Professor Saouma’s research interests include: 1. Computer (finite element) modeling of concrete material degradation (aging, corrosion) of major infrastructures (dams and nuclear reactors in particular) subjected to seismic load; 2. Theoretical, experimental and computational fracture mechanics as applied to various materials 3. Innovative (concrete) material testing, and large scale dynamic testing of structural components (real time hybrid simulation) 4. Interaction of earthquake and culture (myths, religion, art) 5. Performance based engineering 6. Hand based analysis of historic iconic structures; 7. Arches and Shells.
keywords
concrete deterioration, safety assessment of dams and nuclear reactors, experimental-numerical and theoretical fracture mechanics, innovative (hybrid) structural testing, computer modeling
CVEN 3525 - Structural Analysis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2022
Studies structural analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate systems, deflections, energy methods, and force and stiffness methods.
CVEN 4525 - Computational Structural Analysis 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021
Covers the principles and formulations of the direct stiffness method and its transition to the finite element method with the computational modelling and analysis of framed structures in 2D plane and 3D space. The dynamic analysis and the introduction to the nonlinear structural problems are provided. Familiarity with the modern computing and programming environments is increased to address the needs in the structural engineering and mechanics area. Computer programming is applied to the solution of problems in structural analysis. Same as CVEN 5525.
CVEN 5525 - Computational Structural Analysis 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022
Covers the principles and formulations of the direct stiffness method and its transition to the finite element method with the computational modelling and analysis of framed structures in 2D plane and 3D space. The dynamic analysis and the introduction to the nonlinear structural problems are provided. Familiarity with the modern computing and programming environments is increased to address the needs in the structural engineering and mechanics area. Computer programming is applied to the solution of problems in structural analysis. Same as CVEN 4525.
CVEN 6525 - Nonlinear Analysis of Framed Structures
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Fall 2020
Covers theoretical underpinnings of nonlinear analysis of framed structure in terms of the direct stiffness method along with its transition to the finite element method. Computational modelling and nonlinear analysis of geometric and material nonlinearities are explored. Familiarity with the modern computing and programming environments is increased to address the needs in the structural engineering and mechanics area. Computer programming is applied to the solution of problems in nonlinear structural analysis.
CVEN 6595 - Earthquake Engineering
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Analyzes and designs structures for earthquake load covering: properties of earthquake ground motions, ground motion prediction equations, seismic hazard analysis, response spectra, response of linear and nonlinear structures, construction of design spectra, seismic design methods, and building code requirements.
CVEN 7161 - Fracture Mechanics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2020
Includes three parts: 1) fundamentals through rigorous mathematical formulations of linear/nonlinear elastic fracture mechanics, 2) materials' theoretical strength, including metals, granular materials, polymers and steel, 3) numerical (finite element) methods in fracture mechanics. Heavy emphasis on project and independent work.
