Vikram Yadama has long been passionate about creating sustainable and renewable building materials for affordable housing, but the civil and environmental engineering professor has always been puzzled about one thing: it seems only rich people can afford them.

Hoping to be part of efforts to change that, Yadama and fellow researchers at Washington State University are teaming up with a Tacoma-based start-up to develop environmentally friendly, climate resilient, and affordable roofing materials made from bamboo. [Read More….]

Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, recognized Washington State University retiring professors Dr. Don Bender, P.E., and Dr. J. Daniel Dolan, P.E., for their significant contributions to our industry in the areas of product testing, research, code development and education, along with their leadership of the Simpson Strong-Tie® Excellence Fund — an eight-year commitment of $100,000 annually to support construction and engineering research at WSU. [Read More…]

 March 7, 2022 — Congratulations to Somayeh Nassiri and Karl Englund on their tenure and promotions!

Karl has been a faculty member in CMEC since 2003 and specializes in wood and natural fiber composites, composite and plastic recycyling, and polyment processing with natural fiber reinforcement. Karl has been promoted to the rank of Research Professor.

Somayeh has been with CMEC since 2014 and specializes in concrete material characterization, pavement performance monitoring and Concrete pavement design, construction, repair and maintenance. Somayeh was granted tenure … » More …

September 21, 2021 — Dr. Julia Day’s vision for her work is guided by a straightforward equation: Healthy People + Healthy Buildings = A Healthy Planet.

An associate professor in Washington State University’s School of Design and Construction, Day also directs the Integrated Design + Construction Laboratory (ID+CL) where she leads a team of students in pioneering building research. [Read More…]

September 10, 2021 — Suzanne Hamada was awarded the Service Recognition Award yesterday from the WSU Office of Research Support and Operations!  This prestigious award is to recognize an outstanding employee who has performed their grant and contract administration responsibilities above and beyond the expected performance within their work unit.  Suzanne’s reputation of excellence is known throughout the research administration community on campus, and of course everyone in our center appreciates her help, expertise and always cheerful outlook.

Congrats Suzanne.   We are proud of you!!!

June 22, 2020 — Every year, Washington State University welcomes dozens of students and scholars from across the globe in partnership with the prestigious Fulbright Program. In turn, the university sends out its own ambassadors, who go on to study and teach at institutions the world over.

One of the ways the academy generates interest is through allowing past Fulbright scholars to speak about their experiences. Dan Dolan, a professor of civil and environmental engineering in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, has become a major proponent of the program and its myriad opportunities since … » More …

Julia Day, assistant professor in the WSU Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture’s School of Design and Construction and director of the WSU Integrated Design + Construction Laboratory, will be the first joint appointee in a new program between WSU and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s leading experts in energy efficiency and occupancy behavior. The knowledge and resources available to me through this collaboration with NREL will help advance important research while also providing opportunities for funding … » More …

WSU researchers have received a Department of Energy (DOE) grant to use seafood waste from shrimp and crab shells to improve concrete.

The work could lead to more durable concrete and in doing so, reduce the significant carbon emissions that go into concrete production. Led by Somayeh Nassiri, assistant professor, Michael Wolcott, Regents Professor, and Hui Li, research assistant professor in the Composite Materials and Engineering Center, the interdisciplinary team also includes researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratories. [Read more]

March 19, 2021 – Dan Dolan, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has received the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Building Seismic Safety Council’s Excellence Award.

He received the award at the council’s annual symposium, held virtually on March 4.

The excellence award recognizes individuals who have made a significant difference in advancing seismic design and construction and in improving the safety and economic viability of building systems. [Read more]