Architectural Engineering Emphasis New to Purdue

Architectural engineering emphasis new to Designed Purdue to Sustain

PURDUE CIVIL

WINTER 2009

Four Faculty Hires Preaching energy efficiency, comfortable living in new design

Motivating Force An alum’s push for new emphasis area up front

On My Mind

In this issue of Civil Engineering Impact, we focus on the topic of sustainability. Our school has a long history of contributions to environmental protection. Faculty in several of our areas, including environmental engineering and hydraulic/hydrologic engineering, are leaders in the development of technologies to protect our natural resources. An overview of this history is given in the “Campaign Impact” story, which provides details about the innovative research of Professor Emeritus James Etzel from the environmental engineering area. In addition, faculty in our new architectural engineering emphasis area, as described in our cover story, will be focusing on the development and design of energy-efficient buildings. Of note is the article about one of our alumni, Harold Force (BSCE ’73, MSCE ’74), who was indeed the driving force behind the implementation of this new emphasis area. These are exciting times in the School of Civil Engineering. I hope you enjoy reading about the outstanding activities of our students, John Underwood faculty, staff, and alumni in this issue. Tell Us What You Think

Share your Purdue memories, react to a story, or let us know your thoughts M. Katherine Banks about a particular issue. Write to us Professor and Bowen Engineering Head of Civil Engineering at [email protected]. In doing so, you grant us permission to use all or part of your letter in an upcoming issue. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

About the Cover

Green Building: With federal mandates calling for more energy-efficient homes and office buildings, architectural designs—with sustainability in mind—are turning construction practices green. The front-cover image shows a rendering of a house with solar panels that could utilize the sun’s rays, thus offsetting the home’s overall energy consumption. iStock

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact contents

coming up

Down the line in 2009 2 around ce

Recycling a bridge 3 Faculty, student, and staff achievements 4 in my view 6 Photo courtesy of Ming Qu Pushing for an architectural engineering emphasis 5 cover story

Four new hires build a new emphasis area 6 up close: Faculty

Horton hears a sustainable building calling 12

Campaign Impact Honoring a former environmental engineering professor 13 14 Courtesy of Shiva Haghighi up close: Students Checking out the civil engineering of China 14

Up close: Alumni

An alumna goes to Disney World—to work 16

Alumni News

Alums on the move 17

Behind the scenes 16 Max Bales Our award-winning account clerk 18 check it out

CE, creatively speaking 19

Winter 2009 coming up

Calendar 2009

April TM 16 Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Purdue Awards (CEAAA) Banquet 18 Spring Fest Purdue School of Civil Engineering 30 CE Senior Scholarship Luncheon Purdue Professor and Head...... M. Katherine Banks May Director of Development...... Max Bales 13 CE Golf Open Purdue Director of External Relations...... Cindy Lawley 16 CE Commencement Reception Purdue Director of Engineering Marketing and Communications...... Rwitti Roy October Editor...... William Meiners 1 CE Scholarship Banquet Purdue Graphic Designer...... Susan Ferringer 3 CE Homecoming Breakfast Purdue Contributing Writers...... Patrick Kelly, Matt Schnepf, Gina Vozenilek Purdue vs. Northwestern Proofreader...... Lynn Hegewald

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Max Bales Director of Development (765) 494-2236 Hanging Loose: A trio of former Purdue educators reconnected in [email protected] Hawaii while attending a conference on Maunaka Mountaintop on the Big Island. Jean-Lou Chameau (left), now president of Caltech, spent Cindy Lawley 11 years on the geotechnical faculty in civil engineering. Wai-Fah Chen, Director of External Relations retired dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaii (765) 494-7089 at Manoa, was the George E. Goodwin Distinguished Professor of [email protected] Civil Engineering from 1992 to 1999. And Henry Yang (right), now the chancellor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, was once Purdue is an equal access/equal opportunity university. the Neil A. Armstrong Distinguished Professor of Aeronautics and Produced by the Engineering Communications Office. Astronautics at Purdue and dean of the Schools of Engineering.

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact around ce Rob Connor Bridging a Ravine: A student-donated truss bridge finds a useful home on a civil engineering professor’s land.

