Primus V. Mtenga, Ph.D., P.E.

 

Associate Professor

Department of Civil Engineering

Florida A&M University – Florida State University

College of Engineering

 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Room 124

Tallahassee, FL 32310

Phone: 850-410-6130

Email: mtenga@eng.fsu.edu
University Education  
 
  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1991.
  • M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1983.
  • B.Sc (Hons)., Civil Engineering, University of Dar Es Salaam, 1981
Professional Affiliations and Services  
 
  • Registered Professional Engineer in Florida – Registration # 46667.
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
  • American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE).
  • Proposal Reviewer for National Science Foundation (NSF).
  • Proposal Reviewer for US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  • Member, Technical Committee on bracing requirements, Truss Plate Institute (TPI)
  • Member, Committee D7, American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM).
  • Member, Sub-Committee on Reliability and Wood Design, ASCE.
Honors and Awards  
 
  • Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Professor in Civil Engineering for 1993 awarded by the Tau Beta Pi Chapter at Florida A & M - Florida State University College of Engineering.
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Scholar, 1987-1990, a three years full scholarship to pursue Ph.D. studies.
  • Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit (DEZA) Scholar, 1982 –1984, a two years full scholarship to pursue MS studies.
  • First Class Honors Bachelor of Science [B.Sc(Hons)] Degree 1981, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
  • University Trust Fund Prize for Best Final Capstone Design Project in the B.Sc. (Eng) Degree program (1980/81), University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Water Engineering Prize for Best Third Year Student in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering (1979/80), University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Professional Training and Skills  
 
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Modeling course Using PATRAN. October 9-13, 1995, offered by the MSC Institute of Technology.
  • Engineering Stress Analysis (ESA) Techniques for the Teaching Laboratory, July 11-15, 1994, offered by Measurements Group, Inc, Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • Proficiency in Finite Element modeling and analysis software packages, which include ANSYS, ALGOR, PATRAN
  • Developed in-house structural analysis program (used as a teaching tool).
  • Proficiency with office software such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Access, Dbase IV, PowerPoint, etc. plus mathematical package MATHCAD.
Academic Working Experience  
1991-Present

 

08/1993 - 07/99

 

 

 

 

 

08/1991-07/93

 

08/87 – 08/91

 

 

08/84 – 08/87

 

 

 Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, Tallahassee, Florida.

Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering

  • Teaching courses in the area of structural engineering and engineering mechanics.
  • Developed an undergraduate teaching laboratory with funding support from National Science Foundation (NSF).
  • Developed a new graduate course on Advanced Mechanics of Materials.
  • Prepared research proposal to solicit funding from State and Federal research funding agencies.

Visiting Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering

  • Teaching courses in the area of structural engineering and engineering mechanics.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.

Graduate Research Assistant

  • Conducted research on performance and reliability of light-frame wood systems.

University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Lecturer in Civil Engineering

  • Teaching courses in the area of structural engineering and engineering mechanics.
Industrial Work Experience  
10/1984 – 08/87

 

 

 

 

 

05/1983 - 12/83

 

 

05/1981 – 08/82

 

03/1981 – 05/81

 

 

03/1980 – 06/80

 

 

 

03/1979 – 06/79

 Bureau for Industrial Cooperation (BICO), a cooperative Design Office of the faculty at the University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Structural Engineer

  • Structural analysis and design of commercial and industrial structures in concrete, timber and steel.
  • Performed Forensic Engineering projects.
  • Acted as project manager for a University of Dar-es-Salaam housing project.

Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), Madison, Wisconsin.

Research Engineer

  • Conducted research on wood joints subjected to dynamic loads.

Co-Architecture Architects and Engineers, Dare-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Civil Engineer

  • Conducted structural analysis and design for concrete and timber structures.

Mbegga and Melvin Engineers, Dare-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Civil Engineer Trainee (Internship)

  • Conducted structural analysis and design for concrete industrial structures.

Regional Water Engineer’s Office, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Civil Engineer Trainee (Internship)

  • Assisted in the supervision and construction of a rural water supply network under the Morogoro Shallow Well Project..

Mwananchi Construction Company (MECO), Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Civil Engineer Trainee (Internship)

  • Assisted in the supervision of site work, which include material and work scheduling.

