Ruifeng (Ray) Liang, Ph.D.

 

 

Description: Description: Description: http://www2.cemr.wvu.edu/~rliang/liangpic.jpg
Ruifeng (Ray) Liang, BEng (1984) MSc (1987) PhD (1990)
Managing Director
NSF I/UCRC Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI)

Contact Information:
Managing Director

NSF Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure

 

Constructed Facilities Center

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6103
Morgantown, WV26506-6103

Office: Rm 539 ESB

rliang @ mail.wvu.edu
304-293-9348 Phone
304-293-7109 Fax


Research Interests:
polymers, composites, complex fluids, rheology

structure-processing-performance relationship

Hakka Tulou, green building, sustainability

 

CENTER FOR INTEGRATION OF COMPOSITES INTO INFRASTRUCTURE:

A NSF INDUSTRY/UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTER PROGRAM

West Virginia University (lead institution), Morgantown, WV

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX

Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China

 

The Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRCs) program of the Natural Science Foundation (NSF) aims: 1) to develop long-term partnerships among industry, academe, and government; 2) to promote research and development programs of mutual interest, and 3) to enhance the intellectual capacity of the engineering workforce through the integration of research and education. NSF provides limited budget for the operation and management of the centers while the research components of the centers are primarily supported by industry members, with NSF taking a supporting role in their development and evolution. I/UCRCs stimulate highly leveraged industry/university cooperation by focusing on fundamental and applied research recommended by Industrial Advisory Boards (IAB).

 

The I/UCRC Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) was established with a planning grant in 2008 and full grant in 2009, and is currently in its 7th year of operation. CICI is the only I/UCRC focusing on polymer composites for infrastructure applications. The primary objective of the Center is to usher innovative new applications and cost effective rehabilitation schemes using composites in civil and military structures to the next level through collaborative research between member universities in collaboration with both the composites and construction industries. The mission of the Center is to accelerate the adoption of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites into infrastructure applications. The Center is presently consisting of West Virginia University as lead institution, North Carolina State University, University of Miami, and the University of Texas at Arlington to constitute the university sites of CICI in the United States. In June 2014, US-NSF approved Nanjing Tech University of China as an International Site of the Center and we are working very closely with Nanjing Tech.

 

Dr. Liang as Managing Director will strive to enhance CICI Industry Advisory Board member recruitment; market CICI’s strength nationally and internationally; conduct educational activities including participation in specification and short-course teaching; and assist the Center’s operations in a cooperative manner including budgeting and project management.

RESEARCH

Constructed Facilities Center / Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
West Virginia University

As a principal investigator or co-PI, under the leadership of the director of Constructed Facilities Center Prof. Hota GangaRao P.E., Dr. Liang is currently researching on advanced composites and materials (including rammed earth) in terms of sustainability, innovative processing, and structural designs for civil and military infrastructures (including green buildings) with better performance, durability and cost-effectiveness. His general research interests cover a much broader area of topics such as polymer processing/ modeling, rheology, complex fluids, colloids, suspensions, fiber- and nano- composites, smart materials, protective armors, structural retrofitting using FRP wraps, nondestructive evaluations (NDE), polymer physics, green composites, rammed earth, sustainable structures, environmental engineering and sustainability.


Research Areas
● Advanced FRP composites through innovative material design and processing
● Smart materials for new devices, structures and NDE techniques
● Novel polymer and composite technologies to advance materials with better strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness
● Process modeling, structural and design analyses
● Nanocomposites, natural composites, green composites

● Hakka Tulou, rammed earth, and other sustainable structures


Active Research Projects

● Material Characterization and Performance Monitoring of Contemporary Stabilized Rammed Earth in Construction of Single Family Affordable Housing

US Housing and Urban Development/Aleutian Housing Authority (AHA)/North American Rammed Earth Association (NAREBA), 11/1/2013 - 12/31/2016

● Field Implementation of Prototype FRP Wicket Gates and Field Rehab of East Lynn Lake Bridge with FRP

US Army Corps of Engineers, 1/19/2014 - 6/30/2016

● Collaborative Research thru NSF I/UCRC Phase 2 Grant: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI)

            NSF, 11/1/2014 - 10/31/2019

● RP 299: Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Research: Phase Two

WV DOT/DOH, 5/21/2014- 6/30/2016

● US-China Collaboration: Fundamental Research of Innovative Fiber Reinforced Polymer Structural Composites

Nanjing Tech University - Bohom/US-NSF, 9/11/2012 – 12/31/2017

● RP 292 Load Testing and Recommended Repairs for Dailey Branch Bridges

WV DOT/DOH, 9/16/2013 - 11/20/2015

● IUCRC Collaborative Research: Durability and Life Cycle Performance of Pultruded and Infused FRPs for Infrastructure

