Description
PREP Research Associate
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research Title:
Characterization of Tornado Loads and Their Effects on Structures
The work will entail:
The project will focus on the characterization of tornadoes and their effects on structures, including (i) analyzing the wind tunnel testing data from tornado simulators, and (ii) developing performance-based design standard provisions on tornado loads for structural design. The research work will include (i) development of improved calculation methods and standard provisions for tornado loads, (ii) formulation of improved tornado uplift pressure coefficients based on analysis of data from tornado simulators and wind tunnels, (iii) comparison of tornado pressure coefficients obtained from tornado simulators with those from Boundary Layer Wind Tunnels and existing ASCE 7-22 provisions, and (iv) development of a national database and map with a user-friendly web interface of tornado strikes on critical facilities.
U.S. Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
§ Developing procedures for estimating tornado loads based on experimental datasets from tornado simulators.
§ Developing performance-based design standard provisions on tornado loads.
§ Conducting tree-fall analysis to estimate tornado wind speeds and damage patterns.
§ Improving the ASCE 7-22 tornado load provisions using field measurements and wind tunnel testing data.
§ Analyzing tornado simulation data and comparing them with boundary-layer wind data measured from wind tunnel tests.
Qualifications
§ Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
§ Prior research experience and contributions in structural engineering, wind engineering, and scientific computing, including at least five peer-reviewed journal papers on the estimation of tornado loads and damage patterns in structural wind engineering.
§ At least three years of experience with the ASCE 7 Wind Load Subcommittee for the development of the tornado load provisions in the ASCE 7 Standard.
§ Prior experience in field studies or failure investigations.
Application Instructions
Please upload the following with your application:
§ Curriculum vitae
*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume.
• Self portraits
• Phone number
• Home address/Country
• Citizenship status
• Languages spoken
• Sex/Gender
• Privacy Act Statement
