Skip to main content

Farshad Amini, Ph.D., P.E.

Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Professor & Chair,
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Jackson State University
P.O. Box 17068
Jackson, MS 39157-0168
Tel. No. 601-979-3913
Fax. No. 601-979-3238
Email: famini@jsums.edu

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
  • Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
  • Protective Technology
  • Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Forensic Studies (Soils and Structures)
  • Infrastructure Materials

EDUCATION

Ph.D.           Civil Engineering, 1986, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

M.S.             Civil Engineering, 1982, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

B.S.             Civil Engineering, 1981, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE (Partial List)

  • Member of Editorial Board, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE (1990-2003).
  • Member of Research Proposals Panel Review, Geohazard & Geoenvironmental Engineering Division, National Science Foundation, 2003 and 2006.
  • Member of Research Proposals Panel Review, Environmental Protection Agency, 2003.
  • Member of Research Proposals Panel Review Board, Environmental Protection Agency (2001).
  • Member of ISTED International Committee on Neural Networks (2001-Present)
  • Conference Session Chair for Several Conferences

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE (Partial List)

9/00 – Present
Founding Chairman (Full time)
Department of Civil Engineering
Jackson State University
P. O. Box 17068
Jackson, MS 39217-0168

8/89 – 9/00
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Coordinator of the Civil Engineering Program (performed administrative responsibilities) (Full time)
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, D.C. 20008

8/86 – 12/86
Visiting Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

8/85 – 6/86
Instructor
Mechanical Engineering Department
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742

ABET, ACCREDITATION AND ASSESSMENT EXPERIENCE (Partial List)

  • Member of ABET Accreditation Visitation Team-Engineering Accreditation Commission (2002-Present).
  • Completed ABET EC 2000 evaluator training workshop (2000).
  • Prepared and coordinated three prior ABET roports for the Civil Engineering Program (in 1997, 1999 and 2006).
  • Prepared SACS accreditation reports for the School of Engineering at Jackson State University.

FULL TIME INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE (Partial List)

10/86 – 8/89
Senior Geotechnical Engineer & Chief Engineer (Full time)
Soil Consultant, Inc., Chantily, VA 22021

6/83 – 6/85
Construction Engineer (Full time)
The Driggs Corporation (largest earthwork related construction company in the Washington D.C. area), 8700 Ashwood Dr., Capital Heights, MD 20743.

FORENSIC STUDIES EXPERIENCE (Partial List)

1991-2000
Have directed many forensic studies in soils, foundations, and structures area. A partial list is shown below.

  1. Holloman High-Speed Sled Track, NM. The longest (more than 10 miles long) high speed sled track in the world. The civil engineering problems included settlement of the concrete girder, rise of the girder in other locations, and the deterioration of the girder.
  2. 1220 13th Street, N.W., Washington, DC. 23,000 ft2 two story office building. The structural failure of the various elements including concrete beams, girders, and roofs possibly due to snow overload were analyzed. (Structural Failure, Expert Witness)
  3. Old Post Office Foundation Failure Investigation, VA
  4. Aston Park Apartments Pavement Failure Investigation, VA
  5. Residential Building Foundation Failure Investigation, VA (Expert Witness)

CIVIL ENGINEERING COURSES TAUGHT

  • Engineering Mechanics I
  • Engineering Mechanics II
  • Principles of Geotechnical Engineering
  • Principles of Geotechnical Engineering Lab.
  • Foundation Design
  • Senior Design I
  • Senior Design II
  • Principles of Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Soil Dynamics
  • Applied Geotechnical Design
  • Advanced Foundations

INVITED PRESENTATIONS (Partial List)

