Spotlight Archive

Robert Nigbor and Graduate Student Salih Tileylioglu Study Elevator Vibration Signals

Robert Nigbor is leading a new study indicating that the subtle shaking of an elevator running up and down a building may be enough to probe that building for structural weaknesses. Nigbor and colleagues recently tested the 17-story steel-framed Doris and Louis Factor Building on the UCLA campus.

Seawater Desalination with Advanced Membranes

Graduate student Dian Tanuwidjaja and Professor Eric M.V. Hoek are developing membrane sensors that give early warning of operational disruptions due to algae blooms at seawater desalination plants. The sensors are deployed at the Long Beach Water Department’s seawater desalination prototype facility.

Water Contamination from Wildfires

Ph.D. student Megan Burke collecting post-storm stream water samples from Piru Creek after the Day Fire of 2006. Megan is part of the Hydrology and Water Resources group (Prof. Hogue) studying the effects of wildfire on the chemical and physical processes of watersheds and the impact on downstream water supplies.

Ultrasonic Imaging of Objects Embedded in Soil

Alumnus Joseph Coe (PhD 2010) and Assistant Professor Scott J. Brandenberg developed an ultrasonic imaging probe that is pushed into the ground using the nees@UCLA cone penetration testing rig. They used the probe to non-invasively image a pile foundation supporting the new Carquinez Bridge in Vallejo, CA

Professor Hoek leads engineering team to optimize new device to remove oil from gulf waters

http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/newsroom/featured-news/archive/2010/engineering-team-optimizes-new-device-to-remove-oil-from-gulf-waters

NEES@UCLA performs tests in aftermath of Chile Earthquake

On March 13 2010, nees@UCLA dispatched a team to Santiago, Chile for post-earthquake data reconnaissance, taking with them instrumentation for structural monitoring. In this photo Alberto Salamanca installs sensors to record aftershocks.

NEES@UCLA shakes up the LAX Theme Building

A portable shaking machine nicknamed "Mighty Mouse" was mounted on the Theme Building's observation deck to simulate a magnitude-3.0 earthquake that gently jolted the structure and rattled workers preparing for the lunch rush inside the Encounter Restaurant. Researchers from UCLA's Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation conducted the test to ensure the landmark's recent seismic retrofit project would be able to withstand a much more powerful temblor.

Magnitude 9.0 Tohoku Earthquake

Professor Jonathan Stewart traveled to Japan from March 26th to April 1st as part of the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance team in coordination with Japanese colleagues. The team documented extensive ground failure and helped pave the way for future collaborations and additional reconnaissance.

Professors Brandenberg and Stewart shake fragile levee on peaty organic soil

The nees@UCLA mobile field shakers were mounted on the crest of a model levee in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta to study the influence of earthquake ground motion on peaty organic soil. The Delta provides fresh water to over 23 million California residents, and a moderate earthquake in the seismically active region would be projected to disrupt water delivery for a period of 28 months. Little is known about the seismic response of the extraordinarily soft peaty organic soils that underlie many of the levees.

Engineers Without Borders - UCLA Student Chapter

The UCLA Engineers Without Borders chapter is currently constructing a schoolhouse for the children of Las Breñas, Nicaragua, rainwater catchment systems in the highlands of Chocantariy, Guatemala, and runs the BOOTUP Project donating refurbished computers to local underfunded schools.

Industrial Affiliates Program

he Industrial Affiliates Program facilitates the forging of partnerships with industry to benefit our students and professional colleagues. We seek synergy between our educational and research goals and sponsor objectives of talent recruitment, corporate on-campus visibility, and knowledge transfer. We welcome participation under the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum packages.

UCLA Engineering-led team receives $1 million NSF grant to study earthquake performance of modern structures

A research team led by Professor John Wallace has received a $1 million research grant from the National Science Foundation’s National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) to examine the unexpectedly poor performance in recent large earthquakes of buildings with reinforced concrete walls.

Mahendra and Sant Receive NSF CAREER Awards

Professors Shaily Mahendra and Gaurav Sant have each been awarded 2013 Early CAREER Development Awards by the National Science Foundation.

UCLA wins EERI Annual Seismic Design Competition

The UCLA team repeated as winners of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Seismic Design Competition. From left to right, Benjamin Wong, Norman Chak, Seema Barua, Marshall Lew (UCLA alumnus, AMEC), Jane Zhu, Jennifer Huynh, Maxwell Armenta (back), Andy Luu, Emily Yagi

UCLA CalGeo Student Chapter Wins Rising Star Award – Best Student Chapter

The UCLA Cal Geo Student Chapter was awarded the Rising Star Award by the California Geotechnical Engineers Association during its annual meeting in Yosemite National Park held May 2nd through 4th.