Updates
Stay updated on lab announcements, research milestones, student achievements, conference presentations, publications, and recent activity from the Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab.
New Members Join the DFIM Lab
MS student Bipin Pangeni and undergraduate students Ngyuen Van and Ethan Goodridge join the DFIM Lab.
Full Update
The Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab welcomes MS student Bipin Pangeni and undergraduate students Ngyuen Van and Ethan Goodridge to the research team. The growing group will contribute to the lab’s ongoing work in damage and fracture mechanics, structural durability, computational modeling, damage detection, and interface behavior. We are excited to have them join the DFIM Lab and contribute to upcoming research projects.
Summer Update
The DFIM Lab conducted large-scale concrete pours and material testing while REU students gained hands-on research experience.
Full Update
This summer, the Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab conducted multiple large-scale concrete pours and an extensive series of material tests. REU students gained hands-on experience in formwork fabrication, reinforcement layout, concrete mixing, specimen fabrication, and mechanical testing.
NIST Additive Construction Event
Dr. Manawadu participated in “Additive Construction – The Path to Standardization Continues” held at NIST.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu participated in “Additive Construction – The Path to Standardization Continues” held at NIST.
Research Group Goes to the USF Summer 2026 Research Symposium
Members of the DFIM Lab participated in the USF Summer 2026 Research Symposium to share their research and connect with the university research community.
Full Update
The DFIM Lab research group participated in the USF Summer 2026 Research Symposium, where lab members had the opportunity to present and discuss their work with students, faculty, and researchers from across the university. The symposium provided an opportunity to showcase ongoing DFIM research, exchange ideas, and engage with the broader USF research community.
ASCE EMI Conference
Dr. Manawadu presented at the ASCE EMI Conference in Boulder, Colorado.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu presented at the ASCE EMI Conference in Boulder, CO. Her talk focused on “Cohesive Zone Modeling of Mode-II Interfacial Fracture in Cementitious Repairs.”
New Students Join the DFIM Lab
PhD student Sirazam Sadekin and undergraduate students Marco Russo, Joshua Feldemeyer, and Rasul Aliyev have joined the DFIM Lab.
Full Update
The Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab welcomes PhD student Sirazam Sadekin and undergraduate students Marco Russo, Joshua Feldemeyer, and Rasul Aliyev to the research team. Their contributions will support the lab’s growing work in structural durability, fracture mechanics, interface behavior, and infrastructure performance. Welcome to the DFIM Lab!
DFIM Lab at the USF Engineering Expo
The DFIM Lab participated in the USF Engineering Expo.
Full Update
The Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab participated in the USF Engineering Expo.
Outstanding Reviewer Award
Dr. Ayumi Manawadu received the Outstanding Reviewer Award from the ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering.
Full Update
Dr. Ayumi Manawadu received the Outstanding Reviewer Award from the ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, recognizing her service and contributions to the peer-review process. This honor highlights Dr. Manawadu’s commitment to advancing high-quality research and scholarly communication in engineering.
USF New Researcher Grant Awarded
Dr. Manawadu received a USF New Researcher Grant focused on predicting interface failure in concrete infrastructure.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu received a USF New Researcher Grant for the project, “Predicting Interface Failure in Concrete Infrastructure through Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics.” The project supports the lab’s mission to better understand fracture behavior, interface performance, and failure mechanisms in concrete infrastructure systems.
USF MURCIA Award
Dr. Manawadu and an interdisciplinary research team received USF MURCIA support for a concrete 3D printing research hub.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu, serving as PI, and a team of researchers including Dr. Zachary Haber, Dr. Tina Piracci, Dr. Nancy Diaz Elsayed, Dr. Taryn Sabia, Dr. William Ellis, and Dr. Margaret Winter received USF MURCIA support for “Concrete 3D Printing System for an Interdisciplinary Construction Research Hub.” This project strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration in advanced construction materials and infrastructure research.
Yuliya Tyrak Defends MS Thesis
MS student Yuliya Tyrak successfully defended her thesis on interfacial defects in FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete members.
