ASCE has honored George Deodatis, Ph.D., F.EMI, Dist.M.ASCE, with the 2024 Alfred M. Freudenthal Medal for excellence in developing probabilistic methods in civil engineering and engineering mechanics, emphasizing simulation of stochastic processes and fields to model loads and system properties, and quantifying the effect of input and system uncertainties on the random system response.
Deodatis has demonstrated research excellence in probabilistic methods, leadership in civil engineering, and a strong commitment to education and mentorship, all of which have made him one of the most impactful people in the engineering mechanics and reliability community. He has had a significant impact in three primary veins of probabilistic mechanics: (1) stochastic simulation of random fields and processes, including innovations in multidimensional fields, non-Gaussian marginal distribution, and nonstationarity; (2) stochastic finite element methods that map randomly varying constitutive properties to random output displacement; and (3) fragility functions for identifying the probability of failure of a structure given a particular hazard level, which has proven useful in real-world applications.
He has served as president of both the Engineering Mechanics Institute and the International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability.
The Alfred M. Freudenthal Medal recognizes distinguished achievement in safety and reliability studies applicable to any branch of civil engineering.