Buck Creek Bridge That steel presence would become Civil engineering professor recycles a student-designed span part of Connor’s expertise. Since arriving at Purdue in 2005, he has Sustainability, when matched by functionality, can become a true success story. helped investigate many bridge fail- When Rob Connor, an assistant professor of civil engineering, had the chance to ures, including the famous Minnesota save a student-designed truss bridge from the scrap heap, he knew it would be bridge collapse of 2007, which proved useful at his five-acre home. to be a design problem rather than Students had designed the bridge for the American Society of Civil Engineers one of an aging infrastructure. After Steel Bridge Competition. The 20-by-3-foot bridge proved to be the perfect span working with a Canadian company over a ravine leading to a vegetable garden at Connor’s place in Buck Creek, and providing advice on how to retrofit Indiana. By way of gratitude, Connor donated some welding masks to the students. a bridge, Connor was honored with “It’s a neat little truss bridge designed for about 2,000 pounds, but it’s much an award from the Alberta Department stouter than that,” Connor says. “I put it across the ravine and built some wooden of Transportation (see below). He con- approaches. And now I have this nice historic-looking iron truss out there, even tinues his work, both in the classroom though it is actually brand new.” and at Purdue’s Bowen Laboratory. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Connor ■ William Meiners was familiar with the many steel spans that dot eastern landscapes. While a student at Drexel University, he worked as a co-op for a bridge engineering firm, quickly developing what would become his passion. After a few years in industry with another bridge engineering firm, he attended Lehigh University for his master’s and PhD. “Lehigh is also the home of the former Bethlehem Steel Oh, Canada: Professor Rob Connor (left) was part of a team honored for developing and has a very strong steel presence,” retrofits for a fracture-critical bridge. The span stretches over the North Saskatchewan Connor says. River on Highway 893 in Canada.

Winter 2009 around ce continued

Faculty News Darcy Bullock was awarded the Traffic cation position on the Indiana State the most efficient and justifiable use Engineering Council Paper Award by Board of Registration for Professional of the greatest computational power the Institute of Transportation Engineers Engineers. (TeraGrid) for scientific investigation in August 2008. He co-authored the in hydrology. Fred Mannering has been selected paper, “Operational Performance to receive the James Laurie Prize “for Suresh Rao was elected Fellow of Comparison of Video Detection his outstanding contribution to the the American Geophysical Union. Systems,” with James Sturdevant of the advancement of transportation engi- Indiana Department of Transportation Rodrigo Salgado received the neering through his influential research and Purdue alumni Ed Smaglik (PhD ’05) 2009 Excellent Contributions Award and publication in the area of highway and Avery Rhodes (MSCE ’05). from the International Association of safety.” The award was granted by the Computer Methods and Advances in Anuj Sharma (PhD ’08) received the American Society of Civil Engineers. Geomechanics “for contributions to Council of University Transportation Sanjiv Kumar, a PhD student work- the analysis of key boundary-value Center’s Pikarsky Award for Outstanding ing in the hydraulics and hydrology problems in geomechanics, particu- PhD Dissertation in Science and area with Venkatesh Merwade, Technology. His dissertation was larly those pertaining to shallow and won the first prize in the Graduate co-chaired by Professors Darcy deep foundations.” Student Research Competition at Bullock and Srinivas Peeta. the TeraGrid 2008 conference held A team of researchers from Purdue In December 2008, Vincent Drnevich in Las Vegas last June. His poster, received the 2008 Bryant Mather received word that Governor Daniels “Cyberinfrastructure for Environmental Best Paper Award at the 87th appointed him to represent the edu- Data and Modeling,” demonstrated Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board. The paper, “Shrinkage Mitigation Strategies in Cementitious Systems: a Closer Look at Differences in Sealed and Unsealed Behavior” was authored by Aleksandra Radlinska (PhD ’08), Farshad Rajabipour (PhD ’06), graduate students Brooks Bucher, Ryan Henkensiefken, Gaurav Sant, and Professor Jason Weiss. Vincent Walter

New Hat: Cindy Lawley has served many roles in the School of Civil Engineering. Shown here in the Leonard E. and Margaret R. Wood Commons (one of many projects she has helped see through to completion), Lawley was recently named the school’s director of external relations. “In this position, I hope to continue successfully linking industry with Purdue researchers and civil engineering students,” she says. “Our office also coordinates interviews with students and company representatives who visit campus.”

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact in my view

Building Success

Former member of the Civil Engineering Advisory Council shares his passion about keeping involved with the school

