Amir Al-Khafaji

Biography

Honors and Awards

Dr. Al-Khafaji is the first and only faculty in the history of Bradley University to be honored for scholarship, teaching and professional service. Below is a partial list of his honors and awards. 

• The Rothberg Professional and Research Excellence Award, Bradley University, 1991
• The Putnam Award for Teaching Excellence, Bradley University, 2008
• The Mergen Award for Public Service, Bradley University, 2010
• Award of Excellence, Bradley University Parents’ Association, 2006
• Al-Khafaji Endowed Leadership Lecture, Williams Brothers Construction, 2001
• The City of Peoria Leadership and Service Award, 2017
• The Al-Khafaji Proclamation, Illinois Senate, IL Senate President John Cullerton, 2017
• Amir Al-Khafaji’s Day, City of Peoria Proclamation, 2011
• Person of the Year, Illinois Asphalt Pavement, Association, 2006
• The Gold Medal Award, University of Cairo, 2005
• Phi Kappa Phi, University of Evansville, 1985
• Spirit of Detroit Award, Detroit City Council, 1984

Center for Emerging Technology in Infrastructure (CETI)

Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji, Founder and Executive Director

Dr. Al-Khafaji founded the CETI in 2002. The CETI is focused on building partnerships with universities and scholars, business executives, government officials and elected leaders from across the globe to solve common problems facing infrastructure. Executives and leaders from more than 40 countries have participated in CETI initiatives. These include scholars from the UK, Germany, China, India, and 12 ministers including the prime minister of Egypt, Governor Pat Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton and more than 200 CEOs of some of the largest companies in the world. Major CETI initiatives continue to impact BU students, faculty members, and business communities cross Illinois, USA, and the world. Below is a partial list.

• International Construction Innovations Conference (http://icic.bradley.edu/)
• Innovations in Construction, Asphalt and Transportation (http://icic.bradley.edu/)
• The Annual Executive Summit limited to 56 executives
• The Annual Heartland Sustainability Award
• The Annual Ed Rapp Leadership in Action Award
• The Annual Sawyer Diversity Award
• The Sustainable Funding of Infrastructure Group ($FIG)
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Focus Board

Our students benefit from the partnerships developed in the UK, Egypt, Jordan, Denmark, France through our Global Explorer programs in these countries. The CETI has provided our faculty with unmatched opportunities to secure millions of dollars in external research grants that benefit our University. Currently, the CETI is reaching out to elected leaders, government officials and business executives to pursue sustainable funding of infrastructure in Illinois. The last Illinois Capital Bill was in 2009 and provided $30.8 billions to fund infrastructure.

Leadership Positions

• Chair, American Society of Civil Engineers National Taskforce on Scholarship, 1998-2001
• Chair, Sustainability Commission, City of Peoria, 2009-present
• Chair, Race Relations Commission, City of Peoria, 2008-present
• Chair, Innovations in Construction, Asphalt and Transportation, 2002-present
• Chair, Executive Summit, 2010-present
• Chair, Executive Council, Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, 1992-present
• Founder, The Sustainable Funding of Infrastructure Group, 2012-present 

Scholarship

Research Interest

Dr. Al-Khafaji’s research interests include revolutionary approaches and models to study the behavior of organic soils, geotechnical engineering, soil-structure interaction, numerical methods in practice, engineering mechanics, structural dynamics, and engineering education. 

Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji's Publications

In the spirit of Bradley University’s tradition to espouse the teacher-scholar model and to engage students, Dr. Al-Khafaji has published 11 textbooks widely used by universities across the globe. In 1998, he was asked by the ASCE Department Heads Council to Chair a National Taskforce to define the scholarship landscape in civil engineering programs across the USA. He has published journal articles in Geotechnique, ranked as the top journal and in ASCE geotechnical journal ranked second in the world. Below is a listing of his publications.

