My stay in Concepción, Chile was one of the best professional experiences in my career. I spent six months at Universidad de Concepción, but also worked with Universidad del Bió-Bió, Universidad de Mayor, and Universidad De Chile. I worked with the faculty at these institutions to develop several projects. One main project was the modernizing of the Chilean Timber Design Code, and a secondary project was the design of timber bridge decks for replacement of bridges on the secondary highway system. These efforts are continuing and my colleagues and I have submitted joint proposals for undergraduate research experiences.
A second effort that is continuing is the development of a joint Ph.D. program between these universities and WSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The curriculum requirements of the universities in Chile are being translated to English for consideration in the program. Hopefully, the proposal will be completed by the end of 2011 so that students will be able to benefit from taking course work at any of the institutions and conducting research in the laboratories at WSU.