Full Update
MS student Yuliya Tyrak successfully defended her thesis, “Quantification of Interfacial Defects in FRP-Strengthened RC Member Using Non-Destructive Testing Methods.” Congratulations to Yuliya, the first graduate from the DFIM Lab, on this important milestone.
Avery Peters Joins the Team
Undergraduate student Avery Peters joined the DFIM Lab.
Full Update
Undergraduate student Avery Peters joined the Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab. Welcome to the team, Avery!
Dr. Anwar Weissa Lecture Poster Presentation
Tanna Frye and Yuliya Tyrak presented a poster at the Dr. Anwar Weissa Lecture.
Full Update
Tanna Frye and Yuliya Tyrak represented the DFIM Lab with a student poster presentation at the Dr. Anwar Weissa Lecture.
Tanna Frye at the USF 3MT Competition Finals
Tanna Frye represented the DFIM Lab at the USF Three-Minute Thesis Competition Finals.
Full Update
Tanna Frye represented the Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab at the USF Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition Finals.
Tanna Frye Advances to PhD Candidacy
PhD student Tanna Frye successfully defended her qualifying exam and advanced to PhD candidacy.
Full Update
PhD student Tanna Frye successfully defended her PhD qualifying exam and advanced to PhD candidacy. Her thesis is titled “Durability of Externally Bonded CFRP-Concrete Interfaces under Coupled Corrosion and Temperature Effects.” Congratulations, Tanna!
Publication in Experimental Mechanics
A new publication by A. Manawadu and P. Qiao was published in Experimental Mechanics.
Full Update
Publication alert: A. Manawadu and P. Qiao published “Fracture of Shotcrete-to-Concrete Interface: A New Method to Evaluate the Fracture Energy” in Experimental Mechanics. DOI: 10.1007/s11340-025-01228-4.
ACI Professors Workshop
Dr. Manawadu participated in the ACI Professors Workshop.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu participated in the ACI Professors Workshop.
FDOT-Funded Project Collaboration
Dr. Manawadu began collaborating on an FDOT-funded project focused on post-installed post-tensioned grouted anchors.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu, serving as Co-PI, began collaborating with Dr. Zachary Haber, PI, on an FDOT-funded project titled “Post-Installed Post-Tensioned Grouted Anchors.” The project expands the lab’s work in infrastructure performance, anchorage systems, and applied structural research.
SEI Future Leaders Scholarship
Dr. Manawadu was selected as a recipient of the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute Future Leaders Scholarship.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu was selected as a recipient of the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute Future Leaders Scholarship. This recognition supports emerging leaders in structural engineering and highlights Dr. Manawadu’s continued contributions to the field.
Tanna Frye and Yuliya Tyrak Join DFIM
Tanna Frye and Yuliya Tyrak joined the DFIM Lab to pursue their PhD and MS research, respectively.
Full Update
Tanna Frye and Yuliya Tyrak joined the Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab to complete their PhD and MS research, respectively. Welcome to the team, Tanna and Yuliya!
NCSEA Summit Participation
Dr. Manawadu participated in the NCSEA Summit as a young professional scholarship recipient.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu participated in the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations Summit as a young professional scholarship recipient. The event provided opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and engagement with leaders in structural engineering practice.
Publication in ACI Materials Journal
A publication on frost durability and service life prediction of self-healing concrete was published in ACI Materials Journal.
Full Update
Publication alert: J. He, A. Manawadu, Y. Deng, J. Zhao, and X. Shi published “Frost Durability and Service Life Prediction of Self-Healing Concrete” in ACI Materials Journal, volume 121, issue 5, pages 23–37. DOI: 10.14359/51742036.
Advanced Concrete Design Course
Dr. Manawadu began teaching CES 6701 Advanced Concrete Design.
Full Update
Dr. Manawadu began teaching CES 6701 Advanced Concrete Design, contributing to graduate-level instruction in structural engineering, reinforced concrete behavior, and advanced design methods.
Dr. Manawadu Joins USF
Dr. Ayumi Manawadu joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida.
Full Update
Dr. Ayumi Manawadu joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida. This milestone marks the beginning of the Damage, Fracture, and Interface Mechanics Lab at USF.