  • Second International Conference in Concrete Design (Keynote Speaker)
  • University of Nevada (“Building Civil & Environmental Engineering Education and Research”)
  • University of Louisville (“Building Civil & Environmental Engineering Education and Research at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels – An Innovative Approach”)
  • Western Michigan University (“Building Civil & Construction Engineering Education and Research at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels”)
  • ASCE Convention (“Future of Undergraduate Engineering Education”)
  • University of North Florida (Research Paper Presentation)
  • University of Utah (Research Paper Presentation)
  • University of Texas (Research Paper Presentation
  • North Carolina A & T State University (“Building Civil & Architectural Engineering Education and Research the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels”)
  • Columbia University (Research Paper Presentation)
  • Utah State University (Research Paper Presentation)
  • Rutgers University (Research Paper Presentation)
  • University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (Research Paper Presentation)
  • Rowan University (“Future of Undergraduate Engineering Education”)
  • California State University, Los Angeles (Research Paper Presentation)
  • Boise State University (Research Paper Presentation)
  • San Jose State University (Research Paper Presentation)
  • Southern Georgia U. (Research Paper Presentation)
  • Polytechnic University (Research Paper Presentation)
  • University of Texas at Arlington (Research Paper Presentation)

FUNDED RESEARCH GRANTS (PARTIAL LIST)

Principal investigator or co-principal investigator of more than 30 research grants from various funding agencies such as NSF, DOD, ARO, Navy, AFOSR, USGS, MDOT, ERDC, CARUP, D.C. Government, and other agencies. This information is summarized below.

Funding Agency No. of Grants Remarks
NSF 6 4 Research Grants; one Research Equipment; one Research/Education
Army Research Office 4 3 Research Grants; one Research/Education Equipment
Air Force Office of Scientific Research 1 Research
DOD 1 Research
Navy 1 Research
DHS 1 Research
ERDC 2 Research
U.S.G.S. 3 Research
MDOT 4 Three Research and One Equipment
D.C. Government 1 Research
CARUP 1 Research
UDC 2 Research
Others (DOT, USACE, BCE, etc) 6 Research
Total 33

 

NSF GrantsTitle: CSEM Enhancement Program
PI: F. Amini
Co-PI: L. Moore
Total Amount: $ 343,700.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Dates: 2001-2007

Title: ESEM for Soil Liquefaction Research
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 192,900.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: National Science Foundation
Dates: 2002-2006

Title: Behavior of Stratified Sand-Gravel Composites under Seismic Liquefaction Conditions
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 157,723.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dates: 1996 to 1999

Title: Research Equipment for Soil Dynamics Testing and Study of the Effect of Time on Dynamic Soil Properties. This grant provided both salary (about 60K) and equipment funds (60K) (Indirect cost: 22K)
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 120,000.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dates: 1992 to 1995

Title: Active Control of Structures Instrumented with Optical Fiber Sensors under Earthquake Loading. (Simulation Studies as well as Experiments on Shake Table, Neural Networks Application in Identification and Control)
PI: J. C. S. Yang, G. Z. Qi, F. Amini, and J. Sirkus
Total Amount: $ 229,425.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dates: 1992-1995

Title: Identification and Active Control of Structures under Earthquake Loading (Neural Networks Application in Identification and Control)
PI: J. C. S. Yang, G. Z. Qi, and F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 50,000.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dates: 1991-1992

Other Grants (Partial List)

 

Title: Innovative Levee Strengthening and Testing Under Full-Scale Overtopping Conditions

PI: F. Amini; Co-PI: Dr. Lin Li

Total Amount: $1,000,000.00 (FUNDED)

Supported by: Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Dates: 2009-2011
Title: Long-Term Field Studies and Monitoring of Paving Fabric Systems to Reduce

Reflective Cracking
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 218,000.00 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Mississippi Department of Transportation (MOOT)
Dates: 2005-2015

Title: Protective Technology Research
PI: F. Amini
Supported by: U.S. Army Engineering, Research, and Development Center (ERDC)
Total Amount: $463,000.0 (FUNDED)
Dates: 2003-2006

Title: Research on Potential Applications of Paving Fabrics to Reduce Reflective Cracking
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 37,224.00 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Dates: 2003-2005

Title: Scientific Visualization of Soil Liquefaction for the Design and Maintenance of Seismic Dams
PI: F. Amini
Co-PI: S. Rahman
Supported by: Engineering, Research, and Development Center (ERDC)
Total Amount: $ 39,500.0 (FUNDED)
Dates: 2003-2004

