Active Research Projects

Collaborative Research: RAPID-Multi-Scale Investigation into the Storm Processes of the 10 August 2020 Midwest Derecho

This award will allow a multidisciplinary scientific team (i.e., atmospheric scientists, remote sensing experts, wind and structural engineers) to perform high-resolution numerical simulations and detailed damage surveys across multiple spatial scales to investigate storm processes in derechos. Relating detailed documentation of high-wind damage with storm processes can provide vital information on extreme wind production in derechos and storm damage potential, leading to improved understanding of severe-storm processes, radar interpretation, and risk communication associated with warnings to the general public. Role: PI. Collaborators: Melissa Wagner (lead PI, University of Oklahoma/NOAA National Severe Storm Labs), Franklin Lombardo (PI, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). Status: Funded - Ongoing.  NSF Abstract Link

Proyecto Rescate de Rosalila: Teledetección (Rescuing Rosalila Project: Remote Sensing)

Capturando escaneos laser 3D de Rosalila (Templo 16, Copán Ruinas, Honduras) para conserverla. (Capturing lidar scans of Rosalila (Temple 16) in Copán Ruinas, Honduras for conservation). Role: PI. Collaborators: Heather Richards-Rissetto (co-PI), Christine E. Wittich (co-PI). Status: Funded - Ongoing, but anticipated delay due to covid-19.

Assessment of Post-Tornado Damage in the Built and Natural Environment

Use of remote sensing to identify and extract damage patterns to validate tornado models and hazard characterization. Role: PI. Collaborators: withheld (not publically available). Status: Funded - Ongoing.

Outdoor Laboratory and Testbed for Bridge Health (Link to project)

Establishment of the Nebraska Outdoor Bridge Laboratory (NOBL) facility consisting of two steel bridge structures near Yutan/Venice and one concrete bridge structure in (north) Omaha. Facility to be used for research, education, and outreach as a joint venture between UNL and Nebraska DOT.  For more details, please inquire with the PI. Role: PI. Collaborators: Christine E. Wittich (co-PI), Joshua S. Steelman (co-PI), Jay A. Puckett (co-PI), Daniel G. Linzell (co-PI), Jinying Zhu (co-PI). Status: Funded - Ongoing, but anticipated delay due to covid-19.

Data-Driven Prioritization and Empirical Predictions for Scour of Rural Bridges in Nebraska

Evaluate, characterize, and predict scour at bridge structures throughout Nebraska. Role: PI. Collaborators: Christine E. Wittich (co-PI), Junke Guo (co-PI), Chung R. Song (co-PI). Status: Funded - Delayed due to covid-19.

Phased Construction Bridges: Monitoring and Analysis for Traffic-Induced Vibration

Quantify and confirm the sources of reduced serviceability of phased construction bridges using field monitoring and laboratory investigation. Role: co-PI. Collaborators: Christine E. Wittich (PI), George Morcous (co-PI). Status: Funded - Ongoing.

Biopolymerized Slope Stablization and Advanced Field Monitoring

Field recommendations and implementation of biopolymers on Nebraska slopes. Role: co-PI. Collaborators: Chung R. Song (PI), Yong-Rak Kim (co-PI), Jongwan Eun (co-PI). Status: Funded - Ongoing, but anticipated delay due to covid-19.

Spokes: Medium: Midwest: Smart Big Data Pipeline for Aging Rural Bridge Transportation Infrastructure

The research team will combine existing and new datasets to address challenges of relevance to bridge owners using scalable and replicable big data pipeline components. Role: SP. Collaborators: Robin Gandhi (PI). Status: Funded - Ongoing.