Susan Faraji

Susan Faraji is a Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the Francis College of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell. With over four decades of experience, she has established herself as a leading expert in structural engineering, particularly in the analysis and design of bridges and advanced structural mechanics.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Structures and Applied Mechanics), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1983
• M.S. in Structural Engineering, Northeastern University, 1979
• B.S. in Structural Engineering, Arya-Mehr University, Tehran, Iran, 1979

Dr. Faraji's research focuses on integral abutment bridges, finite element modeling of structures, and the behavior of bridges through data collection and analysis. Her work bridges theoretical mechanics with practical engineering applications, contributing significantly to the design and safety of infrastructure. She has extensive industrial experience, collaborating with government agencies and consulting firms on diverse structural projects.

Her publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational theoretical work on shell/plate mechanics (1980s) to applied bridge engineering research (1990s-2000s), culminating in comprehensive textbooks and ongoing field monitoring projects. Current research emphasizes data-driven analysis of integral abutment bridge behavior under thermal and geometric variables.

Scientific Awards:

• University Merit Award for Teaching, UMass Lowell
• University Merit Award for Service, UMass Lowell

Dr. Faraji has secured substantial research funding from the US DOT, Massachusetts DOT, US Army Corps of Engineers, NCHRP, and NSF. Her sponsored projects include multi-year studies on integral abutment bridge behavior, seismic design methodologies, and structural analysis for infrastructure projects. She has mentored generations of engineers through her teaching and consulting practice, applying expertise to real-world challenges from tentage structures to major bridges.

Her current work involves collaboration with HNTB Corporation on Vermont bridge monitoring and DOT-sponsored development of integral abutment bridge design guidelines, utilizing field instrumentation and data analysis teams for long-term structural assessment.