Dr. Sergio F. Breña | Civil and Environmental Engineering

Associate Department Head, Professor

233 Marston Hall

College of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Massachusetts Amherst
130 Natural Resources Road
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

brena@ecs.umass.edu

(413) 545-0349

Full Curriculum Vitae

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Education

Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, 2000.
M.S., University of Texas at Austin, 1990.
B.S. in Civil Engineering, Universidad Iberoamericana, 1989.

Research

Program Area:

Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Publications

Behrouzi, A., Breña, S., Elwood, K., Irfanoglu, A., Kreger, M., Lequesne, R., Mosqueda, G., Pujol, S., Puranam, A., Rodriguez, M., Shah, P., Stavridis, A., Wood, R., “Observations about the Seismic Response of RC Buildings in Mexico City”, Earthquake Spectra, (submitted- in review)
Al-Sammari, A. and Breña, S.F., “An Approach to Determine Strength of Bonded FRP Sheets Attached to Concrete Elements using Supplemental FRP Spike Anchors”, ASCE Journal of Composites for Construction, (in review).
Al-Sammari, A., Clouston, P.L., and Breña, S.F., “Finite Element Analysis and Parametric Study of Perforated Steel Plate Shear Connectors for Wood-Concrete Composites”, ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 144, No. 10, 2018, 10 pp. Page 3
Al-Sammari, A. and Breña, S.F., “Finite Element Simulation and Parametric Study of Anchored Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Sheets”, ACI Structural Journal (in review).
Breña, S.F., Messier, J., and Peterfreund, S.W. “Behavior of Straight and T-Headed ASTM A1035/A1035M Splices in Flexural Members”, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 115, No. 1, 2018, pp. 79-90.
Alvarez, J.C., Breña, S.F., and Arwade, S.R. “Nonlinear Backbone Modeling of Concrete Columns Retrofitted with FRP or Steel Jackets”, ACI Structural Journal (in review).
Alves de Souza, R. and Breña, S.F. “Behavior Predictions of Deep Beams with Short Straight Bar Anchorages using Strut-and-Tie Models and Nonlinear Analysis”, IBRACON Structures Journal (in review).
Civjan, S.A., Sit, M.H, Brena, S.F. “Field and Analytical Studies of the First Folded Plate Girder Bridge”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE (accepted).
Manwell, J.F., McGowan, J.G., Brena, S., Verma, P. “A Comparative Study of a Three Rotor and a Single Rotor 5MW Wind Turbine Based on Economic and Structural Considerations”, Wind Engineering, Vol. 38, No. 6, 2014, pp. 643-656.
Ciftci, C., Arwade, S.R., Kane, B., and Breña, S.F.“Analysis of the Probability of Failure for Open-grown Trees during Wind Storms”, Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 37, 2014, pp. 41-50.
Ciftci, C., Kane, B., Breña, S.F., Arwade, S.R. “Loss in Moment Capacity of Tree
Stems Induced by Decay”, Trees, Vol. 28, 2014, pp. 517-529.
Alvarez, J.C. and Breña, S.F. “Non-linear Modeling Parameters for Jacketed Columns Used in Seismic Rehabilitation of RC Buildings”. ACI Special Publication 297- Seismic Assessment of Existing Reinforced Concrete Buildings – New Developments, Paper no. 297-6, 2014, pp. 6.1-6.22.
Breña, S.F., Jeffrey, A.E., and Civjan, S.A. “Evaluation of a Non-Composite Steel Girder Bridge through Live-Load Field Testing”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, Vol. 18 (7), July 2013, pp. 690-699. ASCE (http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000398).
Kalayci, E., Civjan, S.A., Breña, S.F., “Parametric Study on the Thermal Response of Curved Integral Abutment Bridges”, Engineering Structures, Elsevier Vol. 43, October 2012, pp. 129-138.
Krem, M.A., Hoque, S.T., Arwade, S.R. and Breña, S.F., “Structural Configuration and Building Energy Performance”, Journal of Architectural Engineering, Vol. 19 (1), March 2013, pp. 29-40. ASCE.
Mones, R.M. and Brefia, S.F. "Hollow-core Slabs with Cast-inplace Toppings: A Study of Interfacial Shear Strength.", PC/ Journal, V. 58 (3), pp.
Ciivjan, S.A., Kalayci, E., Quinn, B.H., Brefia, S.F., and Allen C.A. "Observed Integral Abutment Bridge Substructure Response", Engineering Structures, (accepted June 2013)
Ciftci, C., Brefia, S.F., Kane, B., Arwade, S.R. "The effect of crown architecture on dynamic amplification factor of and open grown sugar maple (Acer Saccharum L.)", Trees-Structure and Function, Springer, DOI10.1007/s00468-013-0867-z.
Brefia, S.F., McGuirk, G.N., "Advances on the Behavior Characterization of FRP-Anchored Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Sheets Used to Strengthen Concrete Elements", International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, Springer, Vol. 7 (1}, March 2013, pp. 3-16.
Alvarez, J.C. and Brefia, S.F. "Non-linear Modeling Parameters for Jacketed Columns Used in Seismic Rehabilitation of RC Buildings". ACI Special publication, Submitted August 2013.
Kalayci, E., Civjan, S.A., Breña, S.F., “Parametric Study on the Thermal Response of Curved Integral Abutment Bridges”, Engineering Structures, Elsevier (Accepted).