By the end of my eighth-grade year, I knew I wanted to be a civil engineer. I wasn’t exactly sure what that entailed, but fast forward several years through Purdue and beyond, and I can say, quite confidently, that I made the right career choice. Given the opportunity to serve on the Civil Engineering Advisory Council, I jumped at the chance. My hope was to not only give something back, but perhaps help shape the future of my old school. I believe it was the perspective of Vince Drnevich, the school’s head at the time, that the advisory board be not just a download to alumni or a means of engaging alumni for financial purposes. Rather, the goal was to bring civil engineering faculty into contact with civil engineering practitioners, while making us (the practitioners) Courtesy of Force Construction Company more aware of academic issues at Purdue. It was within this setting that the lines of communication opened to where the Harold Force (BSCE ’73, advisory council members participated in interviews that led to new faculty hires, MSCE ’74) is the president discussed the need for a campus research facility like Bowen Lab, and addressed and chief executive officer of declining enrollment concerns. About four years ago, several of us on the board first Force Construction Company, began discussing the idea of a specialization in the field of architectural engineering. Inc., a family-owned, Indiana- Both faculty and board members reported, anecdotally, that there were Purdue based construction firm engineering students looking for something our school did not offer. That was a with more than 63 years of course of engineering study and practice that would involve greater interface with continuing service. As a mem- elements of architecture and a more holistic civil engineering process related to the ber of the Civil Engineering design and construction of buildings. So began the push for the new emphasis area. Advisory Council, he was In February 2005, I had the pleasure of giving a presentation to the council instrumental in paving the on the benefits of an architectural engineering emphasis. Something I observed way for the new architec- early on—and concurred with 100 percent—was the faculty’s concerns that the tural engineering emphasis new area must not be the easy way through the civil curriculum. The strength area, which is being intro- and rigor of Purdue civil engineering is important to maintain and even enhance. duced this semester. Force We have incredible currency in our program in terms of its quality and worldwide will receive a Distinguished rankings, and we would not want to impact that in any negative way. Engineering Alumni Award With the 2009 introduction of the architectural engineering emphasis area, from the Purdue College however, I truly believe the school is enhancing its educational product. There’s of Engineering in February a demand in the marketplace for these types of graduates, and Purdue can 2009. take the lead in helping produce them. Four new faculty hires, along with the continued resurgence in enrollment numbers, point to a promising future. Having gone through my available terms, I have since retired from the advisory council. Anyone involved on the board fully understands the importance of his or her role and the ability to positively impact the Purdue reputation. I would encourage civil engineering practitioners, wherever they are, to keep an active role. By staying involved in a particular area of interest and keeping in contact with current faculty, you can help make our great school even greater. ■ Harold Force

Winter 2009 Rethinking Design

Seeing Green: New civil engineering faculty, including (left to right) Travis Horton, Ming Qu, and Hongxi Yin, shown here atop the Civil Engineering Building, discuss the possibilities of turning brown roofs green.

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact Four new faculty emphasize architectural engineering

By Gina Vozenilek

With buildings and construction practice accounting for 25 to 40 percent of the world’s total energy use, 30 to 40 percent of solid waste generation, and 30 to 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, the School of Civil Engineering will be offering a new emphasis area called architectural engineering. Architectural engineering, a multidisciplinary field that incorporates structural and construction engineering and the engineered systems in a building—electrical and mechanical—has a funda- mental commitment to green building concepts. “It’s a brand new area with a lot of challenges,” says Hongxi Yin, a visiting professor of civil engineering. “Sustainable building design is a broad area of study,” Yin admits, describing how the new architectural engineers will be faced with a host of design challenges “from proposal to demolition.” Collaborating with Yin in the new program will be three other new hires: Ming Qu, Thanos Tzempelikos, and Travis Horton, all assistant John Q Do

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Winter 2009 rethinking design continued

professors of civil engineering. A Purdue PhD (ME ’01), Horton brings seven years of industry experience to the classroom (see “Up Close: Faculty” story on page 12). Of course, there are already experts in the many fields that overlap and contribute to architectural engineering, and they will all participate in developing a new era of environmentally sound building practice. “But there is one big thing missing,” Yin says. “We need the integration of these diverse skills.” That will be the job of the architectural engineer.

Nuts and bolts Tzempelikos is excited about the new course of study. “Our objective is to build a multidisciplinary program,” he says. Starting this semester, engineering students have an opportunity to sample the new curriculum in “Introduction to Architectural Engineering,” a core course, or “Architecture and Technology,” a general engineering elective incor- porating civil, architectural, mechanical, and even land- scape engineering concepts. “We want everyone to have a chance to see what sustainable building design is all about,” says Tzempelikos. After the introductory courses, “AE Design I” will Vincent Walter Window View: Professor Thanos Tzempelikos, shown here taking a look at some of the construction in Discovery Park, believes things like “smart window shades” not only increase energy efficiency of buildings, but make for better working conditions inside.

