Michel Bruneau bio

Michel Bruneau, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Professsor, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental

Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

Presentation: Steel Frame Longevity
Barring extreme events that the structure was never designed to resist, corrosion is the more widely recognized threat to longevity of steel frames. In principle, proper maintenance should mitigate this threat, but what are the risks if maintenance is deferred? This presentation by a leading researcher will review the results of a study conducted to investigate whether corroded steel remains sufficiently ductile to resist the extreme loadings that demand ductile performance. Since the longevity of steel frames is tied to ductile performance, the presentation will also explore whether any of the lesser-known properties of steel---stress corrosion, lamellar tearing, notch toughness, and other phenomena--- can lead to brittle behavior.

Brief Bio
Michel Bruneau, Ph.D., P.Eng., has conducted extensive research on the evaluation and retrofit of existing bridges and buildings subjected to large destructive forces up to collapse. This research has encompassed the development and large-scale experimental validation of various metallic energy-dissipating design concepts to enhance the resilience of structures against extreme events. This work has contributed to the adoption of special design requirements for ductile steel walls, ductile bridge diaphragms, tubular eccentrically braced frames, structural fuses, and controlled-rocking piers.

Recent focus has been on the development of multi-hazard resistant design concepts capable of simultaneously providing an adequate level of protection against collapse under both seismic and blast loading. Dr. Bruneau has conducted numerous reconnaissance visits to disaster stricken areas, and is a member of many professional and technical code-writing committees. He also served as Director (2003-2008) and Deputy Director (1998-2003) of the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, a National Center of Excellence funded by the National Science Foundation, the Federal Highway Administration, and many others. His past service to the profession include participation in many expert peer review panels, project advisory committees, special project design teams, conference steering and advisory committees, and journal editorial boards. Prior to his appointment in academia, he practiced as a consultant for the firms of Morrison Hershfield Limited (Toronto, Canada) and Buckland and Taylor (Vancouver, Canada).