Analyze the effects of prolonged natural flood conditions in aggressive environments on the steel corrosion and deterioration in reinforced concrete structures. Investigate how this process affects the long term durability of structures. Project will involve experimental methods with actual field investigation.
Develop a geo-polymer based coating for nuclear waste containment structures in order to gain high mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Determine if nano materials for nuclear containment structures can significantly reduce the potential for meltdown in an accident.
•
Develop globally engaged U.S. science and engineering students in an international research environment.
•
Active research participation by students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs specifically designed for the IRES program.
•
Gaining hands-on experience in the preparedness and mitigation of natural, man-made and accidental hazard events on civil infrastructure.
•
Participating in state-of-the-art international level collaborative research on hazard mitigation at a well-known research agency in
Span under expert mentoring, funding by the prestigious NSF.
•
Learning about civil engineering as a profession and the opportunities of higher education in a global context.
If you answer yes to any of the above, please consider applying for the very exciting, informative, prestigious and well-paying program.
Investigate load and deflection behavior of precast concrete claddings in frame buildings, considering structural interaction. Evaluate the effect of the modified loads for real life design and systems. Determine if this interaction can lead to realistic wind load redistribution and resulting optimized structural design.
•
Opportunity to work on state-of-the-art research with engineering professionals in Valencia, Spain.
•
Opportunity to gain an understanding of the importance of professional networking at the international level through the foreign networking opportunity.
•
Cooperative learning with other IRES students, graduate students and engineering/education professors.
•
Opportunity to earn hands-on research experience in the very important and critical area of hazard mitigation by participating in real life related studies.
Improve the student’s knowledge on the behavior of construction products and elements under fire (natural, accidental, arson). Learn experimental and analytic methods to assess fire resistance. Improve fire testing methods for building elements with knowledge from new analytical and experimental testing.
Students will attend a 6-week summer program in Valencia,
Spain, continue networking activities during the academic year, make presentations at their parent institutions and develop dedicated web-sites/blogs on their IRES experience.
Study and propose improvements to obtain better mechanical behavior against impact loading on temporary work equipment used in construction projects. Investigate if dynamic testing can assist in significantly improving the safety against worker height fall from temporary construction equipment. This may lead to improved workplace safety and reduced risks.
Train in the basics of non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring, and wireless sensor networking. Determine if simultaneous radar and wireless sensor application in the field results in improved monitoring of indicators for potential seismic activity. Test selected technique in the Valencia area.
Students from Civil Engineering tracks at universities and Civil
Engineering bound tracks at community colleges are strongly encouraged to apply. Students from groups under-represented in science and engineering are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications must be received by 5 pm on March 21, 2016.
Contacts are:
Dr. Nur Yazdani Dr. Lisa K. Thompson
Department of Civil Engineering College of Education
University of Texas at Arlington Prairie View A&M University
817-272-0676 936-261-3653
Yazdani@uta.edu
lkthompson@pvamu.edu
•
Summer program will be held in Valencia, Spain, at the
Polytechnic University of Valencia
( https://www.upv.es/index-en.html
)
•
Summer 2016 Program: June 3- July 16, 2016
•
Program includes workshops, lectures, group activities, laboratory work, computer work, presentations, social activities
•
$3000 stipend, in addition to room and board, and all travel funds provided
•
Internship credit is possible

Funded by the National Science Foundation’s International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Program.
2016 Program Application – Undergraduate Researcher
Please type or print all information.
Last Name, First Name Phone
Mailing Address
E-mail Address
City State
Zip
Citizenship Status: U.S. Citizen U.S. Permanent Resident International
Spanish Language Competency : Excellent Good Fair None
University/College
Major or Intended Major
Expected Graduation Date
Cumulative GPA
Classification: Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior
Race/Ethnicity (Select one or more):
White (Non-Hispanic) African American Asian Hispanic or Latino Native American
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Other: _____________________
Disability Status (Select one or more):
None Hearing Impairment Visual Impairment (other than minor correction)
Mobility/Orthopedic Impairment Other:_______________________
Veteran Status: Gender:
Yes No Male Female
Are you available to attend the IRES Spain Summer Program during June 3 - July 16, 2016?