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact Courtesy of Ming Qu Going deeper teach students about engineers with an architec- Qu received her doctorate “They need to think deep as energy calculations and tural engineering specialty in building performance and well as wide.” mechanical systems, and to boast on their resumé. diagnostics from Carnegie One way Qu hopes to “AE Design II” will focus on Not many schools offer the Mellon University, a broad- augment students’ depth electrical and lighting sys- new subspecialty, which based program of study of knowledge is by taking tems. “These will probably puts Purdue graduates in a where her research focused them on a field trip to China, be dual courses between competitive position as they on innovative solar thermal the country where half of civil and mechanical engi- enter the marketplace. With technology. She has a vision the world’s new buildings neering,” Tzempelikos notes, a challenged economy and for architectural engineering are constructed each year. so that students from both burgeoning national atten- as an integrated discipline, This semester, she plans a disciplines can be exposed tion on green initiatives, but she stresses that merely two-week trip featuring lec- to architectural engineering architectural engineering has having a wide-ranging tures by faculty at Tsinghua concepts. the potential to attract even understanding of multiple University in Beijing, and “We want to reach a greater numbers of students areas will be insufficient to Tongji University in Shanghai. greater audience with to Purdue. Tzempelikos has prepare graduates for the Students will also tour architectural engineering’s already seen widespread world outside the univer- Olympic sites in Beijing, core focus on sustainable, enthusiasm for the new sity. Breadth and depth in such as the Water Cube and energy-efficient buildings,” program. He reports, “I’m architectural engineering the Bird’s Nest, and some says Tzempelikos. receiving e-mails from inter- education will be equally commercial and residential Students who follow the ested students and profes- important. “We don’t want buildings in both cities. path of architectural engi- sionals every day, from all students to know every- Qu’s native country boasts neering will graduate as civil over the world.” thing a little,” says Qu. many great examples of

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Winter 2009 rethinking design continued

A new generation of engineers positive architectural protection and conserva- Yin first studied architec- design. “Engineering and engineering, but she also tion techniques, such as ture in China and worked architecture will become knows that China suffers capturing and recycling there as an architect for cross-boundary disciplines,” the effects of poor design rainwater to flush toilets five years before earning he emphasizes. He sees as well. “China is facing a and irrigate plants. They a PhD in building perfor- architectural education big problem with pollution,” will study building materials mance and diagnostics at evolving to incorporate she admits. “We will go to and evaluate the environ- Carnegie Mellon. Once he engineering know-how, China not only to see good mental impact that different was armed with the tools of such as energy consump- practices, but also to learn options represent, such as two professions, Yin faced tion calculations, that will from mistakes.” the concept of “embod- a professional identity crisis. facilitate architects’ partici- Back home in Indiana, ied energy,” the energy “I asked myself, ‘Am I an pation in sustainable build- Qu will address fundamen- resources required to man- architect or an engineer?’ ing practices. tal aspects of sustainable ufacture and ship materi- And I realized that I have Designing greener build- building in preparation for als. Knowing that people become a new generation ings, according to Yin, the trip. Students will dis- spend about 78 percent of of professional,” he says. requires both new and cuss the natural interplay their time indoors, design- Yin understands that traditional technologies. Yin between a building and its ing for the comfort, well- the global energy and cli- uses windows to illustrate site, talk about integrated being, and productivity of mate crises are forcing his meaning. New high-tech energy systems for build- building occupants will be the development of new shading devices can be ings, and learn about water an important topic as well. approaches to building applied to window exteriors, Wikimedia Creative Commons Landmarks from 2008 Beijing Olympics: Bird’s Nest and Water Cube

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact A new generation of engineers reducing solar gain and “Years ago,” he says, “it was tainable building innovations resulting in 15 percent the study of China’s native and practices. energy savings. When this architecture that drew me Yin is excited to share new scientific advancement into my chosen profession. his vision of architectural is combined with the age- And now, I see that studying engineering with the world old technology of operable vernacular architecture was and with his students at windows to maximize the not only a way of learning Purdue. “Young generations benefits of natural ventila- about the past but a way of must have the methods and tion, the result is a thought- discovering the future.” technologies to save energy ful approach to designing A glimpse of that future in building design,” he a facade that can make a will come in June 2009, says. “We can make a real difference in the build- when Yin joins the faculty difference.” ■ ing’s energy usage. Fresh from Purdue and Carnegie air and natural sunlight also Mellon in Beijing for the improve occupants’ health China Sustainable Building and productivity. Forum and Expo. The expo Yin’s passion for the will provide engineers, promise of architectural architects, and government engineering is fueled by officials with an international an international sensibility. stage for highlighting sus- Wikimedia Creative Commons National Grand Theater: New amongst the old

Winter 2009 up close: faculty

Teaching Clean and Green

Assistant professor to help lead the charge in new architectural engineering emphasis area

