For only the second time in the history of the award, TMS's Research Committee presented two outstanding PhD Dissertation Awards because of the high quality of both dissertations.

An Outstanding Dissertation Award was presented to Seongwoo Jo for “Seismic Behavior and Design of Low-Rise Reinforced Concrete”.  The faculty supervisor was Dr. Richard E. Klingner at the University of Texas at Austin. 

Some of the reviewer’s comments include the following:

• Has immediate use and application,

• Included concise recommendations,

• Complex series of tests,

• Considered the effects of veneer masonry,

• Included shake-table testing,

• Comprehensive combination of static and dynamic testing that is further validated by analytical work.

Max L. Porter (left) presented a 2010 Outstanding Dissertation Award to Seongwoo Jo  (center) who supervised by Dr. Richard E. Klingner (right) at the University of Texas at Austin. 

The other Outstanding Dissertation Awards was presented to Andreas Stavridis for “Analytical and Experimental Study of Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Frames Infilled with Masonry Walls”.  The faculty supervisor was Dr. P. Benson Shing at the University of California, San Diego. 

 Some of the reviewer’s comments include the following:

• Dissertation included a three-story and two-bay infilled frame and shake-table testing,

• Well done photos with arrows showing the force distributions,

• Comprehensive combination of experimental and analytical work,

• Adds to the body of knowledge on infilled masonry wall systems.

Max L. Porter (left) congratulates Andreas Stavridis (right) who was presented with a 2010 Outstanding Dissertation Award

The Outstanding Thesis Award was presented to Benchmark Harris for his work on “Investigation of the Lower Bound Compressive and Flexural Strengths of Conventional Concrete and Clay Masonry”.  The faculty supervisor was Dr. John Matthys at the University of Texas at Arlington.  Some of the reviewer’s comments include the following:

• Made contributions regarding improper use of Empirical Design for Essential Structures”,

• Has a natural writing style and easy to read,

• Expresses code issues well as a person with uncommon maturity for a Grad student,

• Included extensive experimental work, and addressed material issues.,

Ben Harris (right) winner of the 2010 Outstanding Thesis Award received congratulations from Dr. Max Porter.

Jo, Stavridis and Harris were present at TMS's Annual Meeting WA, to receive their awards, which were presented by Dr. Max Porter, Chair of the TMS Research Committee.  In addition, Jo and Stavridis presented a summary of their research as part of the Annual Meeting Program.  These two presentations gave insight as to their complex and comprehensive PhD Dissertation work.