DOUGLAS A. SMITH

Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering
Texas Tech University
  Douglas A. Smith

PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION

B.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University, 1977
M.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University, 1979
Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University, 1993

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:  doug.smith@ttu.edu

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INTERESTS

Bluff body aerodynamics, structural response to wind loads, damage prediction for wind and surge loads on buildings, wind engineering, structural reliability, design of structures, development of structural engineering curriculum for undergraduate and graduate levels

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS

Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University (2003-present)
Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University (1998-2003)
Research Assistant Professor, Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University (1994-1998)
Research Associate, Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University (1993-1994)
Research Assistant, Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University (1990-1993)
Senior Structural Engineer, Utility Engineering Corporation, Amarillo, Texas (1988-1990)
Supervisory Structural Engineer, Southwestern Public Service Company, Amarillo, Texas (1983-1987)
Structural Engineer, Southwestern Public Service Company, Amarillo, Texas (1979-1983)
Research Assistant, Institute for Disaster Research, Texas Tech University (1978-1979)

SIGNIFICANT HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Fellow of American Society of Civil Engineers 2014
  • Fellow of Structural Engineering Institute, ASCE 2013
  • Elected to Texas Tech University Teaching Academy 2005
  • Halliburton Faculty Teaching Award 2001-2002
  • Civil Engineering Teacher of the Year 2002
  • Elected to the Civil Engineering Academy, Texas Tech University, 1995
  • Texas Engineering Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship, 1991

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES

  • As member of the task committee on wind loads of the American Society of Civil Engineers Committee ASCE 7, he played a significant role in the development of the wind load provisions of the national standards ASCE 7-05 and 7-10 and 7-16 revisions.
  • Has conducted and supervised windstorm damage documentation effort of Wind Science and Engineering Research Center and collaboration of damage investigations with other public and private entities.
  • Has helped develop a doctoral degree in Multidisciplinary (engineering, atmospheric sciences, and economics) Program in Wind Science and Engineering which is funded by NSF IGERT program for graduate student fellowships.
  • Has performed and directed research in wind engineering principally focused on full scale experiments in the field. These include experiments on transmission towers, signs and a 30 ft x 45 ft x 13’ high test building.