Combined Effects of Sea Level Rise and Hurricanes on NYC’s Built Infrastructure: Optimal Adaptation Strategies

The Penn State Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is hosting special guest speaker Professor George Deodatis, Santiago and Robertina Calatrava Family Endowed Chair at the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Columbia University. This event is part of the CEE Virtual Seminar Series. Registration is required.

Abstract

The presentation addresses the threat from the combination of sea level rise and storm-induced flooding to interdependent infrastructure, including its above- and below-ground components. The ultimate objective is to establish optimal adaptation/mitigation strategies given a prescribed budget. Strategies in this context include, but are not restricted to, building sea-walls or other physical protective mechanisms, as well as strategic retreat. The methodology used optimizes strategies to maximize their protective abilities over time and space constrained by budgetary considerations.