Events Calendar

CEE Ph.D. Seminar

Speaker: Winnie Kam, ENE Ph. D. and Mehran Rahmani, CE Ph.D. Candidate,

Talk Title: Particulate Matter (PM) Exposure for Commuters in Los Angeles: Chemical Characterization and Implications to Public Health

Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) is a major airborne pollutant in urban areas and contributes to adverse health outcomes as well as environmental effects such as visibility. Sources of PM include both anthropogenic (vehicular emissions, industrial activity) and natural causes (crustal materials, sea salt). The composition of PM is highly complex and varies depending on local sources, source strength, and atmospheric processes such regional transport and gas-to-particle partitioning. This talk focuses on the exposure assessment size-fractionated PM for three private commute microenvironments in Los Angeles: a freeway with high drayage truck fraction (I-710), a freeway with the low drayage truck fraction (I-110), and major surface streets (Wilshire and Sunset Boulevards). A major sampling campaign was conducted to collect time-integrated PM for the purpose of a comprehensive chemical analysis including major PM components (organic carbon and elemental carbon), inorganic ions, metals and trace elements, and organic species. Depending on the mode of commute, commuters may be exposed to PM of various species and concentration levels. Thus, understanding the chemical composition of PM for various commute microenvironments is essential in assessing passenger exposure.

Advisor: Prof. Constantinos Sioutas


Second Speaker:
Mehran Rahmani, CE Ph.D.Candidate

Title: Recent Advances in Wave Travel Time Based Methodology for Structural Health Monitoring and Early Earthquake Damage Detection in Buildings

Abstract:
Recent advances in the development of a wave travel time methodology for earthquake damage detection in buildings, for use in rapid assessment of structural health following an earthquake, are reviewed. Its main advantages over the modal methods are the insensitivity to the effects of soil-structure interaction, local nature, and robustness when applied to real structures and strong earthquake response. Three algorithms are reviewed, which identify wave velocity profiles of vertically propagating shear and torsional waves through the building by fitting a layered shear beam/torsional shaft model in observed building earthquake response, and a selection of results of their application to three buildings: Los Angeles 54-story office building (steel), Millikan Library in Pasadena (RC), and Sherman Oaks 12-story office building (RC), damaged by the San Fernando earthquake of 1971. The appropriateness of the model for different types of buildings, and the accuracy of the identification are discussed.

Advisor Prof. Maria Todorovska



Biography:

Location: SLH 102

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes