Md. Asif Rahman, PhD
Research & Academic Experience
Research Analyst, Pavement Asset Management, Idaho Transportation Department,
Boise, ID May 2023 – August 2023
Impactful contributions:
• Completed a training and collected bridge data in district 3 of Idaho using ground penetration radar
• Collected pavement distress data in district 3 in Idaho conducting falling weight deflectometer (FWD) test
• Updated information on the ITD database based on the construction history, and developed a deep learning model to predict pavement conditions in Idaho by mining their historical data
• Contributed to the pavement management systems (PMS) of ITD by developing a theory-guided neural network model called FlexNet, that supports timely decision-making regarding budget and treatment plans
Graduate Research Assistant, Boise State University,
Boise, ID Jan 2018 – June 2023
Impactful contributions [MicroMechanics and Smart Infrastructure Lab]:
• Engineered multiphysics finite-element models as well as physics-informed machine learning for efficient study of cement-concrete chemo-physics and chemical kinetics at small scales, optimizing data efficiency by learning from experimental data
• Developed a finite element model for concrete structures subjected to Alkali Silica Reaction and external service loads, to predict mechanical damage and service life of existing structures
• Implemented statistical method called Karhunen–Loève expansion and developed a stochastic platform to account for the uncertainty in the ASR-induced concrete under climate change and extreme weather events
• Studied the performance of heat-reflective coatings under lab-controlled environment for cool pavements in the urban areas, and consecutively conducted thermography analytics to develop a novel damage index for subsurface defects identification in the civil infrastructure
• Developed PINN-CHK, a physics-informed neural network architecture to study early-age cement chemistry and predict temperature rise during the cement hydration process
• Developed EcoBlendNet, a physics-informed neural network multi-physics model to understand the impact of supplementary materials in reducing carbon emission and increasing concrete strength, contributing to green and eco-friendly civil infrastructures
• Developed PyrrhotiteNet, a sequential training algorithm of physics-informed neural network to predict the multifaceted chemo-physio-mechanical consequences of internal sulfate attack in concrete structures
• Developed FlexNet, a theory-guided neural network to predict pavement condition under different treatment choices, supporting the pavement asset management team of the Idaho Transportation Department
Teaching Assistant, Boise State University,
Boise, ID Jan 2018 – May 2022
Impactful contributions:
• Instructed students, conducted lab tests on soil samples in the CE 361 Engineering Properties of Soils Lab for an entire semester, and made contributions to a proxy class in the CE 360 Engineering Properties of Soils
• Lectured students and conducted material lab tests on aggregate, cement-concrete, timber, and metal samples in the CE 341-Construction Materials Lab for five complete semesters, while overseeing the development of two students as future teaching assistants
• Graded the assignments and exam papers throughout one complete semester for CE 330 Fluid Mechanics
• Evaluated assignments, quizzes, and exam papers throughout one complete semester for the CE 350-Mechanics of Materials course
• Provided tutoring for the CS 121-Computer Science I course focused on object-oriented problem-solving and programming with Java for an entire semester
On-site Inspector, Idaho Transportation Department,
Boise, ID May 2018 – August 2018
Impactful contributions:
• Performed visual inspection on 23 mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls and bridges in districts 3 and 4 of Idaho State and completed a structural defect analysis survey of them, as a member of a research team under a project funded by the ITD
Industry Experience
Data Analytics Specialist, Office of Forensic Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services,
Richmond, VA August 2023 – Present
Impactful contributions:
• Enhanced data collection and management within the Office of Forensic Services for the patients with criminal charges, by developing database language, programming languages, and machine learning models
• Developed logic and SQL codes to calculate forensics length of stay (LOS) of patients from the Avatar database, a patient registration system in any hospital, where the calculation covers patients’ entire time in DBHDS including the transfers in between state facilities in Virginia
• Developed forensic data dashboard to analyze and visualize patterns of charge level, facility admission trends, CSB admission trends, and region admission trends etc. of the current patients across Virginia
• Developed jail diversion (JD) and forensic discharge planning (FDP) data tool using VBA programming code for the fiscal year 2023, which includes data from different community services across Virginia
• Conducted data analysis and developed a live summary tab based on the forensic waitlist and forensic archive in the bed management tool (BMT), to answer key questions to reduce waiting time of the patients in Virginia
• Facilitated data-driven solutions to the current challenges in the criminal justice system that support stakeholders and decision makers across the Commonwealth of Virginia
Summer 2022 Internship, Michigan Department of Transportation,
Lansing, MI May 2022 – Aug 2022
Impactful contributions:
• Collaborated with the asset management team at the Bureau of Bridges and Structures, Structure Preservation and Management, Bridge Management division, contributing to data analysis, prediction, and performance monitoring efforts of Michigan Department of Transportation
• Performed research, review on bridge data, documentation, and updating information in MiBridge network
• Executed a request for action (RFA) prediction project involving data analysis, modeling, and report writing using Python, utilizing bridge inventory and condition rating data of concrete bridges across Michigan
• Conducted statistical analysis and determined correlations among relevant variables to predict the likelihood of encountering an RFA for the bridges under examination
• Automated web scraping from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), extracting, transforming, and loading bridge data into a network writing a Python script for Microsoft Power BI data modeling
Summer Internship, Idaho Asphalt Supply, Inc.,
Nampa, ID May 2019 – August 2019
Impactful contributions:
• Conducted lab tests on fine and coarse aggregates for the McLeod Chip Seal Design of aggregate sample
• Conducted research on reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) samples from different locations across Idaho
• Contributed to the mix performance optimization for the asphalt mix through binder blend testing such as DSR and BBR under a temperature-controlled environment
• Determined the rutting and cracking resistance of soft material such as asphalt pavement by the performance testing of the asphalt mix under real pavement scenario
Structural Engineer, MEC Tech Corporation Ltd.,
Dhaka, Bangladesh June 2016 – July 2017
Impactful contributions:
• Performed design and structural calculation of industrial sheds, two to five-storied building, steel framework of cement silos including major structural members using STAAD Pro software
• Developed spreadsheet to calculate wind load, seismic load and bill of quantities (BOQ) for structural steel parts based on the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) load combinations
• Performed presentation on proposals, review on shop drawings, report writing, site visits and client meetings
Structural Design Engineer, Delma Structure Builders Ltd.,
Dhaka, Bangladesh April 2015 – May 2016
Impactful contributions:
• Worked on the design and drawing of industrial steel shed structures using STAAD Pro, AutoCAD, and Revit
• Performed structural cost estimation and prepared bill of quantities (BOQ) of Steel and cement-concrete work
• Performed relevant foundation design works including concrete footing, short column, grade beam etc.