Title: Research on Potential application of the Static and dynamic Cone Penetrometers in MDOT Pavement Design and Construction
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 35,700.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Dates: 2002-2004

Title: Acquisition of Superpave For CE Program Enhancement at JSU
PI: F. Amini
Co-PI; H-C Shin
Total Amount: $ 125,000.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Dates: 2002-2003
Title: Computer-Based Unix Laboratory
PI: M. Manzoul,
Co-PI: F. Amini, and S. White
Total Amount: $ 138,000.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Army Research Office (ARO)
Dates: 2002-2003

Title: Liquefaction at Depth
PI: F. Amini
Supported by: Stennis Space Center, DOD-Navy
Total Amount: $100,000.0 (FUNDED)
Dates: 2002-2004

Title: Microstructure Features of Particulate Materials Using ESEM
PI: F. Amini
Supported by: Army Research Office (ARO)
Total Amount: $237,000.0 (FUNDED)
Dates: 1998 to 2000

Title: Microstructure Features and Dynamic Macro-Behavior of Particulate Materials
PI: F. Amini
Supported by: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Total Amount: $ 49,570.0 (FUNDED)
Date: 1997

Title: Behavior of Stratified Undrained Contractive Silty Sands Under Seismic Liquefaction Conditions
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 120,000.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Army Research Office (ARO), DOD
Dates: 1993 to 1995

Title: Liquefaction of Layered Silty Sands
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 28,698.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Army Research Office
Dates: 1994-1995

Title: Performance Tests for Model Sand Filters
PI: F. Amini and F. F. M. Chang
Total Amount: $ 10,000.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: D.C. Government
Date: 1993

Title: An Experimental Study of the Optimal Thickness of Sand Layer in a Sand Filter Water Quality Structure
PI: F. Amini and F. F. M. Chang
Total Amount: $ 31,733.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: U.S. Geological Survey, Dept. of Interior
Dates: 1993-1994

Title: Definition of Groundwater Flow in the Water Table Aquifer of the Downtown Washington D.C. Area
PI: F. Amini & G. Matheson
Total Amount: $ 42,185.0 (FUNDED)
(Revised Budget, $ 11,589.0 Federal, $ 30,569.0 Non-Federal)
Supported by: U.S. Geological Survey, Dept. of Interior
Dates: 1994-1995

Title: Definition of Groundwater Flow and Water Quality in the Water Table Aquifer of the Southern Anacostia River Basin
PI: F. Amini & G. Matheson
Total Amount: $ 20,526.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: U.S. Geological Survey, Dept. of Interior
Dates: 1993-1994

Title: A New Procedure for Estimation of Soil Parameters for Use in Slope Stability Analysis in Northern Virginia
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 5,120.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Center for Applied Research and Urban Policy (CARUP)
Date: 1990

Title: Dynamic Soil Behavior under Impulse Loading Conditions Considering Nonlinear Effects
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 4,495.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Academic Affairs, Peer Reviewed Faculty Senate Research, UDC
Date: 1991

Title: Dynamic Soil Behavior under Impulse Loading Conditions
PI: F. Amini
Total Amount: $ 5,000.0 (FUNDED)
Supported by: Academic Affairs, Peer Reviewed Faculty Senate Research, UDC
Date: 1990
Back to Top

PUBLICATIONS (Partial List)

Author or co-author of more than 100 research articles. A partial list is shown below.

Amini, F., Tawfiq, K. S., and Aggour, M. S. (1988). “Cohesionless Soil Behavior under Random Excitation Conditions,” Journal of Geotechnical Engineering Div., ASCE, 114(8), 896-914.

Aggour, M. S., Taha, M. R., Tawfiq, K. S., and Amini, F. (1989). “Cohesive Soil Behavior under Random Excitation Conditions,” Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM, June, Vol. 12, No. 2, 135-143.

