FIU again contributed to Infrastructure Week in Washington D.C., a nationwide event designed\u00a0to draw public and political attention to the critical state of the nation’s roads, bridges, transit systems and public works. Its primary point is to mobilize policymakers, industry leaders and local communities to push for long-term investment, build support for upcoming projects and address funding needs.<\/p>\n
FIU conducts fundamental research for the next generation of infrastructure technology to develop more resilient public systems that support economic growth and improve sustainability and public safety.\u00a0Engineering faculty joined peers and policymakers from around the nation to share ideas and innovations.<\/p>\n
Dean of the College of Engineering & Computing Jack Puleo was in town to promote several projects, including shining a spotlight on surface-level infrastructure and resilience research that focuses on coastal adaptation, structural reinforcement and extreme-weather mitigation.<\/p>\n
Another that received attention: FIU\u2019s pioneering work in 3D-printed Ultra-High Performance Concrete. The university\u2019s engineering teams focus on developing non-proprietary, cost-effective UHPC mixtures and robotic spray technologies to build and rapidly repair climate-resilient civilian and military infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud that FIU is working in the bridge area and developing technologies that address many challenges we have across the nation in bridge engineering,\u201d said Atorod Azizinamini, a professor of civil engineering and director of a U.S. Department of Transportation-funded research\u00a0center<\/a>\u00a0at FIU.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mayor of Miami Eileen Higgins, in the nation\u2019s capital for the week\u2019s event, appreciated learning more about work taking place at Miami’s public research university, much of which will have a positive impact on South Florida and beyond. \u201cIt\u2019s always great to be here with the team from FIU engineering,\u201d she said. \u201cThey do amazing research, not just on mobility, but also on resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n