Alex Lakocy joined Protection Engineering Consultants (PEC) as a Senior Associate Engineer II in June 2021. Before joining PEC, Alex spent five years working as a structural engineering consultant. Alex specialized in seismic rehabilitation projects throughout the west coast and historic preservation projects in the Rocky Mountain region for both commercial and government clients. Alex also developed software to assist engineers with structural design and has served as the lead data analyst for the National Council of Structural Engineers Association’s (NCSEA) Structural Engineering Engagement & Equity (SE3) committee since 2018.
Alex received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) with concentrations in Structural Engineering and Computer Science. He completed a Master’s degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. At Georgia Tech, Alex’s research focused on quantifying material defects in metallic structures by analyzing characteristics of acoustic waves passed through the material. These efforts included experimental design, nonlinear Finite Element (FE) modeling, machine welding, and performing advanced signal processing. Alex was also involved in the American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC) Student Steel Bridge competition, first as the team captain as an undergraduate at UIUC, then as a judge for numerous regional and national competitions.
Alex is proficient with computational tools (Python, Visual Basic) and applied statistics. Alex will be supporting PEC and our clients on applied research and machine learning efforts.
Education
MS in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering Mechanics & Materials) | Georgia Institute of Technology | 2015
BS in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering & Computer Science) | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 2014
Publications
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gZe40sIAAAAJ&hl=en
Kundan Goswami joined Protection Engineering Consultants (PEC) as a Senior Associate Engineer I in March 2021. Before joining PEC, Kundan had a one-year stint in protective design involving public and private infrastructure projects. With in-depth expertise in probabilistic modeling and high-fidelity Finite Element (FE) simulations, Kundan’s prior work focused on the blast and impact hazard assessment, risk modeling of complex structures, and development of cost-effective strategies for blast/impact risk mitigation. Additionally, Kundan assisted in the preparation of technical proposals for national and international projects.
Kundan received his doctoral degree from the University at Buffalo (UB). At UB, Kundan’s research involved uncertainty quantification, risk assessment, nonlinear FE simulation, and design of control systems. Using the Importance Sampling scheme and Hierarchical Clustering technique, Kundan has developed an efficient numerical algorithm for the execution of Optimization Under Uncertainty (OUU). Combining the OUU algorithm with nonlinear dynamic FE simulations, Kundan has proposed a risk-based design methodology for stochastic structures and protective systems subjected to random loads. Kundan’s research work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at several international conferences. With a keen interest in seismic engineering, Kundan served as the Vice President of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) student chapter at UB.
Kundan’s skill set include various computational tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Mathcad) and a range of high-fidelity analysis tools (e.g., OpenSees, LS-DYNA, SAP2000, blastFoam, ProSAir). Kundan will be supporting PEC and our clients on both applied research and design efforts.
Education
PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Computational & Applied Mechanics) | University at Buffalo | 2020
MTech in Civil Engineering (Structures) | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | 2011
BE in Civil Engineering | Bengal Engineering & Science University, Shibpur (formerly BE College) | 2009
Publications
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ortASgsAAAAJ&hl=en
Jeff Honig joined Protection Engineering Consultants (PEC) in January 2021. Jeff completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering at the University of Florida (UF) and just completed his PhD in Civil Engineering. While at UF, Jeff’s master’s research focused on partially constructed bridges, where finite element analysis (FEA) models were used to develop distribution factors for construction loads and girder stability equations.
Jeff’s doctoral research is related to fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) traffic railings under vehicle impact loading. As part of this study, Jeff performed large-scale pendulum impact tests that were designed to produce similar impact conditions prescribed in AASHTO MASH and LRFD Bridge Design for a single-unit truck (test level 4) impact. In conjunction with experimental testing, Jeff used high-resolution FEA models in LS-DYNA to evaluate the structural adequacy of the proposed FRC railing relative to a standard reinforced concrete rail. Jeff will be supporting PEC and our clients on both research and design efforts.
Education
- Ph.D. in Civil Engineering | University of Florida | 2021
- M.E. in Civil Engineering | University of Florida | 2017
- B.S. in Civil Engineering | University of Florida | 2015
Publications
- Beery (Salvetti), M., Torres, E., Honig, J., Consolazio, G., Hamilton, H. (2019). “Roll Stiffness of Reinforced Neoprene Bearing Pads under Imposed Skew and Slope Angles.” ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering 24(8).
- Honig, J., Harper, Z., and Consolazio, G. (2018). “Influence of Thermal Sweep on Girder Stability during Construction.” Transportation Research Record. doi:10.1177/0361198118768527
Dr. Michalis Hadjioannou joined Protection Engineering Consultants as a Sr. Associate Engineer / Structural Analyst on June 1st, 2015. Michalis received his undergraduate degree from the National Technical University of Athens and is licensed to practice civil engineering in Cyprus (Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK)). He received his MS and PhD from The University of Texas at Austin, with a dissertation entitled “Large-Scale Testing and Numerical Simulations of Composite Floor Slabs Under Progressive Collapse Scenarios”, a research study focused on quantifying the contribution of steel-concrete composite floor slabs in mitigating progressive collapse of steel structures. The research was supported by full-scale tests and high-fidelity finite element models were validated against the experimental results. Michalis is experienced with the LS-DYNA, ADINA, PLAXIS, ABAQUS, and SAP2000 numerical analysis tools, and will be supporting PEC and our clients on both research and design efforts. Contact Michalis at 512-380-1988 x307 or mhadjioannou@protection-consultants.com.
Greg Rolater joined PEC as an Associate Engineer in March 2014. Greg supports our design projects by providing analysis of structural members for blast resistance and by contributing to design tool development for SBEDS and SBEDS-W. Greg also provides support for research projects by compiling test data for comparison to theoretical results. Greg graduated with honors from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a BS in Civil Engineering and is continuing his education through work on an MS in Civil/Structural Engineering.