Amini, F. (1990). “Dynamic Soil Properties Using Improved Transfer Function Methods,” Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 6, November, 274-279.

Amini, F. (1993). “Effect of Confining Pressure on Dynamic Soil Properties Using Improved Transfer Function Estimators,” Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 12, 145-147.

Amini, F., (1995). “Time Effects on Dynamic Soil Properties Under Random Excitation Conditions,” Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 9. pp. 439-443.

Amini, F. and Smith, R. L. (1995). “Peak Flow Rates and Volumes Predictions Using Frequency Equivalent Hydrographs,” Journal of Water Resources, Planning and Management, ASCE, Vol. 121, No. 5, Sept., 359-364.

Qi, G. Z., Chen, H. M. Tsai, K. H, Yang, J. C. S., and Amini, F. (1995). “Neural Networks for Structure Control,” Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 9, No. 2, April, 168-176.

Qi, G. Z., Chen, H. M. Tsai, K. H., Yang, J. C. S., and Amini, F. (1995). “Neural Network for Structural Dynamic Model Identification,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 121, No. 12, December. 1377-1381.

Amini, F., (1995). “Time Effects on Dynamic Soil Properties Under Random Excitation Conditions,” Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 14, No. 6, 439-443.

Fahoum, K., Aggour, M. S., and Amini, F., (1996). “Dynamic Properties of Cohesive Soils Treated with Lime,” Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 122, No. 5, May, 382-389.

Khalilian, A. and Amini, F. (1996). “A Case of A Residential Foundation Failure and Preservation by Pressure Grouting,” Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, ASCE, Vol. 10, No. 4, November, 159-163.

Amini, F. (1996). Discussion of “System Identification and Its Application to Estimating Soil Properties by S. Glaser,” Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 122, No. 10

Amini, F. (1996). “Effect of Filter Thickness on the Efficiency of Sand Filter Water Quality Structure,” Water Quality Research Journal of Canada, Vol. 31, No. 4, Nov., 801-807

Amini, F. and Khalilian, A. (1997). “Old Post Office Foundation Failure Investigation,” Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, ASCE, Vol. 11, No. 1, February., 13-17.

Qi, G. Z., Yang, J. C. S., and Amini, F. (1997). “Neural Network for Identification and Control of Civil Engineering Structures”, Chapter in a Book entitled Artificial Neural Network for Civil Engineers: Fundamentals and Applications, ASCE, New York, N.Y. 92-123.

Chen, H. M., Qi, G. Z., Yang, J. C. S., and Amini, F. (1998). “Experimental Study of Active Control Using Neural Network,” Journal of Structural Control, Vol. 5, No. 1. 27-43.

Amini, F. and H. V. Truong, (1998). “Effect of Filter Media Particle Size Distribution on Filtration Efficiency,” Water Quality research Journal of Canada, Vol. 33, No. 4, 589-594.

Amini, F. and Sama, K. M. (1999).“Behavior of Stratified Sand-Silt-Gravel Mixtures under Seismic Liquefaction Conditions,” Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 18, No. 6, 445-455.

Amini, F. (1999). “Effect of Time on Dynamic Properties of Cohesive Soils Using Improved Transfer Function Estimators,” Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 18, No. 6, 457-461.

Amini, F. and Qi, G. Z. (2000). “Liquefaction Testing of Layered Silty Sands,” Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 126, No. 3, 208-217.

Amini, F. (2002). Closure of “Liquefaction Testing of Layered Silty Sands,” Discussion by M. Hussein, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 128, No. 1.

Amini, F. & Chakravarty, A. (2004). “Liquefaction Testing of Stratified Sand-Gravel Composites,” Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM, Vol. 27, No. 1, 1-19.

Amini, F. & Rahman, S. (2008). “A Systematic and Structured Outcome Assessment Plan for a New Engineering Program,” International Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 24, No. 1, January, pp. 185-199

Amini F. (2008). Discussion of “Sample Preparation of Silts for Liquefaction.” by A. A. Bradshaw and C. C. Baxter, Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM. Vol. 3, No. 6.