Fluid and structural mechanics are the basis of understanding weather-related hazards, as well as designing infrastructure to protect people and property from these hazards. After presenting the equatlions governing stability of floodwalls and breakwaters subject to hydraulic forces, I introduce a case study of the 2011 Japan tsunami's impact on a bridge deck that failed. Next, I show the equations used to simulate tsunamis and storm surge, and apply these to a study of flooding in Florida due to Hurricane Irma in 2017. Finally, I introduce the hydropower equation and apply it to an investigation of Michigan's potential for expanding pumped hydro energy storage to aid the renewable energy transition.

[Contact: S. Alben]