Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University (2009)
Master of Science, Transportation Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran (2001)
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran (1998)
Professional Registration:
Professional Engineer (PE)-Texas
Professional Experience
Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United States Air Force Academy (Jun 2023- Present)
Visiting Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United States Air Force Academy (Jul 2021 – Dec 2022)
Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, El Paso (Aug 2018 – Jun 2023)
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, El Paso (Nov 2012 – Aug 2018)
Senior Research Engineer, Applied Research Associates Inc., Panama City, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia (Nov 2009 – Nov 2012)
Post Doctorate – Assistant Transportation Researcher, Texas Transportation Institute (Aug 2009 – Oct 2009)
Graduate Research Assistant, International Center for Aggregate Research, Texas A&M (Jan 2004 – Aug 2009)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Computational mechanics and constitutive modeling of civil engineering materials (soils, concrete and asphalt)
Regolith mechanics.
Performance characterization and numerical simulation of nonlinear, stress sensitive and anisotropic geomaterials.
Mechanistic analysis and design of rigid and flexible airfield runways and pavements
Laboratory testing and characterization of engineering materials
Accelerated damage repair of rigid and flexible airfield runways using rapid setting agents
Airfield surface decontamination methodologies such as chemical and mechanical rubber removal techniques and its impact on runway skid resistance.
Innovative pavement design concepts such as low modulus interlayer systems (inverted pavement).
Soil modification techniques and chemical stabilization of aggregate soils.
Alkali-activated geo-polymers for heat resistant concrete overlays.
Bitumen additives and rejuvenating agents for recycled asphalt layers.
Statistical pattern recognition and pattern classification techniques.
Publications
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R., Sloan J., Frank, T. (2022), “A Probabilistic Approach to Assess Slope Stability of Roadway Shoulders Under Superheavy Traffic Operations”, Elsevier Journal of Transportation Geotechniques, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4293781
Carnes C., Ashtiani, R., Sloan J., Beauregard M., & De la Harpe, (2022), K. “Geometrical Characteristics of the Lunar and Martial Regolith Simulants.” Proceedings of the Earth and Space Conference. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).pp. 27-34 https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484470.003
Ashtiani, R., Baca, J., Wessel, J. & Karimipour, A. (2022). “Granular Mechanics of JSC-1 Mars Regolith Simulants.” Proceedings of the Earth and Space Conference. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Pp.1-16 https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484470.001
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2022). “Probabilistic Assessment of Stability of Sloped Pavement Shoulders Subjected to Super Heavy Load (SHL) Vehicles.” Proceedings of the Geo-Congress 2022: Engineering, Monitoring, and Management of Geotechnical Infrastructure. Charlotte, North Carolina. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 208-220. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484067.022
Rodriguez, E. & Ashtiani, R. (2022). “Material Models for Rapid Turn-around Design of Cement Stabilized Layers.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation & Development (ICTD). Seattle, Washington. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 305-317. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484357.027
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2022). “Risk Assessment of Underground Utilities Subjected to Super Heavy Load (SHL) Applications in Overload Corridors.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation & Development (ICTD). Seattle, Washington. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 60-70. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484364.006
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2022). “Probabilistic Assessment of Stability of Sloped Pavement Shoulders Subjected to Super Heavy Load (SHL) Vehicles.” Proceedings of the Geo-Congress 2022: Engineering, Monitoring, and Management of Geotechnical Infrastructure. Charlotte, North Carolina. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 208-220. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484067.022
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2022). “Risk Assessment of Underground Utilities Subjected to Super Heavy Load (SHL) Applications in Overload Corridors.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation & Development (ICTD). Seattle, Washington. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 60-70. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484364.006
Ashtiani, R. (2021). “Class Discriminatory Information of Unbound Granular Layers using Statistical Pattern Recognition Techniques.” Advances in Transportation Geotechnics IV, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics. Chicago, Illinois. Springer, Vol. 1, pp. 207-227.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77230-7_17
Morovatdar, A., Ashtiani, R., & Mahmoud, E. (2021). “Mechanistic Approach to Predict Service Life of Flexible Pavements Subjected to Heavy Traffic Loads.” Journal of Road Materials and Pavement Design. Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2021.2019092.
