Research & Specialties
A summary of research and specialties, including consulting services, spanning strut-and-tie modeling, nonlinear finite element analysis, topology optimization, and structural health monitoring.
Research Interests
Selected Research Projects
Doctoral, funded, and collaborative research spanning 2003 to present
Design and Analysis of Complex D-Regions in Reinforced Concrete Structures
Supported by the Royal Thai Scholarship Program. D-Regions — joints, deep beams, squat walls with openings, footings, and other regions where the plane-sections assumption breaks down — receive limited guidance in most codes of practice. This research improved strut-and-tie (STM) provisions in codes of practice, developed guidelines for selecting STM shape using topology optimization, and built an automated CAST2FEM framework enabling nonlinear FE validation of STM-designed D-Regions directly from a completed design drawing. Published as a book (see Publications) and in ACI Structural Journal, ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, and fib Bulletin.
Automated Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis
Supported by NSF CMS CAREER 0092668, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, and the Royal Thai Scholarship Program. Develops an automated procedure for nonlinear analysis of structural concrete, generating finite element models directly from overall geometry and material properties, and quantifying how different modeling choices affect predicted response — addressing the gap between research-grade FE tools and the needs of practicing engineers.
Strengthening of Structural Concrete Using Optimal Strut-and-Tie Models via Performance-Based Optimization
Supported by the Royal Thai Scholarship Program. Extends Dr. Qing Quan Liang's Performance-Based Optimization (PBO) scheme with a mesh-sensitivity reduction formulation, producing more consistent topology-optimized STM shapes for designing and strengthening D-Regions across different mesh refinement levels.
Study on Upgrading Long-Span Box-Girder Bridges for Logistic Routes
With Dr. Rajwanlop Kumpoopong.
Field and Laboratory Investigations of DOH Bridges Subjected to Traffic and Earthquake Excitations
Investigating enhanced design and strengthening approaches, with Dr. Rajwanlop Kumpoopong.
In-Situ Investigation of Thermal and Live Load Stresses in Tinsulanonda Bridge
Performance evaluation after 27 years of service, with Dr. Rajwanlop Kumpoopong and Mr. Pornchai Silarom.
Seismic Retrofitting of Substructures of Existing DOH Short-Span Bridges
With Dr. Rajwanlop Kumpoopong.