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UTEP Receives $155K From Federal Aviation Administration to Strengthen Airfield Pavements

Last Updated on December 17, 2019 at 12:00 AM

Originally published December 17, 2019

By UC Staff

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso's Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS) has been awarded a $155,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate non-nuclear alternative methods and devices for quality management of earthwork of airfield pavements.

The University of Texas at El Paso's Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS) has been awarded a $155,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate non-nuclear alternative methods and devices for quality management of earthwork of airfield pavements. Photo: J.R. Hernandez / UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso's Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS) has been awarded a $155,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate non-nuclear alternative methods and devices for quality management of earthwork of airfield pavements. Photo: J.R. Hernandez / UTEP Communications

Leading the research is Soheil Nazarian, Ph.D., professor of civil engineering, and co-principal investigator Cesar Tirado, Ph.D., research scientist at CTIS. Several students will gain firsthand experience from this research project. 

FAA quality management is currently performed using a nuclear density gauge. The main goal of this research effort is to develop new methods to better assure the quality of compaction of earthwork. Use of these methods will translate into airfield pavements with longer service lives and fewer downtimes for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

“As a leader in this area, the researchers and students from CTIS will work collaboratively with the engineer and scientist of FAA toward the adoption of emerging technologies during the construction of pavements,” Nazarian said. 

This research project will be conducted using CTIS computational resources and may lead to field testing alongside FAA personnel in airport pavements construction projects. 

“This project will expose students to quality management practices, emerging technologies and advanced analysis techniques necessary for a successful career in the modern transportation industry,” Tirado said.