OU Construction Science Assistant Professor Somik Ghosh and his colleague at Oklahoma State, Jonghoon Kim, were recently awarded a $25,000 Southern Plains Transportation Center/US Department of Transportation grant to support a study titled, “Measuring Benefits of Horizontal Directional Drilling compared to Open-Cut using a Real-Time Wireless Smart Sensor.” Ghosh summarizes the study:
Sprawling urbanization requires the installation of an expansive network of underground pipelines that transport the gas, water, wastewater, power, and communication. With the increasing population and their demand, the need to install new pipes and upkeep the existing infrastructure are of top priority. The process of installing/maintenance of these pipelines can be disruptive to the local traffic along with other undesirable impacts such as airborne emissions from the construction equipment used, safety of the workers, safety of the drivers, and low productivity. Engineers are faced with the options of using traditional open-cut procedure or utilizing trenchless technology method known as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) that is environmentally sensitive, safe for the workers, less disruptive for the local traffic, and provides improved productivity. The objectives of the proposed project are to measure, analyze, and quantify the benefits of HDD over open-cut procedure.
During the Spring 2026 semester, students in Interior Design Studio IV and Graduate Studio IV gained hands-on experience in educational facility design through a semester-long partnership with MA+ Architecture.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Dr. Tammy McCuen, Robert E. Busch Professor of Construction Science, on beginning her term as president of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), an international organization dedicated to advancing construction education through teaching, research and service.
Following years of contributions to the College’s research and strategic initiatives, Gibbs College shares that Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement Angela M. Person, PhD, will step down from her position at Gibbs College as she moves to Tucson with her family, effective June 30, 2026.
