Cardenas is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, working under Dr. Imad Al-Qadi. He earned his bachelor's degree at the National University of San Marcos (Peru) and his master's from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign sponsored by the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program. His research centers on advanced numerical modeling of flexible pavement structures, pavement mechanics and vehicle dynamics. Cardenas has participated in projects funded by agencies including the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), focusing on numerical and data-driven prediction models for flexible pavement responses.
9+
Publications
10
Awards
5+
Years Experience
3.97
GPA
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Ph.D. in Civil Engineering
May 2023 – May 2027
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign · Illinois, USA
- Research emphasis on mechanistic modeling and data analytics for pavement design and evaluation (GPA: 3.97).
M.S. in Civil Engineering
Aug 2021 – May 2023
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign · Illinois, USA
- Fulbright Foreign Scholar selected among top-tier professionals (GPA: 4.00).
B.S. in Civil Engineering
Mar 2011 – Jul 2016
National University of San Marcos (UNMSM) · Lima, Peru
- Graduated ranked #1 out of 39 students in cohort.
Professional Development
Specialization in Pavement Engineering
Nov 2020 – Jul 2021
University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) · Lima, Peru
- Received the Academic Excellence Award for graduating top of class (GPA: 19.0/20.0).
- Advanced coursework in pavement materials characterization, mechanistic-empirical design, and asset management.
International Diploma in Project Management
Feb 2020 – Sep 2020
ESAN Graduate School of Business · Lima, Peru
- Graduated #1 out of 62 students (GPA: 17.6/20.0).
- Gained strong cross-functional leadership and planning skills applicable to engineering project execution.
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
Aug 2021 – Present
Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) · Illinois, USA
- Developed a mechanistic framework to integrate emerging loading conditions into flexible pavement design.
- Conducted numerical simulations using advanced FEM modeling to predict pavement structure response.
- Analyzed tire geometry, load, inflation pressure, and rolling condition effects on contact stresses.
- Calibrated dynamic vehicle models for semi-trailer trucks and heavy-duty electric vehicles.
- Performed laboratory testing (Dynamic Modulus) for asphalt mix characterization.
- Led documentation, progress tracking, and team coordination of research projects.
Industry Experience
Project Engineer / Project Control
Jan 2019 – Mar 2021
CONCAR S.A. – Grupo Graña y Montero · Lima, Peru
Road Construction, Management & Operation
- Managed formulation, approval and execution of additional work with the client.
- Issued monthly operational and performance reports; annual budget plan and planning dossier.
- Selected, hired, monitored and coordinated subcontractors and suppliers.
Junior Engineer / Project Control
Jul 2018 – Dec 2018
FLESAN DEL PERU S.A.C · Lima, Peru
Foundations and Anchored Walls Construction for a Retail Store
- Reviewed engineering drawings; issued RFI reports to Project Management Office.
- Formulated additional and deductive budgets; issued weekly progress reports (“S” Curve).
Junior Engineer / Project Control
Aug 2017 – Jun 2018
CONCAR S.A. – Grupo Graña y Montero · Apurimac, Peru
Management and Conservation by Service Levels of a Road Corridor
- Controlled productivity rates; reported daily cost status to Project Manager.
- Elaborated progress and aggregate cost reports; issued service orders to subcontractors.
Trainee Engineer / Talent Development Program
Jan 2017 – Jul 2017
CONCAR S.A. – Grupo Graña y Montero · Apurimac, Peru
Management and Conservation by Service Levels of a Road Corridor
- Processed field data; controlled productivity rates; issued service orders.
- Identified bottlenecks; proposed solution to Top Management; invited to join the company.
