Dr. Calahorra-Jimenez’s research interests focus on alternative project delivery and procurement methods in transportation projects, digital project development, and delivery, data analysis/decision-making, sustainability, and resilience in infrastructure projects, broadening participation of women in civil engineering and heavy civil construction and engineering and construction education.
Alternative Project Delivery and Procurement Methods
Dr. Calahorra-Jimenez aims to improve the management of public infrastructure projects by researching on:
- Alternative project delivery systems such as Design-Build, Progressive-Design Build, and Alliances/Integrated project delivery.
- Procurement methods such as Best-Value
- Performance-Based Contracts
- Digital project development & Delivery, including BIM and virtual/augmented reality.
Digital Transformation in Project Delivery. Digital Delivery
- Transition to digital delivery in public infrastructure’s design, construction, and operations.
- Challenges in digital integration across phases: data standards, interoperability
- Workforce Development and organizational change to implement digital delivery
- Integration of AI in digital delivery throughout the project phases
- Digital Twin in operations and maintenance of infrastructure projects
Sustainability and Resilience in Infrastructure
Dr. Calahorra-Jimenez aims to explore how pre-construction processes and decisions might impact sustainability and resilience in the construction and operation of infrastructure projects. Some of the topics under the sustainability and resilience umbrella are: Long-term performance, Project life cycle assessment, and Challenges to address sustainability goals.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in Infrastructure Projects and Workplaces
- Integration of Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Site
- Attraction, Retention, Barriers of women working in civil engineering and heavy civil construction related industries
- Intersectionality and professional development in civil engineering and heavy civil construction related industries
