Fork, Heber City, and Logan-Cache. When scaled nationally, this technology could revolutionize how airports manage operations and receive funding, leading to more equitable and efficient outcomes.

Enhancing Traffic Flow on I-15

In another UDOT-funded project, Dr. Markovich tackled the challenge of improving traffic monitoring at metered ramps on I-15. Traditional traffic sensors, embedded in the pavement, are costly to replace, prone to failure, and struggle to accurately measure traffic volume during heavy congestion.

Dr. Markovich’s solution, once again developed with Dr. Rashidi, involved repurposing existing traffic cameras and applying advanced computer vision techniques to enhance monitoring accuracy. His team developed a detection model that uses video footage to create bounding boxes around vehicles, allowing for precise estimation of queue lengths and traffic flow per lane. This innovative approach not only improves traffic management but also reduces the need for costly sensor replacements. The principles behind this work, such as queuing theory, python programming, and shockwave theory, are at the center of the curriculum Dr. Markovich delivers to his students.

Optimizing Snowplow Operations

Adverse weather conditions are another challenge for transportation systems, especially in the state of Utah. Dr. Markovich teamed up with fellow Transportation Engineering Professor Dr. Cathy Liu to address the strain on UDOT’s snowplow teams caused by the state’s extreme amount of snowfall.

In a project aimed at improving the efficiency of snowplow operations, his analysis and optimization efforts led to significant cost savings—approximately $4 million annually, or about $161,000 per snowstorm. By analyzing fleet composition, road networks, and truck movements through data visualization and analytics, Dr. Markovich was able to redesign UDOT’s snowplow routes, minimizing time and distance traveled while reducing delays.

These methodologies, including linear programming and vehicle routing algorithms, are also central to the education he provides, equipping students with the tools to address the challenges they’ll face in the workforce.

Engineering a Smarter Future

In addition to his research, Dr. Markovich is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring PhD students in Transportation Engineering. As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, guiding the next generation of engineers is integral to his work. Many of his PhD students collaborate with him on projects like those highlighted above, gaining invaluable experience and contributing to innovative solutions in the field.

Transportation Engineering at the University of Utah

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More news from our department:

PhD Student Omar Bakelli Completes RECS 2024 Program

Posted: August 7, 2024

Bakelli’s Participation Propels Him into the Forefront of Carbon Sequestration Research University of Utah PhD student Omar Bakelli recently participated in the 20th annual Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) program, held from July 21-30, 2024, across Colorado and Wyoming. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), RECS 2024 provided an immersive experience for […]

U Grad Breaking Boundaries in Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted: July 30, 2024

Innovative Alzheimer’s Treatment Developed at the U Featured in Journal of Nuclear Medicine Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating brain disorder with limited treatment options, has long challenged researchers. Specifically, researchers have struggled with slowing the buildup of amyloid beta plaques, harmful clumps in the brain that exacerbate the disease by damaging brain cells and causing memory […]

From Classroom Concepts to Real-World Impact

Posted: July 17, 2024

Dr. Weidhaas Champions Local Solutions for Water Reclamation in Arid Utah On June 18, 2024, Environmental Engineering Professor Dr. Jennifer Weidhaas shared her insights and experiences with the groundbreaking PureSojo project as part of the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow. This innovative initiative, developed in collaboration with the City of South Jordan, represents a significant leap […]

Nanobubbles: Tiny Powerhouses with Huge Potential

Posted: June 20, 2024

University of Utah Environmental Engineering Professor is at the Forefront of New Nanobubble Technology Peculiarly powerful, nanobubbles have opened a new frontier in science and engineering, creating promising environmental and medical applications. But what exactly is a nanobubble? Imagine a tiny water bubble that’s 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. Then imagine […]