Honors & Awards
- 2025 Recipient, ACRP Graduate Research Award Program on Public-Sector Aviation Issues · DC, USA
- 2025 Recipient, Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association (IAPA) Scholarship · Illinois, USA
- 2025 Audience Choice Award, Transportation Research Board Three-Minute Thesis Competition · DC, USA
- 2024 Recipient, San Diego Supercomputer Center CIML Summer Institute Scholarship · California, USA
- 2024 3rd Place, Ashby Prize in Computational Science, National Center for Supercomputing Applications · Illinois, USA
- 2021 Grantee, Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship · Lima, Peru
- 2021 Recipient, UTEC Academic Excellence Certificate · Lima, Peru
- 2020 Grantee, UTEC Pavement Engineering Scholarship · Lima, Peru
- 2020 Recipient, ESAN Academic Excellence Certificate · Lima, Peru
- 2016 Recipient, UNMSM Academic Excellence Certificate · Lima, Peru
Skills
Coursework
CEE 407 Airport Design
CEE 506 Pavement Design II
CEE 416 Traffic Capacity Analysis
CEE 598 Advanced Bituminous Materials
CEE 508 Pavement Evaluation & Rehabilitation
CEE 570 Finite Element Methods
CS 547 Deep Learning
Software
ABAQUS
AutoCAD
Civil 3D
Power BI
Primavera P6
MS Project
SAP2000
ETABS
Programming
Python
Matlab
R
HTML
CSS
JavaScript
Java
LaTeX
Languages
Spanish (Native)
English (Proficient)
Portuguese (Basic)
Extracurricular Activity
Campus Coordinator
Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Fulbright Association, University of Illinois · Illinois, USA
- Expanding campus Fulbright presence to ensure students and faculty are aware of available resources and events.
- Strengthening local Chapter ties to bridge institutional programming with the Fulbright community.
Transportation Representative
Dec 2024 – Present
CEE Graduate Student Advisory Committee · Illinois, USA
- Served as a link between graduate students and department leadership, organizing socials, information sessions, and workshops.
Treasurer
Aug 2022 – May 2025
Peruvian Student Association at the University of Illinois · Illinois, USA
- Managed budgets, secured grants, and oversaw financial planning, expense tracking, and income reporting for the association.
President
May 2022 – Jul 2023
Fulbright Student Association at the University of Illinois · Illinois, USA
- Organized networking, professional and social activities for the Fulbright grantees.
Membership Director / Internal Communications Chair
Aug 2021 – May 2023
ASCE Transportation & Development Institute, Graduate Student Organization · Illinois, USA
- Oversaw and coordinated internal communication strategies, disseminated information about academic and social events.
- Oversaw recruitment, retention and engagement of members.
Member
Aug 2020 – Aug 2021
Project Management Institute (PMI), Lima Chapter · Lima, Peru
- Volunteered to organize professional events. Participated in the mentoring program as a mentee.
Member · Registered Engineer, CIP N°252041
Nov 2020 – Present
Colegio de Ingenieros del Peru (Peruvian Association of Engineers) · Lima, Peru
President / Founder
Mar 2014 – Jul 2020
Estructuras UNMSM · Lima, Peru
- Initiated and led an undergraduate research organization focused on social projects, academic events, and intercollege activities.
Journal Articles
For full citations and presentations, see Publications.
- Al-Qadi I., Diab L., Cardenas J. and Hafeez M. (2026) Innovative Flexible Pavements: Energy-Efficient and Resilient for Future Mobility. 12th BCRRA. Under Review.
- Hafeez M., Al-Qadi I., Cardenas J., Jayme A. and Hernandez J. (2026) Electric Truck Adoption: Infrastructure Energy Burden and Economic Impacts. ASCE J. Transp. Eng. Under Review.
- Cardenas J., Jayme A., Hernandez J. and Al-Qadi I. (2026) Quantification of Truck Electrification Damage to Flexible Pavements. Transportation Research Record. Under Review.
