 Guillermo Ramirez, PE, Ph.D. Assistant Professor |
Address:
UTA Box 19308
Arlington, TX 76019-0308
Phone: (817) 272-2683
Email: willy@uta.edu
Education:
Ph.D., 1999, The University of Texas at Austin
M.S., 1989, The University of Texas at Austin
B.S., 1986, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara
Area of Expertise:
Retrofit (seismic or code updating) of existing structures (buildings and/or bridges) with advanced composites, the use of these materials will provide an easy, fast and durable way to achieve this goal. Standardization in the design and fabrication of civil structures using fiber composite materials. Evaluation of existing structures with nondestructive methods such as, Acoustic Emission, Ultrasonic, Thermal and Vibration techniques. Development of integrated structural systems using new materials and procedures.
Background:
Professional experience:
August 2004 – Present Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Arlington
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Responsibilities in this position as defined as follows:
This position requires teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as perform research in the area of structural engineering. In addition to normal undergraduate advising, the person is required to supervise graduate students in their research activities at both the Masters and Doctoral levels. Technical publication production and service are also required responsibilities.
October 1998 – August 2004 Assistant Professor
University of Kansas
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Responsibilities in this position as defined as follows:
• This position requires teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as perform research in the area of structural engineering. In addition to normal undergraduate advising, the person is required to supervise graduate students in their research activities at both the Masters and Doctoral levels.
• Off-campus graduate courses taught at the Capitol Complex in Topeka and at the Regents Center in Kansas City.
• Publication of research activities is required as well as generation of external funding through development and submittal of research proposals.
• In addition, participation in service to the department, school, university and the profession is expected.
• Participation in the technical and professional activities at both the local and national levels.
September 1993 – October 1998 Research Assistant
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Texas
• Development of hardware and testing facilities for pressure testing of hybrid composite pipe specimens. Hydraulic pressure/air driven pump system with a capacity of +30,000 psi.
• Design of testing tank for blast wave containment and redirection of over-pressure wave.
• Development and testing of external pressure, carbon fiber specimen. Coordination with external pressure facilities capable of testing a 15ft long, 24 inch diameter prototype specimen for drilling riser application
• Finite element analysis of fiber reinforced fiber composites for determination of additional end reinforcement profile and for failure studies after testing program.
• Acoustic emission data, ultrasonic testing and thermal emission monitoring, reduction during testing, and analysis phase.
October 1992 - September 1993 Project Engineer
Raymond L. Goodson Engineers Inc., Dallas Texas
• Responsibilities include analysis and design of structural systems, including structural steel, reinforced and prestressed concrete
• Project management and coordination
1989 - October 1992 Project Engineer
L.A. Fuess Partners Incorporated, Dallas Texas
• Responsibilities included analysis and design of structural systems, including structural steel, reinforced and prestressed concrete
• Other responsibilities included design and development of structural details, coordination with clients, project specifications and construction administration
October 1988 - 1989 Design Engineer
L.A. Fuess Partners Incorporated, Dallas Texas
• Responsibilities included structural design of buildings, lateral analysis of multistory structures. Review of shop drawings and field modification to structures while in construction.
September 1986 - October 1988 Graduate Research Assistant
Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory, Austin Texas
• Designed, fabricated and constructed models of segmental precast beams with internal unbonded tendons
• Principal investigator during testing and analysis of the model beams
• Designed and implemented instrumentation and loading system for the experimental part of the study
• Responsible for testing reinforcing steel and prestressing strand used in the models
,
Research Highlights:
FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Total: $2,432,715; at UTA: $529,508
• PI, Test monitoring and FE modeling of Prototype Bar‐
Wrapped Pipe Joint, Northwest Pipe, $43,000 (awarded), 2009
• Co‐PI, Pipe Joint testing, Bulldog Industries, $7,500,
(awarded), 2009
• Co‐PI, Testing of Aluminum Beams, CAPFORM, $22,500.00
(awarded), 2007
• Co‐PI, Vibration Control in Mounted Traffic Cameras, TXDOT,
$241,508.00 (awarded), 2007
• Co‐PI, Test of LWC Panels, HANSON PIPE AND PRODUCTS,
$150,000.00 (awarded), 2006
• PI, Acoustic Emission Testing of FRP Beams for Refugio
Bridge, $15,000.00 (awarded), 2006
• PI, Proposal for Material and System testing program for
shelter system, Guillermo Ramirez, Nur Yazdani, Ali Abolmaali,
IADDIC Shelters LLC, 1 year, $52,500, Yes (on Hold)
• PI, “Design and Construction of Composite Bridge in Refugio
County, Texas”, TXDOT, $50,000 (awarded), 2004‐2007.