Breña, S.F., Jeffrey, A.E., and Civjan, S.A. “Evaluation of a Non-Composite Steel Girder Bridge through Live-Load Field Testing”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE (Accepted:http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000398).
Kalayci, E., Civjan, S.A., Breña, S.F., Allen, C.A., “Load Testing and Modeling of Two Integral Abutment Bridges in Vermont, US”, Structural Engineering International, Journal of IABSE, Vol. 21, No. 2, May 2011, pp. 181-188.
Breña, S.F. and Roy, N.C., Closure to Discussion by D. Kumar Sahoo, B. Singh, and P. Bhargava of “Evaluation of Load Transfer and Strut Strength of Deep Beams with Short Longitudinal Bar Anchorages”, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 107 (4), July-Aug 2010, pp. 491-493.
Breña, S.F., Fernández Ruiz, M., Kostic, N., and Muttoni, A., “Modelling Techniques to Capture the Backbone Envelope Behaviour of Coupling Beams Subjected to Seismic Loading”, Studies and Researches: Annual Review of Structural Concrete, Politecnico di Milano, Vol. 29, 2009, pp. 53-78.
Breña, S.F. and Ihtiyar, O., “Performance of Conventionally Reinforced Coupling Beams Subjected to Cyclic Loading”, ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, submitted June 2009, in review.
Niemitz, C.W., James, R., and Breña, S.F., “Experimental Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Sheets Attached to Concrete Surfaces using CFRP Anchors”, Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, Vol. 14 (2), March/April 2010, pp. 185-194.
Ahern, J., Jennings, L., Fenstermacher, B., Warren, P., Charney, N., Jackson, S., Mullin, J., Kotval, Z., Breña, S., Civjan, S., and Carr, E., “Issues and Methods for Transdisciplinary Planning of Combined Wildlife and Pedestrian S.F. Breña Page 3 Highway Crossings”, Transportation Research Record, No. 2123, Journal of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 129-136.
Kane, B. and Breña, S.F., “Forces and stresses generated during rigging operations”, Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, Vol. 35 (2): 68-74.
Breña, S.F. and Roy, N.C., “Evaluation of Load Transfer and Strut Strength of Deep Beams with Short Longitudinal Bar Anchorages”, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 106 (5), Sept-Oct 2009, pp. 678-689.
Breña, S.F. and Morrison, M.C., “Closure to Discussion on Factors Affecting Strength of Elements Designed using Strut-and-Tie Models”, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 105, No. 2, March-April 2008, pp. 235-237.
Roy, N.C., and Breña, S.F. “Behavior of Deep Beams with Short Longitudinal Bar Anchorages. ACI Structural Journal, V. 105, No. 4, July-August 2008, pp. 460-470.
Breña S.F. and Schlick B.M., “Hysteretic Behavior of Bridge Columns with FRP-Jacketed Lap Splices Designed for Moderate Ductility Enhancement”, Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, November-December 2007, 565-574.
Breña S.F., Bonczar C.H., Civjan S.A., DeJong J.T., and Crovo D.S., “Evaluation of Seasonal and Yearly Behavior of an Integral Abutment Bridge”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 12 (3), May-June 2007, pp. 296-305.
Breña S.F. and Morrison M.C., “Factors Affecting Strength Calculation of Elements Designed Using Strut-and-Tie Models”, ACI Structural Journal,Vol. 104 (3), May-June 2007, pp. 267-277.
Civjan S.A., Bonczar C.H., Breña S.F., DeJong J.T., and Crovo D.S., “Integral Abutment Bridge Behavior: Parametric Analysis of a Massachusetts Bridge”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 12 (1), January-February, pp. 64-71.
Breña S.F., Benouaich M.A., Kreger M.L., and Wood S.L., “Fatigue Tests of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened using Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites”, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 102 (2), March-April 2005, pp. 305-313.
Civjan S.A., Breña S.F., Butler D.A., and Crovo D.S. “Field Monitoring of an Integral Abutment Bridge in Massachusetts”, Transportation Research Record (TRR), Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1892, National Research Council, 2004, pp. 160-169.
Breña S.F. and Macri B. M., “Effect of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminate Configuration on the Behavior of Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Beams”, Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, Vol. 8 (3), May-June 2004, pp. 229-240.
Breña S.F., Wood S.L., and Kreger M.L., “Full-scale Tests of Bridge Components Strengthened using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites”, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 100 (6), November-December 2003, pp. 775-784.
Breña S.F. and Steves, M.A., “Increasing the Flexural Capacity of an Existing Reinforced Concrete Bridge in Texas using CFRP Composites”, Field Applications of FRP Reinforcement: Case Studies, ACI Publication SP-215, 2003, pp. 203-218.
Breña S.F., Bramblett R.M., Wood S.L., and Kreger M.L., “Increasing the Flexural Capacity of RC Beams using CFRP Composites”, ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 100 (1), January-February 2003, pp. 36-46.

