Andrew Bechtel

Andrew Bechtel is Chair and Professor of Civil Engineering at The College of New Jersey. His work focuses on structural engineering, civil engineering materials, and transportation infrastructure assessment.

• Education: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (2011)
• M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Delaware (2008)
• B.S. in Architectural and Civil Engineering, Drexel University (2006)

Research interests center on Structural Engineering and Bridge Assessment, including finite element analysis, material behavior under load, and data-driven evaluation of infrastructure performance using probe vehicle data. His projects bridge geotechnical, transportation, and materials engineering, emphasizing structural integrity and urban mobility.

Recent publications focus on bridge serviceability, polymer pile analysis, and traffic congestion metrics, integrating computational modeling with empirical testing. Awards include the A.J. Drexel Scholarship. Grants from the Steel Deck Institute supported studies on diaphragm behavior in hip roofs and pour-stop deformation.

• Scientific Awards
  • A.J. Drexel Scholarship, Drexel University (2001)

He has served as Chair of the Civil Engineering department since 2022 and advises on structural engineering education and research.