Ashley P. Thrall

Education

PhD, Princeton University, 2011

MA, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 2009

MSE, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 2008

BA, Physics, Vassar College, 2004

Biography

Fellowships, Honors, and Awards:

Notre Dame All-Faculty Team Award (2019)
Canton High School Wall of Fame (2019)
American Institute of Steel Construction Early Career Faculty Award (2018)
Rev. Edmund P Joyce, CSC, Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2018)
Catherine F. Pieronek Women in Engineering Impact Award (2018)
National Science Foundation Early Faculty Career Development (CAREER) Award (2014)
SEI Young Professional Structures Congress Scholarship (2012)
International Association of Shells and Spatial Structures Hangai Prize (2011)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Structural Engineering Traveling Fellowship (2011)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2008-2011)
Norman J. Sollenberger Fellowship (2010)
Vassar College Graduation with Departmental Honors (2004)
Vassar College Graduation with General Honors (2004)
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (2003)
Honor Societies: Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society

Journal Publications

Barbachyn, SM, Devine, RD, Thrall, AP, and Kurama, YC (2020) "Behavior of Nuclear RC Shear Walls Designed for Similar Lateral Strengths using Normal-Strength versus High-Strength Materials." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Structural Engineering, In press.

Devine, RB, Barbachyn, SM, Thrall, AP, and Kurama, YC (2020) "Effect of Aspect Ratio, Flanges, and Material Strength on Stocky Walls." American Concrete Institute Structural Journal, In press.

Gerbo, EJ, Thrall, AP, and Zoli, TP (2020) "Service and Ultimate Behavior of Adjustable Bolted Steel Plate Connections." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Structural Engineering, 146(7), 04020128 (11 pages).

Gerbo, EJ, Thrall, AP, and Zoli, TP (2020) "Adjustable Bolted Steel Plate Connection: Measured Behavior of Bolts during Field Installation and Numerical Parametric Investigation." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Structural Engineering, 146(2), 04019189 (16 pages)

Wang, Y, Tumbeva, MD, Thrall, AP, and Zoli, TP (2019) “Pressure Activated Adhesive Tape Pattern for Monitoring the Structural Condition of Steel Bridges via Digital Image Correlation.” Structural Control and Health Monitoring, 26(8), 1-14.

Tugilimana, A, Filomeno Coelho, R, and Thrall, AP (2019) "An Integrated Design Methodology for Modular Trusses including Dynamic Grouping, Module Spatial Orientation, and Topology Optimization." Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 60(2), 613-638.

Gerbo, EJ, Wang, Y, Tumbeva, MD, Thrall, AP, Smith, BJ, and Zoli, TP (2019) Closure to "Behavior of an Adjustable Bolted Steel Plate Connection during Field Installation." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Structural Engineering, 145(3), 07018015 (1 page).

Devine, RD, Barbachyn, SM, Thrall, AP, and Kurama, YC (2018) “Effect of Tripping Prefabricated Rebar Assemblies on Bar Spacing.” American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(11), 04018099, 13 pages.

Devine, RD, Barbachyn, SM, Thrall, AP, and Kurama, YC (2018) "Experimental Evaluation of Deep Beams with High-Strength Concrete and High-Strength Rebar." American Concrete Institute Structural Journal, 115(4), 1023-1036.

Tugilimana, A, Filomeno Coelho, R, and Thrall, AP (2018) "Including Global Stability in Truss Layout Optimization for the Conceptual Design of Large-Scale Applications." Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 57(3), 1213–1232.

Gerbo, EJ, Wang, Y, Tumbeva, MD, Thrall, AP, Smith, BJ, and Zoli, TP (2018) "Behavior of an Adjustable Bolted Steel Plate Connection during Field Installation." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Structural Engineering, 144 (3), 04017223, 14 pages.

Tugilimana, A, Thrall, AP, and Filomeno Coelho, R (2017) "Conceptual Design of Modular Bridges including Layout Optimization and Component Reusability." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Bridge Engineering, 22(11), 04017094, 13 pages.

Barbachyn, SM, Devine, RD, Thrall, AP, and Kurama, YC (2017) "Economic Evaluation of High-Strength Materials in Stocky Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 143(10), 04017074, 14 pages.

Barbachyn, SM, Devine, RD, Thrall, AP, and Kurama, YC (2017) "Effect of High-Strength Materials on Lateral Strength of Stocky RC Walls." American Concrete Institute Structural Journal, 114(4): 923-936.

Tugilimana, A, Thrall, AP, Descamps B, and Filomeno Coelho, R (2017) "Spatial Orientation and Topology Optimization of Modular Trusses." Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 55(2), 459-476.

Ballard, ZC, Gerbo, EJ, Thrall, AP, and Smith, BJ (2016) "Behavior of Sandwich Panels in a Deployable Structure." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Structural Engineering, 142(10), 04016073, 14 pages.

Gerbo, EJ, Thrall, AP, Smith, BJ, and Zoli, TP (2016) "Full-field Measurement of Residual Strains in Cold Bent Steel Plates." Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 127: 187-203.

Wang, Y, Thrall, AP, and Zoli, TP (2016) "Adjustable Module for Variable Depth Steel Arch Bridges." Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 126, 163-173.

Gerbo, EJ, Casias, CM, Thrall, AP, and Zoli, TP (2016) "Bridge Forms Composed of Modular Bridge Panels.” American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Bridge Engineering, 21(4), 04015084, 12 pages.

Ballard, ZC, Thrall, AP, and Smith, BJ (2016) "Behavior of Folding Sandwich Panel Structures: Impact of Ground Conditions, Anchorage, and Panel Warping." Construction and Building Materials, 112, 1110-1122.

