1. K-State home
  2. »Engineering
  3. »ARE-CNS
  4. »Faculty & Staff
  5. »Faculty
  6. »Don Phillippi

Architectural Engineering and Construction Science

Don Phillippi | Associate Professor

Photo of Don PhillippiPh.D. - 2010, University of California, San Diego
Structural Engineering
M.S. - 2004, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Structural Engineering
B.Arch. - 1989, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Architecture
B.S. - 1984, California State Polytechnic University, Pamona

Civil Engineering

Contact Information

2061 Seaton Hall
785-532-3574
dphillip@k-state.edu

Professional Experience

Phillippi received his bachelor’s in civil engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly) and obtained his civil engineering license in 1984 from the State of California. He then went on to achieve licensure from the State of California as a structural engineer in 1988. He returned to Cal Poly, and received a Bachelor of Architecture in 1989 and became a registered architect in California in 1991. In 2002, he once again returned to Cal Poly and earned a master’s degree in structural engineering in 2004. Phillippi obtained a doctorate in structural engineering from the University of California at San Diego in 2010. As a principal in private practice, he has provided architectural, engineering, and forensic services on over 700 commercial, industrial, and residential projects from simple reports to the remodel of shopping centers and industrial complexes. Earlier in his career (1982-89), he was a project engineer for a private structural engineering consultation firm where he provided architectural engineering expertise on over 300 projects including a variety of commercial, industrial and residential complexes.  Concrete tilt-up, masonry, steel and wood framed structures were designed.

Research

Phillippi’s research encompasses methods to determine the actual load distribution in multi-column bridge and building structures through the use of 3D non-linear programs, and simplified analytically-based fiber models that use basic mechanics of materials. Current research has created concrete models that use stiffnesses of variably axially and laterally loaded columns to ascertain the axial and lateral shear distribution in bridges and buildings, which may then be used to determine the state of stress and/or strain of various column components for design or analysis.

His other research involves the use of analytical-based models to determine the axial stress-strain relation and evaluation of transverse and jacket hoop strain levels around concrete columns wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) jackets. The research is designed to capture the respective influence of sectional shape and jacket thicknesses to the axial response observed from full-scale column tests and existing test data in order to provide a better understanding of the mechanical behavior to design reliable and efficient CFRP jackets on concrete columns.

Academic Highlights

Phillippi authored or coauthored peer-refereed journal articles with topics that included the following: simplified two-column analytically-based fiber model; free fall of self-consolidating concrete in walls three meters high; shear loading in two-column bridge bents; capacity assessment of v-shaped two columns bridge bents; and analytical model for FRP-jacketed square concrete columns in axial compression. He also authored or coauthored peer-refereed conferences papers with topics that included the use of mechanical couplers in concrete columns and an analytical model for predicting CFRP square concrete column jacket strains. Invited speaker topics included  the design of timber structures with sawn and engineered wood members as well as wood frame design for residential and small commercial buildings. Seminar topics have included shear distribution in two-column bridge bents, seismic design of structures, seismic shear distribution to vertical shear resisting elements with rigid diaphragms, and diaphragms – flexible and rigid design. Phillippi has been the recipient of the Richard M. Kerschen AGC Fellowship, Mark Keenan Family ARE-CNS Faculty Award, Eugene Thorson Faculty Award, K-State College of Engineering Outstanding Assistant Professor Award, and Hutton Construction Faculty Award.