Cullen College of Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Faculty Accolades

Two Engineering Professors Earn NSF CAREER Awards February 17, 2015Two professors in the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston earned Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF) this year. Each received a five-year, $...	Two professors in the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston earned Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF) this year. Each received a five-year, $500,000 grant for integration of outstanding research and educational outreach.
Engineers Earn Grant to Expand Base Plate Connection Research in Low-rise Metal Buildings January 6, 2015Metal buildings comprise almost 50 percent of all non-residential, low-rise construction in the United States. The most common configuration is the gabled frame with sets of exterior columns supporting rafters that form house-...	Metal buildings comprise almost 50 percent of all non-residential, low-rise construction in the United States. The most common configuration is the gabled frame with sets of exterior columns supporting rafters that form house-shaped peaks, and base plates serve as the load-resisting mechanisms that withstand horizontal forces, such as high winds.
Cullen College Professor Honored for Work in Nanomaterials November 18, 2014Debora Rodrigues, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Houston, has received the Emerging Investigator award from the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO).	Debora Rodrigues, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Houston, has received the Emerging Investigator award from the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO).
Cullen College Welcomes Roberto Ballarini as Civil Engineering Department Chair September 3, 2014The UH Cullen College of Engineering is proud to welcome Roberto Ballarini as the new Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Ballarini comes to UH from the University of Minnesota, where he served as the...	The UH Cullen College of Engineering is proud to welcome Roberto Ballarini as the new Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Ballarini comes to UH from the University of Minnesota, where he served as the James L. Record Professor of Civil Engineering for eight years in addition to heading the Department from 2007 to 2012.
Craig Glennie Appointed Associate Editor of ASCE Journal of Surveying August 19, 2014The American Society of Civil Engineer's Journal of Surveying's newest associate editor is Craig Glennie, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Cullen College.	The American Society of Civil Engineer's Journal of Surveying's newest associate editor is Craig Glennie, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Cullen College.
Civil & Environmental Engineering Researcher Wins NASA's New Investigator Award June 20, 2014Hyongki Lee, assistant professor in the Cullen College’s department of civil and environmental engineering, has won NASA’s New (Early Career) Investigator Award in Earth Science.	Hyongki Lee, assistant professor in the Cullen College’s department of civil and environmental engineering, has won NASA’s New (Early Career) Investigator Award in Earth Science.
NCALM Researcher Awarded $200K To Develop Open-Source LiDAR Software April 24, 2014Computers and other technologies have vastly increased our ability to collect data on just about anything you can imagine. However, one major drawback to this is our inability to keep up with the amount of data being produced by...	Computers and other technologies have vastly increased our ability to collect data on just about anything you can imagine. However, one major drawback to this is our inability to keep up with the amount of data being produced by these technologies. In many cases, the vast amounts of data being collected are going unused – that is, until more sophisticated software or other data-mining tools can be developed to decipher, apply and use this data in meaningful ways.
International Team Using Shape Memory Alloys to Rehab Concrete Structures March 26, 2014A team of researchers from University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering and Qatar University has won a $779,000 grant to develop a new way to rehabilitate deteriorating reinforced concrete structures.	A team of researchers from University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering and Qatar University has won a $779,000 grant to develop a new way to rehabilitate deteriorating reinforced concrete structures.
Researchers Win $700k Grant to Develop Pipeline Safety System March 18, 2014Damage to natural gas pipelines is both dangerous and expensive to repair. Much of it is also entirely avoidable. Excavators cause about 30 percent of pipeline damage incidents. In most of these events, the team working the...	Damage to natural gas pipelines is both dangerous and expensive to repair. Much of it is also entirely avoidable. Excavators cause about 30 percent of pipeline damage incidents. In most of these events, the team working the excavator hadn’t bothered to find out if a natural gas pipeline is nearby before digging, even though there’s a national hotline set up to provide this information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
UH Professor Creates “Definitive Guide” on Nuclear Power Infrastructure January 13, 2014Worldwide, dozens of nuclear power plants are scheduled for construction during the next decade, while hundreds more will be reviewed and examined by regulators. Thanks to the efforts of a University of Houston Cullen College of...	Worldwide, dozens of nuclear power plants are scheduled for construction during the next decade, while hundreds more will be reviewed and examined by regulators. Thanks to the efforts of a University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering professor, the designers and operators of these facilities will have the most up-to-date guidelines on nuclear plant infrastructure available in one book.
