The sixth Shah Family Innovation Prize was awarded to Professor Gustavo Parra-Montesinos of the University of Michigan in recognition of his outstanding research and innovative application of high-performance fiber-reinforced cement composites (HPFRCC) in earthquake-resistant structural systems. Parra has also become a leader in seismic behavior and design of hybrid steel-concrete structures.

Parra's work on HPFRCCs has been primarily aimed at enhancing the structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) members subjected to large shear reversals, for which current design codes require substantial and complex reinforcement detailing. His research projects include application of HPFRCC materials in structural walls, coupling beams, beam-column connections, and plastic hinging regions of flexural members. His results have also shown that these applications can delay shear strength decay while allowing for significant reductions or even elimination of conventional transverse reinforcement.

His research on strain-hardening fiber cementitious materials has the potential to significantly impact the seismic design of structures in the next few years, especially within the context of performance-based design. He has shown that squat walls constructed with HPPRCCs have approximately twice the drift capacity and superior damage tolerance compared to traditional RC walls. Tests on HPFRCC coupling beams have shown superior performance at moderate and high-drift levels compared to diagonally reinforced coupling beams.

He is leading a project that was one of the few NEES research projects awarded during the first round of NSF funding. It is aimed at developing a new slab-column connection with self-performance monitoring capabilities.

Parra received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the Universidad Metropolitana in Venezuela in 1994 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1997 and 2000, respectively, at the University of Michigan (UM). He became an assistant professor in UM’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department in 2000. While a student, he served as president of the University of Michigan EERI Student Chapter and is currently serving as the faculty advisor to that group. Parra currently serves as a member of the EERI Task Force on the Data Collection and Management Action Plan. He has also been very active in outreach activities involving high school and minority students in his research projects, as well as in the organization of laboratory demonstrations for high school and college students.

Endowed by a generous gift from the Haresh Shah family, the $10,000 Shah Family Innovation Prize is awarded annually to younger professionals and academics for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the field of earthquake risk mitigation and management. The prize recognizes and honors individuals who have been involved in the development of cutting-edge, innovative solutions to problems in earthquake engineering and related disciplines. Recipients should be in the developing or expanding stage of his or her career, with the promise of important contributions ahead.

The Shah Family Innovation Prize Selection Committee was charged with narrowing a very impressive field of candidates down to a single awardee. Follow this link for a description of the nomination process and selection criteria.