Multiscale Mechanics of Infrastructure Materials

I’m Shady Gomaa, dedicated to advancing infrastructure durability through cutting-edge research. Specializing in 3D-printed ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and cold-formed steel beams integration, I optimize composite structures for resilience. My work includes corrosion modeling, rehabilitation innovation, and sustainable engineering solutions. Let’s build a stronger future together.

I have been working in Dr.Cusatis’ group as a postdoctoral research fellow since June 2023. ​ The main goal of the research project in NU is to develop an integrated computational model for 3D printed ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) from fresh to solid state.  

I am primarily involved in simulating numerical models for 3D printed UHP fresh concrete. I am developing discrete element method (DEM) within Implicit framework of Project Chrono. Also, I focus on coupling of Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) and DEM for the simulations. In a parallel role, I am engaged in modeling thixotropic characteristic of UHPC.  

Furthermore, in my previous research studies, I delved into inelastic material models, specifically exploring aspects related to damage and plasticity. My investigations aimed to enhance our understanding of how materials respond under various conditions, providing valuable insights into the sophisticated mechanics of structural behavior.  

I have been working in Dr. Cusatis’ group as a postdoctoral research fellow since June 2023. The main goal of the research project in NU is to develop an integrated computational model for 3D printed ultra-high-performance concrete from fresh to solid state. My job is focusing on hardened state and I am developing numerical models for 3D printed UHPC concrete. I am developing lattice discrete element classes, so called LDPM and CSL, in Project Chrono under Implicit framework. My second job is developing isogeometric curvilinear Timoshenko beam element and nonlinear connector beam-lattice model in Project Chrono to model cellular structure of wood.

Additionally, in my previous research studies I worked on damage plasticity models, nonlocal-models such as gradient enhanced damage and high order microplane model, size effect phenomenon in quasi-brittle materials, material strength enhancement with strain rate, and behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete-filled steel tube columns. I developed many user material and user element models related to my work in Abaqus.

I am Hao Yin, currently a Postdoctoral Scholar in the group. I am focusing on the development of novel computational frameworks for multiphysics analyses of infrastructure materials (e.g., concrete, wood microstructure, bio-inspired composites). My research interests include computational mechanics, lattice/discrete models, fracture mechanics, multiphysics, bio-inspired materials, and generative geometry.

I joined the group in 2018 and received my Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Northwestern in 2023, under the supervision of Dr. Gianluca Cusatis. My dissertation titled “Discrete Modeling of Fracture and Flow in Porous Quasi-brittle Materials by Capturing the Internal Structure” (Committee: Zdeněk Bažant, Gianluca Cusatis, Eric Landis, and John Rudnicki) is temporarily unavailable to the public, due to copyright issues. However, you may go to my personal research website (http://haoyin.io) to see my work during doctoral training.

Before joining Northwestern, I received my bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from China Agricultural University (CAU), China, and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). 

While not playing with my models, I spend my time staying with my two little chinchillas (sadly, now only one) or traveling across the country.

I am a PhD candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering in Mechanics, Materials, and Structures at Northwestern University. Prior to that, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from China at Beijing Forestry University and a master’s degree in Structural Engineering at Northwestern University. I am pursuing a double PhD from Northwestern and L’Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA) in France. I spent one year in France to collaborate with experts in Laboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs to study Mechanics and Physics in Porous Media. My research is focusing on the multiphysics behaviors of porous materials. I have a strong background in thermal transfer and fluid transport analysis, computational mechanics, and fracture mechanics. I love watching anime and traveling during my free time.

Dono Toussaint is a PhD candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering in the field of Mechanics, Materials, and Structures at Northwestern University. Dono holds a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering in the area of Mechanics and Physics in Porous Media from the Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour. Before starting his PhD, Dono studied surface and size effects on the mechanical properties of porous materials. He is currently working on Poly-Material Lattice Discrete Particle Model (P-LDPM) in conjunction with Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Laboratory (VCCTL) to predict fracture response of cement-based structures.

Status: PhD student (Mechanical Engineering)

Previous Education: BSc (Mechanical Engineering), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)

Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Joined group: September 2022

Research: Rheological characterization of 3d printable ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)

Hobbies: Traveling

Favorite admixture: Superplasticizer

Status: PhD Student (Civil Engineering)

Previous Education: BS in Civil Engineering and Minor in Environmental Design from University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

Hometown: Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Joined Group: Fall 2022

Hobbies: Biking, brewing coffee

Research: Studying the impact of extruded concrete geometry in the mechanical behavior and characterization of the material, with the goal of gaining insight into the failure mechanisms of printed concrete and aiding development of computational models that could be used for design. Additionally, interested in printable concrete mix designs that are optimized for specific printing systems by using a combination of computational models and laboratory experiments.

