Julio F. Davalos, Ph.D.

C.W. Benedum Distinguished Teaching Professor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
611C Engineering Sciences Building
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506-6103
Phone: 304-293-3031, X2632. Fax: 304-293-7109
E-mail: jfdavalos@mail.wvu.edu

Biography

Julio F. Davalos is the C.W. Benedum Distinguished Teaching Professor at WVU and Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. (1989) from Virginia Tech, where he was recognized as Outstanding Young Alumnus in the College of Engineering (1998). He was named Professor of the Year in the State of West Virginia (1998), and he has received numerous teaching and research awards at WVU including, WVU Foundation Outstanding Teacher (1995), three times Researcher of the Year and four times Teacher of the Year Awards from the WVU College of Engineering. His research interests in analytical and experimental structural mechanics are focused on integrated advanced materials for civil infrastructure, and he is also engaged in development of innovative teaching methods and technologies. His publications record includes over 70 journal papers, 110 conference articles and several book chapters and position papers, and his work has been honored with Best Research Paper Award from ASCE (1999), Best Paper Awards from the Composites Institute (1996, 1999), and Best of Conference Paper Award from Modern Plastics Magazine (1999). He lives in Morgantown, WV since 1989 with his wife Cristina, Lecturer in Foreign Languages at WVU, and son Julio G., M.D., surgery resident at Ruby Memorial Hospitals.

Research Focus - General

Mechanics, advanced materials, structural engineering, and effective teaching methods.
Numerical modeling, analysis and experimental testing, stability of large-span reticulated structures, characterization of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and wood composites, interface mechanics of FRP-concrete and FRP-wood bonded assemblies, analysis and design of timber and FRP bridges, high-performance concrete and overlays for bridge decks, FRP raceways for fish culture, and innovative teaching methods and technologies.

Research Focus on Aquaculture

Development and implementation of fish culture tanks, both raceways and floating systems, manufactured from Honeycomb Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (HFRP) materials: Conceptual design, material and geometric design, testing of scaled samples (joints, panels), Finite Element modeling of response, efficient manufacturing and cost, production, transportation, installation, system testing for functionality, monitoring and future improvements.

Top Two Critical Issues Facing Aquaculture Development in WV and the Region
(No expertise in this area, but…here is my 5-cent contribution)

1. The utilization of treated mine waters offers tremendous industrial potential, particularly in WV, the challenge is how to generate private enterprise to truly commercialize this idea. It maybe necessary to engage in a co-funded larger scale demonstration project with multi-state and federal agencies and industry participation.

2. The raceways system plays a very important role, if not critical. If enough effort is devoted to this component, it is possible to produce in the WV state-of-the-art systems with several flexibilities and built-in efficiencies at economical prices using recycled materials.