PhD Spotlight: R. Bailey Bond, PhD’24, Civil and Environmental Engineering
R. Bailey Bond, PhD’24, civil and environmental engineering, developed a novel predictive model for headed shear stud strength in concrete-filled steel composite decks. He also created data enhanced methods of modeling structural resilience against seismic hazards.
R. Bailey Bond completed a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering at the University of Texas. Through a National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at Lehigh University, Bond conducted research on self-centering cross laminated timber, which laid foundational insights for his graduate studies. He began pursuing a PhD in civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern in 2019, advised by Jerome F. Hajjar, University Distinguished and CDM Smith Professor and Department Chair of civil and environmental engineering.
Bond initiated his doctoral research on steel diaphragms through the Steel Diaphragm Innovation Initiative, with a focus on building resilience. His work led to the development of a novel predictive model for headed shear stud strength in concrete-filled steel composite decks.
In his second year of studies, Bond integrated machine learning into his research under the additional mentorship of Hao Sun, an associate professor at Renmin University of China, and created data enhanced methods of modeling structural resilience against seismic hazards. His principal dissertation project focused on a physics-reinforced machine learning paradigm for probabilistic metamodeling of nonlinear structural systems with applications in seismic risk analysis.
Bond has published numerous articles and conference papers, including in Journal: Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics. The publications focus on advancing the field’s understanding of machine learning in structures for structural resilience. He also gained industry experience as a structural engineering intern at DCI Engineers in Austin, Texas, where he honed his skills in structural analysis and design.
As a graduate teaching assistant, Bond excelled in mentoring, and received a College of Engineering Graduate Student Teaching Award in 2023. He served as president of Northeastern’s Graduate Structural Engineering Association, ASCE Structural Engineering Institute NU Student Chapter. Additionally, he served as president of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Student Council. During his tenure, the student council received the Civil and Environmental Engineering Building Community and Belonging Award in 2023.
Bond is currently pursuing opportunities in industry that focus on the integration of machine learning and innovative technologies in civil engineering through hazard analysis and design.