NSF, 07/1/2012 - 06/30/2016


Completed Research Projects

● Demonstration of Corrosion-Resistant Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites for Rapid Repair of Civil Works Navigation Structures

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 07/1/2012 - 6/30/2015

● Journal of Sustainability Special Issue

Hakka Tulou Tourism Development Ltd Co of Fujian Province, China, 6/2012 - 12/2015

● International Workshop on Aging of Composites

USDOT FHWA, 2/1/2013-6/30/2014

● Molding and Thermal-Mechanical Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Plates

            Ply Gem, 11/15/2013 - 1/15/2014

● RP 270: Phase One of FRP Research to Determine Structures where FRP Wraps would be Beneficial

            WV Department of Transportation, 8/12/2011-2/12/2013

NSF I/UCRC Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) Full Grant

            NSF-IIP, 7/15/2009 - 6/30/2015

Fabrication Demonstration and Evaluation of FRP Cold Water Pipe (CWP)

            DOE/Lockheed Martin, 2/1/2009 - 6/31/2012

Development of Manufacturing and Assembly Technology for Low Cost Pultruded Composites

            US Navy-NSRP/Northrop Grumman (Huntington Ingalls Industries), 5/1/2008 – 7/31/2012

Engineering Support for the Lockheed Martin OTEC Program

            Lockheed Martin, 8/1/2008 - 6/31/2012

● FRP Composites for Mining and Environmental Engineering Applications

            Beijing Huade Creation Corporation, 1/1/2012 - 12/31/2012

● Cardinal Unit 3 Cooling Tower –Cracked FRP Column Investigation

            American Electric Power Service Corporation, 2/6/2012 - 9/28/2012

● RP 268: FRP Wraps of the Madison Avenue Bridge

            WV Department of Transportation, 8/30/2010-8/31/2015

● Thermal, Mechanical and Electrical Testing of Compressed Porous Polymer Substrates

            Waukesha Electrical Systems, SPX, 4/1/2011 - 3/31/2012

● International Workshop on Rammed Earth Structures at ISISS’2011, October 28-31, 2011, Xiamen University, China

Hakka Tulou Tourism Development Ltd Co of Fujian Province, China1/1/2011 - 12/31/2011

● Advanced FRPs for Mining and Environmental Applications

Beijing Huade Creation Corporation10/1/2011 - 1/31/2013

SGER: Material and Structural Response of Historic Hakka Rammed Earth Structures

            NSF-CMMI, 1/15/2009 – 6/30/2011

● Timber Railroad Bridge Pile Rehabilitation using FRP Wraps

WVDOT State Rail Authority, 1/1/2010 - 12/30/2010

● Filament Wound Rock Samples with Glass Fibers/Epoxy Resin 

NETL–USDOE, 1/1 - 3/31/2010

● FRP Consultation Services to AEP

AEP, 11/19/2009 - 5/31/2010

NSF I/UCRC Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) Planning Grant

            NSF-IIP, 8/15/2008 - 7/31/2009

Long-Term Durability Prediction for FRP Composite Materials

            US Army Corps SBIR II/KaZaK Composites, 10/1/2007-9/30/2009

Creep Rupture Testing of Pultruded Laminates

            Creative Pultrusions Inc, 12/1/2008 - 6/30/2009

US-India Workshop on FRP Composites: Developing Research and Educational Programs, Mumbai, India, Feb 7-9, 2008

            NSF, 2/1/2008 - 4/30/2008

3D Body Armor Panels

            US Army, 2/11/2005 - 12/31/2007

Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Composite Sandwich Structures

            ONR, 10/1/2003 - 09/30/2007

Blast Resistant Composite Barrier

            DOT/FHWA, 5/02/2006 - 11/1/2007

● Development and Nondestructive Evaluation of FRP Composites for Highway Infrastructure 2005-2007:

   Thermal Properties and Joint Response of FRP Composites

            DOT/FHWA, 7/29/2005 - 7/31/2007

● Center of Excellence- Characterization, Evaluation, and Implementation of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite for Highway

Infrastructure: Polymer Concrete Wearing Surface, Thermal Properties (learn more) and Joint Response Detection

            DOT/FHWA, 8/9/2001 - 4/8/2005

The MARCEE Project: Continuation of Research, Commercialization and Workforce Development in the

Polymer/Electronics Recycling Industry: Application and Product Development (Participated)

            DOE/NETL, 10/1/2004 - 9/30/2008

● Research, Commercialization and Workforce Development in the Polymer/Electronics Recycling Industry:

   Material Characterization, Application and Product Development (Participated)

            DOE/EPA/NETL, 11/22/1999 - 9/30/2004

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Alloys at Elevated Temperatures

