Biography
Hegemier earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Solid Mechanics and Structures from the California Institute of Technology. Early in his career, he worked as a mechanical engineer at several organizations, including TRW Systems Space Technology Lab, the National Engineering Science Company, and the Naval Ordnance Laboratory. His professional focus shifted toward earthquake safety following the 1971 San Fernando Valley and 1972 Nicaragua earthquakes. [6] At UCSD, Hegemier led a team that developed and tested full-scale bridge column retrofit systems. These systems were notably effective during the 1994 Los Angeles earthquake, helping to minimize damage to retrofitted bridges. [7] [8] [9] His research also includes work on using lightweight fiber-reinforced composites for infrastructure repair and developing methods for blast mitigation to protect critical structures. Hegemier has received various awards for his contributions, including the 2022 Revelle Medal. [1] [2] He has been a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers since 1997 and is a member of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. In 1995, he was elected to the Golden Key International Honour Society. [10]
In 1975, Hegemier achieved tenure as a Full Professor at UCSD, [11] and in 2010, he was recognized with the title of Distinguished Professor. In 1986, [12] [13] he was instrumental in founding the Charles Lee Powell Structural Systems Laboratories at UCSD, where he served as the first Director. This facility supports full-scale experimental testing of various structural systems, including buildings up to five stories and large bridge segments. The laboratory was developed to enhance the Structural Engineering Program at UCSD, facilitate international research collaborations, and strengthen connections between academia and industry. Additionally, Hegemier and his colleagues expanded the lab's capabilities with a field station focused on explosive loading and an outdoor shake table, which is notable for being the world's largest and has been used for seismic tests on full-scale structures up to ten stories. [14]
In 1998, the Department of Structural Engineering (SE) was established at UCSD, with Hegemier playing a key role in its creation. He later served as the department's chair from 2007 to 2012. Unlike typical civil engineering departments in the United States, SE at UCSD has a broader focus on structures, encompassing not only civil engineering but also aerospace and marine structures. [15] [16]
Hegemier has conducted significant research on protective technologies for civil structures, with a focus on engineering solutions for blast and seismic protection. His work includes the development of advanced fiber-reinforced composites, which have been used in retrofitting buildings to withstand both blast and seismic events. [17] The effectiveness of these technologies was tested in full-scale experiments, including blast testing at White Sands Missile Range and seismic testing at UCSD Powell Laboratories.
Between 2003 and 2010, Hegemier directed a significant blast mitigation program in the United States, focusing on enhancing the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure. Funded by the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) under the Combatting Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), this program involved extensive laboratory and field testing, along with advanced computational analysis. The aim was to develop protective technologies for essential structures, including buildings, bridges, tunnels, pipelines, and other critical systems.
Hegemier has contributed his expertise in blast damage mitigation to a variety of governmental and private organizations. [6] His work has involved collaboration with entities such as the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Additionally, he has been involved in projects with national laboratories, including Lawrence Livermore and Sandia, as well as with companies like Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Parsons Brinkerhoff, Protective Technologies LLC, and Karagozian & Case. His experience also extends to participation in forensic investigations related to blast and seismic events. [18]
Hegemier's research has received funding from various government agencies, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Additional support has come from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSOR), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and national laboratories such as Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). [19]
Hegemier played a significant role in transferring technology to industry by founding Composite Solutions, Inc., where he served as chairman for several years. The company was involved in multiple projects utilizing advanced Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites for civil structural retrofits and repairs. One notable project was the reinforcement of the Cheonggyecheon restoration project in South Korea, which involved the use of 14 miles (22.5 km) of CFRP strips to strengthen 5.5 km of a viaduct. [20]
In 2024, Hegemier was honored by the UCSD by creating an endowed Chair in his name. [21] In December the same year, he was named a Top Educator by Marquis Who's Who. [22]