Rodriguez, E. & Ashtiani, R. (2021). “Calibration of Fatigue Performance Model for Cement Stabilized Flexible Pavements.” Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways, and Airfields (BCRRA 2022). Trondheim, Norway. Taylor & Francis Group, Vol. 1, pp. 355-364. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003222880-33
Morovatdar, A., Ashtiani, R., & Mahmoud, E. (2021). “A Framework to Quantify the Reduction of Pavement Service Life in Overload Corridors using Portable Weigh-In-Motion Data.” 100th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C. https://trid.trb.org/view/1759255
Rodriguez, E., & Ashtiani, R. (2021). “Investigation of the Influence of Laboratory Compaction Methods on the Orthogonal Strength Properties of Cement Stabilized Materials.” Proceedings of the 2021 International Airfield & Highway Pavements Conference. Austin, Texas. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 283-295. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483510.026
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2021). “Influence of Traffic Characterization Methodology on Service Life Prediction of Pavements Subjected to Overweight Traffic Operations.” Proceedings of Civil Infrastructures Confronting Severe Weathers and Climate Changes Conference. NanChang, China. Springer, pp. 57-74. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79644-0_6
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2021). “Influence of Slow-Moving Nature of Super Heavy Load (SHL) Vehicles on the Service Life of Pavement Structures.” Proceedings of the Airfield and Highway Pavements Conference. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 146-158. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483503.015
Morovatdar, A. & Ashtiani, R. (2021). “Influence of acceleration and deceleration of Super Heavy Loads (SHLs) on the service life of pavement structures.” Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways, and Airfields (BCRRA 2022). Trondheim, Norway. Taylor & Francis Group, Vol. 1, pp. 335-345. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003222880-31
Thach, N.N., Morovatdar, A., Ashtiani, R., & Kosheleva, O. (2021). “Impact of Super Heavy Load Vehicles on Transportation Infrastructure: Economic Aspects.” Journal of Soft Computing. 25(12), pp. 8003-8006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-021-05821-2
Morovatdar, A., Ashtiani, R., & Mahmoud, E. (2020). “Novel Framework for the Quantification of Pavement Damages in the Overload Corridors.” Transportation Research Record (TRR): Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2674(8), pp. 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198120925807
Morovatdar, A., Palassi, M., Ashtiani, R. (2020). “Effect of Pipes Characteristics in Umbrella Arch Method on Controlling the Tunneling-Induced Settlements in Soft Grounds.” Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. 12(5), pp. 984-1000.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2020.05.001
Morovatdar, A., Ashtiani, R., & Licon Jr, C. (2020). “Development of a Mechanistic Framework to Predict Pavement Service Life Using Axle Load Spectra from Texas Overload Corridors.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation and Development. Seattle, Washington. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 114-126. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483183.012
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2020). “Evaluation of Pavement Service Life Reduction in Overload Corridors.” Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction II. Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 211-214. ISBN 978-0-367-46169-0. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003027362-50
Morovatdar, A., & Ashtiani, R. (2020). “Verification of the Axle Load Spectra Databases Using Stationary and Portable Weight-in-Motion Devices in Overload Corridors of East Texas.” 2nd India Conference on Challenges of Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Emerging Economies CRSIDE2020. Kolkata, India. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-618531/v1
Ashtiani, R., Rashidi, M., Rodriguez, E., Ordaz, M., Cruz H., Garay, G., & Rocha, S. (2020). “Establishing Best Practices for Construction and Design of Cement Treated Materials.” Technical Report No. FHWA/TX-19/0-6949-0. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). https://trid.trb.org/view/1747302
Ashtiani, R., Morovatdar, A., Licon, C., Tirado, C., Gonzales, J., & Rocha, S. (2019). “Characterization and Quantification of Traffic Load Spectra in Texas Overweight Corridors and Energy Sector Zones.” Technical Report No. FHWA/TX-20/0-6965-1. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). https://trid.trb.org/view/1666921