Additional Interests: Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure Design, Structural Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Urban Planning

The primary objective of my work is to simulate the various phases of 3D-printed concrete, including the flow, setting, and hardening stages using an open-source multi-physics engine Project Chrono. Now, I am working on implementing and validating the lattice discrete particle model (LDPM) in Chrono for the failure behavior of hardening concrete at the meso-scale. In the future, I will try to investigate the evolution of material properties during the concrete setting and simulate the transition process of concrete from a viscous fluid to a solid state. The simulation will be validated by comparing the numerical results with the experimental data of real 3D-printed concrete.

Status: PhD student (Civil Engineering)

Previous Education: BS and ME in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Hometown: Albany, New York

Joined group: July 2023

Hobbies: Exercise, travel, chess, music, reading

Research: Chyim Bowen works with Professor Gianluca Cusatis to research multiscale mechanics of infrastructure materials. Chyim is passionate about supporting sustainable civil engineering initiatives, and particularly, he focuses on quantifying the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensities of infrastructure materials. Due to the negative effects of global warming and climate change, the building and construction sectors, as significant emitters of GHGs, need to find methods to reduce their energy consumption, water consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions. Chyim tracks the emissions of infrastructure materials by performing cradle-to-cradle life cycle analyses. He is attempting to address the lack of accessible global greenhouse gas emissions data that is related to infrastructure materials, and to standardize various methodologies and reporting methods that can be used by nations to track and quantify their GHG related emissions. A major goal of his work is to develop a framework that can be adopted to determine the material related emissions for structures in different nations, and to identify how the CO2 equivalent emissions can be reduced.

My research centers on the nanomodification of cementitious materials, with a specific focus on graphene-reinforced cementitious materials, aimed at enhancing durability and sustainability within the construction industry. I explore various aspects including shrinkage, creep, moisture flow, and the ingress of deleterious agents, alongside conducting durability assessments of these nanomodified cementitious materials. Additionally, I delve into the multifunctionality of these nanomodified cementitious materials, analyzing their electrical properties to advance the development of self-sensing structures for structural health monitoring. Furthermore, I investigate their thermal properties for applications such as heat transfer, particularly in domains like geothermal structures.

I am currently working on the Connector and Beam Lattice (CBL) model for Wood. This project aims to investigate the effects of high strain rates on the mechanical behavior of wood using the Connector and Beam Lattice (CBL). I am also working on the size effect of hollow reinforced concrete beams under torsion.

As a Ph.D. student specializing in Mechanics, Materials, and Structures (MMS) in the Civil & Environmental Engineering department, I have the chance to explore the forefront of structural design, delving into innovative technologies and materials. My research interests focus primarily on the pioneering field of large-scale 3D printing of cementitious materials and composites, and robotic construction, blending traditional civil engineering principles with advanced manufacturing techniques. I am fascinated by the potential of these technologies and the way they are revolutionizing over time and changing our thoughts about structural design and materials. My research interest also lies in the optimization of the structures, by minimizing material usage and designing structures that maximize stability, while leveraging advanced technologies more efficiently.

My research interest lies at the intersection of resilient infrastructure materials and advanced manufacturing technologies, focusing on enhancing the resilience and structural integrity of high-performance infrastructure systems. By leveraging additive manufacturing (AM), robotic fabrication, and computational modeling, I aim to develop innovative approaches for creating eco-friendly infrastructure materials and systems that prioritize resource efficiency, durability, and adaptability. Currently, I am working on large-scale concrete 3D printing with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC).

I am Wisdom Akpan, a PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Mechanics, Materials, and Structures program at Northwestern University. My research centers on the durability of structural materials, specifically wood and concrete. By investigating the time-dependent behavior of these materials when subjected to environmental and mechanical stresses, I aim to contribute to the broader understanding of structural serviceability. Presently, I am utilizing the Connector and Beam Lattice (CBL) model to explore how high strain rates impact the mechanical properties of wood.

I am a PhD student in the Mechanics, Materials, and Structures program at Northwestern University. My research is centered on the time-dependent behavior mainly creep of hybrid structures, specifically examining how wood interacts with other structural materials like concrete. My study focuses on understanding the behavior of these composite structures under various load conditions over time, with the ultimate goal of developing more sustainable building solutions.