CCEE Ph.D. candidate awarded ISM scholarship

CCEE Ph.D. candidate and adjunct lecturer Kelly Flanagan (BSENE 1995, MSCE 1999), advised by Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering and Construction Mo Gabr, was awarded the 9th Lizzi Scholarship from the The International Society for Micropiles (ISM). 

The award includes travel and accommodations expenses for attendance at the 15th International Workshop on Micropiles in Vail, Colorado, from May 31 to June 2; complimentary workshop registration; and a selection of micropile publications. 

During the workshop, Flanagan will give a presentation on her current micropile research, “Interface shear strength characterization between subsea installed micropile grout and textured rock for micropiles anchoring offshore renewable ocean energy devices.” 

After receiving her master’s degree with a focus on geotechnical engineering from CCEE, she worked with several small- to medium-size firms in a range of positions including engineering, marketing and materials testing. Her experience includes onsite wastewater treatment design, deep and shallow foundation sizing and design, retaining wall design, emergency foundation stabilization design, forensic assessments and analysis, subsurface exploration and environmental impact assessments for commercial, institutional and residential properties. 

The scholarship is named for Dr. Fernando Lizzi, the visionary leader of ISM and the inventor of the “pali radice” or original “root pile” foundation system. ISM is a consortium of international representatives involved in the design, construction, research/development and instruction/promotion of micropile technology. ISM provides an international forum for debate, advice, problem-solving and support to micropile specialists and nonspecialists throughout the world. Members of the Society can actively seek advice and experience from other members within this international group. ISM aims to be respected internationally as the preeminent center of knowledge for the development, advancement and promotion of micropile technology.