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Robert J Thomas

Head shot of Robert Thomas

Robert Thomas

Assistant Professor
Civil & Environmental Eng

Email: rthomas@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315/268-6546
Office: 228 Rowley Lab
Mailbox: CU Box 5710

Department(s): Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP)
  • Research Interests
  • Awards and Honors
  • Selected Publications
Education
Civil Engineering Ph.D - 2016
Clarkson University
Civil & Environmental Engineering M.S. - 2013
Clarkson University
Civil & Environmental Engineering B.S. with Distinction - 2011
Clarkson University
Courses Taught
CE212: Introduction to Engineering Design
CE549: Experimental Methods in Structures
ES100: Introduction to Engineering Use of Computers
ES222: Strength of Materials
Experience
Assistant Professor Clarkson University, Present
Postdoctoral Research Associate Utah State University, 2018
Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellow Idaho State University, 2017
Research Interests

Concrete materials

Concrete structures

Experimental mechanics

Durability

Sustainability

Impact and blast loads

Awards

Emerging Leaders Alliance, Sponsored by American Concrete Institute, 2019

Intelligence Community Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Awarded by Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Sponsored by Defense Intelligence Agency, 2016-2017

Outstanding Teaching Award for Graduate Students, Clarkson University, 2016

Outstanding Teaching Award for Graduate Students, Clarkson University, 2015

Student of the Year (Region 2), United States Department of Transportation, 2014

Publications
  1. S. Al-Rubaye, T. Sorensen, R.J. Thomas, and M. Maguire, “Generalized beam-spring model for partially composite concrete sandwich wall panels,” Engineering Structures, vol. 198, pp. 109533, November 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.109533
  2. R.J. Thomas, A.D. Sorensen, and M. Maguire, “Analytical models for three-dimensional diffusion of ions from salt-contaminated aggregates,” Advances in Civil Engineering Materials, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 19, April 2019. DOI: 10.1520/ACEM20180137
  3. S. Dorafshan, R.J. Thomas, and M. Maguire, “Comparison of deep convolutional neural networks and edge detectors for image-based crack detection in concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 186, pp. 1031-1045, October 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.011
  4. I. Quezada*, R.J. Thomas, and M. Maguire, “Internal curing to mitigate cracking in rapid set pavement repair media,” Advances in Civil Engineering Materials, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 660-674, November 2018. DOI: 10.1520/ACEM20170140
  5. R.J. Thomas, K. Steel, and A.D. Sorensen, “Reliability analysis of circular reinforced concrete columns subject to sequential vehicular impact and blast loading,” Engineering Structures, vol. 168, pp. 838-851, July 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.04.099
  6. R.J. Thomas, M. Maguire, A.D. Sorensen, and I. Quezada*, “Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement: Benefits and applications,” Concrete International, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 65-69, April 2018.
  7. R.J. Thomas and A.D. Sorensen, “Review of strain rate effects for UHPC in tension,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 153, pp. 846-856, October 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.07.168
  8. R.J. Thomas, D. Lezama**, and S. Peethamparan, “On drying shrinkage in alkali-activated concrete: Improving dimensional stability by aging or heat-curing,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 91, pp. 13-23, January 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2016.10.003
  9. R.J. Thomas and S. Peethamparan, “Alkali-activated concrete: Engineering properties and stress-strain behavior,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 93, pp. 49-56, September 2015.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.04.039
  10. B.S. Gebreziabiher, R.J. Thomas, and S. Peethamparan, “Very-early-age reaction kinetics and microstructural development in alkali-activated slag,” Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 55, pp. 91-102, January 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.09.001

Schools at Clarkson

  • Graduate School
  • School of Arts & Sciences
  • David D. Reh School of Business
  • Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering
  • Earl R. and Barbara D. Lewis School of Health Sciences
  • Institute for a Sustainable Environment
  • Early College Program: The Clarkson School
  • Institute for STEM Education
  • Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries

Highlights of Excellence

  • Career Center
  • Honors Program
  • ROTC
  • Student Projects for Engineering Experience and Design (SPEED)
  • Student Success Center
  • Writing Center

Research & Innovation

  • Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science (C3S2)
  • The Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP)
  • Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering & Science (CAARES)
  • Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR)
  • The Center for Rehabilitation Engineering, Science & Technology (CREST)
  • NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions
  • The Shipley Center for Innovation
  • Clarkson Ignite
  • University Libraries

Clarkson University

8 Clarkson Ave., Potsdam, New York 13699 315-268-6400
80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308 518-631-9831
199 Dennings Ave., Beacon, New York 12508 845-838-1600
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