Monica Kohler

Monica D. Kohler

Research Seismologist/Earthquake Engineer

Center for Embedded Networked Sensing
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1596
kohler at ess_dot_ucla_dot_edu

Office:
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Thomas Lab 221, M/C 104-44
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA 91125
Phone: (626) 395-4142
Fax: (626) 568-2719

Education

Harvard University, B.A., 1988
California Institute of Technology, Ph.D., 1995

Current Research Interests

Investigation of the wave propagation response of civil structures through experimental and numerical experiments.

Computing impulse response functions of the moment-frame UCLA Factor building using local earthquakes recorded on its 72-channel embedded strong-motion seismic array and simulations with a finite-element model of the building.
Developing and testing a new, high-frequency method of detecting a failure event in engineered structures that uses the properties of reciprocity and time-reversed reciprocal Green's functions.
Computing impulse response functions of a long-span, cable-supported suspension bridge with laterally varying excitation due to regional earthquakes.

Development of a wireless Stargate-mote, tiered, seismic structural network that can be deployed on civil structures with no existing infrastructure for monitoring structural state of health.

3D seismic tomographic modeling of crustal and mantle lithosphere beneath young transpressional plate boundary systems with application to the Transverse Ranges in southern California, and the Southern Alps in South Island, New Zealand.

Preparing for a 12-month deployment of ocean bottom seismometers off the coast of southern California to take place in 2010-2011 to study local seismicity and upper mantle seismic structure.
Relating plate boundary dynamics below southern California to lateral variations in San Andreas fault geometry.