- Jayme A., Cardenas J., Hernandez J. and Al-Qadi I. (2026) Relative Flexible Pavement Distress due to Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks. Transportation Research Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981251404350
- Cardenas J., Jayme A., Hernandez J. and Al-Qadi I. (2025) Flexible Pavement Damage Quantification for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks. ASCE Pavements Conference 2025. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784486214.059
- Singh A., Khan A., Cardenas J. and Al-Qadi I. (2025) Effect of Road Roughness on E-Truck Energy Consumption. International J. Pavement Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2025.2528982
- Cardenas J. and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Impact of Road Roughness on Tire-Pavement Contact Stresses During Vehicle Maneuvering. ASCE J. Eng. Mech. https://doi.org/10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-7900
- Hernandez J., Jayme A., Cardenas J. and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Effect of Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles on Tire-Pavement Contact Forces. ASCE J. Eng. Mech. https://doi.org/10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-7835
- Cardenas J. and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Impact of Dynamic Wheel Loading on Flexible Pavement Responses for Non-Free Rolling Conditions. Transportation Research Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981241242378
Presentations
For full list and conference details, see Publications.
- Al-Qadi I., Diab L., Cardenas J. and Hafeez M. (2026) Innovative Flexible Pavements: Energy-Efficient and Resilient for Future Mobility. 12th BCRRA. Keynote Session. Jun 2026.
- Cardenas J., Jayme A., Hernandez J. and Al-Qadi I. (2026) Quantification of Truck Electrification Damage to Flexible Pavements. TRB 2026. Poster Session, Accelerated Pavement Testing (4082). Jan 2026.
- Hafeez M., Al-Qadi I., Cardenas J., Jayme A. and Hernandez J. (2026) Infrastructure Energy Burden and Economic Impacts due to Electric Truck Adoption. TRB 2026. Poster Session, Pavement Rehabilitation (4085). Jan 2026.
- Cardenas J., Jayme A., Hernandez J. and Al-Qadi I. (2025) Flexible Pavement Damage Quantification for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks. ASCE International Conference on Transportation & Development, and Airfield & Highway Pavements Conference. Jun 2025.
- Hafeez M., Jayme A., Cardenas J., Hernandez J. and Al-Qadi I. (2025) Environmental Impact of Commercial E-Trucks on Flexible Pavement. ASCE ICTD & Pavements Conference. Jun 2025.
- Jayme A., Cardenas J., Hernandez J. and Al-Qadi I. (2025) Flexible Pavement Damage Quantification due to Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks. TRB 2025. Lectern Session, Event 2137. Jan 2025.
- Singh A., Khan A., Cardenas J. and Al-Qadi I. (2025) Effect of Road Roughness on E-Truck Energy Consumption. TRB 2025. Poster Session, Event 4048. Jan 2025.
- Hernandez J., Jayme A., Cardenas J., and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Electric Heavy Trucks — Impact on Pavement Damage. 65th Illinois Bituminous Paving Conference. Dec 2024.
- Cardenas J., and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Impact of Vehicular Maneuvering and Dynamic Loading on Flexible Pavements. ISAP 2024. Jun 2024.
- Singh A., Cardenas J. and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Numerical Modeling of Truck-Electrification-Induced Energy Loss in Highway Flexible Pavements. ASCE EMI 2024 Conference. May 2024.
- Hernandez J., Jayme A., Cardenas J., and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Effect of Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles on Pavement Contact Forces. TRB 2024. Lectern Session, Event 2020. Jan 2024.
- Cardenas J., and Al-Qadi I. (2024) Impact of Dynamic Wheel Loading on Flexible Pavement Responses for Non-Free Rolling Conditions. TRB 2024. Lectern Session, Event 2020. Jan 2024.
- Cardenas J., and Al-Qadi I. (2024) The Impact of Road Roughness on Tire-Pavement Contact Stresses During Vehicle Maneuvering. TRB 2024. Poster Session. Jan 2024.
Technical Reports
Illinois Center for Transportation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Jayme A., Hernandez J., Al-Qadi I., Cardenas J., Hafeez M., and Villamil W. (2025) Impact of Heavy Commercial Electric Vehicles on Flexible Pavements. ICT Project R27-252. ISSN:0197-9191. https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/25-003
- Al-Qadi I., Jayme A., Zhou Q., Cardenas J., Liu F., Singh A. (2024) Building Machine-learning-based Prediction Models for Computationally Efficient Airfield Pavement Analysis. Vol. II. ICT-R27-246. Under Review.