Mlakar Selected as ERDC Senior Scientist

Dr. Paul F. Mlakar was recently selected to the position of Senior Research Scientist for Weapons Effects and Structural Dynamics at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss.

In this position, Mlakar is responsible for planning, conducting and executing basic and applied research, as well as the advanced development of technologies for the Army's survivability and protective structures mission. Research efforts include computational structural mechanics relating to the effects of conventional and terrorist weapons on conventional and hardened structures; material modeling for construction and geologic materials relating to projectile penetration, ground shock, and response of structures; and airblast, ground shock, and fragmentation as they relate to detonation and functional kill.

Mlakar will supply the focus, technical leadership and quality control for ERDC research efforts. He will also serve as the primary contact with senior technical leadership in the Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Army Engineer School, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the National Academy of Science, the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, academia, and the private sector.

Prior to his current assignment, Mlakar was the Technical Director for Airfields, Pavements and Sustainment Engineering in the ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory. He has also served as chief of the Concrete and Materials Division. From 1984 to 1995, he founded and guided the structures division of JAYCOR as its vice president, providing research and consultation on structural engineering for government and commercial clients.

Mlakar has served on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) team that assessed the structural performance of the Murrah Building after the 1995 terrorist bombing and more recently led the ASCE team that studied the structural performance of the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Mlakar graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1966. He earned his master's degree and doctorate in engineering science from Purdue University in 1968 and 1975, respectively. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Mississippi; a fellow with the American Society of Civil Engineers and past chairman of its Committee on Shock and Vibratory Effects; and a member of the American Concrete Institute and the Society of American Military Engineers.