Morovatdar, A., Ashtiani, R., Licon, C., & Tirado, C. (2019). “Development of a Mechanistic Approach to Quantify Pavement Damage using Axle Load Spectra from South Texas Overload Corridors.” Proceedings of the Geo-Structural Aspects of Pavements, Railways, and Airfields Conference GAP 2019. Seattle, Washington. pp. 66-79. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483183.012
Rashidi, M. & Ashtiani, R. (2019). “Scale Effects in the Indirect Tensile and Unconfined Compressive Strength Tests of Cement-Stabilized Base Materials.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering Geo-Congress 2019. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 628-639. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784482124.064
Rashidi, M., Ashtiani, R., Rasouli, H. (2019). “Evaluation of the Mechanical Behavior of Shirin-dare earth Dam by the Numerical Analysis and Monitoring.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering Geo-Congress 2019. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 301-311. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784482070.029
Rashidi, M. & Ashtiani, R. (2019). “Alternative Approaches for the laboratory Evaluation of Moisture Susceptibility of Cementitious Materials”. Proceedings of the International Airfield and Highway Pavements Conference 2019. Chicago, Illinois. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 447-459. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784482469.045
Asadi, M. & Ashtiani, R. (2019). “Stability Analysis of Anisotropic Granular Base Layers in Flexible Pavements”, Elsevier Journal of Transportation Geotechnics. Vol. 14, pp. 183-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2018.01.001
Rashidi, M., Ashtiani, R., Ordaz, M., Cruz, H., & Garay, G. (2019). “Laboratory Investigation of the Cyclic Behavior of Cementitiously Stabilized Granular Materials using Dissipated Strain Energy Method.” Proceedings of the Geo-Structural Aspects of Pavements, Railways, and Airfields Conference, GAP 2019. Colorado Springs, Colorado. pp. 12-25. http://www.geosynthetica.com/wp-content/uploads/GAP2019-ConfProceedings-1.pdf
Ashtiani R., & Rashidi, M. (2018) “A Neural Network based Model for the Estimation of the Anisotropic Parameters of Unbound Aggregate Systems.” Elsevier Journal of Transportation Geotechnics. Vol. 15, pp. 4-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2018.02.002.
Rashidi, M., Ashtiani, R., Si, J., Izzo, R., & McDaniel, M. (2018). “A practical Approach for the Estimation of the Strength and Resilient Properties of Cementitious Materials.” Transportation Research Record (TRR): Journal of Transportation Research Board. 2672(52), pp. 152–163. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0361198118769900
Ashtiani, R. & Tseng, B. (2017). “A Novel Approach for the Characterization of the Rutting Performance of Pavement Foundations.” Technical Report No. SPTC 14.1-92. University Transportation Centers Program. https://trid.trb.org/view/1500365
Arteaga, U., & Ashtiani, R. (2017). “Analysis of Cyclic Behavior of Geomaterials Using Dissipated Energy Concept.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Highway Pavements and Airfield Technology. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pp. 322-333. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784480939.028
Ashtiani, R., & Asadi, M. (2017). “Application of Pattern Classification Techniques for Anisotropic Characterization of Pavement Foundations.” Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on the Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways and Airfields (BCRRA). Athens, Greece. Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 39-47. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781315100333-6
Ashtiani, R., & Asadi, M. (2017). “Stability Control of the Unbound Aggregate Base in Multi-Layer Pavement Structures.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Highway Pavements and Airfield Technology. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 35-44. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784480922.004
Arteaga, U., & Ashtiani, R. (2017) “Permanent Deformation Prediction of Unbound Granular Layers with Varying Moisture and Fines Content using Constant Confining Pressure Stress Paths.” Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting Proceedings. Washington D.C. https://trid.trb.org/view/1437859
Ashtiani, R., Pullen, B., & Hammons, M. (2016). “Comparative Study of Water Blasting Equipment for the Airfield Surface Decontamination.” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 28(8). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001530