Selected Conference Proceedings

Salem, M.A.M.K, Breña, S.F., Arwade, S.R., Hoque, S.T. and Altwair, N.M. “Concepts in the Design of Lateral-Load Systems in High Rise Buildings to Reduce Operational Energy Consumption”, International Conference on Chemical, Civil and Environmental Engineering (CCEE-2015), Istanbul, Turkey, 05-06 June 2015.
Bahjat, R., Ericson, D., Breña, S.F. and Civjan, S.A.“Evaluation of Moment Live-load Distribution of a NEXT-F Beam Bridge through Field Load Testing and FE Modeling”, 2014 PCI Convention and National Bridge Conference, Paper no. 88, Washington, DC, 06-09 September 2014.
Quinn, B.H., Civjan, S.A., Breña, S.F., and Allen,C.A., “Single-Span Integral Abutment Bridge Response: Straight and Skew Alignments”, 2014 TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Civjan, S.A., Sit, M.H., Breña, S.F.,“Field and Analytical Studies of the First Folded Plate Girder Bridge”, 2014 TRB Annual Conference
Quinn, B.H., Civjan, S.A., Lahovich, A., Brefia, S.F., and Elnahal, S., "Monitoring of First Bridge-in-a-Backpack Bridge in Massachusetts", 2013 TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, January 2013.
Civjan, S.A., Kalayci, E., Brefia, S.F., and Allen, C.A., "Three Integral Abutment Bridges in Vermont: Description and Overall Results", 2013 TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, January 2013.
Quinn, B.H., Civjan, S.A., Brefia, S.F., and Allen, C.A., "Integral Abutment Bridge Monitoring Program in Vermont", 2014 TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Civjan, S.A., Sit, M.H., and Brefia, S.F., "Field and Analytical Studies of the Folded Plate Girder Bridge", 2014 TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
Mones, R.M. and Breña, S.F., “Interface Strength of Hollow Core Slabs with Cast-in-place Toppings”, 2011 PCI Convention and National Bridge Conference, Paper no. 78, Salt Lake City, UT, 22-26 October.
Civjan, S.A., Kalayci, E., Breña, S.F., Allen, C.A., “Integral Abutment Bridge Monitoring Program in Vermont”, 2010 TRB Annual Conference, Paper no. 10-2510, Washington, D.C. Page 4
Breña, S.F. and Alcocer, S.M., “Seismic Performance Evaluation of Rehabilitated Reinforced Concrete Columns through Jacketing”, ATC & SEI 2009 Conference on Improving the Seismic Performance of Existing Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE/ATC, December 9-11, 2009, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Sezen, H., Dragovich, J., Ghannoum, W., Lowes, L.N., Breña, S.F., and Elwood, K.J., “Guide for Seismic Rehabilitation of Concrete Buildings: Summary of Future Changes”, ATC & SEI 2009 Conference on Improving the Seismic Performance of Existing Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE/ATC, December 9-11, 2009, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Breña, S.F., Fernández Ruiz, M., and Muttoni, A., “Applications of Stress Fields to Assess the Behavior and Strength of Coupling Beams Subjected to Seismic Actions”, 3rd International fib Congress, Washington, D.C., May 29- June 2, 2010, Paper no. 534.
