New Publication in Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics
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I am pleased to share our recent publication in Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics:
"Weak-Story Mitigation and Drift Redistribution in Moment-Resisting Frames"
In this study, we investigate strategies for mitigating weak-story behavior and improving the distribution of story drifts in moment-resisting frames. The work examines how structural modifications can redistribute seismic demands and reduce localized drift concentrations, with the goal of improving the overall seismic performance and resilience of the structural system.
The paper is published in Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics and is available through the links below:
This September, I attended the 19th World Conference on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control of Structures (19WCSI), hosted at the University of California, Berkeley. I presented two papers:
"Seismic Isolation of Bridges with Damped Rocking Piers: A Case Study" In this work, I examined slender, free-standing rocking bridge piers equipped with vertical hysteretic or viscous dampers, using a nonlinear dynamic formulation calibrated to the South Rangitikei Rail Bridge. The study shows that appropriately tuned vertical damping can control pier displacements and forces while preserving self-centering.
"Retrofit of Moment Resisting Frames with Rocking Walls" This paper investigated stepping rocking shear walls as a retrofit strategy for a 9-story steel moment-resisting frame using nonlinear response-history analysis and FEMA P-58 performance assessment. The results indicate that rocking walls effectively suppress weak-story mechanisms, reduce residual drifts, and lower seismic damage probabilities and repair costs relative to the unretrofitted building.
This July, I attended the 11th International Conference on Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Engineering Structures (EVACES 2025), held in Porto, Portugal. I presented my work titled: "Vibration Based Damage Detection: Experimental and Finite Element Case Study."
It was a fantastic opportunity to share our recent findings with the international experimental dynamics community and to engage in discussions on system identification, modal testing, and emerging sensing technologies.
The past few weeks have been incredibly rewarding as I had the opportunity to attend and present at two major conferences: the ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) 2025 Conference and the 13th International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability (ICOSSAR 2025).
At the EMI 2025 Conference, held in late May in Anaheim, CA and hosted by the University of California, Irvine, I co-organized and chaired a technical session titled: "Innovative Response Modification Methods and Devices for Resilient Structures and Civil Infrastructures: Experimental, Mathematical, and Numerical Advances."
This session brought together researchers from around the world who are working on advancing the seismic performance and resilience of structures through innovative technologies and methods. I also presented my latest research on: "Retrofit of Existing Structures with Rocking Walls" — a study that integrates numerical modeling and experimental validation to investigate how rocking wall systems can significantly reduce residual drifts and enhance the post-earthquake functionality of buildings.
Shortly after EMI, I had the privilege of participating in ICOSSAR 2025, held in early June at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. ICOSSAR is a premier international forum focused on safety, reliability, and risk-informed decision-making in civil infrastructure systems. It was an honor to present my ongoing research in this global setting and to engage with leading scholars and engineers working at the forefront of uncertainty quantification, structural reliability, and resilient infrastructure systems.
Both conferences offered invaluable opportunities to share ideas, gain insights from leading experts, and build new collaborations.
We are excited to announce that the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference 2025 is now accepting abstract submissions! We are organizing a mini-symposium titled "Innovative Response Modification Methods and Devices for Resilient Structures and Civil Infrastructures: Experimental, Mathematical, and Numerical Advances".