You could say that building is in his blood. The son of a residential builder, course called “Building Energy Audits” Travis Horton grew up in southern Utah very much interested in how facilities while at the University of Maryland, are constructed and how efficiently, or inefficiently, they operate. After his youth- Horton should have ample opportunity ful interests converged with various engineering degrees, he is now returning to for crossover work in the School of Purdue—he graduated with a PhD in mechanical engineering in 2001—to teach Mechanical Engineering as well as the in the School of Civil Engineering’s new architectural engineering emphasis area. Division of Construction Engineering That new area was introduced in January (see cover story on page 6). and Management. It’s a welcome homecoming of sorts for the man whose emphasis in mechanical And in spite of the hassles of his engineering was in thermodynamics and energy-conversion systems. Horton spent family’s winter and holiday-season seven years in industry at Tecumseh Products, where he “worked closely with move, Horton is also quite happy set- supermarkets to improve the efficiency and environmental friendliness of super- tling back in West Lafayette with his market refrigeration systems.” wife and three kids. They seem to like Horton, now an assistant professor of civil engineering, brings not only that the pace of life here a little better than industry experience to civil engineering classrooms at Purdue but also teaching in Maryland. And with Purdue and the experience he gained in mechanical engineering over the last year and a half School of Civil Engineering committed at the University of Maryland. There he worked with students at the Center to the development of green technolo- for Environmental Energy Engineering to help identify the so-called “low-hanging gies, Horton knows there are certainly fruit” that could help reduce a campus facility’s energy usage. sunny days ahead. ■ W.M. “There’s a renewed emphasis on building zero-energy homes and buildings,” Horton says. That is, buildings that exhibit a net-energy consumption of zero over a typical year. So office buildings, which reportedly account for as much as 40 percent of the total energy use in the U.S. and Europe, can take a lead in the greenness of sustainability. They may do this on the supply side by utilizing solar and wind energies, Horton says, or through the combustion of bio-fuels for small-scale, distributed power generation. It is also important, however, to address the demand side of the energy equation and utilize new technologies and methodologies that improve the energy efficiency of a facility. For Horton, who has worked across disciplines himself, federal government mandates that call for these zero-energy buildings and homes over the next 10 to 20 years will require builders to focus on complete integrated systems. “It’s about understanding all the various parts,” he says. “Not just how the subcontractors—the electricians and the heating and air folks—do what they do, but how it all relates.” He is excited to balance his practical experience with the theories in his courses. And he knows that is something students crave. The first course he is teaching at Purdue is “Introduction to Architectural Engineering,” which enrolled more than 60 students. Having taught a

Travis Horton John Q Do

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact campaign impact

Pioneer and Mentor

New endowment honors former professor’s leadership in environmental engineering and commitment to Jim Etzel in 1986 Purdue students

A pioneer in the field of environmental engineering, former professor Jim Etzel (MSCE ’55, PhD ’57) helped set countless students on the road to success. To honor the impact he had on their education and careers, several Purdue alumni joined forces last year to establish an endowment in his honor. The Dr. James Etzel Endowment will support graduate education in the area of environmental engineering within the School of Civil Engineering. Its income may be used to fund graduate fellowships, research, travel to conferences, professional development, scientific equipment, or to supplement graduate assistantships. Etzel’s ties to Purdue run deep. Three of his five children graduated from the university, and a distinguished group of students followed him into the field of sanitary and environmental engineering. As a Purdue professor from 1959–90, he mentored and advised more than 100 graduate students who grew into an extended family. “Professor Etzel was an outstanding faculty member for many years at Purdue,” says Kathy Banks, Bowen Engineering Head and Professor of Civil Engineering. “In fact, he is responsible for the high quality and reputation of Purdue’s environmental engineering area today.” Jim Etzel (left) on a plant visit Robert Jacko (PhD ’72), a professor of civil engineering, describes Etzel as a as part of Purdue’s education and wonderful mentor. “He did an awful lot of wastewater consulting he would then assistance to Indiana’s wastewater bring into the classroom,” Jacko says. Etzel also took students into the field, treatment plant operational allowing them to work firsthand on industrial wastewater problems. improvement program An internationally recognized leader in wastewater treatment, Etzel served as head of the environmental engineering area from 1971 until his retirement. He throughout the industrial community. was also a distinguished professor in the School of Civil Engineering. Among his “These are things he did well and per- professional milestones, he was instrumental in the formation of what is now known haps a little differently than almost any as Heritage Environmental Services, a premier U.S. environmental services firm other professor that most of us dealt he later joined as vice president. Etzel was an active industry consultant and an with,” Price says. expert witness in several environmental cases, and he chaired both the Tippecanoe As a professor, Etzel sought to equip County Solid Waste Commission and the West Lafayette Environmental Commission. students to be successful and highly According to Ken Price (BSCE ’64, MSCE ’66, PhD ’68), chairman/CEO of employable when they entered industry. Heritage Environmental Services, the endowment seeks to support initiatives “Creating an endowment is something that complement Etzel’s work and priorities—from work in trade associations to I never thought would happen,” he carrying intellectual material out for more general work to building relationships says. ■ Matt Schnepf

