Ian N. Robertson
Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Mail: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Holmes Hall 383
2540 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822 USA
Voice: (808) 956-6536
Fax: (808) 956-5014
Research Interests
My current and recent research projects include laboratory structural testing, material testing and development, field instrumentation, and hazard mitigation.
Structural Testing:
- Laboratory Testing and Analytical Modeling of Flat Slab Systems
- Shear Reinforcement in Flat Slabs Subjected to Seismic Loading
- Top-plate for Cold-formed Steel Wall Framing (PDF)
- Durability of Concrete Exposed to Marine Environment (PDF)
- FRP for Flexural and Shear Retrofit of Bridge Girders (PDF)
- Hybrid Masonry Seismic Structural Systems
Material Testing and Development:
- Corrosion of Galvanized Fasteners used in Cold-formed Steel Framing (PDF)
- Development of Flexible Concrete Joints for Bridge Decks
- Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete for Bridge Drilled Shaft Construction
Field Instrumentation:
- H3 North Halawa Valley Viaduct Instrumentation Project
- Seismic Instrumentation of the Kealakaha Stream Bridge
- Instrumentation and Monitoring of FRP Shear Retrofit of Bridge Girders
Hazard Mitigation:
- Tsunami Loading on Coastal Structures
- Damage Survey from Hurricane Katrina
- Coastal Bridge and Port Vulnerability to Tsunami and Storm Surge
- All-Hazard Assessment of Critical Facilities in Hawaii
- Investigation of Post and Pier Earthquake Damage
- Wind-borne Debris Testing of saferooms and housing construction
Courses Taught
- CEE 270: Applied Mechanics I (Statics)
- CEE 370: Mechanics of Materials
- CEE 485: Reinforced Concrete Design
- CEE 486: Structural Steel Design
- CEE 683: Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design
- CEE 685: Advanced Structural Steel Design
- CEE 687: Prestressed Concrete Design
Professional
Associations/Involvements
- Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii (SEAOH) – President (2008)
- American Concrete Institute (ACI) - Committees 209, 352
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Hawaii State Civil Defense Earthquake Advisory Committee (HSEAC) –Chairman (2004-2007)
- American Association of Engineering Education (ASEE)
- Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES)
Short Biography
I was born and raised in South Africa and received my Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of The Witwatersrand (White Waters Ridge) in Johannesburg. After a couple of years working for Ove Arup Inc., an international structural and civil design company, I received a Fulbright Scholarship to attend the Civil Engineering Department at Rice University in Houston, Texas for a Master's degree.
During my two years at Rice University, I performed an experimental study of the performance of welded wire fabric as shear reinforcement in prestressed concrete T-beams under the guidance of Dr. Ahmad Durrani. The results of this work were subsequently published in the PCI Journal.
On my return to South Africa, I again worked for Ove Arup Inc. on both design and construction projects. I married Rene Rademan in September, 1985, and my wife and I decided to accept the offer of a Rice University Research Assistantship for a Doctorate in Civil Engineering. We made the trip to Houston in January 1986.
My Doctoral studies focused on the seismic performance of slab-column connections. This work was initiated after the poor performance of waffle-slab structures during the September 1985 Mexico City earthquake. The results of this work were published in two ACI Structural Journal articles.
After completing my Ph.D., I worked for Walter P. Moore and Associates in Houston, Texas from 1989 to 1992. I was involved in a variety of design projects from a 35 story office building in Cincinnati, Ohio, to an IMAX theatre and Tropical Forest Conservatory in Galveston, Texas. I gained valuable design experience in concrete, prestressed concrete and steel design, and numerous site visits gave me exposure to current construction practices.
In 1992 I accepted a position as Assistant Professor at the University of
Hawaii, where I currently teach design related courses, and perform research in
the behavior of structures, particularly those employing concrete and
prestressed concrete. This research is
performed in the Structural Testing
Laboratory at UH and at various field sites around
A more complete version of my curriculum vitae is available.
Page last updated August 21, 2009
Send e-mail to
ianrob@hawaii.edu
Go to the UH Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
home page.
Go to the University of Hawaii College of
Engineering home page.
