Charles Tucker, P.E., Ph.D.
- Office:
- Associates Science Center, Room 112
- Phone:
- (731) 989-6038
- Email:
- ctucker@fhu.edu
About Me
Associate Professor of Engineering within the Chemistry and Engineering Sciences Department; Husband to Laurie; Father of Alex, Lucas, and Anna; Follower of Christ.
Education
- Ph.D., Engineering, Tennessee Technological University
- M.S., Civil Engineering, Tennessee Technological University
- B.S., Civil Engineering, Tennessee Technological University
- B.S., Physical Science, Freed-Hardeman University
Office Hours
- Monday - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
- Tuesday - 9:30am - 10:20am
- Wednesday - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
- Friday - 9:30am - 10:20am; 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Class Schedule
- PHS 201 - General Physics
MWF - 7:30am-8:20am - ENS 231 - Statics
MWF - 8:30am-9:20am - ENS 101 - Intro. to Engineering
MW - 9:30am-10:20am - PHS 211 - Physics for Science and Engineering
MWF - 12:30pm-1:20pm - PHS 211 Lab
T - 11:30am-2:20pm - PHS 201 Lab
T - 2:30pm-5:20pm
Home
The ways things work, in particular, the way in which buildings and structures stand up, has always been intriguing to me. One of my favorite pastimes as a child was to build dams in the spillway of the pond next to our house. I must admit that I had more failures than successes, but that did not dampen my interest in engineering.
After graduating from Chester County High School, I attended Freed-Hardeman University majoring in Pre-Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. While at Freed-Hardeman I began dating my beautiful wife, Laurie. After competing the Pre-Engineering Program under Dr. Bob Landon, we transferred to Tennessee Technological University (TTU) to complete degrees in Civil Engineering (me) and Chemical Engineering (Laurie). As an undergraduate at TTU, I began working with Dr. L.K. Crouch in the areas of surveying and materials research.
Laurie and I married after graduation and we continued at TTU to work on a master's degrees; mine in Civil Engineering, hers an MBA. I again worked with Dr. Crouch researching a better way to evaluate aggregate for use on road surfaces. After receiving our degrees, we moved to Nashville where I worked for Carpenter Wright Engineers (CWE). While at CWE my primary area was the design of steel-framed structures for medical, commercial, and retail facilities. I was fortunate enough to be the lead structrual engineer for the Opry Mills mall located in Nashville, TN.
After obtaining my professional engineering (P.E.) license in the summer of 2000, Laurie and I moved back to Henderson to begin work at Freed-Hardeman. After three years of teaching I started work on a doctorate in Engineering at TTU. My research developed code-appropriate equations for masonry infilled frames. I completed my Ph.D. in the fall of 2007. My research has lead me to be active on the Masonry Standards Joint Committee which is responsible for developing, maintaining, and revising the masonry code governing masonry construction in the United States.
Freed-Hardeman University has always been home to me; my dad, Dr. Milton Tucker, taught Biology for 41 years here; and my mom, Dr. Patricia Tucker, taught for several years in the Education Department. Freed-Hardeman University is a special place where every class, no matter the subject, is taught from a Godly perspective. I am truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful university.
Curriculum Vita
Education
Ph.D. in Engineering (Structural)
2007, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
Dissertation Title: Predicting the In-Plane Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames
Coursework: Masonry Design, Structural Dynamics, Prestressed Concrete Design, Finite Element Analysis, and Elasticity
M.S. in Civil Engineering
1997, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
Thesis Title: Aggregate Terminal Textural Condition
Coursework: Concrete Properties, Masonry Design, Pavement Design, and Roadway Design
B.S. in Physical Science
1996, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN
Coursework: Physics and Statics
B.S. in Civil Engineering
1995, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
Coursework: Steel Design, Concrete Design, Surveying, and Construction Materials
Teaching Experience
Associate Professor
2000-Present, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN
Courses Taught: Engineering Graphics, Engineering Mechanics (Statics), General Physics, Physics for Science and Engineers, and Physical Science
Graduate Teaching Assistant
2004, 1996, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
Courses Taught: Engineering Mechanics (Statics), and Surveying
Graduate Research Assistant
1996-1997, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
Research Projects: Tennessee Department of Transportation, Nashville, TN, testing and evaluation of various aggregates for surface courses; Rogers Group, Inc., Algood, TN, controlled low strength materials mix designs; Cleveland Utilities Water Division, Cleveland, TN, controlled low strength materials mix designs
Surveying Laboratory Instructor
1994-1996, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
Biology Laboratory Assistant
1990-1993, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN
Other Experience
Tucker Structural Engineering, Henderson, TN
2002-Present, Owner.
Structural design for commercial type buildings; preparation of structural drawings and project specifications; and construction administration services.
Sample Projects: Crews-Colbert Activity Center (formerly Main Street Movie Theaters), Henderson, TN; Semarau Art Gallery renovation, Jackson, TN; Livingston First Baptist Church Investigation, Livingston, TN; Bethel Springs church of Christ renovation, Bethel Springs, TN.
Carpenter Wright Engineers, Nashville, TN
1997-2000, Associate Engineer III.
Sample Projects: Opry Mills Mall, Nashville, TN; Regal Cinemas/IMAX at Opry Mills, Nashville, TN; St. Louis Women's Hospital, St. Louis, MO; Colorado Springs Medical Office Bldg., Colorado Springs, CO; Nashville Refrigerated Services, Nashville, TN; and numerous Dialysis Clinics Incorporated buildings, various locations.
