PhD Research, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Advisor- Prof. Erol Tutumluer

The objective of my PhD research is to develop a stress history based data analysis approach as an analysis tool to predict deformation potentials of granular unbound layers utilizing the multidepth deflectometer (MDD) database from the Federal Aviation Administrations’ (FAA) National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF) in New Jersey, where full-size aircraft gear/wheel loads were applied with wanders on instrumented pavement test sections.The motivation behind this project is to create a better understanding of the damage mechanisms in the airport pavements. The expected outcome will ultimately result in helping the designers plan an effective maintenance and rehabilitation strategy, subsequently leading to an economic and sustainable airport pavement management system.

Won $10,000 research grant from FAA and Transportation Research Board (TRB) (2016-2017) (News-1, News-2).

MS Research, University of Akron, Akron, OH (Thesis)

Advisor- Dr. Ala R. Abbas

  • Evaluated the wet night performance of the various wet pavement markings based on dry and wet retro-reflectivity, dry and wet night visibility, daytime color, and durability
  • Compared the wet night performance of the various pavement marking materials
  • Compared the marking materials based on their cost effectiveness by doing a life cycle cost analysis (LCCA)
  • Determined the feasibility of using various pavement marking materials as a replacement for RPMs in Ohio

Completed Projects

  • Developed mechanistic design concepts based Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) overlay thickness design procedures through a proper structural evaluation of existing in service pavements using nondestructive Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing in order to improve Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) current Pavement Management (News) (Final Report).
  •  Developed improved pavement rehabilitation procedures based on Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)  backcalculation (NEXTRANS Project No. 094IY04) (Report)
  • Evaluated the nighttime visibility performance of 3M AWP and 3M 380WR ES Durable Tape under Dry, Wet, and Rainy Conditions in order to propose recommendations  to increase safety on ODOT‘s highway network (Report).