Funded Projects

Mtenga, P.V. (PI) "Strength Characterization of Wallaba Poles for Utility Utilization." Funding agency: Greenheart Company of America, Inc.. Budget: $44,500. Duration: 01/1999- 12/1999.

Wekezer, J.; Mtenga, P.V.; Yazdani, N. and Sobanjo, J.O. "Professional Services and Program Support for OTA Program Development, Analysis, Conduct and Evaluation." Funding agency: Federal Highway Administration. Budget: $861,174. Duration: 6/1998 – 5/2003.

Mtenga, P.V. (PI) "Safety Concerns In and Around a Transit System and Their Impact on Ridership." Funding agency: US-Department of Transportation through University of South Florida. Budget: $45,000. Duration: 1995-1996.

Mtenga, P.V. (PI) and Spainhour, L.K. "Field Performance of Roadside Barriers." Funding agency: Sponsored by Florida Department of Transportation. Budget:$215,000. Duration: 08/1996-06/1999.

Mtenga, P.V. (PI) and Alamo, R. "Affordable Bio-composite for Structural Engineering Applications." Funding agency: National Science Foundation. Budget: $7,000. Duration: 06/1996 – 05/1997.

Wekezer, J., (PI), Spainhour, L.K.; Tawfiq, K.S. and Mtenga, P.V. "Analysis of Dynamic Stress Fields in Pavements and Transportation Infrastructure", Funding agency: National Science Foundation. Budget: $270,078. Duration: 01/1996 – 12/1998.

Nnaji, S. and Mtenga, P.V. "Decision Support System in Mass Transit Systems: Phase II". Funding agency: US-Department of Transportation through University of South Florida. Budget: $106,500. Duration: 07/1994- 12/1997.

Yazdani, N. (PI) and Mtenga, P.V. " Investigation of Camber in Bridge Girders", Funding agency: Florida Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration. Budget: $90,000. Duration: 10/94 – 06/97.

Nnaji, S. and Mtenga, P.V. "Decision Support System in Mass Transit Systems: Phase I". Funding agency: US-Department of Transportation through University of South Florida. Budget: $103,500. Duration: 07/1992- 12/1994.

Mtenga, P.V. (PD) "Undergraduate Laboratory for Structural Mechanics", Funding agency: National Science Foundation. Budget: $101,377. Duration: 7/1993 – 6/1995.

Technical Publications:

Refereed Journals:

Mtenga, P.V. 199_. " Performance of Metal-plated Wood Joints Exposed to Periods of Soaking Moisture." Accepted for publication in the Forest Products Journal.

Mtenga, P. V. and Spainhour, L.K. 199_. "Applications of Mathematical Software Packages in Structural Engineering Education and Practice." Accepted for publication in the ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering.

Spainhour, L.K, Mtenga, P.V. and Sobanjo J. O. 1999. "Architecture of a Multi-Criteria Decision Support System with Historical Crash Database for Attenuator Selection." Accepted for publication in the ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering (April 1999 Issue).

Mtenga P. V. 1998. "Impact of Using a System Factor in Design of Light-Frame Roof Assemblies", Forest Products Journal, Vol 48 No. 5.

Mtenga, P. V.; Cramer, S. M.; Peyrot, A. H. and Wolfe, R. W. 1995 . "System Factors for Light-Frame Wood Roof Structures". ASCE Structural Journal Vol. 121 No.2 pp290-300

Cramer, S. M.; Shrestha, D. K. S, and Mtenga, P. V. 1993. "Computation of Forces in Metal-plate Connected Wood Trusses." Structural Engineering Review, 5(3). August 1993, pp. 209-218

Mtenga, P. V. and Kaseko, M. S. 1986. "Problems of Safety and Quality Assurance of Civil Engineering Structures in the Third World". Reports of the Working Commissions, International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering v 51 1986. Int. Assoc. for Bridge & Structural Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland p 351-358.

Soltis, L. A. and Mtenga, P. V. 1985. "Strength of Nailed Wood Joints Subjected to Dynamic Load". Forest Products Journal Vol. 35 No. 11/12, 1985

Under review for Journals Publication:

Mtenga, P.V. and Richardson N. 199_. " Flat Lumber Boards Exposed to Non-uniform Moisture Change," submitted to Forest Products Journal.

