Manuel Matus
Civil & Structural Engineer
In his role as a Civil & Structural Engineer at DDA Forensics, Manuel Matus, PhD, specializes in conducting thorough investigations of structural damages, product failures, and other incidents. He meticulously collects and analyzes data through site inspections, material samples, and design specifications to reconstruct events leading to structural failures. Utilizing engineering principles and advanced simulation techniques, Matus determines the root cause of failures, assessing factors such as human error, design flaws, and manufacturing defects. His expertise in wind damage assessment and building code development makes him an invaluable asset in forensic engineering, where his findings contribute to safer engineering practices and improved structural resilience.
One of his significant achievements includes an important contribution to the ASCE 7 code through his research on “Wind-Induced Loads on Canopies Attached to Mid-rise Buildings,” which was cited by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE 7-22). His work emphasizes the importance of codifying experimental results to enhance building codes and ensure public safety.
Matus is currently an Adjunct Professor at FIU, where he teaches undergraduate-level courses, such as Hurricane Engineering and Global Sustainability. He has been actively involved in research for over eight years, starting as an undergraduate research assistant at Florida International University (FIU). Matus has been a researcher at the Wall of Wind (WOW) Experimental Facility for nearly three years, under the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) program. His research focuses on the investigation of wind-induced loads on structures.
Matus holds a PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in wind engineering and the effects of extreme wind events on civil infrastructure. His doctoral research focused on the challenges posed by low-rise irregularly shaped buildings, a crucial area in the field of structural dynamics.
He earned the prestigious Florida International University Service Excellence Award for his research work. He earned his MS degree in Civil Engineering. His master’s thesis, titled “Experimental Investigation of Wind-Induced Response of Span-wire Traffic Signal Systems,” garnered him the prestigious Dwight Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship, highlighting his contribution to critical infrastructure resilience under extreme wind conditions. He also holds a BS in Civil Engineering, with a major in Structural Engineering. His comprehensive academic background has equipped him with a solid foundation in structural analysis and engineering principles, underpinning his professional achievements.
He is passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers. Matus has been actively involved in the NHERI Design Safe program, mentoring undergraduate students in natural hazards engineering and inspiring them to pursue careers in this vital field. With his technical expertise and dedication to improving infrastructure resilience, he is committed to making a lasting impact in civil engineering and contributing to safer, more sustainable communities. Originally from Chile, Matus grew up in a region frequently affected by earthquakes, which instilled in him a deep awareness of the impact of natural disasters on people’s lives.
EDUCATION / AWARDS
- PhD, Civil Engineering, Florida International University (FIU), 2023
- MS, Civil Engineering, Florida International University (FIU), 2018
- BS, Civil Engineering, Florida International University (FIU), 2017
- Florida International University Service Excellence Award, 2023
- Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Recipient, 2021
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Engineer in Training (EIT) – License Number 1100027750
- HAAG Engineering – Residential Roof Inspector
- HAAG Engineering – Commercial Roof Inspector
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
- Zisis, A. Naeiji, M. Matus. 2016. “Wind-Induced Loads on Canopies Attached to Mid-rise Buildings.” Final report submitted to State of Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Zisis, I., Naeiji, A., Raji, F., Matus, M. 2017. “Hurricane Resilient Residential Building Construction: Wind Induced Dynamic Effect on Photovoltaic Systems and Wind Driven Rain Intrusion on Interior Zones of Residential Construction.” Final report submitted to State of Florida Division of Emergency Management. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.16724.96641.
- Castillo, D., Matus, M., Zisis, I. 2018. “Evaluation of Scaled Model Reliability for Study of Wind Load Path in Low-Rise Light-Framed Wood Structures.” Final report submitted to State of Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Matus, M. 2018. “Experimental Investigation of Wind-Induced Response of Span-Wire Traffic Signal Systems.” Florida International University (FIU) Electronic Theses and Dissertations. http://doi.org/10.25148/etd.FIDC006546.
- Matus, M., Zisis, I. 2019. “Wind-Induced Loads on Irregular Shaped Buildings.” Final report submitted to State of Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Azzi, Z. Elawady, A. Matus, M., