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Finley A Charney

Professor Emeritus
Dr. Finley Charney
Las Cruces New Mexico

Program Area : Structural Engineering and Materials
Professional Registration : Texas, Colorado
fcharney@vt.edu
(540) 449-2556

Area of Interest

Behavior of structures, structural analysis, structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, wind engineering, structural damping, structural software development, engineering education (academic and professional).

  • B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1975
  • M.S. in Architectual Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1976
  • Ph.D. in Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1986
  • President, Advanced Structural Concepts, Blacksburg, VA (1995-present)
  • Senior Vice President, Schnabel Engineering and Associates, Denver, CO (1998-2001)
  • Prinicpal, J.R. Harris & Company, Denver, CO (1988-1996)
  • Technical Analyst, Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers, Wheat Ridge, CO (1984-1988)
  • Associate, Walter P. Moore and Associates, Houston, TX (1976-1979)
  • Civil Engineering Faculty of the Year Award, 2003
  • Chairman, 2002 Structures Congress, Denver, Colorado
  • Raymond C. Reese Award, American Concrete Institute, 1987
  • Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers
  • CEE 2804 : Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • CEE 3404 : Introduction to Structural Engineering
  • CEE 4404 : Intermediate Analysis of Structures
  • CEE 5424 : Computer Analysis of Structures II
  • CEE 5464 : Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
  • CEE 6404 : Dynamics of Structures
  • CEE 5470 : Structural Design for Seismic Load Effects
  • "Seismic Collapse Analysis of Timber Arch Structures". This project uses the FEMA P-695 Methodology tho assess the collapse performance of timber arch structures. The results of the research will be used to establish design values for use in the ASCE 7 Minimum Loads Standard.
  • "Development of New Structural Systems for Performance Based Earthquake Engineering". This is a main research focus which aims to develop new types of structural systems that are inherently optimized for meeting multiple limit state performance objectives.
  • "Seismic Behavior of Structures Incorporating Viscous Dampers." This project is looking at methodologies for using viscous dampers for controlling drift and dynamic stability of steel frame structures. Extensive use is being made of incremental dynamic analysis.
  • "Wind Drift Analysis and Design of Metal Buildings". This project seeks to develop a better understanding of the behavior of metal buildings under wind load, and then to develop improved analysis methods. The project is using both analytical and experimental approaches. In the experimental phase, a full-scale metal building will be tested under a variety of static loads. The project is funded by the Metal Building Manufacturer's Association, and funds one M.S. student. Dr. Cris Moen is a co-principal investigator.
  • "Development of High Damping Concrete". In this project, we are attempting to develop a new type of concrete that has much higher damping than that supplied by normal concrete. The higher damping is provided by adding rubber or latex to the concrete mix. Other approaches, based on intentionally damaging the concrete, but holding everything together with steel fibers, is also being attempted. The project is sponsored by Nucor Steel, and by the Center for Extreme Load Effects on Structures. The project supports one Ph.D. student. Drs. Murray, Weyers, and Dowling (from the ESM department) are co-investigators.
  • "Update of NONLIN and EQ-Tools Computer Programs". In this project, we are updating two computer programs used for earthquake engineering, and in particular, for earthquake engineering education. The update involves the development of a new nonlinear dynamic analysis engine, improvement of ground motion evaluation tools, and update of all graphics using OpenGL. The program is being developed in VB.Net, version 2008. The project is sponsored by the National Institute of Building Science. One M.S. student is working on the project.
  • "Guide to the Application of the ASCE 7-05 Seismic Load Provisions". This book, to be published in late Summer of 2009, provides a set of examples and related discussion related to the use of the ASCE 7-05 Loads Standard. The book is published by ASCE Press.
  • Charney, F.A., and McNamara, R.J., “A Method of Computing Equivalent Viscous Damping Ratios for Structures with Added Viscous Damping”, ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 134, No. 1, pp 32-44. (January, 2008)
  • Charney, F.A., and Pathak, R., “Sources of Elastic Deformations in Steel Frame and Tube Structures, Part 1: Simplified Subassemblage Models”, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp 87-100. (January, 2008).
  • Charney, F.A., and Pathak, R., “Sources of Elastic Deformations in Steel Frame and Tube Structures, Part 2: Detailed Subassemblage Models”, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp 88-100. (January, 2008.)
  • Symans. M.D., Charney, F., Constantinou, M.C., Kircher, C., Johnson, M.W, and McNamara, R.J. “Energy Dissipation Systems for Seismic Applications: Current Practice and Recent Developments”, ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 134, No. 1, pp 3-21. (January, 2008).
  • Charney, F.A., "Unintended Consequences of Modeling Damping in Structures", ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 134, No. 4, pp 581-592. (April, 2008)
  • Charney, F.A., "A Transformational Approach to Teaching Matrix Structural Analysis, and Implementation using Mathcad", Proceedings of the 18th Analysis and Computation Conference, Vancouver, BC, April, 2008.