معرفی
Pinar Okumus serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Her research focuses on advancing infrastructure resiliency through low-damage seismic systems, prefabricated concrete structures, and high-performance materials for rapid construction and repair of bridges and buildings.
Her academic credentials include:
- PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison (2012)
- MS in Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison (2008)
- BS in Civil Engineering, Middle East Technical University (2006)
Dr. Okumus' research integrates nonlinear structural analysis, material-scale testing, and in-situ monitoring to develop rapidly deployable infrastructure solutions. Her work emphasizes practical applications of pre-tensioned, post-tensioned, and reinforced concrete components for extreme event resilience, with particular focus on coastal infrastructure vulnerability and seismic retrofitting. The Dr. Okumus Research Group employs advanced methodologies including machine learning for structural assessment and optical fiber technologies for long-term monitoring.
Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal strong thematic trends in corrosion effects on coastal infrastructure, 3D-printable cementitious composites for rapid repair, and tessellated structural-architectural systems. Her work increasingly incorporates machine learning for shear strength prediction and crack pattern analysis while maintaining core expertise in post-tensioned systems and seismic retrofit solutions.
Research funding is secured through competitive grants from the National Science Foundation and Federal Highway Administration, supporting experimental validation of novel concepts like self-centering shear walls and ultrahigh-performance concrete retrofits. The group actively collaborates with transportation agencies to translate laboratory findings into field applications for bridge and building systems.
The Dr. Okumus Research Group operates as an interdisciplinary team investigating structures that enable rapid reoccupation after extreme events. Current projects focus on modular systems with interlocking components, optical sensing integration for tendon force monitoring, and material innovations for climate-resilient infrastructure, maintaining strong connections with industry partners for practical implementation.
