Infrastructure Resilience and Innovation

Infrastructure Resilience and Innovation

February 25, 2022

Thomas O’Rourke, Thomas R. Briggs Professor in Engineering Emeritus,
Cornell University

Abstract: The effects of natural hazards with respect to infrastructure resilience are reviewed with examples related to earthquakes, hurricanes, and fire. Infrastructure resilience with respect to natural hazards vs climate change is discussed. Innovation with respect to increasing the resilience of pipelines and tunnels is examined. A case history of the restoration of the Canarsie Tunnel, which was flooded by Hurricane Sandy, is given. The agents of change that lead to improved policies and approaches are explored, including the technical, institutional, and social challenges of introducing new technologies and engaging community support.

Bio: Tom O’Rourke is the Thomas R. Briggs Professor of Engineering Emeritus in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, Distinguished Member of ASCE, International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Member of the Mexican Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He authored or co-authored over 420 technical publications, and has received numerous awards for his research. His research interests cover geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, underground construction technologies, engineering for large, geographically distributed systems, and geographic information technologies and database management.