2018

• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Ardis, J., Reeise, S. (2018). Strategic Assessment for the Sustainable Combined Sewer Overflow Problem in Peoria, Illinois, USA. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-17-00713R2 (accepted).
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Ardis, J., Reeise, S. (2018). Sustainable and Green Solutions to The City of Peoria Combined Sewer Overflow Problems. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-17-00714R2 (accepted).
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Dan, M., Dan, G. (2018). Long-Term Strategies for Sustainable Funding of Infrastructure in the USA. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-17-00716R2 (accepted).
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Dan, M., Dan, G. (2018). Strategies for Sustainable Funding of Infrastructure in Illinois, USA. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-17-00717R2 (accepted)
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Abbey, B., Ethan, D. (2018). Validation of Compression Index Approximations Using Soil Liquid Limit. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-17-00718R2 (accepted).
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Abbey, B., Ethan, D. (2018). Validation of Compression Index Approximations Using Soil Void Ratio. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-17-00719R2 (accepted)
• Al-Khafaji, A. W. (2018). Innovative Model for Settlement Calculations in Organic Soils. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-17-00720R2 (accepted).
• Al-Khafaji, A. W. (2018). Explicit Model for Excess Porewater Pressure Computation in Fine-Grained Soils with Arbitrary Initial Conditions. GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition. September 24-28, Cairo, Egypt. SUCI-D-18-00146R2 (accepted)

2017

• Al-Khafaji, A. W. (2017). Innovative Implicit Finite Difference Solution to Time Rate of Settlement in Clay. Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction Edited by Pellicer, E., Adam, J.M., Yepes, V., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S., Valencia, Spain, Copyright©2017 ISEC Press ISBN: 978-0-9960437-4-8. pp. 6.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W. (2017). Innovative Explicit Finite Difference Solution to Time Rate of Settlement in Clay. Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction Edited by Pellicer, E., Adam, J.M., Yepes, V., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S., Valencia, Spain, Copyright©2017 ISEC Press ISBN: 978-0-9960437-4-8. pp. 6.
• Al-Khafaji, A.W., Maillacheruvu, K.Y., Hoerber, M. (2017). Analysis of Empirical Compression Index Equations Using the Water Content. Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction Edited by Pellicer, E., Adam, J.M., Yepes, V., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S., Valencia, Spain, Copyright©2017 ISEC Press ISBN: 978-0-9960437-4-8. pp. 6.
• Al-Khafaji, A.W., Maillacheruvu, K.Y., Jacobs, R. (2017). Analysis of Empirical Compression Index Equations Using the Void Ratio. Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction Edited by Pellicer, E., Adam, J.M., Yepes, V., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S., Valencia, Spain, Copyright©2017 ISEC Press ISBN: 978-0-9960437-4-8. pp. 6.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Jacobs, R. (2017). Excel Based Settlement of Beams on Elastic Foundations with Free-Ends and Arbitrary Loading. Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction Edited by Pellicer, E., Adam, J.M., Yepes, V., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S., Valencia, Spain, Copyright©2017 ISEC Press ISBN: 978-0-9960437-4-8. Pp. 6.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Guha, S. Al-Khafaji, L. (2017). Achieving Regional Sustainability. Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction Edited by Pellicer, E., Adam, J.M., Yepes, V., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S., Valencia, Spain, Copyright©2017 ISEC Press ISBN: 978-0-9960437-4-8. pp. 6.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Guha, S. Al-Khafaji, L. (2017). Strategic Assessment and Planning for Sustainable Development in Peoria. Resilient Structures and Sustainable Construction Edited by Pellicer, E., Adam, J.M., Yepes, V., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S., Valencia, Spain, Copyright©2017 ISEC Press ISBN: 978-0-9960437-4-8. pp. 6.

