Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
2040 GG Brown
2350 Hayward, 2040 GG Brown Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125(734) 764-4462
My research interests are in the general area of extreme load mitigation (earthquake and wind), structural response reduction through innovative systems, steel system design with hollow structural sections, welded systems (steel structures and aluminum ship hulls), and simulation of interdependencies toward community resilience. My research over the years has involved large-scale experimental testing, small-scale mechanical behavior studies, and high fidelity simulations. Recent studies have focused on the application of innovative materials (polymer foam, metal foam, honeycomb materials) to control structural response under seismic and wind loads and understanding the behavior of deep, slender wide flange sections under large axial loads and bending moments. Research on steel tube-based seismic moment connections has provided the impetus toward a more diverse and increased use of hollow structural sections. Collaborations have included working with members of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering to look at under-matched aluminum welds for ship structures.
Selected Recently Funded Projects: