Mingu Kang

Dr. Mingu Kang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of St. Thomas. His research specializes in transportation geotechnics with a focus on smart and resilient infrastructure foundations using geosynthetics and innovative sensor technologies.

Education:

• PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• MS in Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University
• BS in Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University

Dr. Kang's research centers on Transportation Geotechnics, Smart Infrastructure Monitoring, and Geosynthetic Reinforcement. He develops and deploys field sensors—particularly bender elements—to measure stiffness in soil and aggregate layers for pavements and railroads. His work integrates real-time sensor data with geogrid stabilization techniques to enhance infrastructure durability against degradation. Key applications include airport runways, highway pavements, and railroad ballast systems where resilience against environmental stressors is critical.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2023) reveals consistent focus on sensor-based characterization of transportation infrastructure. Over 80% of his work involves bender element technology for stiffness measurement, with strong emphasis on geogrid-aggregate interaction and field validation through FAA, USACE, and state DOT test sites. Emerging themes include degradation monitoring of ballast systems and smart runway development using embedded sensors.

Scientific Awards:

• Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) award
• International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) award
• FAA award

Dr. Kang collaborates extensively with government agencies including USACE, FAA, and FHWA on infrastructure monitoring projects. His research has been deployed at operational test sites across multiple state Departments of Transportation. While no formal graduate students are listed, he guides undergraduate design projects through St. Thomas' Engineer Design Clinic and Soil Mechanics courses. Current grants focus on sensor deployment for pavement resilience but lack public funding details.

He utilizes St. Thomas' Design Center lab facilities while conducting field work at external test sites operated by government partners. His team develops custom sensor arrays for real-time infrastructure monitoring, with recent deployments at FAA airfield test sections and state highway pavements. Current collaborations include the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Center for Applied AI for data integration in smart infrastructure systems.