Winter 2009 up close: students

From Purdue to Beijing

Students travel across China to lay the foundation for new civil engineering study-abroad program

For Shiva Haghighi and Ryan Zachar, taking on leadership roles is nothing new. As the (then) acting president and vice president, respectively, of the Civil Engineering Student Advisory Council (CESAC), they’ve already committed to serving the university and their fellow students. For these two, normal responsibilities include planning annual career fairs, sponsoring student socials, putting together and promoting shop talks, spearheading canned food drives, and organizing a “date auction” to benefit the American Cancer Society. This past summer, they took their roles a step further—5,000 miles further (farther actually), to be exact. Each year, the School of Mechanical Engineering embarks on a multi-week trip to China where students immerse themselves in Photos courtesy of Shiva Haghighi the culture and engineering challenges and opportunities present Civil engineering students Katie Coressel, Tom due to China’s rapid industrialization. However, no such trip Paladino, Shiva Haghighi, and Ryan Zachar existed for civil engineering students, which to Haghighi and Zachar didn’t make much sense. After all, there were at least as many— “Everything felt very structured if not more—civil engineering applications in the burgeoning cities of China. and planned for every hour of the And so Haghighi and Zachar did what only seemed natural: they, along with fellow day,” Zachar admitted. “We never civil engineering seniors Katie Coressel and Tom Paladino, decided to accompany had much of a chance to explore on the mechanical engineering trip this past summer to perform a feasibility study our own.” proposed by the School of Civil Engineering. The goal was to determine if civil Haghighi added that their first night engineering could support a China trip in the future. Gaining approval, they attended out on their own with a group of local weekly spring-semester meetings to prepare, and by May they were off to Beijing. university students was one of their In all, they covered four cities in two weeks. From Beijing, it was off to Harbin favorite experiences on the trip. and Ningbo before the visit ended in Shanghai. Spending between three and “It’s definitely a world apart,” says four days in each city and examining each locale through a civil engineering lens, Haghighi, “but talking to the engi- Haghighi and Zachar came away with some very strong impressions. neering students, you learn that a lot “Everything in China is on a larger scale,” Zachar relates. “Every corner has a about their lives and our lives here new construction project going on—the horizon is clogged with cranes.” are the same. The same messy dorm Haghighi agrees. “In Beijing, I saw more infrastructural work going on than I’d rooms, the same thermodynamics ever seen before,” she says. “Shanghai had more interesting architecture, but it lessons on the chalkboards. They’re seemed that no matter what city you were in, wherever you turned there was a just normal engineering students factory, an industrial facility, or a new high rise springing up. It was unbelievable.” doing a lot of the same things as us.” Returning to West Lafayette, Haghghi and Zachar passed along their recom- Normal engineering students. mendations to the school committee. Some of their suggestions were logistical: cut Though they may not say so them- out one city to focus more time on studying structures and less time on traveling; selves, that just might be one thing be sure to see certain neighborhoods and buildings in each city; extend the trip to Shiva Haghighi and Ryan Zachar at least three weeks, maybe four. And then there was the more qualitative advice. are not. ■ Patrick Kelly

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact Ancient to Modern: The trip allowed the Purdue students a closer look at Chinese civil engineering projects across a range of centuries.15 The large picture shows the detail of the artistry at the Summer Palace in Beijing. The bustling metropolis of Beijing (lower left), with all its new construction, along with the amazing Shanghai night skyline, give highlights of a nation on the rise. Winter 2009 up close: alumni

Max Bales Mellissa Hershberger (BSCE ’05) breaks from work for a leisurely spin with Dumbo, a ride she helped engineer.

Making Magic

Young Purdue civil engineer follows childhood dream to work at Disney World

When she was nine months old, Working for the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Hershberger has had Mellissa Hershberger visited her future Architecture and Facilities Engineering a hand in supporting the dreams—and job site for the first time. She was department, Hershberger is one of weight—of visitors and cast members the oldest in a big Indiana family that four structural engineers whose careful alike throughout Disney World. made a yearly pilgrimage to Walt calculations underpin creative vision Hershberger notes that the realism Disney World. As she grew, she knew with nuts-and-bolts science. Her job that defines the theme parks presents she wanted someday to be a part of is largely one of preventing things from a special challenge to her as an designing the magic of that place. “succumbing to gravity,” she quips. engineer. “At Purdue, I mostly worked And after graduating from Purdue’s From catwalks in the interior of the with standard materials like steel and civil engineering program in 2005, massive new Everest attraction in the concrete,” she says. But at Disney, she Hershberger headed to Lake Buena Animal Kingdom Park to reinforcing finds herself designing with unusual Vista, Florida, to do just that. Dumbo’s ears and tail with rebar in the materials, like African hardwoods and 16