Mtenga, P. V. 199_, "Effective Length Factors for Stepped Columns: A New Computational Method," Submitted to Engineering Journal.

Refereed Conference Proceedings:

Nnaji, S. and Mtenga, P.V. 1998. "Decision Support System Applications in Urban Transit System Management." To be presented at the First International Conference on New Information Technologies for Decision-Making in Civil Engineering, October 11-13, 1998, Montréal, Canada.

Mtenga, P.V. and Wolfe, R.W. 1997. "Natural Fiber Composites: Properties and Applications in North America." Proceedings of 1st International Workshop on Composite Materials and Waste Minimization, Sponsored by UNIDO and ICS, held at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, 4-8 August 1997.

Conference Proceedings:

Yazdani, N., Mtenga, P.V. and Richardson N. 1998. "Investigation of Camber in Precast Prestressed Bridge Girders." Proceedings of the 1st International Structural Engineers World Congress, July 19-23,1998, San Francisco, CA, USA. Elsevier Science Ltd, Paper No. T218-5.

Mtenga, P.V. and Pavlov, A. 1997. "Integration of Computational Software into Engineering Education." Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE 345 East 47th St NY, NY 10017, p 364-371.

Pavlov, A. and Mtenga, P.V. 1997. "Application of MathCAD in Bridge Design." Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE 345 East 47th St NY, NY 10017, p 666-671.

Spainhour, L. K. and Mtenga, P. V. 1997. "Data Structure for Roadside Barriers In-service Evaluation." Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE 345 East 47th St NY, NY 10017, p 153-160.

Mtenga, P.V. 1996. "Conventional Lumber Decking: Effect of Board Sizes." Proceedings of National Conference on Wood in Transportation Structures (FPL General Technical Report FPL-GTR-94), Madison WI 53705.

Mtenga, P.V. and Richardson, N. 1995. "Lumber Decks: Connector Withdrawal Forces, Pavement Cracking, and Their Impact on User Safety and Comfort." Proceedings of ASCE Florida Section Annual Meeting, held in Jacksonville, Sept. 8-9, 1995.

Mtenga, P.V, and Lloyd, E. 1995. "Simplification Errors in the Classic Truss Model: Are They Still Tolerable in This Age of Microcomputer?" Proceedings of the Second International Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE 345 East 47th St NY, NY 10017, pp 412- 419

Wolfe, R.W.; Mtenga, P.V and Cramer, S.M. 1993. "Repetitive Member Adjustment for Light-Frame Assemblies". Proceedings of Forest Products Association Workshop, Tampa, FL 1993.

Mtenga, P.V. 1992. "System Vs Component Performance in Light-Frame Structures. A paper presented at ASCE Florida Section Annual Meeting, Cocoa Beach, FL, September 25-26, 1992.

Technical Reports and Manuals

Mtenga, P.V and Spainhour, L.K. 1997. "Field Performance of Roadside Barriers: Design and Population of a Statistical Database" 1st Year Interim Project Report, Florida Department of Transportation.

Mtenga, P.V. and Alamo, R. 1997. "Affordable Bio-composites for Structural Engineering Applications: Preliminary Studies," National Science Foundation.

Yazdani, N. and Mtenga, P.V., 1997. "Investigation of Camber in Precast Prestressed Bridge Birders", Florida Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration, 1997.

Nnaji, S. and Mtenga, P.V. 1997. "Decision Support Systems Applications in Urban Transit Systems Management" Volume II, National Urban Transit Research Institute, Tampa FL/US-Department of Transportation.

Mtenga, P.V. 1996. "Deerfield International Fishing Pier: Forensic Analysis." A consultancy report prepared in collaboration with Bishop William Consulting Engineers for the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Mtenga, P.V. and Richardson, N. 1996. "Strength of Materials Laboratory Students Manual" FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Mtenga, P.V. 1995. "Undergraduate Instructional Laboratory for Engineering Mechanics and Structural Engineering". A final report for NSF Project ILI-9351418.

Nnaji, S. and Mtenga, P.V. 1995. "Decision Support Systems Applications in Urban Transit Systems Management" Volume I, National Urban Transit Research Institute, Tampa FL/US-Department of Transportation.