2014-16

• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Maillacheruvu, K. Y., Sainz, M., Neuman, R. (2015). Analysis of Empirical Compression Index Equations Using the Liquid Limit. The Eighth International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference, Sydney, Australia, November 23-28, 2015. Implementing Innovative Ideas in Structural Engineering and Project Management (ISEC-8 2015), Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. ISBN: 978-0-9960437-1-7.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Maillacheruvu, K. Y., Sainz, M., Neuman, R. (2015). Direct Method To Model Seepage For An Embankment With A Drain. The Eighth International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference, Sydney, Australia, November 23-28, 2015. Implementing Innovative Ideas in Structural Engineering and Project Management, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. ISBN: 978-0-9960437-1-7.
• Schattler, K.L., and Al-Khafaji, A.W. Engineering Faculty Perspectives on Shared Global Experiences. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Forum, American Society for Engineering Education, Indianapolis, Indiana, June 2014.
• Maillacheruvu, K.Y., and Al-Khafaji, A.W. Impact of International Collaboration on the Learning Environment. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Forum, American Society for Engineering Education, Indianapolis, Indiana, June 2014.
• Al-Khafaji, A., Maillacheruvu, K. (2014). Sustainable Use of Deicing Materials. 3rd International Conference of Engineering and Applied Sciences (ICAES 2014). Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 2014.
• Fuessle, R.W., and Al-Khafaji, A.W. Internationalization and Civil Engineering Program Innovation. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Forum, American Society for Engineering Education, Indianapolis, Indiana, June 2014.
• Elhouar, S., and Al-Khafaji, A.W. Preparing Engineers for Global Challenges. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Forum, American Society for Engineering Education, Indianapolis, Indiana, June 2014.

2007-2013

• Book: Construction Stakeholder Management, Editors: Dr Ezekiel Chinyio and Professor Paul Olomolaiye. Invited by scholars from the United Kingdom to contribute a chapter in this book titled “Communication stakeholder management.” Wiley-Blackwell; 1st edition (December 30, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1405180986,
  ISBN-10: 1405180986.
• Suresh, S and Al-Khafaji, A W (2009) Teaching and learning activities through the use of mobile phone technology. In: Dainty, A R J (Ed.), Proceedings 25th Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-9 September 2009, Nottingham, UK. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Vol.1, 515–22.
• Suresh S, Roden S J and Al-Khafaji A W (2009), “The key drivers for leadership skills development practices in the UK construction industry: An empirical study”, Construction and Building Research Conference (COBRA), 10th – 11th September, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Nassar, K., Al-Khafaji, A.W., ” Schedule Manager: Towards Effective Academic Scheduling,” Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering Education and Training, Kuwait City, Kuwait, April 9-11, 2007.
• Nassar, K., Al-Khafaji, A.W., ”A Relational Database for Student Course Evaluation,” Proceedings of the 43 Associated School of Construction Conference, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, April 11-14, 2007.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W. (Chair), Oberhelman, D.O., and Haider, H., “Global Business Opportunities and Partnerships,” Honored speaker and session chair at the Prestressed Concrete Institute, PCI 53rd Annual Convention and Exhibition and the PCI National Bridge Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, October 21-24, 2007

2003-2006

• Al-Khafaji, A.W., “Compression Index Equations,” Proceedings of the National Science Foundation Conference and workshop, Egypt, December 2005. (Invited).
• Al-Khafaji, A.W.,“The Eigenproblem of Time Rate of Settlement in Clay,” Proceedings of the National Science Foundation Conference and Workshop, Cairo, Egypt, December 2005. (Invited).
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Liberty, S. R., Johnson, R. J., ”The Costs and Rewards of Assessing Faculty Performance,” Proceedings of the International Conference and Workshop On Engineering Education, Texas AandM University, College Station, TX, USA., February 2003.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Roach, E.E., Liberty, S. R., Johnson, R. J., ”A Model For Internationalization of Engineering Education,” Proceedings of the International Conference and Workshop On Engineering Education, Texas AandM University, College Station, TX, USA., February 2003.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Fuessle, R. W., ”Metrics for Assessing Scholarship,” Proceedings of the International Conference and Workshop On Engineering Education, Texas AandM University, College Station, TX, USA., February 2003.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Seckler, J. G., Fuessle, R. W., ”Civil Engineering Programs for the 21st Century and the EC 2000 Criteria,” Proceedings of the International Conference and Workshop On Engineering Education, Texas AandM University, College Station, TX, USA., February 2003.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Seckler, J. G., Fuessle, R. W., “Assessment Forms and the EC 2000 Criteria,” Proceedings of the International Conference and Workshop On Engineering Education, Texas AandM University, College Station, TX, USA, February 2003.

