Development of SU/LSU Joint Engineering Research and Education Programs in Materials and Materials Testing

PI: Patrick Carriere, LSUBR

Co-PI: Roger K. Seals, SUBR

New Hires: Khalid Alshibli; Linginb Wang

Abstract

The goal of this proposal is to develop a Southern University/Louisiana State University (SU/LSU) Joint Engineering Research and Educational Program in Materials and Material Testing through the NSF/EPSCoR Joint Faculty Appointment Program. Materials and material testing continue to be critical factors in the planning, design, construction, performance, operation, and maintenance of major infrastructure systems. A major and current infrastructure challenge is urban renewal in the context of sustainable development. New paradigms are being established which are changing the relationship between public infrastructure agencies and contractors that will require the development of new testing methods for quality assurance and performance assessment to support the `warranty specification' approach. This proposal recommends the establishment of a faculty pair at Louisiana State University and Southern University to develop an area of expertise, in collaboration with the existing faculty in these institutions, for the evaluation of construction materials and the development of in situ testing techniques for site investigation, quality assurance and performance assessment. The faculty pair will enhance existing research capabilities in the areas of geotechnical and transportation materials engineering and extend into new areas such as non destructive testing and construction process quality control. Because of the need for this enhanced research capability , Louisiana Transportation Research Center-LTRC (a cooperative undertaking between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development-LDOTD and LSU) has pledged to provide two months of summer support each year for each of the PA's, over a three-year period, in specific research projects. This represents a cash contribution of the order of $90,000. A commitment of collaboration was also provided by the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University. The investigators are confident that the program will be a successful national model of how a HBCU and a majority white institution can jointly develop faculty and research.

This project will further support collaboration between SU and LSU , allow new research initiatives to be developed, provide the enhancement of faculty, equipment resources and focused technical expertise to establish a nationally competitive research group. The expanded teaching capacity will enhance opportunities for graduates of either university to pursue studies in the specialty areas. The mentors are one department chairman, four senior faculty members, and the Director of LTRC. The mentors are involved in both education and research at their respective institutions. The Paired Appointees (PA's) will each serve in a half time, tenure-track position in each of the two cooperating institutions. With the start-up package provided by this program and the special research opportunities, nationally outstanding faculty will be recruited in the indicated research areas. Their teaching assignments will be set to be commensurate with their research involvement and involvement in all departmental activities of both institutions. With the mentors' assistance, the PA's will co-advise graduate students and participate in the development of research programs and facilities. The mentors are dedicated to the research and educational goals of this program.