The Pennsylvania State University (2020 - Current)

My research at the Pennsylvania State University aims to develop failure prediction models for air barrier systems used in building envelopes, when subjected to a seismic induced displacement. My responsibilities as a graduate research assistant include:

• Testing full-size timber framed walls under cyclic and monotonic displacement profiles.
• Conducting air leakage tests on full-size timber framed walls.
• Designing appropriate large and small scale test setups.
• Sourcing and purchasing specimen materials and testing equipment.
• Specimen fabrication and test implementation.
• Specimen instrumentation and data analysis.
• Finite Element Modelling.

At North Carolina State University my research investigated a novel timber pile strengthening system. The repair was constructed from fiber reinforced polymers incorporating glass fiber rebar and transverse carbon fiber strips for reinforcement. During the two year experimental program I gained expertise on:

• Conducting material level tests on fiber reinforced polymers following the ASTM Standards.
• Component testing. An extensive component level experimental program was conducted incorporating the latest testing procedures in the field of fiber reinforced polymers used in construction.
• Carbon fiber and glass fiber lamination through hands on implementation.
• Designing and implementing large scale experimental programs. In total 12 full size timber piles were tested in flexure.
• Prototype testing. Testing multiple retrofitted timber pile segments measuring 4ft in height.
• Specimen instrumentation using; strain gauges, linear potentiometers, string potentiometers, linear variable differential transducers (LVDTS) and Optical tracking systems (OptiTrak).
• Data analysis starting from the principles of solid mechanics.

Access my Masters thesis "Repair of Severely Damaged Timber Piles Using GFRP Shells Reinforced with Longitudinal GFRP Rebar and Transverse CF Strips" here