Ashtiani, R., & Tarin J. (2016). “Testing Procedures for Long Life Heavy Duty Stabilized Bases.” Technical Report No. FHWA/TX-20/0-6812-1. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). https://trid.trb.org/view/1723525
Dhakal, S., & Ashtiani, R. (2016). “Effect of Different Levels of Moisture Intrusion on the Dynamic Modulus and Tensile Properties of Dense Graded Hot Mix Asphalt Using a Cyclic Moisture Induced Stress Tester.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation and Development (T&DI). Houston, Texas. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 803-812. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479926.073
Ashtiani, R., & De Haro, G. (2016). “Temperature Sensitivity of Precast Concrete Panels Used for the Repair of the Rigid Pavements”. Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation and Development (T&DI). Houston, Texas. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 103-115. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479926.010
Ashtiani, R., & De Haro, G. (2014). “Performance Determination of Precast Concrete Slabs Used for the Repair of Rigid Pavements.” Technical Report No. CAIT-UTC-017. Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation. https://cait.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cait-utc-017-final_0.pdf
Ashtiani, R., Saeed, A., & Hammons, M. (2014). “Mechanistic Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Recycled Aggregate Systems.” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 26(1), pp. 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000798
Ashtiani, R. (2013). Book Chapter “Chapter 13: Impact of Properties of Aggregates on Pavement Design and Analysis.” The Aggregates Handbook. Second Edition, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). ISBN: 9780988995000.
Pullen, A., Ashtiani, R., Cotter, B., Saeed, A., & Edwards, L. (2013). “Airport Rubber Removal: A Comparison of Ultra-High Pressure Runway Rubber Removal Systems.” Proceedings of the Conference on Airfield and Highway Pavement: Sustainable and Efficient Pavements. Los Angeles, California. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 677- 690. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413005.054
Sung-Hee, K., Ashtiani, R., Vaughan, D., Des Islets, J., & Beadles, S. (2013). “Use of Recycled Concrete Materials as Aggregate Base Layers.” Proceedings of the Conference on Airfield and Highway Pavement: Sustainable and Efficient Pavements. Los Angeles, California. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 1264-1277. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413005.107
Ashtiani, R., & Saeed, A. (2012). “Laboratory Performance Characterization of Pavements Incorporating Recycled Materials.” Proceeding of the GeoCongress-2012 Symposium. Oakland, California. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp. 1582-1591. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784412121.163
Saeed, A., Ashtiani, R., Boudreau, R. (2011). “Performance Related Aggregate Testing Protocol for Sustainable Design of Recycled Pavements.” Journal of ASTM International (JAI). 8(7), American Society for Testing and Materials. https://doi.org/10.1520/JAI103655
Ashtiani, R., Lou, R., & Lytton, R. (2010). “Performance Prediction and Moisture Susceptibility of Anisotropic Foundations.” Proceedings of the 2010 Geo-Shanghai International Conference, Paving Materials and Pavement Analysis, Geotechnical Special Publication (GSP203). American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pp.327-334. https://doi.org/10.1061/41104(377)40
Ashtiani, R., Little, D., & Masad, E., “Material Factors that Influence Anisotropic Behavior of Aggregate Bases.” Transportation Research Record (TRR): Journal of Transportation Research Board. 2059(1), pp. 20-30. https://doi.org/10.3141/2059-03
Ashtiani, R., Little, D., & Masad, E. (2008). “Anisotropy Level Prediction Model for Unbound Aggregate Systems.” Proceedings of the First International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics UNBAR 7. Nottingham, United Kingdom. Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 253-363. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203885949
Ashtiani, R., Little, D., & Masad, E. (2007). “Evaluation of Impact of Fines on the Performance of Lightly Cement Stabilized Aggregate Systems.” Transportation Research Record (TRR): Journal of Transportation Research Board. 2026(1), pp. 81-88. https://doi.org/10.3141/2026-10
Little, D., Ashtiani, R., & Masad, E. (2007). “Characterization of Anisotropic Base Materials with High Fines Content.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Characterization of Pavement and Soil Engineering Materials. Athens, Greece. Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 597-606. ISBN: 9780415448826.
For more information about Dr. Ashtiani, visit http://www.rezasalehi.com/