Ahern, J., Jennings, L., Fenstermacher, B., Warren, P., Charney, N., Jackson, S., Mullin, J., Kotval, Z., Breña, S., Civjan, S., and Carr, E., “Issues and Methods for Transdisciplinary Planning of Combined Wildlife and Pedestrian Highway Crossings”, 2009 TRB Annual Conference, TRB Paper Number: 09-0441, Washington, D.C. January 2009.
Kalayci, E., Breña, S.F., and Civjan S.A. “Curved Integral Abutment Bridges – Thermal Response Predictions through Finite Element Analysis”, Structures Congress 2009, ASCE, Austin, TX, April 2009, pp. 213-222.
Ihtiyar O. and Breña S.F. “Assessment of FEMA356 Techniques for Orthogonally Reinforced Coupling Beams through Experimental Testing”, 2007 ASCE Structures Congress, Long Beach, CA, May 2007.
Ihtiyar O. and Breña S.F. “Force-Deformation Response of Conventionally Reinforced Coupling Beams: An Evaluation of FEMA 356”, CD ROM Proceedings: 8th National Conference of Earthquake Engineering (8NCEE), San Francisco, CA, April 2006.
Gussenhoven R.B. and Breña S.F. “Fatigue Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with Different FRP Laminate Configurations”, 7th International Symposium on Fiber Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement for Reinforced Concrete Structures (FRPRCS7), ACI Special Publication SP-230, 2005, pp. 613-629.
Bonczar, C., Breña, S.F., Civjan, S.A., DeJong, J., Crellin, B., and Crovo, D. “Field Data and FEM Modeling of the Orange-Wendell Bridge”, Proceedings: 2005 FHWA Conference: Integral Abutment and Jointless Bridges (IAJB 2005), Baltimore, MD, 17-19 March 2005, pp. 163-173.
Bonczar, C., Breña, S.F., Civjan, S.A., DeJong, J., and Crovo, D. “Integral Abutment Pile Behavior and Design – Field Data and FEM Studies”, Proceedings: 2005 FHWA Conference: Integral Abutment and Jointless Bridges (IAJB 2005), Baltimore, MD, 17-19 March 2005, pp. 174-184.
Schlick, B.M. and Breña, S.F., “Seismic Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns in Moderate Earthquake Regions using FRP Composites”, CD-Rom Proceedings: 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vancouver, B.C., 2004.
DeJong J.T., Howey D.T., Civjan S.A., Breña S.F., Butler D.S., Crovo D.S., Hourani N., and Connors P. “Influence of Daily and Annual Thermal Variations on Integral Abutment Bridge Performance”. American Society of Civil Engineers, GEO-Trans Conference, Los Angeles, CA, 2004, pp.496-505.
Civjan S.A., Breña S.F., Butler D.A., and Crovo D.S. “Field Monitoring of an Integral Abutment Bridge in Massachusetts”. CD-Rom Proceedings: Transportation Research Board (TRB)2004 Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2004, Paper no. 04-4172.

