Kimberly Kramer | Professor
G.E. Johnson Construction Science Chair
Director of Graduate Studies
Ph.D. - 2020, Kansas State University
Civil Engineering
M.E. - 1999, University of Texas at Arlington
Civil Engineering
B.S. - 1989, Kansas State University
Architectural Engineering
Contact Information
2063 Seaton Hall
785-532-5964
kramer@k-state.edu
Professional Experience
Professor Kimberly Kramer received her bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from K-State in 1989. Upon graduation, she worked as a structural engineer-in-training for Leo A. Daly in Omaha; as a lead structural engineer for HTB, Inc. in Oklahama City; as a senior structural engineer for Carter and Burgess in Fort Worth, Texas; and as the Director of Structural Engineering for GideonToal, Inc., also in Fort Worth. In this capacity, she was responsible for the design of building systems from initial planning stages through final project inspection and completion. Kramer was involved in new, renovation, and restoration projects including hospitals, prison facilities, long-span aircraft hangars, military facilities, education facilities, high-rise office buildings, retail facilities, dormitories, churches, and parking garages. She completed her master’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in structures and applied mechanics in 1999.
In January 2003, Kramer accepted a faculty position with K-State in the department of architectural engineering and construction science. She is a licensed structural and professional engineer in Texas, Kansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, Colorado, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Nebraska and Wisconsin. As a professor of architectural engineering and construction science, she was named the G.E. Johnson Construction Science Endowed Chair. In addition to her nine-month faculty appointment at K-State, Kramer has the opportunity to stay current with the building industry in a consulting capacity as the co-owner of the consulting company, KDK Engineering, LLC. Her consulting endeavors include performing as a structural professional education consultant, engineering design and condition assessments.
Research
Kramer’s specific areas of interest and research include slender reinforced concrete (tilt-up) wall systems, behavior of reinforced concrete, restoration and rehabilitation of structures including resilient design, and strengthening of partially prestressed reinforced concrete structures with fiber reinforced polymer composites. She conducts research with both graduate and undergraduate students. She has served as the major professor to 59 graduate students and guided 15 undergraduate research projects.
Academic Highlights
Kramer has published peer-refereed journal articles with topics that include the following: analytical load-deflection behavior of partially prestressed concrete girders strengthened with fiber reinforced polymers, slender wall load-deflection behavior, and sustainable structural materials. She also presented more than 50 presentations in various settings, such as, a keynote speaker at the World of Concrete. In 2006, she became the director of graduate studies for architectural engineering at K-State. Kramer has taught 19 different undergraduate and graduate courses while at K-State, including eight she specifically developed, and three via distance education or hybrid in format.
The College of Engineering granted Kramer the Charles H. Scholer Faculty Award (2015), the Dean’s Award of Excellence (2015) and the Myers-Alford Memorial Teaching Award (2017). In 2015, she received the American Society of Engineering Educators Midwest Section Outstanding Service Award. She is the recipient of Women in Engineering and Science Program’s Making a Difference Award (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010). In 2007, Kramer was recognized by the Welded Wire Reinforcement Institute for her teaching and technical contributions. She earned the AGC of Kansas Professorship from the Associated General Contractors of Kansas (2004, 2012, 2013, 2019).
Kramer is heavily involved in professional organizations American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Structural Engineers Association of Kansas and Missouri (SEAKM). She has acted as the faculty adviser to the K-State ACI and SEAKM student groups. Under her advising, the ACI team has finished in the top three six times during the last decade. Through the years, Kramer has held several chapter positions including vice-president Oklahoma City Chapter. She has been involved in many national-level committees including ACI Education Activity Committee, ACI 551 Tilt-up Concrete Construction, ACI Construction Liaison Committee, ACI 120 History, ACI 130 Sustainability, SA03 Chester Paul Siess Award for Excellence in Structural Research, and as Chair of ACI 124 Aesthetics and ACI E702 Design of Concrete Structures. In 2015, she was promoted to the level of fellow in ACI. Kimberly continues to promote her passion of structural engineering being appointed by the Governor of Kansas on the Kansas State Board of Technical Professionals in 2019.
