Dr. Mijia Yang, PE

Associate Professor
Office: CIE 201B
Phone: (701) 231-5647
Email: mijia.yang@ndsu.edu

Education

  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
  • Ph.D., Rock Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
  • B.S.,Civil Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, Anhui, China

Interests Areas

  • Explore advanced structural health monitoring techniques for structural condition assessment, extreme event identification through advanced sensing techniques such as fiber optic sensors, high fidelity dynamic responses of structures, and innovative vehicle bridge and pavement interaction.
  • Create new civil engineering materials for sensing, excitation, strength and stiffness enhancement, material self-healing, and energy harvesting.
  • Develop advanced modeling tools in simulating strength degradation due to fatigue and creep, fracture propagation, microstructure controlled behavior, tailored design of composites, and hydro-chemical-stress interaction.
  • Integrate with industrials and DOTs implementing new PCC pavement repair materials (Geopolymer) and develop guidelines for Epoxy bonded anchor systems.
  • Enhance engineering education through practice related student projects and research outcomes.

Professional Experience

Prof. Mijia Yang completed a BSCE degree and then worked for one year as a field engineer at a mine construction company. He continued pursuing graduate study in Geotechnical Engineering and came to US in 2001. He completed his Ph.D. study at University of Akron in 2006 and worked as a post-doctoral research associate at University of Nebraska-Lincoln before moving to the University of Texas at San Antonio as an assistant Professor in Structural Engineering.  Professor Yang joined North Dakota State University in the department of civil engineering at 2011, where he led multiple projects on structural health monitoring, innovative concrete material, and accelerated pavement repairs. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer (license number 70246) in Ohio.

Research

Dr. Yang leads a research program addressing the grand challenge of sustainable infrastructure through innovative materials and advanced assessment methods. One research focus is on innovative construction materials.  Professor Yang has collaborated with colleagues across Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Construction Engineering to develop conductive geopolymer concrete.  These endeavours have been funded by over $1 million in research grants, where Dr. Yang has served as lead or co-principal investigator from funding agencies such as USDOT, TxDOT, MnDOT, NDDOT, and many other local and international agencies and consulting firms. The second research focus is development of advanced assessment methods for roads and bridges.  Development of fast and convenient assessment methods could help to maintain a sustainable infrastructure for local and national economic growth.  

Academic Highlights

Dr. Yang has co-authored over 48 journal manuscripts and 30 conferences publications.  He has made over several invited presentations across broad venues such as the 2017 structural congress and the 2018 ASCE earth and space conference.  Professor Yang and his students have made over 60 conference presentations with students winning awards in different settings, such as the Midwest transportation conference and NSF travel awards  

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