Invited Speaker Series Webinar with Dr. Alan Jeary of STRAAM Group

Webinar Title: “Recent experience with decoding information from the performance of structures”

Speaker: Dr. Alan Jeary, STRAAM Group

The talk will discuss the use of low amplitude measurements of dynamic behavior to establish a risk ratio for a structure. This approach has been applied to buildings successfully and to a small number of bridges. The principles are based on well established techniques that have been used for several decades. What is new is the ability to analyze both the frequency response and the associated damping ratio for their non-linear characteristics. Armed with this type of analysis it is possible to establish the comparison of the ‘as is’ behavior with that required by code. Additionally, the use of the low amplitude response makes it possible to make the measurements without any closure of lanes of traffic. Further, it is possible for the individual risk associated with individual bridges to be established quickly, and after any incident (e.g. wind storm, earthquake or gradual deterioration) to establish the changes in the risk ratio compared with the time at which the original measurements and analysis were made. Outliers, as identified in the Infrastructure Report Card (by the ASCE) can be easily identified. This information can inform the managers of a city so that a data based assessment of resilience can be made quickly, efficiently and with precision. Such an approach can also be used to identify those bridges that have a higher risk associated with their condition, and allows maintenance and remediation to be based on informed decision making.

About the Speaker

Dr. Alan Jeary has over 35 years of experience in the management and performance of investigation services, structural engineering services and wind engineering for a broad range of critical infrastructure projects throughout the world.  His many professional highlights include the Telford Gold Medal from the Institution of Civil Engineers, United Kingdom in 1981. Dr. Jeary holds two doctorates (a PhD and a Higher doctorate, both from University College London) and has published over 300 papers on various studies and analysis of structures to establish their dynamic characteristics.  Dr. Jeary helped establish the Australia, Hong Kong and new Euro-codes for wind and he has served on numerous engineering committees.  He has taught at several universities, and has held chairs in Hong Kong and Australia as well as a visiting position in Tokyo). He has also consulted for the largest structural engineering firms in the world. During the last year Dr. Jeary and his company were awarded a Professional excellence award by the Australian Institute of Building for work on the subject of today’s talk. He holds numerous professional registrations and was made an officer of the order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday honours 2015, for services to engineering.