Yes NO
Will you have at least $1,500 in cash or credit personally available for your expenses while living in Spain?
Yes NO
NOTE: All meals, housing and travel expenses will be paid by the IRES project upon return from Spain.
However, it may take up to three months after your return to receive the reimbursements. Is this acceptable?
Yes NO
Do you have a valid passport for Spain Travel with at least one year expiration date from June 2016?
Yes NO
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Example Summer Research projects to be held in Valencia, Spain, are listed below. Please indicate your interest in order of preference (#1 indicating highest preference). Please note that the specific project assigned to you may not correspond to your highest preference. Actual summer projects could be different than the listed ones shown below.
Project Hazard Type Rank
Durability of concrete under flood conditions
Nano-coatings for nuclear meltdown containment
Flood
Nuclear Meltdown
Behaviour of precast concrete claddings in extreme wind loads
Fire resistance of building elements
Wind
Fire
Worker fall protection from temporary construction equipment Construction
Non-destructive testing and wireless monitoring for seismic risk reduction
Earthquake
Please answer the following questions in the space provided (Do not exceed the boxed spaces).
Why would you like to participate in the IRES program? What benefits do you believe you will gain from the
IRES project?
What are your future plans after graduation?
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The following items must also be submitted in order for your application to be complete:
•
Official Transcript o An official transcript is required; please submit an unofficial copy with your application. o Please do not forget to request an official transcript from your college/university.
•
STEM Faculty Member Recommendation (form provided on page), to be submitted by
March 31, 2016.
Extensive information about the UT Arlington IRES Project may be found at: http://www.uta.edu/ce/ires/index.html
.
Information on Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain (where the summer research training will be held) may be found at: https://www.upv.es/index-en.html
.
The 2016 IRES Program will commence on June 6 and end on July 15, 2016. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 21, 2016. Applications and supporting materials should be sent to the following addresses:
For UT Arlington or Colleges in the DFW Metro Area:
E-mail to: Alvin Malaikal at Alvin.malaikal@mavs.uta.edu, or mail to: Alvin Malaikal, Dept. of
Civil Engineering, Box 19308, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019.
For Prairie View A&M University or Colleges in the Greater Houston area:
E-mail to: Dr. Lisa K. Thompson, lkthompson@pvamu.edu
, or mail to: Dr. Lisa K.
Thompson, Prairie View A&M University, P. O. Box 519 - MS 2420, Prairie View, TX 77446.
These are security-sensitive positions and a criminal background check will be conducted on the selected students.
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IRES
Funded by the National Science Foundation’s International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Program
FACULTY RECOMMENDATION FORM
Instructions to Applicant: Please complete the upper portion of the evaluation form before submitting it to the evaluator. The evaluator must be an engineering/science/mathematics professor who has taught you in one or more 2000-level or higher courses.
Applicant
Last Name First Name MI
Major Evaluator’s Name
In accordance with the Family Education Right and Privacy Act of 1974, you may waive your right to inspect this recommendation by signing the statement below. Should you decide not to waive the right, you will have access to the recommendation if you enroll at The University of Texas at Arlington.
I hereby waive my right of access to this recommendation.
Student Initial
Student Signature: Date:
Instructions to the Evaluator: Please rate the applicant with others of similar age and academic level by selecting the response
(1-5) that comes closest to your judgment from the following scale.
1-Excellent 2-Good 3-Satisfactory 4-Poor 5-Unable to Judge
Knowledge of Field
Intellectual Ability
Motivation to Conduct Research
Writing Ability
Oral Expression
Emotional Expression
Working with Others
Analytical Ability
Punctuality
Class Attendance
1
Comments: Use a separate letter if desired.
The applicant has taken:  None of my classes
 One of my classes
 Two or more of my classes
2 3 4 5
Evaluator Signature
E-mail Address
Office Phone
University/College
Department
________________________________________
Please enclose your recommendation in a signed and sealed envelope, and return it to the applicant. Thanks a lot for your assistance.
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