Civil and environmental engineering professor honored with ACI Boase Award
Published: Dec 2, 2025 10:30 AM
By Olivia Ballard
Andrzej Nowak, Brasfield and Gorrie professor of civil and environmental engineering (CEE), was awarded the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Arthur J. Boase Award of the Concrete Research Council.
The Arthur J. Boase Award is given in recognition for outstanding research in the structural concrete field or contributions to the advancement of concrete technology. Nowak’s research focuses on the development of design codes and ensuring the safety of structures. He primarily works on calculating safety factors for load-carrying capacities and safety margins.
“The award is a recognition by my peers, who know my research,” Nowak said. “The ACI Foundation awards selection committee comprises outstanding professionals working in the same field, and it’s an honor for them to acknowledge my contributions to the concrete industry.”
In 2024, Nowak was named a Precast/Prestressed Concrete Fellow, an honor recognizing outstanding contributions to the precast concrete industry. Nowak said his commitment to the field stems from his love of working with students and conducting research.
“Auburn has excellent students, supportive faculty and a friendly community,” he said. “I enjoy working with the students on solving problems related to our infrastructure. Auburn is the perfect place to combine these things.”
Ann Masek, ACI Foundation executive director, said Nowak is a pioneer in applied structural reliability, calibration and risk analysis.
“Dr. Nowak’s contributions have been instrumental in developing a new generation of structural design codes, including the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and ACI 318 for concrete structures,” said Masek in Nowak’s award selection letter.
“Dr. Nowak is internationally known as a leader in research and design of concrete structures, and we are thrilled he has been recognized for his body of work in this area,” David Timm, CEE department chair, said. “His accomplishments are truly remarkable, especially when you consider he also served CEE department chair. We are proud to have him on the CEE faculty.”
Award presentation will take place during the ACI spring 2025 Concrete Convention on March 29-April 1 in Chicago.
Media Contact: , dzd0065@auburn.edu, 334-844-2326
Andrzej Nowak, Brasfield & Gorrie Professor of civil and environmental engineering, was recently honored with the ACI Arthur J. Boase Award for outstanding contributions to structural concrete research.
