ATLSS Engineering Research Center
at Lehigh University
Welcome to Lehigh University’s Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Engineering Research Center. Led by Bruce G. Johnston Professor of Structural Engineering, James Ricles, Ph.D., P.E., ATLSS is a nationally recognized hub for research and education in infrastructure structures and materials. Explore our people, projects, programs, and educational opportunities to discover how ATLSS can support your goals and benefit your organization.
Mission Statement
The ATLSS Research Center is committed to being a national leader in large-scale, multi-physics research and education, focused on advancing the sustainability and resilience of civil, coastal, and marine infrastructure systems. Our mission is realized through:
- Fundamental and Applied Research:
- Advancing innovative materials, structural and soil–foundation systems, and construction techniques to improve infrastructure resilience and sustainability, while addressing critical challenges from extreme loads, natural hazards, man-made threats, and long-term environmental impacts.
- Enhancing our understanding of how infrastructure systems interact with their environment to better characterize demands imposed by natural hazards and inform resilient design strategies.
- Fostering a Collaborative Research Community:
- Cultivating a dynamic and collaborative community of exceptional faculty and students.
- Supporting cutting-edge research through state-of-the-art facilities that foster groundbreaking innovation.
- Integration of Research and Education:
- Integrating research into educational programs that align with Lehigh University’s mission.
- Preparing the next generation of engineers to tackle the challenges of modern infrastructure.
- Serving as a Trusted Resource:
- Providing expertise, data, and advanced facilities to support the design, construction, and maintenance of resilient, sustainable infrastructure.
- Offering resources to the engineering community and stakeholders to advance infrastructure solutions.
- Collaborative Partnerships:
- Engaging in strong collaborations with industry, government, and academic partners.
- Working together to advance shared goals and address pressing real-world challenges.
Through these efforts, the ATLSS Research Center seeks to drive innovations that enhance the resilience and sustainability of infrastructure systems worldwide.
News
Prof. Dan Frangopol elected to National Academy of Engineering
Professor Dan Frangopol, the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), Class of 2025 in recognition of his contributions to life-cycle civil engineering, and leadership in its global development and adoption.
ATLSS announces leadership transition
Two researchers in Lehigh University’s Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Engineering Research Center will take on new leadership roles effective July 1, 2024.
NHERI Stories: Diverse Paths to Engineering
Early-Career Researcher Alia Amer is all about Resilience – in Large-Scale Structures and in the Engineering Profession.
NHERI Lehigh Researcher Workshop: Mitigation of Natural Hazards Through Component Testing, Advanced Simulation, and Large-Scale Multi-Directional Experiments
Registration is now open for the NHERI Lehigh Researcher Workshop: Mitigation of Natural Hazards Through Component Testing, Advanced Simulation, and Large-Scale Multi-Directional Experiments on November 17th and 18th at the ATLSS Center
Frangopol wins inaugural EuroStruct International Award of Merit
Professor Dan M. Frangopol is the winner of the EuroStruct2023 International Award of Merit presented by the EuroStruct Executive Committee in recognition of outstanding contributions to bridge and structural asset management and structural engineering.
NHERI Lehigh Testing Shows Effectiveness of Rolling Pendulum Isolation Systems in EQ Damage Mitigation
Tests of a rolling-pendulum base-isolation system were performed as part of NSF award CAREER: Mitigation of Seismic Risk to Critical Building Contents via Optimum Nonlinear 3D Isolation (PI- Scott Harvey, University of Oklahoma, award #1943917). The work involved multi-directional real-time hybrid simulations (RTHS) of a rolling pendulum system for seismically isolating equipment in mission-critical buildings.
How Do Powerful Winds Affect Tall Buildings?
Lehigh researchers co-organize and host a collaborative workshop to demonstrate advancements in hybrid simulation to investigate how high winds impact the structural integrity of a 40-story building.
U.S. DOT highlights Lehigh research on use of corrosion-resistant steel in extending lifespan of bridges
ATLSS Professor Dan Frangopol, Lehigh’s inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture, recently completed research projects focused on the use of corrosion-resistant steel in bridge repair and maintenance. These projects were featured in the January 2023 UTC Spotlight newsletter by the United States Department of Transportation.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Structural Leaders
A Lehigh civil engineering student team, guided by faculty mentor Prof. Clay Naito, won the Best Video Award in the 2022 Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Engineering Design Competition. PCI’s “Big Beam competition,” now in its 22nd year, teaches college students from across the United States structural engineering skills in an applied learning environment.
Collingwood Prize honors finite-element fatigue analysis paper
ASCE has honored the writing team of Joseph Saunders, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE; Yixin Chen, S.M.ASCE; Jayne A. Marks, P.E., M.ASCE; Ian C. Hodgson, P.E., S.E., M.ASCE; Richard Sause, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE; and Brian M. Kozy, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, with the 2022 Collingwood Prize for the paper “Finite-Element Fatigue Analysis of a New Rib-to-Floor Beam Connection for Orthotropic Steel Decks,” Journal of Bridge Engineering, Feb. 2021.