UH Researchers Mapping Tahoe National Forest, Bit by Bit January 7, 2014Researchers with the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering are creating what will likely be the most accurate and detailed map of a forested area the world has ever seen.	Researchers with the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering are creating what will likely be the most accurate and detailed map of a forested area the world has ever seen.
Civil Engineering Faculty Writing Bridge Design Specs for New Structural Material October 16, 2013A civil infrastructure that provides essentials like clean running water and passable roads is essential to a healthy and prosperous society. While concrete and steel remain the backbones of modern infrastructure, civil engineers...	A civil infrastructure that provides essentials like clean running water and passable roads is essential to a healthy and prosperous society. While concrete and steel remain the backbones of modern infrastructure, civil engineers are exploring ways to add advanced composite materials to the mix. These materials could increase the service life of existing structures in need of repair and new structures alike by decades.
Rifai Named "Environmental Professional of the Year" October 11, 2013Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Hanadi Rifai has been named the Environmental Professional of the Year by the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals (TAEP).	Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Hanadi Rifai has been named the Environmental Professional of the Year by the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals (TAEP).
Glacier Study Explores Sea Levels, Water Resources September 16, 2013Hyongki Lee, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering with the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, is part of an international team studying shrinking mountain glaciers and ice caps using...	Hyongki Lee, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering with the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, is part of an international team studying shrinking mountain glaciers and ice caps using satellite remote sensing measurements.
Earthquake Research Explores Use of High-Performance Concrete September 6, 2013New, stronger concrete that can better withstand an earthquake isn’t much good if it’s too expensive to use.	New, stronger concrete that can better withstand an earthquake isn’t much good if it’s too expensive to use.
Disaster Recovery Gets Boost from NSF Grant August 21, 2013 One of the biggest challenges following a natural disaster is simply getting help to where it’s needed. After an event like a hurricane or earthquake, debris and standing water can block roadways, making it nearly impossible...	One of the biggest challenges following a natural disaster is simply getting help to where it’s needed. After an event like a hurricane or earthquake, debris and standing water can block roadways, making it nearly impossible for rescue crews to know which paths will lead them to people in need.
Laser Mapping Center Gets NSF Funding August 16, 2013With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the University of Houston’s National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) has, in the past few years: located ancient ruins, identified levees in danger of failing,...	With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the University of Houston’s National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) has, in the past few years: located ancient ruins, identified levees in danger of failing, charted land erosion following hurricanes, created flood maps for urban areas, found near-drought conditions in seemingly healthy plants, mapped the sea floor, ch
Texas Hurricane Center Featured on Channel 13 News August 5, 2013Dr. C.	Dr. C.
"UH Mappers Help Find Lost World": Cullen College Professor Featured in Houston Chronicle May 29, 2013A team of UH Cullen College of Engineering researchers who helped uncover a lost world in the rainforests of Honduras were featured in the Houston Chronicle today.	A team of UH Cullen College of Engineering researchers who helped uncover a lost world in the rainforests of Honduras were featured in the Houston Chronicle today.
Did Cullen College Researchers Help Find a Fabled Ancient City in Honduras? May 15, 2013A year ago, a research team from the UH Cullen College of Engineering's National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) revealed that they discovered ancient ruins hidden deep within the Honduran rainforests which may belong...	A year ago, a research team from the UH Cullen College of Engineering's National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) revealed that they discovered ancient ruins hidden deep within the Honduran rainforests which may belong to the legendary lost city of Ciudad Blanca.

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