Civil and Environmental Engineering Chair named 2024 PCI Fellow
Published: Feb 21, 2024 2:30 PM
By Dustin Duncan
Andy Nowak might need to construct a trophy case from concrete to uphold the weight of his accolades. Fortunately, that's his specialty.
Nowak, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University, was recently named a Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) 2024 Fellow. According to PCI's website, the award recognizes an individual who has embraced the institute's values and provided continuous outstanding contributions to the precast concrete industry.
"It's a great recognition," said Nowak, the Elton and Lois G. Huff Eminent Scholar Chair and a professor of structural engineering. "This organization comprises great professionals working in the same area as me, and it's humbling for them to acknowledge my contributions to the prestressed concrete industry."
PCI released a video honoring all PCI fellows, highlighting specifically how Nowak's work on statistical analysis and calibration of load and resistance factors has advanced precast concrete design and informed multiple standards guidelines and PCI publications.
"Andy's long involvement in PCI committee work includes tenures on the building code committee, the committee on bridges and chairing the calibration subcommittee,” the video said. "He is widely praised by his colleagues and peers as an exceptional researcher whose dedicated work has helped expand our industry for as many contributions to PCI and the precast concrete industry."
Nowak primarily works with bridges and determining the safety of prestressed concrete structures. Specifically, his committee is tasked with calculating the safety factor on the load-carrying capacity and figuring out the safety margin on structures' load and capacity sides.
"We use the calculations determined as guidelines worldwide," Nowak said.
PCI conducts research and developmental projects with university and research labs, leading to publications of guidelines to industry professionals for anything encompassing prestress concrete. Additionally, PCI delivers courses and training sessions for industry leaders.
Media Contact: , dzd0065@auburn.edu, 334-844-2326
Andy Nowak, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University, was recently named a Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) 2024 Fellow.
