George Deodatis

George Deodatis

Research Interest

Safety and Reliability
Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment and Mitigation

George Deodatis uses probabilistic methods for the study of civil infrastructure systems subjected to natural and technological hazards. He conducts research to determine the reliability and safety of structures and to perform risk assessment and management of structural systems.

He also studies the effects of climate change and extreme weather on the civil infrastructure with the goal of establishing adaptation and mitigation strategies. Much of Deodatis’s research is based on introducing novel techniques for simulation of stochastic processes and fields to model uncertain earthquake, wind, and wave loads, as well as material and soil properties, for applications in earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, offshore engineering, wind engineering, environmental engineering, materials science, atmospheric science, oceanography, finance, and other fields.

Deodatis received a five-year diploma in civil engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, in 1982, and MS and PhD degrees in civil engineering from Columbia University in 1984 and 1987, respectively. He started his academic career at Princeton University where he served as assistant professor and associate professor (with tenure). He moved to Columbia University in 2002 where he served as associate professor and professor, before becoming the Santiago and Robertina Calatrava Family Professor in 2007. In 2009, he was elected President of the International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability. In 2017, he was elected President of the Engineering Mechanics Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers. His many honors and awards include Columbia University’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching, 2009; Princeton University’s Presidential Award for Distinguished Teaching, 1995; the International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability Junior Research Prize, 1997; the American Society of Civil Engineers Walter Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize, 1998; and the National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award, 1992. Deodatis is a Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

 

  • Research associate, Princeton University, 1988–1991
  • Postdoctoral research scientist, Columbia University, 1987–1988
  • Chair of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University, 2013–2019
  • Santiago and Robertina Calatrava Family Professor, Columbia University, 2007–
  • Professor, Columbia University, 2002–2007
  • Associate professor, Columbia University, 2002
  • Associate professor (with tenure), Princeton University, 1997–2001
  • Assistant professor, Princeton University, 1991-1997
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability
  • Engineering Mechanics Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Fellow, 2014.
  • Society of Columbia Graduates Great Teacher Award, 2011.
  • Columbia University’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching, 2009.
  • Columbia University’s Engineering School Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, 2003.
  • Princeton University's E-Council Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2001.
  • American Society of Civil Engineers Walter Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize, 1998.
  • Educator of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers, New Jersey Section, 1999.
  • International Association for Structural Safety & Reliability Junior Research Prize, 1997.
  • Princeton University's President's Award for Distinguished Teaching, 1995.
  • National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award, 1992.

 

