Riyad S. Aboutaha
Senior Associate Dean
Associate Professor
Civil & Environmental Engineering
- 227B Link Hall
- 315.443.3347
- rsabouta@syr.edu
Degrees:
- Ph.D., Civil Engineering, 1994, University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA.
- M.S., Civil Engineering, 1990, University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA.
- B.E., Civil Engineering 1981, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Research interests:
- Ductility of CFRP strengthened concrete bridge girders
- Durability of wearing surfaces for FRP bridge decks
- Seismic response of deteriorated concrete bridge components
- Economy of preventive maintenance of highway bridges
- GFRP reinforced concrete structures in corrosive environments
- Smart reinforced concrete structures
Current Research:
Preventive maintenance is the most economical approach to maintain existing concrete bridges. Therefore, evaluation of existing bridges with intention of applying preventive maintenance should be based on chemical assessment of the bridge condition, not primarily based on physical assessment. An in-depth investigation of the combined deterioration effects of various deterioration mechanisms is needed to establish sound thresholds for harmful chemicals in concrete bridge elements. Such established thresholds are critical for cost-effective maintenance decision making, in a timely fashion, before any deterioration starts. This project takes a scientific-practical approach for preventive maintenance of concrete bridges.
Modern, low cost maintenance of concrete bridges using effective NDT test data. This project investigates the smart use of NDT data to predict the near future service condition of concrete bridge components, and its utilization for cost-effective preventive maintenance policy. The impact of this study will enhance the followings: (1) development of better rational for setting maintenance frequency based on condition, (2) development of preventive low-cost maintenance measures for better control of deterioration rate, (3) understanding of financial consequences of delayed maintenance, and (4) reduction of the number of structurally deficient bridges.
Courses Taught:
- CEE 332 Design of Concrete Structures
- CEE 478/678 Rehabilitation of Civil Infrastructure
- CEE 536 Prestressed Concrete Design
- CEE 635 Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design
- CEE 677 Design of Structural Systems
Honors:
- Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Selected Publications:
Bridge Pier Extension with Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Polymer Flexural Reinforcement: Experimental Tests and Three-Dimensional Finite Element Modeling, by Cheng Tan, Jia Xu, and Riyad Aboutaha, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 118, No. 1, (2021) pp 251-262.
Cyclic Flexural Performance of Fire-Damaged Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with Carbon Fiber- Reinforced Polymer Plates, by Akhrawat Lenwari, Chanachai Thongchom, and Riyad S. Aboutaha, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 117, No. 6, (2020) pp. 133-146.
Xingji Lu, Riyad S. Aboutaha (2020), “Structural strengthening of square spread footings using circular external prestressing,”Journal of Building Engineering, Volume 31, September 2020.
Cheng Tana, Jia Xub and Riyad S. Aboutaha (2020), “Numerical analysis of RC hammer head pier cap beams,” Computers and Concrete, Vol. 25, No. 5.
Chanachai Thongchom, Akhrawat Lenwari, and Riyad S. Aboutaha (2019) “Effect of Sustained Service Loading on Post-Fire Flexural Response of Reinforced Concrete T-Beams,” ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 116, pp 243-254.
Jnaid, F., and Aboutaha, R. (2016) “Residual Flexural Strength of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beams,” Elsevier, www.sciencedirect.com.
EI-Helou, R., and Aboutaha, R., “Analysis of Rectangular Hybrid Steel-GFRP Reinforced Concrete Beam Columns,” Computers and Concrete, Vol. 16, No. 2 (2015) pp. 245-260.