Honors

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute – 2019 Distinguished Educator Award

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society – 2012

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute – Daniel P. Jenny Research Fellowship (2009-2010,2010-2011)

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute – 2011 Young Educator Award

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile– Invited Visiting Professor, November 2011

Concrete Research Council Research Fellowship (2009-2010)

2009 Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (ACI)

University of Massachusetts Amherst 2005 Faculty of the Year - UMass Amherst ASCE Student Chapter

2004-2005 Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee - UMass Amherst

Grants:

Recent Research Contracts Funded

Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI). Sponsor: Vermont Agency of Transportation. “Performance Monitoring of Jointless Bridges – Phase III”. Total $ 295,984.
Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI). Sponsor: Vermont Agency of Transportation. “Performance Monitoring of Jointless Bridges – Phase III Supplemental Equipment Funding”.Total $80,000.
Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI). Sponsor: Vermont Agency of Transportation. “Performance Monitoring of Jointless Bridges – Phase III Supplemental Funding: Change in Scope”.Total $182,357.
Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI). Sponsor: Vermont Agency of Transportation. "Supplemental Funding/ Storm Damage and Extra Year: Performance Monitoring of Jointless Bridges- Phase Ill" Total $88,050.
M. Lackner (PI), J. Manwell (Co-PI}, S.F. Breña (Co-PI). Sponsor: Armstrong Fund for Science. "The Design and Analysis of Novel Multi-rotor Offshore Wind Turbine". Total $30,000.
S. F. Breña (PI) and S.A. Civjan (co-PI) Sponsor: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute. "Location of Lap Splices in Perimeter Integrity Reinforcement " Total: $30,000
B. Kane (PI), S.F. Breña (co-PI). Sponsor: Tree Fund. “Measuring Forces and Stresses during Rigging Operations”. Total $100,000.
Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI). Sponsor: Vermont Agency of Transportation. “Supplemental Funding/ Storm Damage and Extra Year : Performance Monitoring of Jointless Bridges – Phase III” Total $88,080
Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI), M.A. Knodler (Co PI). New England Transportation Consortium (NETC). “Enhancing the Reflectivity of Concrete Barriers”. Phase I: Direct Cost $41,025; Indirect Cost $ 7,065.
S.F. Breña (PI). PCI Jenny Research Fellowship. Sponsor: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. “Field Monitoring of an Integral Abutment Prestressed Concrete Bridge in Massachusetts using NEXT Beams”. Total $20,000
S.F. Breña (PI). Sponsor: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. “Field Monitoring of an Integral Abutment Prestressed Concrete Bridge in Massachusetts using NEXT Beams”. Extension Total $8,000
S.F. Breña (PI). Sponsor: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. “Field Monitoring of an Integral Abutment Prestressed Concrete Bridge in Massachusetts using NEXT Beams”. Extension Total $4,999
S.A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co-PI). Sponsor: MassDOT-ABP. “Long-Term Instrumentation Plans for Three Bridges part of the Accelerated Bridge Program in Massachusetts”. Total approximately $220,000 (In kind purchase and installation of instrumentation).
M. Lackner (PI), J. Manwell (Co-PI), S.F. Breña (Co-PI). “The Design and Analysis of Novel Multi-rotor Offshore Wind Turbine” Sponsor: Armstrong Fund for Science. Total $30,000.
S.F. Breña (PI). ACI Concrete Research Council. "Modeling Parameters and Proposed Acceptance Criteria for Rehabilitated Columns using Concrete, Steel or FRP Jackets". Total: $10,000.
S. F. Breña (PI) and S.A. Civjan (co-PI) Sponsor: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute. "Location of Lap Splices in Perimeter Integrity Reinforcement " Total: $30,000
Sergio F. Breña (PI), Scott A. Civjan (Co PI), New England Transportation Consortium (NETC). “Advanced Composite Materials for New England’s Transportation Infrastructure – Phase I Implementation: Selection of Prototype, Project of NETC 01-1”. Funding period: January 2008- November 2008. $25,910.
Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI), M.A. Knodler (Co PI). New England Transportation Consortium (NETC). “Enhancing the Reflectivity of Concrete Barriers”. $48,090.
Scott A. Civjan (PI), S.F. Breña (Co PI). Vermont Agency of Transportation. “Performance Monitoring of Jointless Bridges – Phase III Supplemental Equipment Funding”. $63,000.

Experience

Teaching:

ENGIN 111 Intro. to Civil & Env. Engineering
MIE 211 Strength of Materials
CEE 241 Strength of Materials 1
CEE 433 Design Reinforced Concrete Structure
CEE 536 Adv. Topics Reinforced Concrete
CEE 550 Intro. to Bridge Engineering

Links

CV:

Brena_CV-2019-M.pdf

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