MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology Ahmed Abdelaal has been awarded $397,410 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The funding will support research on the impacts of climate change on atmospheric icing and its implications for structural-design standards, the university announced. The project is being conducted in collaboration with scientists from the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), including co-principal investigator Mari Tye and Rachel McCrary. NSF NCAR will receive $200,000 as a sub-awardee while SUNY Poly will be allocated $197,410.
“Dr. Abdelaal’s groundbreaking work underscores SUNY Poly’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change through innovative research and collaboration,” Abdullah Eroglu, dean of the College of Engineering, said in a news release. “This project is a testament to his expertise and leadership in the field, and it highlights the impactful contributions of our faculty to advancing both science and societal resilience.”
The project examines how climate change will affect ice loads on buildings and infrastructure.
“Current design codes and standards rely on historical data that do not account for changing climate,” Abdelaal contended. “This could mean that infrastructure built today may not withstand the evolving weather extremes of tomorrow. Our research aims to fill this gap by incorporating future climate projections into structural design standards.”
The project will utilize climate-modeling tools, drawing on data from the North American Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment hosted at NSF NCAR. Using these models, researchers will analyze historical and projected freezing-rain events from 1950 to 2100 to assess future ice loads on structures. The team will employ ice models and extreme value analysis to quantify the severity and intensity of these events, enabling more accurate predictions and design adjustments.
A significant outcome of this research will be its contribution to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ efforts to update Standard 7: Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. Slated for 2028, this update will include a new chapter addressing future environmental hazards including ice loads, snow, wind, rain, and flooding in the context of climate warming.
“This work is not just about adapting to climate change but ensuring the resilience and safety of our infrastructure for future generations,” Abdelaal said. “It’s an honor to lead this effort and collaborate with world-class researchers at NCAR to address this critical challenge.”