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:
- Conducting innovative research to develop novel materials, structural and soil-foundation systems, and construction techniques that enhance infrastructure resilience and sustainability.
- Addressing critical challenges posed by extreme loads, natural hazards, man-made threats, and long-term environmental impacts.
- 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
Expanding ATLSS Cyber-Physical Testing Capabilities
The NHERI Lehigh University Experimental Facility recently unveiled expanded lab space and new equipment for conducting cyber-physical experiments. The enlarged facility opens the door wide for natural hazards researchers to explore structural mitigation solutions for windstorms and earthquakes. Part of the National Science Foundation-funded Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure, the NHERI Lehigh Experimental Facility specializes in cyber-physical testing, a broad term that encompasses hybrid simulation, including real-time, multi-directional hybrid simulation experiments. READ MORE >>
Frangopol Named International Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering
Dan M. Frangopol, the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture at Lehigh University, has been elected into the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) as an International Fellow. Per the citation, Frangopol was honored for “the creation, development, and application of life-cycle engineering under uncertainty—a major contribution to the knowledge base with a significant impact on civil engineering design, teaching, and practice—and world leadership and service in promoting international cooperation in
Tackling Offshore Wind Energy 'From the Ground Up'
The offshore wind multidirectional soil-foundation interaction testing facility the team has been building within Lehigh’s ATLSS Engineering Research Center is now complete. Improvements to the structure came via a 2019 DOE award meant to advance wind energy nationwide. Six projects, including Lehigh’s, received a total of $7 million for testing and upgrades to facilities to conduct innovative offshore wind energy R&D.
A Sharper Focus on Catastrophe Modeling
Paolo Bocchini, Daniel Conus, Brian Davison and their colleagues leverage their collaborative experience in probabilistic modeling to sharpen their focus on catastrophe modeling, a discipline not traditionally explored in academia. Led by Bocchini, the university’s Probabilistic Modeling Group has built momentum in its work, developed relationships with collaborators in industry and academia, and secured funding for a variety of projects. Eventually, the group began receiving grants for applications of probabilistic modeling to catastrophe modeling. This
NSF Awards Lehigh $5.3M to Renew NHERI Experimental Facility
Offshore Wind Hybrid Simulation Facility Hosts First Seminar
Visiting Researcher from University of Oklahoma Conducts Tests at NHERI Lehigh
