Anca Ferche

Anca Ferche is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the Cockrell School of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. (2020) and M.S. (2015) in Structural Engineering from the University of Toronto, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (2012). Her research focuses on advanced modeling techniques for reinforced concrete structures, emphasizing deterioration mechanisms, sustainability, and constitutive model development. Key areas include alkali-silica reaction (ASR) effects, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), and composite material systems. Ferche leads the Ferche Research Group, which integrates analytical and experimental methods to improve structural assessment methodologies. She is affiliated with the Concrete Bridge Engineering Institute (CBEI) and has secured grants including the NSF CAREER Award for advancing structural assessment frameworks. Her work bridges material science, computational modeling, and infrastructure sustainability.

Education:

• Ph.D., Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 2020
• M.S., Structural Engineering, University of Toronto, 2015
• B.S., Civil Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 2012

Technical interests emphasize structural integrity analysis, damage mechanics, and AI-driven material characterization. Recent work highlights include stochastic finite element analysis for shear-critical structures, UHPC tensile property modeling with artificial neural networks, and ASR-affected structure behavior. Her research has been published in high-impact journals like ACI Structural Journal and Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering.

Grants and Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award (2024): 'Advancing the Assessment of Existing Reinforced Concrete Structures'

Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the Concrete Bridge Engineering Institute (CBEI), focusing on innovative solutions for bridge engineering challenges.