Richard J Nielsen

Associate Professor of Civil Engineering

Spring Semester 2013 I am teaching CE 543 - Dynamics of Structures, which examines the behavior of structures subjected to harmonic, impulse, blast and seismic loads. Class materials for this course are available through Blackboard

I am currently the Chairman for the Civil Engineering Department

I have been involved in a variety of research projects with the Idaho Transportation Department including:

• Examing how bridge design practices can influence bridge deck cracking.
• Developing and evaluating a hot mix asphalt stability index.
• Updating the bridge rating procedure for the Perrine Bridge.
• Making adjustments to the cost data in its bridge management software, PONTIS. The results were published in ASCE's Journal of Bridge Engineering and here.
• Examining the effects of higher weight trucks on selected highways in Idaho investigating the reliability of bridges. These projects have been with NIATT.

I also have interests in structural dynamics and random vibrations, specifically up-crossing rates, which led to my membership on ASCE's Fatigue and Fracture Reliability Subcommittee. I have also investigated particle interactions in granular materials.

You may have reached me through the UI Home Page, or through the Engineering Outreach web pages.

If you would like to send me e-mail, my address is . Surface mail can be sent to Richard Nielsen, Dept. of Civil Engineering, P.O. Box 441022 University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1022.

I can be reached by phone at (208) 885-8961. Engineering Outreach students can call 1-800-824-2889 ext. 8961. Faxes can be sent to (208) 885-6608.

Or you can come to my office in 104 BEL during office hours.

This is a list of classes I've taught in the past. The class web pages will be updated each time I teach them, and the class notes are not available, but the syllabi might be useful.

CE 115 - Introduction to Civil Engineering.

CE 543 - Dynamics of Structures Examines the behavior of structures subjected to harmonic, impulse, blast and seismic loads.

CE 541/ME 583 - Reliability of Engineering Systems - Examines the role of reliability in the design, operation and maintenance of engineering components and systems.

CE 441 - Reinforced Concrete Design. 

CE 215 - Civil Engineering Analysis and Design Introduces students to the engineering design process, while using a variety of analytical and graphical and communication tools.

CE 342 - Theory of Structures, Deals with the analysis of forces and displacements in determinate and indeterminate structures such as beams, frames and trusses subjected to a variety of loads such as live and dead loads, snow, vehicles, thermal effects and foundation settlement.

CE 445/545 - Matrix Analysis of Framed Structures - Stiffness method of matrix structural analysis which is the basis for most structural analysis computer programs.

CE 546/ME 549 - Finite Element Analysis - Finite elements as a tool for the analysis of stress and strain, thermodynamics and fluid flow.

Engr 210 - Engineering Statics - Analysis of forces and moments in determinate systems.

Engr 350 - Mechanics of Materials - which deals with the analysis of stress, strain, stiffness and stability of mechanical and structural elements.