Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
This collection contains research and project material created by Paul Zia. Included are the materials for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move, work with corrosion resistant alloy steel (MMFX) and reinforced concrete, the planning for the University of Tennessee Arena repair, the Crystal River Nuclear Plant containment investigation, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) reports, conference and workshop proceedings, and instructional materials from Zia's time as a professor at North Carolina State University. Topics covered include Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, reinforced concrete, the Crystal River Nuclear Plant, the University of Tennessee Arena, North Carolina State University faculty, civil engineering, and the North Carolina State University Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. The materials span the time period 1953-2018, with recent articles and displays reflecting on the success of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move.
For over 50 years, Paul Zia taught, researched, and consulted in many areas of concrete materials, reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, and construction. Zia joined the civil engineering faculty at North Carolina State University in 1961. He advised more than 60 masters and doctoral students at North Carolina State University. He conducted sponsored research on many aspects of prestressed and reinforced concrete, including torsion and shear, bond and development length, loss of prestress, applications of high performance and high strength concrete, self-consolidating concrete, jointless bridge deck, and cracking in large prestressed concrete girders. His studies also included fatigue strength of cracked prestressed concrete girders, assessment of high performance concrete bridges, development of non-destructive test method for measuring air permeability of concrete, the use of self-consolodating concrete in highway structures, and the application of corrosion-resistant high-strength MMFX streel for concrete structures, and structural applications of new proprietary materials called Grancrete and Elimix Admixture. This information is adapted from The Paul Zia Distinguished Lecture Series (https://zialecture.com/dr-zia).
A few items are in Chinese, French or German.
For over 50 years, Paul Zia taught, researched, and consulted in many areas of concrete materials, reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, and construction. Zia joined the civil engineering faculty at North Carolina State University in 1961. He advised more than 60 masters and doctoral students at North Carolina State University. He conducted sponsored research on many aspects of prestressed and reinforced concrete, including torsion and shear, bond and development length, loss of prestress, applications of high performance and high strength concrete, self-consolidating concrete, jointless bridge deck, and cracking in large prestressed concrete girders. His studies also included fatigue strength of cracked prestressed concrete girders, assessment of high performance concrete bridges, development of non-destructive test method for measuring air permeability of concrete, the use of self-consolidating concrete in highway structures, and the application of corrosion-resistant high-strength MMFX steel for concrete structures, and structural applications of new proprietary materials called Grancrete and Elimix Admixture.
Zia received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from National Chiao Tung University in Hsinchu, Taiwan in 1949 and then went on to obtain his Master of Structural Engineering degree from the University of Washington in 1952. In 1960, Zia earned his Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of Florida.
Paul Zia has been the recepient of many honors and awards, including election to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (1983), the North Carolina State University Alcoa Foundation Distinguished Engineering Research Award (1978-80), University of Florida Distinguished Alumnus Award (1983), ASEE Lamme Medal (1986), and North Carolina State University Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal of Excellence (1993), the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member by the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees. He was awarded the Citizen’s Award for Exceptional Service in recognition of his role as an adviser and consultant for the relocation of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1999 by the National Park Service. In 2004, he was honored by PCI with the Distinguished Educator of the Year Award. He served as the president of the American Concrete Institute from 1989-1990. Zia has also been an honorary member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a Fellow of Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI).
In 2002, the Paul Zia Distinguished Lecture Series was established in his name as a way to showcase outstanding engineers, their projects and to honor Zia by recalling his contributions to the knowledge of concrete, his contributions to increasing the stature of North Carolina State University and the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering.
The above information is adapted from The Paul Zia Distinguished Lecture Series (https://zialecture.com/dr-zia).
This collection contains research and project material created by Paul Zia. Included are the materials for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move, work with corrosion resistant alloy steel (MMFX) and reinforced concrete, the planning for the University of Tennessee Arena repair, the Crystal River Nuclear Plant containment investigation, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) reports, conference and workshop proceedings, and instructional materials from Zia's time as a professor at North Carolina State University. Topics covered include Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, reinforced concrete, the Crystal River Nuclear Plant, the University of Tennessee Arena, North Carolina State University faculty, civil engineering, and the North Carolina State University Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. The materials span the time period 1953-2018, with recent articles and displays reflecting on the success of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move.
This collection is arranged into seven series: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move Files, Publications, Project Records, Correspondence and Personal Papers, Consulting Firms, Faculty Papers, and Photographs.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Paul Zia Papers, MC 00645, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Paul Zia, 2018 and 2020 (Accession nos. 2018.0290. 2018.0291, 2018.0306, 2018.0341, 2020.0032); Gift of May Zia, 2026 April (Accession 2026.0045).
Processed by: Mollie B. Frazier, October 2019; addition processed and finding aid updated by Shima Hosseininasab, January 2021; Collection guide updated to reflect addition to the collection by Emily Cunningham, 2026 May; Processed by: Emma Esser, 2026 October; Collection guide updated by Cathy Dorin-Black, 2026 November.
