Akram Abu-Odeh, Ph.D.

Abu-Odeh, Akram

Research Scientist

Roadside Safety Program - Riverside 7091, Room 111
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 862-3379 Ext. 23379 · fax (979) 845-6107
abu-odeh@tamu.edu

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.

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

  • Research Scientist, Roadside Safety Program, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2010 - Present.
  • Associate Research Scientist, Roadside Safety Program, Texas Transportation Institute, January 1999 - August 2010.

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

A. Abu-Odeh, W.F. Williams, M. Ferdous, M.T. Spencer, R.P. Bligh, W.L. Menges. Safety and Integrity of Median Barrier-Mounted Hardware. 0-6646-S. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2013.

M.S. Brackin, A. Abu-Odeh, C.E. Buth, W.F. Williams, G. Fry, G. Freeby. Impact Forces from Heavy-Vehicle Collisions with Bridge Piers. Structures 2012, Transportation Research Record. 2313. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. 2013, pp. 42-51.

A. Abu-Odeh, W.F. Williams, M. Ferdous, M.T. Spencer, R.P. Bligh, W.L. Menges. Signs on Concrete Median Barriers. 0-6646-1. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2013.

A. Abu-Odeh, I. Liu, J.I. Jacaman. Developing Vessel Impact Re-Directing Concepts to Protect Railroad Bridge Piers. 406591.2-1. April 2012.

R.P. Bligh, A. Abu-Odeh, D.R. Arrington, N.M. Sheikh, C. Silvestri Dobrovolny, W.F. Williams. Roadside Safety Device Crash Testing Program. 9-1002-S. Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX. 2011.

R.P. Bligh, J. Briaud, A. Abu-Odeh, K. Kim, D.O. Saez Barrios. Design Guidelines for TL-3 Through TL-5 Roadside Barrier Systems Placed on Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Retaining Wall. 478130-2. Texas Transportation Institute, Houston, TX. August 2011.

C.E. Buth, M.S. Brackin, L.S. Chatham, D.L. Bullard, R.R. Haug, W.F. Williams, G. Fry, D. Lord, S.R. Geedipally, A. Abu-Odeh, W.L. Menges. Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions. 9-4973-P2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2011.

R.P. Bligh, A. Abu-Odeh, W.L. Menges. Mash Test 3-10 on 31-Inch W-Beam Guardrail with Standard Offset Blocks. 9-1002-4. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2011.

C.E. Buth, M.S. Brackin, W.F. Williams, G. Fry, D. Lord, S.R. Geedipally, A. Abu-Odeh. Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions. 9-4973-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2010.

A. Abu-Odeh, W.F. Williams, C.E. Buth, K. Kim. Development of a TL-3 Deep Beam Tubular Backup Bridge Rail. Final Report. 476890-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2010.

C.E. Buth, W.F. Williams, M.S. Brackin, D. Lord, S.R. Geedipally, A. Abu-Odeh. Analysis of Large Truck Collisions with Bridge Piers: Phase 1. Report of Guidelines for Designing Bridge Piers and Abutments for Vehicle Collisions. 9-4973-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. May 2010.

R.P. Bligh, N.M. Sheikh, A. Abu-Odeh, W.L. Menges. Evaluation of Barriers for Very High Speed Roadways. 0-6071-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2010.

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.