About Us
The mission of the Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials (SEMM) Program at The University of Texas at Austin is excellence in engineering education, research and professional service. 
Research
Passive Sensors for Monitoring Corrosion in Concrete Structures
A passive sensor platform is being developed to detect corrosion initiation within concrete. The sensor is designed to be embedded in concrete during construction and interrogated during scheduled inspections. The innovative design provides a low-cost, wireless and battery-free alternative for corrosion monitoring.
Research
Test on very deep reinforced concrete beam
The strength and serviceability of bridge bent caps is being studied by researchers at Ferguson Laboratory for the Texas Department of Transportation. The experimental program included tests on some of the largest reinforced concrete deep beams in the history of shear research.
Research
Dynamics and extreme loads for a floating offshore wind turbine
Lance Manuel and his students are using simulation studies to study the coupled motion of a floating spar buoy platform supporting a wind turbine in deep waters. They are examining dynamic characteristics of the structural system as well as long-term extreme loads and motions.
Research
Testing the coefficient of friction of a pavement made with manufactured sand
Due to the decreasing availability of natural sands in some parts of the state, manufactured sands are being considered as an alternative for pavements. CMRG is researching methods to use manufactured sands that have been known to cause skid problems.
Research
Bolted beam end connections are being tested at elevated temperature to support structural-fire engineering design models.
Research
Structural components subjected to severe blast loads
SEMM researchers study the response of structural components subjected to severe blast loads to develop protection strategies and to improve overall performance. Research is carried out on large-scale specimens and through computational simulation.
Research
Wireless sensors monitor highway bridges
Real-time monitoring systems can be used to track behavior and detect damage in structures. A wireless monitoring system is being developed under a NIST sponsored project for highway bridges that will be capable of supporting multiple sensors and sufficient computing power to process sensor data.
Research
Skewed steel girder bridge tested at Ferguson Laboratory.
Large scale tests and finite element models are being used to study the effect of cross-frame connection details on the buckling strength of steel girders in skewed bridges for Texas Department of Transportation sponsored research project.
Research
End region detailing of prestressed beams
The behavior of full-scale box beams and U-beams is being studied at Ferguson Laboratory. The results of the experimental research will be used to optimize and simplify the end region detailing of prestressed concrete beams with end blocks.
Research
Full-scale testing under severe loading conditions to evaluate bridge redundancy
Through experimental evaluation and computational simulation of a full-scale bridge, SEMM researchers assess structural performance to determine the bridge's capacity under simulated rapid failure conditions.
Research
Studies on the structural behavior of wood piles used in coastal residential construction
Studies are underway to understand the structural behavior of wood piles used in coastal residential construction. This includes beam-column behavior of the piles and their interaction with sandy soils. The objective is to merge this behavior into more rational design procedures.
Research
Computer graphic of 3-story building for shaking table test
A multi-university team, including researchers from Ferguson Laboratory, will test a 3-story full scale building on a shaking table at UC San Diego. This NIST sponsored project is developing the fundamental basis for displacement-based seismic design of masonry structures.
Research
Graduate students after successful field instrumentation project
Researchers from Ferguson Laboratory are studying cracking in precast, prestressed concrete bridge decks in a project sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation. The research includes installation of electronic sensors in panels.
Research
Test on bridge girder strengthened with CFRP
Ferguson Laboratory researchers are studying the feasibility of using carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets for shear strengthening of large bridge girders in a project funded by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Research
High-resolution visual strain measurement system
Researchers at Ferguson Laboratory are developing a visual strain measurement system capable of capturing entire strain fields at high-resolution both before and after cracking of concrete members.
Research
Fire and structural collapse at TU Delft
Fire and subsequent structural collapse at the Faculty of Architecure Building at the Technical Unioversity at Delft is being studied under NSF funding by SEMM researchers as part of an international research team.
Research
Stability of curved girder brides critical during erection
The stabilty of curved I-girder bridges during erection is being studied by Ferguson Laboratory researchers. The research includes field instrumentation and monitoring, finite element simualtions, and development of software to assess bridge safety during construction.
People
Oguzhan Bayrak
Behavior, analysis, and design of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures
Michael Engelhardt
Design and behavior of steel structures
Raissa Ferron
Rheology; Characterization of fresh concrete micro/nano-structure
Kevin Folliard
Portland cement concrete; Concrete durability
David Fowler
Polymer-concrete materials; Concrete aggregates; Forensic engineering
Wassim Ghannoum
Design and behavior of reinforced concrete structures
Todd Helwig
Design and behavior of steel structures; Structural stability; Steel bridges
James Jirsa
Design and behavior of reinforced concrete structures
Maria Juenger
Hydration chemistry and microstructural characterization of portland cement and related materials
Loukas Kallivokas
Computational mechanics; Inverse problems
Richard Klingner
Experimental and analytical investigation of the response of masonry and reinforced concrete structures
Lance Manuel
Structural reliability; Structural dynamics and random vibrations
John Tassoulas
Structural mechanics; Constitutive equations of materials
Dan Wheat
Behavior, design and mathematical modeling of wood structural systems
Eric Williamson
Dynamic response of structures, including applications to blast-resistant design and seismic-resistant design
Sharon Wood
Design and behavior of reinforced concrete structures
Jinying Zhu
Non-destructive testing of concrete structures, pavements, and deep foundations
-
Oguzhan Bayrak
Behavior, analysis, and design of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures
-
Michael Engelhardt
Design and behavior of steel structures
-
Raissa Ferron
Rheology; Characterization of fresh concrete micro/nano-structure
-
Kevin Folliard
Portland cement concrete; Concrete durability
-
David Fowler
Polymer-concrete materials; Concrete aggregates; Forensic engineering
-
Wassim Ghannoum
Design and behavior of reinforced concrete structures
-
Todd Helwig
Design and behavior of steel structures; Structural stability; Steel bridges
-
James Jirsa
Design and behavior of reinforced concrete structures
-
Maria Juenger
Hydration chemistry and microstructural characterization of portland cement and related materials
-
Loukas Kallivokas
Computational mechanics; Inverse problems
-
Richard Klingner
Experimental and analytical investigation of the response of masonry and reinforced concrete structures
-
Lance Manuel
Structural reliability; Structural dynamics and random vibrations
-
John Tassoulas
Structural mechanics; Constitutive equations of materials
-
Dan Wheat
Behavior, design and mathematical modeling of wood structural systems
-
Eric Williamson
Dynamic response of structures, including applications to blast-resistant design and seismic-resistant design
-
Sharon Wood
Design and behavior of reinforced concrete structures
-
Jinying Zhu
Non-destructive testing of concrete structures, pavements, and deep foundations
Graduate Admission
The Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials Program welcomes applications from highly qualified candidates for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. SEMM graduate students are a diverse group and come from all over the U.S. and from all around the world. We seek graduate students that exemplify the highest standards of academic achievement and are motivated to become future leaders in industry and in academia. 
Degree Requirements
Within SEMM, students can pursue a program of work leading to a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). These degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in engineering practice, research and education.