IBE and structural engineering faculty member talks advanced concrete

A Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering assistant professor and Institute of Bridge Engineering (IBE) faculty member spoke at the Engineer’s week (E-week) conference for professional engineers in Western New York.

Ravi Ranade’s discussion with the New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSPPE) Erie-Niagara Chapter E-Week awards banquet last month centered around advanced concrete materials. He discussed the variety of advanced concrete materials already available, and where innovations in the field are heading: self-healing, self-sensing and 3D printing of advanced concrete materials.

These materials, similar to what Ranade is producing at UB are currently utilized in a variety of structural applications. One of Ranade’s students recently received a grant to support his research on strain-hardening cementitious composites on concrete filled steel tubes, typically used in bridges. Other types of concrete materials Ranade works with are used in durable bridge deck joints and piers, bridge deck connections for accelerated bridge construction; and in penetration-resistant walls for protecting soldiers and military equipment on the battlefield.

Ranade and his students conduct research on understanding the micromechanics of fiber/matrix interactions in high-performance concretes, and they are developing a systematic method for designing ultra-high-performance concretes, which will be capable of superb seismic and multi-hazard resiliency.

NYSSPE represents the interests of over 25,000 licensed professional engineers in New York State. The Society represents engineers from all disciplines (civil, structural, environmental, geotechnical, etc.) and practices (consulting, industry, government). The NYSSPE has over 45,000 members with over 500 chapters. The Society promotes and defends lawful and ethical practice of engineering.