Structural Engineering
What gives an engineer confidence to project and build something as large and graceful as the Golden Gate Bridge (the creation of late Purdue professor Charles A. Ellis) knowing that it has to withstand the demands of gravity, wind, and earthquakes?
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Why did Gaudi think of the Sagrada Familia “upside-down” before he started building it?
The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain (inverted model on the left, actual structure on the right)
Who decides how much reinforcing steel goes into a reinforced concrete column supporting 100 floors in a skyscraper? And how do they make that decision?
How far apart can we place the supports of steel girders in our bridges?
If these questions spark your interest, if you would like to test to failure structural models in one of the largest laboratories in the country, then structural engineering is the right career choice for you. Join Purdue’s School Civil Engineering and enroll in structural engineering courses to leave a mark that will benefit and inspire many, and last the test of time as the Golden Gate has.
Spotlights
May 9, 2013
Congratulations to Prof. Robert Frosch, recipient of the 2013 Educational Activities Committee Speaker of the Year Award from the American Concrete Institute.
February 9, 2013
Congratulations to Prof. Judy Liu, recipient of the 2013 College of Engineering Faculty Award of Excellence in Leadership.
February 7, 2013
Ben Taylor, Mike Pearce, Matt Stocker, Ron Moore and Barnard Mondal put their model tower to the test against 35 other teams in Seattle.
November 28, 2012
Congratulations to Judy Liu, recipient of the AISC Special Achievement Award for her numerous contributions toward improving structural steel education.
November 16, 2012
The director of a national earthquake research center based at Purdue University says Italian authorities are setting a dangerous precedent by pushing the manslaughter convictions of scientists for not predicting a devastating 2009 earthquake.
September 24, 2012
Congratulations to Prof. Santiago Pujol, recipient of the Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
August 20, 2012
On August 16-17th, 22 participants from 5 nations and 12 institutions participated in a workshop to discuss how engineers can impact policies regarding the management of energy and bridge infrastructure through integration of monitoring systems.
June 20, 2012
Robert Frosch, professor of civil engineering, will become Associate Dean of Resource Planning and Management on July 1.
June 6, 2012
Purdue engineering faculty have a long history of researching infrastructure in the U.S. and around the world. Featured here are CE associate professors Robert Connor and Amit Varma, and their work on assessing structural safety and developing innovative solutions.
April 4, 2012
Prof. Hoon Sohn, Curtis Visiting Professor of Civil Engineering, was recently featured in a TV documentary program called "Korean Scientist."
March 26, 2012
Paul Giroux, a nationally recognized construction engineering expert, delivered this year's Drag Distinguished Lecture on the history of the Golden Gate Bridge, which turns 75 this year.
March 26, 2012
The Purdue University Student Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is reaching out to local schools to teach students about earthquakes and their impact on civil engineering.
March 26, 2012
Prof. Hoon Sohn, Curtis Visiting Professor of Civil Engineering, presented an invited keynote talk at the SPIE International Symposia in San Diego, CA.
March 23, 2012
Prof. Robert Connor has been honored by the Alberta Transportation Department with the Alberta Transportation Innovation Award.
February 22, 2012
Prof. Shirley Dyke was invited to deliver a keynote lecture at the 2nd Workshop on China-US Collaboration for Disaster Evolution/Resilience of Civil Infrastructure and Urban Environment in December 2011.
February 8, 2012
Prof. Robert Connor has been honored by the American Institute of Steel Construction with the Special Achievement Award.
February 2, 2012
Prof. Robert Frosch has been appointed to the Board of Direction of the American Concrete Institute.
November 16, 2011
Prof. Mike Kreger has been selected to receive the American Concrete Institute Foundation - Concrete Research Council Arthur J. Boase Award.
November 14, 2011
A Turkish earthquake expert who examined buildings near the epicenter of the earthquakes near Van, Turkey, says improper design and construction added greatly to damage in the region.
October 27, 2011
Earthquake expert Ayhan Irfanoglu is headed to the epicenter of the Turkey earthquake to document and decipher why so many buildings failed in and near Ercis.
