Invited Seminar by Prof. Javad Hashemi

Abstract: In recent years, hybrid simulation has emerged as a cutting-edge technology for evaluating seismic performance of complex structural systems, particularly in regions prone to seismic activity. This novel technique combines the adaptability and cost-effectiveness of computer simulation with the authenticity of large-scale experimental testing. This presentation introduces the revolutionary Multi-Axis Substructure Testing (MAST) system, a $2 million state-of-the-art hybrid testing facility at Swinburne University of Technology, in Melbourne, Australia. The MAST system provides a unique platform for large-scale 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) hybrid testing, offering comprehensive evaluations of structures under realistic seismic conditions. The seminar will showcase the capabilities of the MAST system through case studies of various complex structures, highlighting the system's ability to accurately predict structural responses to seismic events. The discussion will also explore the broader implications of hybrid simulation for advancing structural and earthquake engineering practices in the future.

Short Bio: Dr. Javad Hashemi is an Associate Professor of Structural Engineering and the Deputy Director of the $15 million Smart Structures Laboratory at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Sharif University of Technology in Iran, and a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in the USA. Dr. Hashemi is a Chartered Member of Engineers Australia and the National Engineering Register (CPEng NER). During his doctoral studies, he served in a multi-institutional research project, led by Stanford University and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Javad’s decade-long research focuses on the development of large-scale hybrid simulation and the advancement of hybrid testing facilities for resilient and sustainable structures and infrastructures. His significant contributions to this field, particularly through high-impact collaborative research projects, have established him as a leading researcher in both Australia and internationally.