Ballard, ZC, Thrall, AP, Smith, BJ, and Casias, CM (2016) "Impact of Hinged Connectors on Sandwich Panel Behavior." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Structural Engineering,142(3), 06015005, 6 pages.

Tumbeva, MD, Wang, Y, Sowar, MM, Dascanio, AJ, and Thrall, AP (2016) "Quilt Pattern Inspired Engineering: Efficient Manufacturing of Shelter Topologies." Automation in Construction, 63, 57-65.

Alegria Mira, L, Thrall, AP, and De Temmerman, N (2016) "The Universal Scissor Component: Optimization of a Reconfigurable Component for Deployable Scissor Structures," Engineering Optimization, 48(2), 317-333.

Alegria Mira, L, Filomeno Coelho, R, Thrall, AP, and De Temmerman, N (2015) "Parametric Evaluation of Deployable Scissor Arches." Engineering Structures, 99, 479-491.

Quaglia, CP, Yu, N, Thrall, AP, and Paolucci, S (2014). "Balancing Energy Efficiency and Structural Performance through Multi-objective Shape Optimization: Case Study of a Rapidly Deployable Origami-inspired Shelter," Energy and Buildings, 82, 733-745.

Quaglia, CP, Dascanio, AJ, and Thrall, AP (2014) "Bascule Shelters: A Novel Erection Strategy for Origami-Inspired Deployable Structures," Engineering Structures, 75, 276-287.

Martinez-Martin, FJ and Thrall, AP (2014) "Honeycomb Core Sandwich Panels for Origami-Inspired Deployable Shelters: Multi-objective Optimization for Minimum Weight and Maximum Energy Efficiency," Engineering Structures, 69, 158-167.

Alegria Mira, L, Thrall, AP, and De Temmerman, N (2014) "Deployable Scissor Arch for Transitional Shelters." Automation in Construction, 43, 123-131.

Thrall, AP and Quaglia, CP (2014) "Accordion Shelters: A Historical Review of Origami-like Deployable Shelters Developed by the US Military." Engineering Structures, 59, 686-692.

Russell, BR, Thrall, AP, Padula, JA, and Fowler, JE (2014) "Re-Conceptualization and Optimization of a Rapidly Deployable Floating Causeway." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Bridge Engineering, 19(4), 04013013, 9 pages.

Thrall, AP, Zhu, M, Guest, JK, Paya-Zaforteza, I, and Adriaenssens, S (2014) "Structural Optimization of Deploying Structures Comprised of Linkages." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 28(3), 04014010, 11 pages.

Russell, BR and Thrall, AP (2013) "Portable and Rapidly Deployable Bridges: Historical Perspective and Recent Technology Developments." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Bridge Engineering, 18(10), 1074-1085.

Thrall, AP, Billington, DP, and Brea, KL (2012) "The Maria Pia Bridge: A Major Work of Structural Art." Engineering Structures, 40, 479-486.

Thrall, AP, Adriaenssens, S, Paya-Zaforteza, I, and Zoli, TP (2012) "Linkage-Based Movable Bridge Forms: Design Methodology and Three Novel Forms." Engineering Structures, 37, 214-223.

Thrall, AP (2011) "Shape-Finding of a Deployable Structure Using Simulated Annealing." Journal of the International Association for Shells and Spatial Structures, 52(4), 241-247.

Thrall, AP and Garlock, MEM (2010) "Analysis of the Design Concept for the Iglesia de la Virgen de la Medalla Milagrosa." Journal of the International Association for Shells and Spatial Structures, 51, 27-34.

Thrall, AP and Billington, DP (2008) "Bayonne Bridge: The Work of Othmar Ammann, Master Builder." American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Bridge Engineering, 13, 635-643.

Lombardi, JC Jr, Thrall, AP, Deneva, JS, Fleming, SW, and Grabowski, PE (2003) "Modelling Collision Products of Triple-Star Mergers." Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 345, 762-780.

Utility Patents

Thrall, AP, Tumbeva, MD, and Zoli, TP (2020) "Adjustable Connection for Structural Member." US Patent 10,626,611. Issue date: April 21, 2020.

Thrall, AP, Tumbeva, MD, and Zoli, TP (2020) "Adjustable Connection for Structural Member." US Patent 10,538,887. Issue date: January 21, 2020.

Thrall, AP, Gerbo, EJ, and Zoli, TP (2019) "Adjustable Bolted Steel Plate Connection." US Patent 10,370,805. Issue date: August 6, 2019. 

Thrall, AP, Wang, Y, and Zoli, TP (2019) "Adjustable Module for Variable Depth Structures." US Patent 10,190,271. Issue date: January 29, 2019.

Thrall, AP, Dascanio, AJ, and Quaglia, CP (2016) "Deployable Portable Shelter (Form)." US Patent 9,410,312.  Issue date: August 9, 2016.

Thrall, AP, Dascanio, AJ, and Quaglia, CP (2016) "Deployable Portable Shelter (Method)." US Patent 9,334,645.  Issue date: May 10, 2016.

Summary of Activities/Interests

The Kinetic Structures Laboratory (KSL), directed by Dr. Ashley P. Thrall, is dedicated to investigating the behavior, design, and optimization of kinetic civil infrastructure utilizing analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches. Kinetic bridges, shelters, and buildings include modular systems, which are rapidly movable and deployable. Current and recent projects include designing rapidly deployable origami-inspired shelters, developing new approaches to rapidly erectable bridge systems, performing topology optimization on modular structures, and investigating prefabricated high-strength rebar systems with high-performance concrete for accelerated construction of nuclear concrete structures. Applications of this research include military operations, disaster relief, and accelerated construction of civil infrastructure.