The collection is organized into seven principal series:
This series contains materials, most of which are from the 1980s and 1990s, relating to the research and planning of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move of 1999.The series includes posters, research and measurements on the lighthouse, a lobby display, materials from Committee on Options for Preserving Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and editorial articles. The most recent articles reflect on the successes of the preservation.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes a letter from Marc Basnight to Chancellor Larry Monteith requesting a committee to update the 1987 feasibility study for moving the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Contains image, PDF, and Word document files.
Digital copy exists. Access will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
Files transferred via Google Drive.
This series, including materials from 1953-2008, contains publications from engineering conferences, the Peter and White Construction Company v. the Southern Equipment Company court case, appraisal reports, Corrosion Resistant Alloy Steel (MMFX) Concrete Innovations Appraisal Service (CIAS) corrosion claim documents, American Concrete Institute (ACI) reports, workshop proceedings and publications from industrial companies.
Arranged chronologically.
Reprinted from the Yale Scientific Magazine
Co-sponsored by the Civil Engineering Department, University of Florida and the Prestressed Concrete Institute.
German
Published by the prestressed concrete institute (pci).
Includes a lengthy handwritten note inside the book from Kowalsky to Zia as a thank you for being a great mentor. This book was given to Zia as a gift from Kowalsky.
Paul Zia's copy.
This series contains materials from 1976-2012. The majority of these materials focus on Zia's own research projects, student research projects that Zia advised, the University of Tennessee arena repair, the People Mover project, the Crystal River Nuclear Plant containment repair project, the Oregon Department of Transportation bridge shear study, and the Mechanical Behavior of High Performance Concretes study.
Arranged chronologically.
This series, which contains materials from 1977-2012, includes correspondence between Zia and his son as well as with colleagues. Also included is correspondence about project funding, calculation questions, travel documents, tai chi illustrations, and scroll paintings gifted to Zia in appreciation.
Arranged chronologically.
Chinese
Two Chinese scrolls in appreciation of Zia's lecture at Chinese Academy of Construction and Beijing Reinforced Concrete Association and one in appreciation from a former student Sha Tsang-Ping, who spent two years at North Carolina State University in the mid-1980s.
This series contains consulting correspondences from various companies and firms in which Zia designed architectual structures from the late 1940s to the 2010s. Many of the correspondences specify calculations and qualifications needed for engineering projects to be completed successfully. Arranged in alphabetical order.
Engineer - Figg Engineering Group
Architects - Goin and Moore
This folder contains correspondences from various architectual firms and universities.
Topics at this conference included Self-Consolidating Concrete for Bridge Structures and other DOT (Department of Transportation) Applications in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Materials in this folder contain an order notice from the court case: Frederic A. Lang vs. VSL Corporation (1982).
Architect - David Reaves
Contains reports published by the Federal Highway Administration and Figg and Muller Engineers, Inc.
Includes various material samples from engineering firms such as: Loretex, Staff Industries Inc, Replark Leadline, Good Year, and fabriform.
A Mattock is a hand tool with a long handle and a heavy metal head used for digging, chopping, prying, and clearing tough ground in construction.
Engineers - Tadros Associates Inc.
Materials in this folder contain an Affidavit of Service for the court case: University of Tennessee vs. B.B Andersen Construction Co. (1989).
Contains Floppy Disk
Materials contain commemoration correspondences by Zia honoring NCSU's dean of enginnering, Ralph E. Fadum (1912-2000).
Engineer - J.G Moore
Designed for the NCSU Peoplemover Concept.
Materials in this folder contain a deposition from the court case: Gibbs vs. Southeastern Silo (1985).
This series contains faculty correspondences during Dr. Zia's time as Professor of Civil Enginnering at NC State University: (1961-1996) and the University of Florida (1956-1960). Many of the correspondences discuss conferences and development projects that Zia participated in during his tenture at NC State both nationally internationally. Arranged in alphabetical order.
Annotated
This conference involves the topics of: High Performance Concrete: Design and Materials and Recent Advances in Concrete Technology.
Microflim reel
Includes correspondences on ACI's Board Committee Appointments. Correspondences also include Zia's appointment as the Chairman of the ACI Planning Committee.
Co-written by Hazim M. Dwairi (NCSU Graduate Research Assistant), Matt C. Wagner (Design Engineer, SGH: Boston, MA), and Mervyn J. Kowalsky (NCSU Assistant Professor).
Floppy Disk
Film roll
Interim Report for the United States Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.
Film roll canister
Film roll
Film roll
Film roll
Floppy Disk
Floppy Disks
These gifts were brought here by a former graduate of Shanghai Jao Tong University who came to NCSU as a graduate student. Gifts include an alma mater memorial ceramic plate, a gold seal from the 1984 Jiao Tong University Alumni Association, a gold dragon seal, and a letter with an English translation.
