Civil Engineering Seminar: José L. Torero

Description

The Department of Civil Engineering welcomes José L. Torero, a professor of Fire Protection, Civil, and Environmental Engineering and the director of the Center for Disaster Resilience at the University of Maryland, to give a seminar titled "Enabling Structural Optimization by Introducing Quantitative Fire Dynamics."

Abstract: Structural optimization is a complex processes by which choices in geometry and materials result from a delicate balance of a detailed cost function. Sophisticated mathematical tools have been developed to achieve a solution that adequately analyzes all relevant variables. In addition, the cost function is expected to incorporate all solicitations and constraints the structure might need to respond to. Simultaneous management of the relevant variables, solicitations, and constraints can deliver an optimized solution. Situations where variables are inappropriately described, solicitations are poorly characterized, or when relative precision is not carefully considered will lead to an incorrect solution. In this presentation, fire is presented as a thermal solicitation that challenges existing structural optimization frameworks. A survey of the tools that can be used to characterize the event and its impact on the structure will be used to challenge the concept of fire as a load. Precision and outcome of tools used to assess structural performance will be contrasted with the fire dynamics tools and their capacity to provide the inputs necessary for a detailed analysis of structural behavior. Finally, the underpinnings of a new framework for structural optimization that includes fire behavior will be introduced.