            DOE/NETL, 5/22/2000- 9/30/2001

Rheology of “Structured” Nomex Fibrid Suspensions (Participated, with Dr Gupta)

            Dupont, 1/1/2000 - 12/31/2000

● Research and Demonstration Project for the Recycling of Plastics from Electronic Equipment:

Material Development and Characterization (Participated)

            DOE/Teledyne Brown Engineering, 9/1/1998 - 9/30/1999

 

Other Interesting Topics
3-D Stitching of Fabric for Higher Damage Tolerance Composites

Controllable Fluid Devices with ER or MR Fluids
Polymer Emulsified Concrete
Composite Army Bridges (with Dr Hota)
Commercialization and Mass Production of Advanced FRP Composites at West Virginia (with Dr Hota)

Overview Presentations
Manufacture, Design and Implementation of Panels and Structural Shapes 2008
Strength, Fatigue-life Prediction and Durability of Composites 2008
Applications of FRP Composites Updated 2006
Applications of FRP Composites 2004

FRP Research Overview 2002

Learn More About

Department of Chemical Engineering

Constructed Facilities Center (CFC-WVU) - a national FRP Center of Excellence

NSF I/UCRC Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI)

 

SHORT COURSE

Polymer and Composites, WVU – Huade Workshop on Advanced Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites for Environmental and Civil Engineering Applications

November 2-3, 2011, Beijing, China, Sponsored by Beijing Huade Creation Corporation

Resin Systems, Pre-Conference Short Course “Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites”

As part of US-India Workshop on Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites: Developing Research and Educational Programs, February 6-9, 2008, Mumbai, India

Introduction to Polymers and Fibers, Pre-Conference Short Course “Composite Design for Infrastructure Applications”

Polymer Composites Conference II: Applications of Composites in Infrastructure Renewal and Economic Development, Nov 14-16, 2001, Morgantown, WV

 

PAST RESEARCH

RHEOLOGY AND POLYMER PROCESSING GROUP
Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences
in partnership with Polymer Fluids Group at University of Cambridge headed by Prof. Mackley (FEng)

Research Projects Completed or Participated prior to 1999

 

PUBLICATIONS

PRESENTATIONS

SERVICES TO PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

INTERNATIONAL HAKKA TULOU ALLIANCE (IHTA)

News, reports, presentations on Hakka Tulou, rammed earth, mostly as a result of NSF grant study

Events and News

Special Issue of  Journal of Sustainability "Hakka Tulou and Sustainability: The Greenest Buildings in the World"

   Paper submission deadline July 16, 2012 

 

Hakka Tulou Forum 2012: Putting Sustainability into Practice

   Organized as a special session of Toronto Hakka Conference

   Time: June 29 to July 1, 2012

   Place: Toronto, Canada

 

Download Papers Presented at Hakka Tulou Forum 2011: Structures of Sustainability &

   International Workshop on Rammed Earth Materials and Sustainable Structures

   Organized as a special session at International Symposium on Innovation & Sustainability of Structures in Civil Engineering (ISISS’2011)

   Time: October 28 – 31, 2011

   Place: Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

 

Hakka Tulou Forum 2011: Structures of Sustainability &

   International Workshop on Rammed Earth Materials and Sustainable Structures

   Organized as a special session at International Symposium on Innovation & Sustainability of Structures in Civil Engineering (ISISS’2011)

   Time: October 28 – 31, 2011

   Place: Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

Hakka Tulou Forum 2009: Lessons to Be Learned, Past, Present and Future

   and Launch of the International Hakka Tulou Alliance (IHTA) (in Mandarin & English)

   Time: June 24, 2009, 2:30 -6:00 PM

   Place: Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

WVU Most Accessed ETD of the Year

Ashish Bambal [Advisor: Liang] thesis was accessed for downloads online 16,365 times during 2008, making it the 3rd most accessed document in the ETD collection at WVU for the year and has been one of the top 10 since 2007.

Non-Technical Presentations

Find Your Animal Sign (Chinese Zodiac, 2002)
UFOs or Missile Silos? (Hakka Tulou, 2002)

It’s a Flat World, After All (Article by Thomas L. Friedman, 2005)
Tulou: Affordable Housing for China (Modern Tulou Construction in Guangzhou, 2008)

Favorite Links

Hakka Heritage

West Virginia University Constructed Facilities Center
West Virginia University Department of Chemical Engineering
Cambridge University Department of Chemical Engineering
Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tsinghua University Department of Chemical Engineering
Society of Rheology
China News Digest (CND)
Institute of Chemistry CAS Alumni
Fujian Shanghang Overseas


Ruifeng (Ray) Liang © 2004 – 2015.  All Rights Reserved