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact Class Notes of University Transportation Center Award commander and was deployed in August for for Distinguished Contribution to University seven months. Stephen Bechtel Jr. (BSCE ’46, PhD ’72), Transportation Education and Research. Jason Obergfell, P.E. (BSCE ’94), Lexington, from San Francisco, was honored by Tau Mark Obergfell (BSCE ’80), from Santa Kentucky, recently completed his second Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, as a Rosa, California, is a civil division manager year as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in 2008 Distinguished Alumni. at Summit Engineering, Inc. Cochabamba, Bolivia, where he is working James Toole (BSCE ’52), from Orlando, on drinking-water projects in impoverished Hugh Mickel (BSCE ’84), from West Florida, retired in May from Smith Barney parts of the country. Springfield, Massachusetts, is now the vice after 35 years. president of corporate risk and training for Thomas Riley (BSCE ’98), from Chicago, William Kriesel (BSCE ’61, MSCE ’65) is the Contech Construction Products Inc. has accepted a position as partner for chairman and vice president, engineering, of McCracken & Frank LLP. The Board of Directors of Alfred Benesch & Precast Specialties in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Company (Benesch) has named two Purdue John Green (BSCE ’01), from Naperville, Kriesel was also elected a fellow of the alums to key leadership positions within Illinois, graduated with a PhD in civil Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. the Chicago division of the firm. Kevin engineering from the University of Nevada- Nils Johansen (BSCE ’66, MSCE ’67, PhD ’71), Fitzpatrick, P.E. (BSCE ’85), was promoted Las Vegas in June and is employed as from Evansville, Indiana, is completing his to Chicago division manager and Dan Gross, a senior project engineer with Patrick year as president of the Indiana Academy of P.E. (BSBCM ’84), to Chicago division Engineering, Inc. Science. construction group manager. Christopher Hopper (BSCE ’01) was Marc Alper (BSCE ’70), from Saint Louis, Thomas Poulos (BSCE ’87), Park Ridge, promoted to senior project manager for Missouri, was appointed as a trustee of the Illinois, has been promoted from vice Skanska USA Building Inc., where he has American Council of Engineering Companies president/principal to senior vice president/ worked for three years. He is the senior Business Insurance Trust. principal for Thornton Tomasetti, where he project manager for the Miami Valley has worked since 1997. Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, where he is Eugene R. Russell Sr. (PhD ’74), professor of overseeing the construction of the new civil engineering at Kansas State University, Lt. Col. Matthew Travis (BSCE ’88), 440,000 square-foot patient tower. has been selected to receive the 2008 Council San Clemente, California, is a battalion

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thatched roofing. “Thatched roofing!” might last a few hours to a few weeks, Everest project is a good example of Hershberger laughs. “Who knows and I can go right out and lean on it how Disney pools brainpower to craft about that material? I had to get and wiggle it, see it in action.” the fantasy for which people travel with books, call people, and just figure Some of Hershberger’s assignments their families from far and near. The it out. Then, because the material is originate from the field, where mainte- Disney “Imagineers” create the concept so combustible, I had to consult fire- nance crews identify issues for her to and design the ride. Then come artists, safety codes, too. The learning curve address. They might need better access landscapers, food and beverage is exponential.” to some lighting within an attraction, people, merchandisers, maintenance Another reason Hershberger likes for example, so she will design a cat- crews, ride and show personnel, and her job—besides the ability to visit walk that permits them to sneak in and Hershberger’s own architecture and the parks anytime she wants—is the do their jobs. With 47 square miles of facilities engineers, who are essentially variety of her projects. “One day I park grounds to cover, that part of the in charge of the “guts” of the attraction. might be working in the Living Seas job is huge. “Of course I do lot of ‘calcs,’” says exhibit, dealing with live creatures Hershberger enjoys the collaborative Hershberger, “but I’m not stuck in a and water, and the next day I could dynamic that comes with working for cubicle.” She likes to take her lunch be designing speaker brackets for the an engineering firm in the entertain- in the parks sometimes, where she roof of the Contemporary Hotel to pipe ment business. “It’s fun to have so sees the happy faces of the kids who in music from the ‘Wishes’ fireworks many people and perspectives in play,” remind her of her young self. “I often show,” Hershberger says. “Many says Hershberger, who also admits go into the park on my lunch time structural engineers spend years that it is sometimes hard to fit every- and see the faces of the kids enjoying working on one bridge. My projects one in one room for meetings. The things I’ve worked on.” ■ G.V. 17