Publications
"Code-Appropriate Methods for Predicting Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames." CM News. with Craig Henderson, and Richard Bennett. Dissertation - "Predicting the In-Plane Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames," Tennessee Technological University, December 2007. Masters thesis - "Aggregate Terminal Textural Condition," Tennessee Technological University, May 1997. "Development of Code-Appropriate Methods for Predicting the Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames Subjected to In-Plane Forces." Final Report for the National Concrete Masonry Association. with Craig Henderson, and Richard Bennett. "Development of Code-Appropriate Methods for Predicting the Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames Subjected to In-Plane Forces." Third Quarterly Report for the National Concrete Masonry Association. with Craig Henderson, and Richard Bennett. "Development of Code-Appropriate Methods for Predicting the Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames Subjected to In-Plane Forces." Second Quarterly Report for the National Concrete Masonry Association. with Craig Henderson, and Richard Bennett. "Development of Code-Appropriate Methods for Predicting the Capacity of Masonry Infilled Frames Subjected to In-Plane Forces." First Quarterly Report for the National Concrete Masonry Association. with Craig Henderson, and Richard Bennett. "Identification of Aggregates for Tennessee Bituminous Surface Courses, Phase III." Interim Report for Tennessee Department of Transportation, Project No, RES 1089. with L.K. Crouch and W.A. Goodwin. "Use of High-fines Limestone Screenings as Aggregate for Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM)." Research Report submitted to Rogers Group, Inc., Algood, TN, with L.K. Crouch and James F. Brogdon. "Development of an Improved Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) Mix Design for Cleveland Utilities." Research Report submitted to Cleveland Utilities Water Division, Cleveland TN, with L.K. Crouch and James F. Brogdon.Journals
Educational Theses
Research Reports
Presentations
"Masonry Infilled Frames Code Development: Introduction to Infills and Status Report." Masonry Standards Joint Committee, May 15, 2008. Cancun, Mexico. "Masonry Infilled Frames Research: Finite Element Analysis, Strut Width Equation (Stiffness), and Infill Strength Equations." Masonry Standards Joint Committee, November 12, 2007. Pittsburgh, PA. "Masonry Infilled Frames." ASCE Tennessee Section 17th Annual Meeting - "Structural Session." September 24, 2004. Symrna, TN. "ACI 318 Code Changes." ASCE Knoxville Branch Continuing Education Seminar, June 27, 2003. Knoxville, TN "Skid Resistance for Bituminous Surface Courses." ASCE Tennessee Section 11th Annual Meeting - "Transportation Session" September 1998. Nashville, TN
Conferences
Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Executive Subcommittee, Main Committee, Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Chair, Construction Requirements Subcommittee, and Seismic Subcommittee. June 4-5, 2011. Minneapolis, MN.
Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Executive Subcommittee, Main Committee, Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Chair, and Construction Requirements Subcommittee. May 13-15, 2010. Orlando, FL.
Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Executive Subcommittee, Main Committee, Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Chair, and Construction Requirements Subcommittee. October 18-20, 2009. Evanston, IL. ASCE Tennessee Section 22nd Annual Meeting - October 2, 2009. Smyrna, TN. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Executive Subcommittee, Main Committee, Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Co-chair, and Construction Requirements Subcommittee. May 7-9, 2009. Herndon, VA. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Main Committee, Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Secretary, and Construction Requirements Subcommittee. October 19-21, 2008. Salt Lake City, UT. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee (acting Chair) Secretary, Construction Requirements Subcommittee, and Main Committee. May 15-17, 2008. Cancun, Mexico. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Secretary, Construction Requirements Subcommittee, and Main Committee. November 11-13, 2007. Pittsburgh, PA. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Secretary, and Construction Requirements Subcommittee. May 11-13, 2006. San Diego, CA. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Secretary, and Construction Requirements Subcommittee. October 16-17, 2005. Cincinnati, OH. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Infills Subcommittee, Infills Subcommittee Secretary, and Construction Requirements Subcommittee. May 10-11, 2005. Charleston, SC. "Tradeline Conference, Academic Science Buildings 2004: New Research and Teaching Platforms." November 11-12, 2004. San Francisco, CA. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Infills Subcommittee. October 10-11, 2004. Baltimore, MD. ASCE Tennessee Section 17th Annual Meeting - September 24, 2004. Smyrna, TN. Masonry Standards Joint Committee - Infills Subcommittee. May 13-14, 2004. Kansas City, MO. "Seismic Design Using Structural Dynamics." and "Changes in Structural Design Provisions: 2000 IBC to 2003 IBC." September 23, 2003. Nashville, TN. "Project Kaleidoscope Workshop: Planning Facilities for Science." April 10-12, 2003. Springfield, MO. ACI "Reinforced Concrete Design." November 13-14, 2002 Nashville, TN. ASCE Tennessee Section 15th Annual Meeting - "Engineering Management Session" and "Structural Session." October 2002. Smyrna, TN. AISC "Practical Steel Design: 2 - 20 Stories." June, 4, 2002. Nashville, TN. ASCE Tennessee Section 14th Annual Meeting - "Engineering Management Session" and "Structural Session." November 2, 2001. Smyrna, TN. AISC "Fundamentals of Connection Design." October 2, 2001. Nashville, TN. ASCE Tennessee Section 13th Annual Meeting - "Geotechnical Session" and "Structural Session." November 2001. Nashville, TN. ASCE Tennessee Section 12th Annual Meeting - "Geotechnical Session" and "Structural Session." September 2000. Nashville, TN. QORE, Site-Specific Hazard Assessments. May 25, 2000. Nashville, TN. Matrix AAC Training Program. May 12, 2000. Nashville, TN. Simpson Strong-Tie Workshop. February 24, 2000. Nashville, TN. ASCE Tennessee Section 11th Annual Meeting - "Transportation Session" and "Structural Session." September 1998. Nashville, TN.