2000-2002

• Liberty, S. R., and Al-Khafaji, A. W., ”Redefining the Academic Culture Through Salary Benchmarking and Performance Assessment,” Proceedings of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 2nd National Conference on Outcomes Assessment for Program Improvement, Pittsburgh, PA, USA., October 2002.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., “The Wheel Model for Faculty Assessment: A Choice Between Inertia and Change,” Proceedings of the Third National Congress on Civil Engineering Education at the ASCE Annual Conference, Houston, Texas, July 2001.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., et al. “The Disciplines Speak II: Excerpts from the Scholarship Landscape in Civil Engineering: A Bridge Between Rhetoric and Reality,” Forum on Faculty Roles and Rewards, American Association for Higher Education. Volume Edited by Robert M. Diamond and Bronwyn E. Adam, ISBN 1-56377-0474, Washington, DC, 2000.
• Al-Khafaji, et al, “The Scholarship Landscape in Civil Engineering: A Bridge between Rhetoric and Reality,” White paper presented at the New Millennium Colloquium, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts, March 2000.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Rebholz, F. E., “The Quest For Excellence and Faculty Assessment,” Journal of Construction Education, Associated schools of Construction, Vol 5, No. 1, pp. 43-56, Spring 2000.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Seckler, J. G., “The Challenges and Rewards of Outcome Assessment,” Journal of Construction Education, Associated schools of Construction, Vol 5, No. 1, pp. 30-42, Spring 2000.

1998-1999

• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Rebholz, F. E., “The Quest For Excellence and Faculty Assessment,” Associated schools of Construction Annual Conference, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference, Vol. 1, pp. 129-142, San Luis Obispo, California, April 1999.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Rebholz, F. E., “A New Paradigm For Assessing Teaching Effectiveness,” Associated schools of Construction Annual Conference, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference, Vol. 1, pp. 143-152, San Luis Obispo, California, April1999.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Seckler, J. G., “The Challenges and Rewards of Outcome Assessment,” Presented at the Associated schools of Construction Annual Conference, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference, Vol. 1, pp. 153-164, San Luis Obispo, California, April 1999.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W. (Chair), Clemence, S. P., Drnevich, V.P., Lenox, T.A., Marcuson III, W.F., Mitchell, G.F., Yao, J.T., and Kupferman, M., “The Scholarship Landscape in Civil Engineering: A Bridge Between Rhetoric and Reality,” Report of the American Society of Civil Engineers National Taskforce on Redefining Scholarship Work (52 pages), Reston, Virginia, September 1998.

1993-1997

• Book: Statics for Engineers, Muvdi, B.B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., and McNabb, J.W.
  Springer-Verlag Publishing, New York, NY, ISBN-0-387-94779-5, 1997
• Book: Solutions Manual For Statics for Engineers, Muvdi, B.B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., and McNabb, J.W. Springer-Verlag Publishing, New York, NY, ISBN-0-387-94779-5, 1997
• Book: Dynamics for Engineers, Muvdi, B. B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., and McNabb, J. W.
  Springer-Verlag Publishing, New York, NY, ISBN-0-387-94798-1, 1997
• Book: Solutions Manual For Dynamics for Engineers, Muvdi, B.B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., and McNabb, J.W., Springer-Verlag Publishing, New York, NY, ISBN-0-387 94798-1, 1997
• Computer Disk: NuSolve 1.0, A set of computer programs for solving basic mathematical problems attached to the book. Springer-Verlag Publishing, New York, NY, ISBN-0-387-94779-5, 1997

