Dr Pedro Silva, The George Washington University, United States
Dr. Pedro Franco Silva is a Professor at The George Washington University, specializing in civil engineering with a focus on structural design and seismic performance. He began his career in architectural design firms in California, where he gained over 10 years of experience. Dr. Silva earned his BS and MS from the University of California at Irvine while working full-time. He later transitioned to structural engineering, working for over two years designing structural systems for buildings. Dr. Silva then pursued academia, earning his PhD from the University of California at San Diego. With over 20 years in academia, he has contributed significantly to research on bridge and building structures, focusing on innovative design and experimentation.
Publication Profile
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Strengths for the Award
- Extensive Experience: Dr. Silva has over 20 years of academic experience and over 12 years in industry, bringing a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge to his work.
- Innovative Research: His research focuses on innovative procedures for civil structures to resist both natural and man-made hazards. His work on unbonded post-tensioned shear walls, seismic design practices, and stochastic methodologies for bridge safety highlights his contributions to advancing structural engineering.
- Publications and Citations: With 68 journal publications and a citation index of 25, Dr. Silva has made significant contributions to his field, demonstrating the impact and recognition of his work.
- Patents and Editorial Role: He holds a patent for a mechanical device for prestressing CFRP sheets and serves as an Associate Editor for the journal Structures, showcasing his leadership and innovation.
- Collaborations and Memberships: His collaborations with notable researchers and his memberships in professional organizations like EERI, ACI, and ASEE reflect his active engagement and influence in the engineering community.
- Contributions to Standards and Guidelines: Dr. Silva’s leadership in developing seismic strengthening guidelines for concrete buildings using FRP composites is a notable achievement, indicating his contributions to establishing industry standards.
Areas for Improvements
- Books Published: Dr. Silva has not published any books. Authoring a book could further establish his expertise and reach a broader audience.
- Consultancy and Industry Engagement: While he has significant industry experience early in his career, recent and ongoing consultancy projects or industry collaborations could strengthen his application by demonstrating continued practical impact.
- Broader Citation Index: Although a citation index of 25 is commendable, further increasing this number through more high-impact publications and citations could enhance his academic standing.
Education
Dr. Pedro Franco Silva’s academic journey is a testament to his dedication and excellence in civil engineering. He obtained his Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) degrees from the University of California at Irvine, where he honed his skills while balancing full-time work in architectural design firms. His passion for structural engineering led him to pursue a PhD from the University of California at San Diego, specializing in the design and experimentation of structural systems. Dr. Silva’s advanced education has equipped him with the knowledge and expertise to innovate and lead in the field of civil engineering, particularly in the areas of seismic performance and structural resilience.
Experience
Dr. Pedro Franco Silva’s professional experience bridges both industry and academia. He began his career with over 10 years in architectural design firms in California, where he developed a strong foundation in designing complex structures. Following this, he spent more than two years at a structural engineering firm, focusing on the design of building systems. Transitioning to academia, Dr. Silva has spent over 20 years teaching and conducting groundbreaking research at The George Washington University. His extensive experience includes developing innovative design procedures for civil structures to withstand man-made and natural hazards. Dr. Silva’s dual background in industry and academia provides him with a unique perspective, enabling him to contribute significantly to both practical applications and theoretical advancements in civil engineering.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Pedro Franco Silva’s contributions to civil engineering have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a voting member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Committees 440, where he played a pivotal role in developing the first worldwide code of practice for the seismic strengthening of concrete buildings using FRP composites. Dr. Silva has also been acknowledged for his research on seismic design recommendations for bridge structures, funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Alaska Department of Transportation. His role as an Associate Editor for the journal “Structures” further underscores his leadership and influence in the field. These accolades reflect Dr. Silva’s dedication to advancing civil engineering through innovative research and professional service.
Research Focus
Dr. Pedro Franco Silva’s research focuses on the development of innovative design procedures for civil structures to withstand man-made and natural hazards. His current projects include creating new interface configurations for unbonded post-tensioned shear walls that dissipate energy through contact friction while remaining damage-free. He is also advancing state-of-the-art seismic design practices for assessing and designing reinforced concrete slender bridge columns. Additionally, Dr. Silva’s research explores stochastic methodologies to quantify the probability of bridge collapse due to heavy truck collisions and subsequent fires from flammable vapors with fast heating rates. Through his pioneering research, Dr. Silva aims to enhance the resilience and safety of civil structures, contributing to the field’s understanding of structural behavior under extreme conditions.
Publication Top Notes
Seismic response of sacrificial shear keys in bridge abutments
Cyclic crack monitoring of a reinforced concrete column under simulated pseudo-dynamic loading using piezoceramic-based smart aggregates
Development of a performance evaluation database for concrete bridge components and systems under simulated seismic loads
Improving the blast resistance capacity of RC slabs with innovative composite materials
Rehabilitation of steel bridge members with FRP composite materials