Adrian Brügger

His research interests lie in the quantification of the internal mechanics of multibody systems in failure-critical structures using neutron diffraction (nDif). Brügger focuses particularly on using nDif on structures and materials critical to the built environment: 1) general non-destructive stress measurement in infrastructure, 2) residual stress & contact force mapping of multi-body systems, 3) eigenstrain analysis of complex geometries under thermal loading 4) cementitious materials and composites, and 5) phase change characterization of structural materials under high temperature (fire) conditions. Brügger maintains a strong collaborative relationship with both the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope Reactor as well as the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. He serves as the instrument spokesperson for the future CUPI²D imaging beamline at the ORNL Second Target Station (STS).

In the civil engineering domain, Brügger serves as the Director of the Robert A. W. Carleton Strength of Materials Laboratory, a Columbia University, the preeminent experimental research center of the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. The state-of-the-art strength of materials laboratory supports the research and teaching of the Department and performs critical testing for the global engineering community. In this capacity, he contributes to field projects focusing on major infrastructure health monitoring, damage detection, corrosion processes, and damage mitigation; this effort includes vibration instrumentation and condition assessments on various large bridges (Manhattan Bridge, Verrazano Narrows Bridge, etc.) and sensitive structures (New York Times Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art). Brügger has led numerous forensic materials testing projects for major global infrastructure.