Structural Engineering 2022-2023 Research Highlights

The Structural Engineering 2022-2023 Research Highlights are enclosed. Our highlights encompass more than a year of hard work, research, and discovery. 

Our department is at the forefront of research in civil and geotechnical structures, aerospace structures and composites, structural health monitoring (including nondestructive evaluation), and computational mechanics. Our highlights include a variety of research topics including the testing of the NHERI Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST6) (which recently underwent an upgrade to 6 degrees of freedom with a $16.9 million grant from the NSF), the development of wearable sensors to improve firefighter safety and performance, and the cultivation of algae-based artificial lumber as a next-generation carbon-negative structural material. We also feature our state-of-the-art experimental, computational, and visualization facilities, including the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center, the SRMD Laboratory, and the Powell Laboratories. We wrap up with compelling news such as an alumni-formed start-up aimed at making prosthetics more affordable via personalized scans, digital design, and 3D printing. We embrace the interdisciplinary nature of structural engineering through collaborations amongst engineers, and our research has made direct impacts on standards and practice in the structural, geotechnical, aerospace, and material engineering fields.

Please enjoy our research highlights!

The SE Research Showcase was hosted by the Structural Engineering Department on April 25th, 2023 to highlight the exceptional research conducted by our faculty and students. With research spanning multiple disciplines, faculty shared their most recent research endeavors, covering topics ranging from landslide hazard assessments to advanced protective materials. Graduate students presented their research through poster presentations and engaged with colleagues, faculty, and industry leaders in attendance. The event also provided a networking opportunity, allowing attendees to connect with professionals from companies including CalTrans, CoreBrace, Degenkolb, General Atomics, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Following the showcase, guests attended guided tours of the Caltrans Seismic Response Modification Device (SRMD) Test Facility, the Structural Systems Laboratory (Powell Labs), and the NHERI Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST6) at the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center.

UC San Diego is home to one of the two largest shake tables in the world. The NHERI Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST6) was recently updated with a $16.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) along with an additional $3.4 million of in-kind support from UC San Diego. The upgrade included adding 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) to the table to recreate ground motions more realistically during strong earthquakes. Now, the ground motions include up and down, east to west, north to south, roll, and pitch and yaw. The shake table is located at the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center (ESEC), which is 10 miles east of the main campus.

Recently, a 10-story building known as the Tallwood Project was constructed on LHPOST6. The Tallwood Project is the tallest full-scale building to be tested on an earthquake simulator and is funded by the NSF. On May 9th, 2023, the building was tested with simulations from two catastrophic earthquakes in recent history. The first test replicated the 6.7 magnitude 1994 Northridge earthquake, while the second test recreated the 7.7 magnitude Chi Chi earthquake in 1999 in Taiwan. Throughout the building, more than 800 sensors collected crucial data, which will contribute to the construction of safer buildings and the development of improved design codes. The historic tests have also compiled valuable data on the utilization of mass timber as a construction material for high-rise structures.

New Faculty

Mehran Tehrani recently joined the Structural Engineering Department at UC San Diego as Assistant Professor. Prior to joining UC San Diego, Mehran served as an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin from 2019 to 2022 and at the University of New Mexico from 2014 to 2019. His research focuses on advanced multifunctional composites and lies at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, materials science, and mechanics. The overarching research goal of the Tehrani Group is to significantly expand the knowledge base for designing and manufacturing advanced multifunctional composites, reducing both the cost and energy consumption associated with their manufacture and intended applications.

New Staff

Briana, who earned a B.A. in Anthropology from San Diego State University in 2019, brings extensive experience in office administration to the Structural Engineering team. She decided to join UC San Diego to pursue the diverse opportunities for career development and networking. Outside of work, Briana enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring new local restaurants.

Prior to joining UC San Diego, Leonora was an Office Assistant in the County of San Diego, County Medical Services Contracts office. She also spent several years raising her two daughters, who are now 6 ½ and 11. She worked through TES at UC San Diego for a few short-term assignments with Graduate and Family Housing as a Residential Services Assistant and a Resident Relations Coordinator before joining Structural Engineering as a Faculty Assistant. As a fun fact, Leonora participated in ballet and swimming for many years when she was younger. She’s currently obsessed with space exploration and travel, and is a little bit of a DS9 trekkie. 

Katie joins the Structural Engineering (SE) Department after serving in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department at UC San Diego for 6 years. In her prior roles, Katie served as the Graduate Coordinator for the Program in Materials Science and Engineering (MATS) and oversaw all instructional assistant (IA) positions as the IA Coordinator. She also composed departmental newsletters and drafted process guides for the MAE team. Her current role is split between SE, MAE, and MATS. In her free time, Katie enjoys running, hiking, and savoring a great cup of coffee. 

UC San Diego Ring Ceremony

Graduating undergraduate students in the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego attend the annual Ring Ceremony. At this event, engineers recite the graduation oath to express their commitment to upholding standards of ethics, integrity, and quality as practicing engineers. They also receive a ring to be worn as a symbol of this commitment. Structural Engineering student Naveed Asgharpour was honored with the Department Award for Student Excellence by the Jacobs School of Engineering for his outstanding academic leadership and performance, and his exceptional contributions to university life.

Steel Bridge Competition

UC San Diego hosted the annual Steel Bridge Competition in June 2023, with over 40 university teams from across the country gathering to compete for the highest honors. In order to win, student-led teams were required to build a 20-foot steel bridge that could hold 2,500 pounds. The bridges also have weight restrictions and are judged based on aesthetics. In the competition, students have the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge from the classroom into practice. Structural Engineering Assistant Professor Machel Morrison advises the UC San Diego team, who won second place in bridge stiffness and efficiency, and eighth place overall. The Steel Bridge Competition allows for student growth, professional development, community building, and innovation. 

A good night of sleep is as important as a healthy diet and exercise. 

Most adults need about 7-9 hours of sleep each night. In order to maximize your sleep, try to stick to consistent wake and sleep times, which will align your circadian rhythm. Equally helpful, bright light exposure each day through sunlight or bright lights indoors can increase your energy and will aid in a more fulfilling night of sleep.