Research

Research projects

On-going

PI: Risk Assessment of Traffic Accidents on Bridges Considering Changes in Road Friction Coefficients During Rainfall, Chungbuk National University (Mar. 2024 - Aug. 2025)
Co-PI: Real-Time Risk Management Technology for Vehicle Safety on Sea-Crossing Bridges for Strong Winds Integrating Road Surface Wetness (May. 2024 - Apr. 2027)

Completed

PI: Resilience Quantification of Heterogeneous Community to Typhoon Winds based on Distributed Simulation, National Research Foundation (Sep. 2022 – Aug. 2023)

Transportation safety against adverse weather condition

Our research assesses the risks to vehicles traveling across bridges, with a strong focus on hazards from extreme wind conditions, such as typhoons and strong gusts. We have developed a systematic approach that combines real-world measurements, wind-tunnel testing, and vehicle dynamics simulations to evaluate and mitigate wind-induced risks. The research has been successfully applied to major Korean bridges, such as Seohae Bridge and Gwangandaegyo Bridge, where we conducted detailed risk assessments and root-cause analyses for specific vehicle incidents. Expanding on this foundation, we now aim to address a broader range of adverse weather conditions, including rainfall and snowfall, using comprehensive empirical data. This approach will enable us to provide robust, data-driven strategies to improve vehicle safety across varied climatic scenarios.

Selected publications

Kim, S., Cheon. H., Jung, S., Kim., H. (2024). Wind-Induced Accidents on the Transition Section of a Cable-Stayed Bridge: Cause and Remedy. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 29(3), 05023013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/JBENF2.BEENG-6519
Kim, S., Seyedi., M., Kim, H. * (2022). Risk Assessment of Wind-Induced Vehicle Accidents on Long-Span Bridges and Mitigation Strategies. Journal of Structural Engineering., 148,10, 04022155. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003455
Kim, S., Yoo, C., & Kim, H. * (2016). Vulnerability Assessment for the Hazards of Crosswinds when Vehicles Cross a Bridge Deck. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 156, 62-71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2016.07.005 (Open Access)

Typhoon/Hurricane risk assessment for a local community

Our research focuses on assessing the risk of hurricanes and typhoons for local communities, using data-driven frameworks that integrate AI-based 3D building modeling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and enhanced sampling techniques. Starting with individual building assessments, we estimate hurricane-induced damage by analyzing the specific geometric characteristics and interdependencies of buildings within communities. Expanding on this foundation, future work will incorporate storm surge modeling and real-time tracking of typhoon positions to enable predictive risk assessments. This approach aims to advance high-resolution, real-time vulnerability estimation, contributing to resilient infrastructure and informed disaster preparedness

Selected publications

Kim, S., Ding., F., Spence., S. * (2024). AI-enabled damage estimation of hurricane-impacted residential communities through CFD simulations and stratified sampling. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 251, 105806. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2024.105806

Effects of upwind heterogeneous terrain on wind distribution and pressures

Our research investigates how heterogeneous upwind terrain influences wind distribution and building surface pressures, with a specific focus on complex terrain transitions from smoother, open land to rougher urban areas. Through extensive wind-tunnel testing, we examine wind speed profiles, turbulence intensity, and the distribution of wind pressures on both low-rise and midrise buildings across varied terrain configurations. This work highlights significant differences in wind behavior due to terrain complexity, emphasizing the effects of turbulence induced by heterogeneous roughness. By comparing heterogeneous terrains with simplified homogeneous setups, our findings offer valuable insights into accurate wind load predictions for urban planning and structural design in complex environments.

Selected publications

Kim, S., Alinejad, N., Jung, S., & Kim, H. K. (2024). The effect of open-to-suburban terrain transition on wind pressures on a low-rise building. Journal of Building Engineering, 85, 108651. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108651
An, L. S., Alinejad, N., Kim, S., Jung, S. * (2023). Experimental Study on Wind Characteristics and Prediction of Mean Wind Profile over Complex Heterogeneous Terrain. Building and Environment, 110719. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110719

Resilience assessment of electrical grid for typhoons

This study evaluates the resilience of electrical grids to typhoon impacts, integrating a multi-faceted approach to assess vulnerabilities across extensive regions. Using satellite imagery, field surveys, and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, we create detailed spatial representations of the grid, pinpointing critical components such as substations, transmission lines, and distribution nodes. For each key component, wind speed amplification factors are calculated, accounting for localized topographic effects and exposure variations. With these factors, a Monte Carlo simulation framework estimates failure probabilities, outage durations, and recovery times for essential nodes under varying typhoon intensities. This research ultimately aims to provide a data-driven basis for proactive resilience planning, identifying high-risk components and guiding targeted reinforcement strategies to enhance grid stability against future typhoon events.

Selected publications

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