  • Shinozuka, M. and Deodatis, G. (1991). “Simulation of Stochastic Processes by Spectral Representation,” Applied Mechanics Reviews, ASME, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 191-204.
  • Deodatis, G. (1996). “Non-Stationary Stochastic Vector Processes: Seismic Ground Motion Applications,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 149-167.
  • Deodatis, G. (1996). “Simulation of Ergodic Multi-Variate Stochastic Processes,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 122, No. 8, pp. 778-787.
  • Shinozuka, M. and Deodatis, G. (1996). “Simulation of Multi-Dimensional Gaussian Stochastic Fields by Spectral Representation,” Applied Mechanics Reviews, ASME, Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 29-53.
  • Shinozuka, M. and Deodatis, G. (1988). “Response Variability of Stochastic Finite Element Systems,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 114, No. 3, pp. 499-519.
  • Popescu, R., Deodatis, G. and Nobahar, A. (2005). “Effects of Random Heterogeneity of Soil Properties on Bearing Capacity,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 324-341.
  • Deodatis, G. and Micaletti, R.C. (2001). “Simulation of Highly Skewed Non-Gaussian Stochastic Processes,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 127, No. 12, pp. 1284-1295.
  • Deodatis, G. (1991). “Weighted Integral Method. I: Stochastic Stiffness Matrix,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 117, No. 8, pp. 1851-1864.
  • Popescu, R., Prevost, J.H. and Deodatis, G. (1997). “Effects of Spatial Variability on Soil Liquefaction: Some Design Recommendations,” Geotechnique, Vol. XLVII, No. 5, pp. 1019-1036.
  • Popescu, R., Deodatis, G. and Prevost, J.H. (1998). “Simulation of Homogeneous NonGaussian Stochastic Vector Fields,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 1-13.
  • Smyth, A.W., Altay, G., Deodatis, G., Erdik, M., Franco, G., Gülkan, P., Kunreuther, H., Luş, H., Mete, E., Seeber, L. and Yüzügüllü, O. (2004). “Probabilistic Benefit-Cost Analysis for Earthquake Damage Mitigation: Evaluating Measures for Apartment Houses in Turkey,” Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp 171-203.
  • Shields, M.D., Deodatis, G. and Bocchini, P. (2011). “A Simple and Efficient Methodology to Approximate a General Non-Gaussian Stationary Stochastic Process by a Translation Process,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 511-519.
  • Cacciola, P. and Deodatis, G. (2011). “A Method for Generating Fully Non-Stationary and Spectrum-Compatible Ground Motion Vector Processes,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 351-360.
  • Popescu, R., Prevost, J.H., Deodatis, G. and Chakrabortty, P. (2006). “Dynamics of Nonlinear Porous Media with Applications to Soil Liquefaction,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 26, Nos. 6-7, pp. 648-665.
  • Koutsourelakis, S., Prevost, J-H. and Deodatis, G. (2002). “Risk Assessment of an Interacting Structure-Soil System Due to Liquefaction,” Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 851-879.
  • Popescu, R., Prevost, J.H. and Deodatis, G. (2005). “3D Effects in Seismic Liquefaction of Stochastically Variable Soil Deposits,” Geotechnique, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 21-31.
  • Hiriyur, B., Waisman, H. and Deodatis, G. (2011). “Uncertainty Quantification in Homogenization of Heterogeneous Microstructures Modeled by XFEM” International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 88, No.3, pp. 257-278.
  • Bocchini, P. and Deodatis, G. (2008). “Critical Review and Latest Developments of a Class of Simulation Algorithms for Strongly Non-Gaussian Random Fields,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 393-407.
  • Graham, L. and Deodatis, G. (2001). “Response and Eigenvalue Analysis of Stochastic Finite Element Systems with Multiple Correlated Material and Geometric Properties,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 11-29.
  • Savvas, D., Stefanou, G., Papadrakakis, M. and Deodatis, G. (2014). “Homogenization of Random Heterogeneous Media with Inclusions of Arbitrary Shape Modeled by XFEM,” Computational Mechanics, Vol. 54, pp. 1221-1235.
  • Graham, L. and Deodatis, G. (1998). “Variability Response Functions for Stochastic Plate Bending Problems,” Structural Safety, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 167-188.
  • Tantala, M., Nordenson, G., Deodatis, G. and Jacob, K. (2008). “Earthquake Loss Estimation for the New York City Metropolitan Region,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 28, Nos. 10-11, pp. 812-835.
  • Wall, F.J. and Deodatis, G. (1994). “Variability Response Functions of Stochastic Plane Stress/Strain Problems,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 120, No. 9, pp. 1963-1982.
