Laura N Lowes

Biography

Laura Lowes joins the faculty at University of Washington following two years as a faculty at Stanford University and completion of her Ph.D. at UC Berkeley. Her recent research focuses on developing tools for modeling the non-linear response of structural systems subjected to severe loading. An on-going project investigates finite element modeling of reinforced concrete building components and includes development of concrete, steel, and bond-zone material models, development of non-local bond element formulations and investigation of solution algorithms for systems that exhibit localized softening. A second project seeks to develop a numerical model characterizing the response of reinforced concrete beam-column joints under earthquake loading for use in analysis of buildings and bridges. A third project investigates the application of fiber optic sensors and high-resolution finite element models in health monitoring of structural systems.

Education

• PhD, Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley, 1999
• MSCE, Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley, 1993
• BSCE, Civil Engineering, University of Washington, 1992

Current projects

Hyperspectral Imaging for corrosion Detection in Bridge Structures

NHERI RAPID Facility

NHERI Simulation Center

Select publications

1. Zsarnóczay A, Deierlein GG, McKenna F, Schoettler M, Yi SR, Cetiner B, Satish AB, Zhao J, Bonus J, Melaku AF, Naeimi S, Arduino P, Davidson R, Gorle C, Govindjee S, Kareem A, Kijewski-Correa TL, Lowes LN, Motley M, Spence SMJ, Taciroglu E, Taflanidis AA, DeJong M (2025). “An open-source simulation platform to support and foster research collaboration in natural hazards engineering” Frontiers in Built Environment (11). doi.org/10.3389/fbuil. 2025.1590479.
2. Lowes LN, Yu1 R, Lehman DE, Campbell (2025). “Impact of Bar Spacing and Fiber on Out-of-Plane Response of Lightly Reinforced Concrete Walls” ACI Structural Journal. DOI:10.14359/51745465
3. Calvi PM, Che E, Sweet T., Lowes LN, Berman JW (2024). “Data Collection Using Terrestrial Laser Scanners from the Shake-Table Test of a Full-Scale Reinforced Concrete Building” Journal of Structural Engineering 150(2). https://doi.org/10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-12627
4. Cook D, Sen A, Liel A, Basnet T, Creagh A, Khodadadikoodiani, H, Berkowitz R, Ghannoum W, Hortacsu A, Kim I, Lehman D, Lowes L, Matamoros A, Naeim F, Sattar S, Smith R (2023). “ASCE/SEI 41 Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Buildings: Benchmarking Nonlinear Dynamic Procedures with Empirical Damage Observations” Earthquake Spectra 39(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/87552930231173453
5. Sen A, Cook D, Liel A, Basnet T, Creagh A, Khodadadikoodiani, H, Berkowitz R, Ghannoum W, Hortacsu A, Kim I, Lehman D, Lowes L, Matamoros A, Naeim F, Sattar S, Smith R (2023). “ASCE/SEI 41 Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Buildings: Benchmarking Linear Procedures and FEMA P-2018 with Empirical Damage Observations” Earthquake Spectra https://doi.org/10.1177/8755293023117345.
6. Ahmed K, Lowes LN, Lehman DE (2023).“Investigation of the Behavior of Slender Reinforced Concrete Walls with Complex Configurations Using Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis” Resilient Cities and Structures 2(1):120-142. DOI: 10.1016/j.rcns.2023.02.010
7. Zsarnóczay A, Deierlein GG, Williams CJ, Kijewski-Correa TJ, Esnard AM, Lowes LN, Johnson L (2023). “Community Perspectives on Simulation and Data Needs for the Study of Natural Hazard Impacts and Recovery” Natural Hazards Review 24(1): DOI: 10.1061NHREFO.NHENG-1551
8. Rathje EM, Dawson C, Padgett JE, Pinelli JP, Stanzione D, Arduio P Brandeberg SJ, Cockerill, T. Esteva M, Haan FL, Kareem A, Lowes L, Mosqueda G (2020). Enhancing Research in Natural Hazards Engineering Through the DesignSafe Cyberinfrastructure” Frontiers in Built Environment. v6 p547706. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2020.547706.
9. Berman JW, Wartman J, Olsen M, Irish J, Miles S, Tanner T, Gurley KR, Lowes L, Bostrom A, Dafni J, Grilliot M, Lyda A, Peltier J (2020). “Natural Hazards Reconnaissance with the NHERI RAPID Facility.” Frontiers in Natural Hazard Engineering. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2020.573068.
10. Behrouzi AA, Mock1 AW, Lowes LN, Lehman DE, Kuchma DA (2020). “Impact of bidirectional loading on the seismic performance of C-shaped piers of core walls.” Engineering Structures. 225: 111289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111289
11. Seok S, Haikal G, Ramirez JA, Lowes LN, Lim J (2020). “Finite Element Simulation of BondZone Behavior of Pullout Test of Reinforcement Embedded in Concrete Using Concrete Damage-Plasticity Model 2 (CDPM2).” Engineering Structures 221(15). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110984
12. Marafi NA, Ahmed1 K, Lowes LN, Lehman DE (2019). “Variability in Seismic Collapse Probabilities of Solid and Coupled-Wall Buildings.” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE 145(6).
13. Shegay A, Motter CJ, Henry RS, Lehman DE, Lowes LN, Elwood KJ (2018). “Impact of Axial Load Ratio on the Seismic Response of Planar Walls” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE 144(8):
14. Pugh, J.S., Lowes, L.N., Lehman, D.E. (2017). “Accurate Methods for Elastic Seismic Demand Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Walled Buildings” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE 1843(8): 1-13.
15. Kashani, M.M., Lowes, L.N., Crewe, A.J., Alexander, N.A. (2016). “Nonlinear Fibre Element Modeling of RC Bridge Piers Considering Inelastic Buckling of Reinforcement,” Earthquake Engineering Structures. (116): 163-177

Honors & awards

• American Concrete Institute Ambassador 2024
• CEE Department JEDI Award, 2022
• Puget Sound Council of Engineering, Academic Engineer of the Year, 2020
• ASCE Moisseiff Award, 2017
• William M. and Marilyn M. Conner Endowed Professorship in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2016 - 2021
• Fellow, American Concrete Institute, 2010 (ACI member since 1996)
• Outstanding Earthquake Spectra Paper, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute,2007
• George D. Nasser Award, Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute, 2005
• American Concerte Institute

News