• PI, “Temperature transmission and deformation of FRP decks
for bridge applications”, KDOT, $80,000 (awarded), 2005‐2008
• Co‐PI, “K‐16 Over Tuttle Creek Fatigue Repair Project.
Project No. 12‐106 K‐9238‐0 2”, KDOT, $199,899 (awarded), 2003‐
2006. Collaboration with Dr, Kim Roddis, (formerly professor at
University of Kansas), Department Head, George Washington
University, Washington DC
• PI, “Development of a modular bridge using FRP materials”,
2003‐2005, KDOT/FHWA, $85,000 (awarded). Partner proposal with
Kansas State University, Dr. Robert Peterman, Assistant Professor
• PI, “Effects of temperature in Acoustic Emission inspection of
FRP pressure vessels”, National Science Foundation/Dow Chemicals,
$65,000 (awarded) 2003‐2005, Collaboration with Paul Ziehl,
(formerly assistant professor at Tulane University) South Carolina
State University
• PI, “Field Instrumentation of Steel bridges with fatigue prone
details”, KDOT, $50,000 (awarded) 2003‐2005
• PI, “Exploratory study of use of FRP materials for fatigue
crack repair in steel beams”, KDOT, $25,000 (awarded) 2001‐2002
• PI, “Use of infrared systems for damage detection in bridges
and other structures”, KDOT/FHWA, $37,800 (awarded) 2001‐2002
• PI, “Development of a internet based data gathering, analysis
and presentation system for field instrumentation and health
monitoring data of structures” (Olson Engineers/ SBIR) 2003‐2004,
$25,000 (awarded)
• PI, “Industry and State Matching funds for NSF CAREER
Award”, NSF, KDOT, $75,000 (awarded) 2001‐2005, Physical
Acoustics Corporation provided the Industry match
• PI, “Development of a modular bridge using FRP materials”,
KDOT/FHWA $57,000 (awarded) 2001‐2003
• Co‐PI, “Course Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement
Rapid Prototyping and Design for Manufacturability”, National
Science Foundation, $500,000 (awarded) 2001‐2003, Collaboration
with Dr. Rich Hale (Aerospace Engineering), Dr. Lorin Maletzky
(Mechanical Engineering)
• Co‐PI, “Experimental Evaluation and Finite element analysis
of flowable fills”, KDOT, $55,000 (awarded) 2001‐2002.
Collaboration with Dr. Robert Parsons, assistant professor in
Geotechnical Engineering, University of Kansas.
• PI, “Field instrumentation of bridge repair in Hutchinson
Kansas”, KDOT, $69,000 (awarded) 2001‐2003
• Co‐PI, “Use of Textile composites for Structural Applications”,
NSF, $250,000 (awarded) 2001‐2002, Collaboration with Dr. Steven
McCabe, Professor Civil Engineering, University of Kansas
• PI, “Evaluation of Impact Damage in Composite Pipes”, NSF
CAREER AWARD, $275,000 (awarded) 2000‐2004
• PI, “Literature Survey on Composites”, KTRAN, $ 4,500
(awarded) 1999‐2000
• Co‐PI, “Field Instrumentation of KDOT Fiber Composite
Bridge”. KTRAN, $35,000 (awarded) 1999, Collaboration with Dr.
Joann Browning, Assistant professor, structural engineering, The
University of Kansas.
• PI, “Preliminary Evaluation of Asphalt Concrete as particle
Composite”, FHWA, $15,000 (awarded) 1999‐2000