Winter 2009 behind the scenes

All Accounted For

College of Engineering recognizes account clerk with an award of excellence

There is no typical day for Sally Shriver in the School of Civil Engineering. But that’s one thing this account clerk really likes about her job. Always a “go-to” person in the school’s business office, Shriver was recognized for her extra efforts with a Staff Award of Excellence from the College of Engineering in a ceremony last November. Nominated by two of the structures’ faculty members—Rob Connor and Ayhan Irfanoglu, both assistant professors of civil engineering— Shriver was awarded a Customer Service Award for clerical/service staff. The young professors described Shriver as “a patient spirit” as she continues to guide them through some of the challenging business procedures for research proposals. It’s one of the many challenges she greets head-on daily. And whether she’s helping with new proposals, tracking budgets and deadlines on current projects, or taking the lead on procedures like the OnePurdue System, Shriver benefits from her ability to prioritize and multitask. But her colleagues will also tell you that she’s got a great attitude and work ethic. “We have a great team in our business office, and we really work well together,” Shriver says. “I also just really enjoy working with the professors. In a small way, I feel like I am helping them accomplish their goals.” And keeping 45 researchers on budgetary track is no small task. Just ask any who are applying to the National Science Foundation or the National Institute of Standards and Technology for a few million dollars for a research project. Dutifully, Shriver divides her time between the Civil Engineering Building and the Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research. She especially appreciates the close proximity to professors and graduate students on her days at Bowen Lab. “With no one else out there,” she says, “you get to know them very well.” Vincent Walter Her collegiality is not unnoticed by that faculty. “It is always a delight Sally Shriver to go to her office at any time, even at the end of the working day, and be met with a smile and an understanding attitude,” says Mete Sozen, the Kettlehut Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering. “I know she works with many others on the faculty, but whenever I need her help, she makes me feel that I am the only one for whom she is responsible.” Even though it’s all in a day’s work for Shriver, the award did come as a rather pleasant surprise. She knew nothing of being nominated for it, she says. “But I was really thrilled and humbled to receive it.” ■ W.M.

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact check it out

Civil Engineering, Creatively

Class project asks students to be industry spokespeople

Two years ago, Marika Santagata, an associate professor of civil engineering, Santagata, who was pleasantly wanted to know what civil engineering looked like to her students in “CE 290.” surprised with the various student Consisting of mostly sophomores just beginning their own paths through the posters, took the assignment a step program, the class is designed to get students to consider the various special further in the 2008 spring semester. academic areas of study, career options in the field, and how to make the most She asked the student teams to of their days on campus. develop short public service announce- Working in three-to-four-person teams, the students tapped into the “right ments (around 30 seconds) that would sides of their brains” to come up with posters to reflect their visions of the field. educate the general public about the A panel of students, faculty, and staff judged the 14 posters. They awarded field of civil engineering. The teams had “Best Artistic Rendition” and “Best Concept” (see posters below). the option of using video equipment, or “These are big classes and a lot of the students didn’t know each other,” photographs in a PowerPoint, most of Santagata says. “I wanted to get them both working in teams and thinking which were set to music. The winner, creatively.” entitled “Life Without …,” which can Katelyn Zollos, now a civil engineering senior planning to graduate next be found on YouTube (www.youtube. December, collaborated with classmates Cole Pavlina and Kyle Iton on the “Best com/watch?v=zBEnKT87Wck), took Concept” winner. “We each had a completely different idea about what civil engi- a humorous look at a world without neering was about,” Zollos says. “One of the guys wanted a bridge on the poster, civil engineering. another wanted a neighborhood to symbolize urban planning, and I wanted to The assignment for this semester’s incorporate environmental and water resources.” creative activity is yet to be decided, Realizing that range of topics, the trio incorporated all three into their poster but Santagata promises not to force the design. They used an Albert Einstein quote to make it feel like an “inspirational students into the interpretive dances poster,” says Zollos who may apply her environmental and hydraulics skills that her husband says must surely be abroad after graduation. forthcoming. ■ W.M.

Best Artistic Rendition: Civil engineering students Colby Best Concept: Katelyn Zollos, Cole Pavlina, and Kyle Iton Baker, Amanda Cody, Katie Hartman, and Mallory Schaus wanted to show the range of civil engineering projects. collaborated on the poster entitled “Building Bridges to Tomorrow.”

Winter 2009 aperture

Seemingly the stuff of futuristic gaming, this illustration uses rocket experimentation data from Purdue researchers. The two figures shown in repetition are Delayed Detached Eddy Simulations of combustion instability in an experimental rocket combustor. Guoping Xia, a senior research scientist, and Randy Smith, a graduate student, created the simulations working with Charles Merkle, the Reilly Professor of Engineering with appointments in aeronautics and astronautics and mechanical engineering. The experiments are conducted by a research group led by William Anderson, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics.

Purdue Civil Engineering Impact