Floppy Disk
Floppy Disk
Floppy Disk
Floppy Disk
Kodak Floppy Disk
Chart/HQI is the table of mix properties of the Appendix (p. 92)
Floppy Disk
Film roll
Folder contains correspondences on job offers and recommendations addressed to Zia.
Mohamed K. Sororn was a professor of Structural Engineering in Alexandria, Eygpt.
Materials include a paper on the conceptual design for a Magnetic Levitation Guideway System.
This project focuses on I-85 from 1601 - 0.5 Mile South of Little Rock. Includes three images of the project site.
Floppy Disk
Cassette Tape
Ralph W. Kluge was the chairman of the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Florida.
Topics include tentative research projects for Zia's students.
SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program)
Floppy Disk:
(SHRP) Strategic Highway Research Program
Floppy Disk
SHRP: (Strategic Highway Research Program), WordPerfect
Floppy Disk
SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program)
Floppy Disk
SCRP (Strategic Highway Research Program)
Floppy Disk
SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program). WordPerfect
Floppy Disk
Floppy Disk
Report covers the period of 1989-1994 in high performance concrete. Published by the SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program).
Microfilm reel
Materials in this folder contain a list of photography slides and their depiction included in a presentation. The presentation slides themselves did not come with this media guide. It was produced by the Civil Engineering Department, Board of Trustees and Instructional Media Division at the University of Illinois.
Created by the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois.
Cassette Tape
Materials include several papers written and delivered by Zia at various conferences and conventions.
Materials include several papers written and delivered by Zia at various conferences and conventions.
Materials include several papers written and delivered by Zia at various conferences and conventions. Includes negatives.
Floppy Disk
Includes acceptance letters to Zia for the PhD. program.
SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program). SHRP C-205
Floppy Disk
Floppy Disk
SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program)
Floppy Disk
SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program)
Floppy Disk
SHRP: (Strategic Highway Research Program)
Floppy Disk
Floppy Disk
This series contains images of enginnering projects and conferences completed by Dr. Zia both nationally and internationally. Several images in particular contain trips to Thailand and Zia's homeland in China. Arranged in alphabetical order.
Presentation slides explain how Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer is bended and tested.
Includes English translated poems on the back.
Contains 20 lantern slides
Images include different angles of engineering equipment in a lab. This folder also contains a blueprint chart explaining the Lesslig's Theory on Torsion and Bending, which some of the images possibly show.
Images are possibly placed on pages from a thesis.
Photographs contain images of architectural instrumentation, structures, and graphs.
Duracrete is a single-component, high-strength patching, leveling, and resurfacing mortar paste designed for interior and exterior concrete surfaces. Photos possibly taken in west Florida. Includes negatives.
Images contain possible casting of a concrete cooling tower.
Possible colleague or student of Zia's.
Possibly the main parking deck on Wilmington and Blount Street.
Some of the equipment in these images are property of the NCSU Structual Labs.
Includes images of lectures and demonstrations of Estacron casting. Estacron is a patented, lightweight, fire-resistant concrete alternative made from sustainable and recycled materials.
Images include the progression of a concrete building.
Negative images include a presentation on concrete variables and their ranges.
Negatives depict a powerpoint presentation on jointless bridge decks and figures.
Images include construction projects completed by LEAP Concrete across Lakeland Florida in the mid-late 1950s. Zia helped launch LEAP in 1953, which specialized in engineering, consulting, and development for the prestressed concrete industry.
Images include construction projects completed by LEAP Concrete across Lakeland Florida in the mid-late 1950s.
Images include construction projects completed by LEAP Concrete across Lakeland Florida in the mid-late 1950s.
Contains images of downtown Manitoba, Canada.
Images include a map of North America, a powerpoint presentation, and a construction site.
Images contain possible casting of a concrete cooling tower.
Contains nine lantern slides.
The third man in this photograph is unidentified. Possibly taken in the 1980s during Monteith's service as Dean of Enginnering.
Slides include images of detailed presentations on how various concrete structures were built across different parts of the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Midwest, and Southwest.
Includes mathematical measurements on the back of the photographs.
Images include different angles of engineering equipment in a lab. Negatives included.
Contains images of a prestressed concrete presentation.
Test done at NCSU
Test done at NCSU.
Test done at NCSU.
Contains negatives. Test done at NCSU.
Contains negatives. Test done at NCSU.
Contains negatives. Test done at NCSU.
Test done at NCSU
Test done at NCSU
This installation was a full-depth patch constructed on Interstate 88, near the town of Worcester (about 82 km (50 mi) west of Albany). Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.
This project was sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration located on U.S 17 over the Roanoke River.
Last name unidentified
Images include Zia's business trip to Thailand in 1988.
Contains close up images of concrete decay.
Includes information regarding the characteristics of concrete such as strength and the bending of beams.
Contains images of unidentified concrete beams, bridges, and structures.
Either University of Texas or Tennessee.
Includes negatives.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Paul Zia Papers, MC 00645, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.