  • Shields, M. and Deodatis, G. (2013). “A Simple and Efficient Methodology to Approximate a General Non-Gaussian Stationary Stochastic Vector Process by a Translation Process with Applications in Wind Velocity Simulation,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 31, pp. 19-29.
  • Moropoulou, A., Polikreti, K., Ruf, V. and Deodatis, G. (2003). “San Francisco Monastery, Quito, Equador: Characterisation of Building Materials, Damage Assessment and Conservation Considerations,” Journal of Cultural Heritage, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 101-108.
  • Vlachos, C., Papakonstantinou, K. and Deodatis, G. (2016). “A Multi-Modal Analytical Non-Stationary Spectral Model for Characterization and Stochastic Simulation of Earthquake Ground Motions,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 80, pp. 177-191.
  • Benowitz, B. and Deodatis, G. (2015). “Simulation of Wind Velocities on Long Span Structures: A Novel Stochastic Wave Based Model,” Wind Engineering & Industrial Aerodynamics, Vol. 147, pp. 154-163.
  • Shields, M.D. and Deodatis, G. (2013). “Estimation of Evolutionary Spectra for Simulation of Non-Stationary and Non-Gaussian Stochastic Processes,” Computers and Structures, Vol. 126, pp. 149-163.
  • Gerasimidis, S., Deodatis, G., Kontoroupi, T. and Ettouney, M.  (2015). “Loss-of-Stability-Induced Progressive Collapse Modes in 3D Steel Moment Frames,” Journal of Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 334-344.
  • Deodatis, G., Asada, H. and Ito, S. (1996). “Reliability of Aircraft Structures Under Non-Periodic Inspection: A Bayesian Approach,” Journal of Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Vol. 53, No. 5, pp. 789-805.
  • Vlachos, C., Papakonstantinou, K. and Deodatis, G. (2018). “Predictive Model for Site Specific Simulation of Ground Motions Based on Earthquake Scenarios,” Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 195-218.
  • Deodatis, G., Graham-Brady, L. and Micaletti, R. (2003). “A Hierarchy of Upper Bounds on the Response of Stochastic Systems With Large Variation of their Properties: Random Variable Case,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 349-364.
  • Wu, J., McAuliffe, C., Waisman, H. and Deodatis, G. (2016). “Stochastic Analysis of Polymer Composites Failure in Large Deformations Modeled by a Phase Field Model,” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 312, pp. 596-634.
  • Lopeman, M., Deodatis, G., and Franco, G.  (2015). “Extreme Storm Surge Hazard Estimation in Lower Manhattan: Clustered Separated Peaks-Over-Threshold Simulation (CSPS) Method,” Natural Hazards, Vol. 78, pp. 355-391.
  • Arwade, S. and Deodatis, G. (2011). “Variability Response Functions for Effective Material Properties,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 174-181.
  • Bocchini, P., Frangopol, D. and Deodatis, G. (2011). “A Random Field Based Technique for the Efficiency Enhancement of Bridge Network Life-Cycle Analysis Under Uncertainty,” Engineering Structures, Vol. 33, No. 12, pp. 3208-3217.
  • Jacob, K., Deodatis, G., Atlas, J., Whitcomb, M., Lopeman, M., Markogiannaki, O., Kennett, Z., Morla, A., Leichenko, R. and Vancura, P. (2011). “Responding to Climate Change in New York State: The ClimAID Integrated Assessment for Effective Climate Change Adaptation in New York State: Transportation,” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. 1244, No. 1, pp. 299-362.
  • Teferra, K., Arwade, S.R. and Deodatis, G. (2014). “Generalized Variability Response Functions for Two-Dimensional Elasticity Problems,” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 272, pp. 121-137.
  • Teferra, K. and Deodatis, G. (2012). “Variability Response Functions for Beams with Nonlinear Constitutive Laws,” Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 29, pp. 139-148.
  • Miranda, M. and Deodatis, G. (2012). “Generalized Variability Response Functions for Beam Structures with Stochastic Parameters,” Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 138, No. 9, pp. 1165-1185.
  • Miura, Y., Qureshi, H., Ryoo, C., Dinenis, P.C., Li, J., Mandli, K.T., Deodatis, G., Bienstock, D., Lazrus, H. and Morss, R. (2021). “A Methodological Framework for Determining an Optimal Coastal Protection Strategy Against Storm Surges and Sea Level Rise,” Natural Hazards, Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-04661-5.
  • Miura, Y., Dinenis, C.D., Mandli, K.T., Deodatis, G. and Bienstock, D. (2021). “Optimization of Coastal Protections in the Presence of Climate Change,” Frontiers in Climate, Vol. 3, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2021.613293.