1991-1992

• Book: Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Testing, Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Andersland, O. B., Saunders College Publishing, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, ISBN 0-03-004377-8, 1992.
• Book: Solutions Manual for Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Testing, Al-Khafaji, A. W. N., and Andersland, O. B., Saunders College Publishing, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1992.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Andersland, O. B.,”Equations For Compression Index Approximation,” Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, A.S.C.E., Vol. 118, No. GT1, January 1992.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., “The Implicit Eigenproblem for Solving Transient Problems,” presented and included in the proceedings of the International Conference on Design Productivity. Honolulu, Hawaii, Vol 1, pp. 271-280, February 1991.
• Book: Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, Al-Khafaji, A. W., et al., Research and Education Association, Piscataway, New Jersey, ISBN 0-87891-849-3, 1991.
• Book: GEOTEK-ST 2.0: Geotechnical Software for the IBM-PC (student), Al-Khafaji, A. W., Andersland, O. B., National Laboratories, Evansville, Indiana, ISBN 0-9618343-1-5, 1991.
• Book: GEOTEK-PRO 2.0: Geotechnical Software for the IBM-PC (Professional), Al-Khafaji, A. W. N., Andersland, O. B., and Lou, K., National Laboratories, Evansville, Indiana, ISBN 0-9618343-2-3, 1991.

1986-1990

• Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Smallowitz, H., “Academic Affairs: Finite Element,” Civil Engineering Magazine, Engineering Solution on Macintosh- Civil Engineers get the max from their Macs, pp. 42-43, June 1990.
• Book: GEOTEK-LAB: Geotechnical Software for the IBM-PC (student), Al-Khafaji, A. W., Andersland, O. B., National Laboratories, Evansville, Indiana, ISBN 0-9618343-0-7, 1987.
• Book: Numerical Methods in Engineering Practice, Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Tooley, J. R., Holt, Rinehart and Winston Book Company, New York, New York, ISBN 0-03-001757-2, 1986.
• Book: Solutions Manual For Numerical Methods in Engineering Practice, Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Tooley, J. R., Holt, Rinehart and Winston Book Company, New York, New York, ISBN 0-03-001753-x, 1986.
• Book: Computerized Numerical Analysis, Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Tooley, J. R., Holt, Rinehart and Winston Book Company, New York, New York. ISBN 0-03-001752-1, 1986
• Book: GEOTEK: Geotechnical Software for the IBM-PC (Professional), Al-Khafaji, A. W., Andersland, O. B., and Lou, K., Kingman-Block publishing, Inc., Santa Cruz, California, ISBN 0-937353-05-1, 1986.

1978-1985

• Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Andersland, O. B., “Estimating Failure Probabilities for California Levees,” Discussion of James M. Duncan and William N. Houston. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division A.S.C.E., Vol. 110, GT7, July 1984.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Andersland, O. B., “Laboratory Testing and in situ Behavior of Peat as Embankment,” Discussion of Lefebvre, P Langlois, C. Lu­upien, and J. G. Lavallee. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 21, pp. 322-337, 1984.
• Andersland, O. B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., Lowe, R. K., “Densification of Papermill Materials,” Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division. A.S.C.E., Vol.108, No. GT1, January 1982.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Andersland, O. B., “Universal Compression Index,” Discussion of Oswald Rendon-Herrero, Jour­nal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, A.S.C.E., Vol. 108, No. GT6, June 1982.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Andersland, O. B., “Ignition Test for Soil Organic-Content Measurement,” Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Divi­sion, A.S.C.E., Vol. 107, No. GT4, April 1981.
• Andersland, O. B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Lowe, R. K., “Densification of Papermill Materials,” A.S.C.E. Spring Con­vention, New York, New York, May 1981.
• Andersland, O. B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., and Khattak, A. S., “Effects of Organic Material on Soil Shear Strength,” A.S.T.M. Symposium on Shear Strength of Soil, STP 740. June 1981.
• Al-Khafaji, A. W., Andersland, O. B., “Compressibility and Strength of Decomposing Fiber/Kaolinite,” Geotechnique, 31, No.4, 497-508, Decem­ber 1981.
• Andersland, O. B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., “Organic Material and Soil Compressibility,” Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Divi­sion, A.S.C.E., Vol. 106. No. GT7, July 1980.
• Al-Khafaji, Amir, “Decomposition Effects on Engineering Properties of Fibrous Organic Soils,” Dissertation submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 1979.
• Andersland, O. B., Al-Khafaji, A. W., “Effect of Bacteria on Soil Structures,” Discussion of MaClean, P. A. and Smart, P., Geotechnique 29, No. 1, 1978.