Civil and Environmental Engineering Chair, Bing Qu, Honored with Distinguished Scholarship Award

Bing Qu, professor and chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Cal Poly, was recently awarded the prestigious Distinguished Scholarship Award by Cal Poly President, Jeffrey D. Armstrong, during the fall convocation at the Performing Arts Center. Qu was among three faculty members from Cal Poly’s College of Engineering honored with annual Faculty and Staff Awards for their outstanding contributions to teaching, scholarship, and hands-on learning.

The award recognizes Qu’s exceptional contributions to earthquake engineering, a field in which he has become a leading expert. Since joining Cal Poly in 2008, Bing Qu has amassed an impressive body of work that includes 65 refereed journal articles and 32 refereed conference papers, earning over 2,400 citations. His research focuses on mitigating the impact of earthquakes on structures, and his groundbreaking contributions have earned him recognition both nationally and internationally.

The far-reaching impact of Qu’s work and research highlights his global influence and commitment to engineering innovation. One of Qu’s most notable achievements is becoming one of only five engineers worldwide whose first-authored publications are extensively cited in the American Institute of Steel Construction’s “Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings,” an essential guide for practicing engineers. Qu also led the development of CSiBridge, a widely used software program that helps engineers design bridges to withstand earthquakes. This program is utilized by thousands of engineering firms in more than 160 countries.

Throughout his career, Qu’s dedication to advancing the field of earthquake engineering has earned him several prestigious awards, including:

The Moisseiff Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
The Raytheon Excellence in Teaching and Applied Research Award from Cal Poly’s College of Engineering

In addition to these accolades, Qu has secured more than $500,000 in research funding from prominent organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Caltrans, and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.

Beyond his academic achievements, Bing Qu is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers. He is known for actively involving students — particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds — in his research and publications. This dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in engineering education earned him the Faculty Staff Appreciation Award in 2013 for outstanding support of Cal Poly’s Multicultural Engineering Program.

Bing Qu’s Distinguished Scholarship Award not only recognizes his countless contributions to earthquake engineering, but also honors his commitment to mentorship and diversity. His achievements continue to inspire students and faculty alike, reinforcing Cal Poly’s position as a leader in engineering innovation and education.