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Akram Abu-Odeh, Ph.D.

Akram Abu-Odeh, Ph.D.

Associate Research Scientist
Roadside Safety Program - Riverside 7091, Room 111
Texas Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 862-3379 · fax (979) 845-6107
abu-odeh@tamu.edu
Homepage: http://ttiresearch.tamu.edu/a-abu-odeh

Short Biography

Dr. Abu-Odeh is an associate research scientist in the Highway Safety Structures program at TTI. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. Since joining TTI in late 1995, Dr. Abu-Odeh has been actively involved in finite element modeling and simulation of vehicular impacts with roadside safety structures using LS- DYNA. Recent projects include developing finite element models of a tubular W-beam bridge rail, a temporary concrete traffic barrier for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and a slip base luminaire pole under a Cooperative Agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). These projects included validation of the LS-DYNA finite element models against full-scale crash tests using various qualitative and quantitative measures.

Dr. Abu-Odeh has broad experience in numerical simulation of structural systems based on formal course work of finite element analysis of structures and extensive use of finite element codes such as LS-DYNA and ABAQUS. Moreover, Dr. Abu-Odeh has participated in several advanced training workshops pertaining to LS-DYNA, Non-linear Finite Element Method, effective use of super computers, and optimization of computer codes. Dr. Abu-Odeh's other research/professional interests include design optimization of structures and structural dynamics.

Professional Interests

Finite element analysis

Simulation

Structural analysis

Structural design

Vehicle dynamics

Roadside structures

Education

Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1995.

M.S., Civil Engineering, Louisiana State University, 1989.

B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Baghdad, 1986.

Experience

Associate Research Scientist, Roadside Safety Program, Texas Transportation Institute, January 1999 - Present.

Assistant Research Scientist, Roadside Safety Structures, Texas Transportation Institute, 1996 - 1997.

Engineering Research Associate, Texas Transportation Institute, 1996.

Research Assistant, Texas Transportation Institute, 1995 - 1996.

Professional Registration

Engineer-in-Training in Texas, 1990.

Honors/Awards

K.B. Woods Award, Transportation Research Board (TRB), 2007, for the paper, Low-Deflection Portable Concrete Barrier.

Best Paper Award, Transportation Research Board, Committee AFB20 (Roadside Safety Design), 2007, for the paper, Low-Deflection Portable Concrete Barrier.

Selected Publications

N.M. Sheikh, M. Ferdous, R.P. Bligh, A. Abu-Odeh. Analysis of Roadside Safety Devices for Use on Very High-Speed Roadways. 0-6071-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2009.

R.P. Bligh, J. Briaud, K. Kim, A. Abu-Odeh. Design of Roadside Barrier Systems Placed on MSE Retaining Wall. 475350-F. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 2009.

A. Abu-Odeh, R.P. Bligh, D.L. Bullard, W.L. Menges. Crash Testing and Evaluation of The Modified G4(1S) W-Beam Gaurdrail on 2:1 Slope. 405160-4-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2008.

R.P. Bligh, A. Abu-Odeh, W.F. Williams, W.L. Menges. Analysis of a Flexible Bridge Rail System for High-Speed Roadways. 0-5210-4. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2008.

A. Abu-Odeh. Modeling and Simulation of Bogie Impacts on Concrete Rails using LS-DYNA. 10th International LS-DYNA Users Conference, Dearborn, MI. June 2008.

W.F. Williams, A. Abu-Odeh, D.C. Alberson, W.L. Menges, R.R. Haug. NCHRP Report 350 Test 4-12 of the PennDOT Structure Mounted Guide Rail Barrier. 401301-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 2007.

Y.D. Murray, A. Abu-Odeh, R.P. Bligh. Evaluation of LS-DYNA Concrete Material Model 159. Final Report. FHWA-HRT-05-063. U.S. Department of Transportation, FHWA, Washington, DC. May 2007.

N.M. Sheikh, R.P. Bligh, D.L. Bullard, C.E. Buth, D.C. Alberson, A. Abu-Odeh, H.E. Ross. Development of Energy-Absorbing End Terminal for Open Box Beam Guardrail. 9th International LS-DYNA Users Conference, Dearborn, MI. June 2006.

A. Abu-Odeh. Application of New Concrete Model to Roadside Safety Barriers. 9th International LS-DYNA Users Conference, Dearborn, MI. June 2006.

N.R. Seckinger, P.N. Roschke, A. Abu-Odeh, R.P. Bligh. Numerical simulation of mow strip subcomponents used with strong post guardrail systems. International Journal of Crashworthiness, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2005, pp. 419-427.

N.R. Seckinger, A. Abu-Odeh, R.P. Bligh, P.N. Roschke. Performance of Guardrail Systems Encased in Pavement Mow Strips. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 131, No. 11, November 2005, pp. 851-860.

D.C. Alberson, W.L. Menges, R.P. Bligh, A. Abu-Odeh, C.E. Buth, R.R. Haug. Thrie Beam Transition Crash Tests. 401021-38. Federal Highway Administration, McLean, VA. January 2005.

Selected Presentations

Modeling and Simulation of Bogie Impacts on Concrete Bridge Rails using LS-DYNA, Presented at 10th International LS-DYNA Users Conference, Simulation Technology, Dearborn, Michigan, June 2008.

Modeling of Reinforced Concrete in Roadside Safety Applications, Presented at TRB Summer Meeting, TRB Committee AFB20, Roadside Safety Design, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, June 2008.

Modeling of Reinforced Concrete in Roadside Safety Applications, Presented at FHWA Centers of Excellence for Finite Element Analysis of Roadside Crashes Workshop, Recent Roadside Safety Simulation Efforts, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, June 2008.

Analysis of Barrier on Side-Slopes, Presented at FHWA Centers of Excellence for Finite Element Analysis of Roadside Crashes Workshop, Livermore, California, August 2007.

Application of New Concrete Model to Roadside Safety Barriers, Presented at 9th International LS-DYNA Users Conference, Crash/Safety (1), Dearborn, Michigan, June 2006.

Numerical Analyses of Post-Soil Interaction under Dynamic Loading, Presented at McMat Conference 2005, Transportation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 2005.

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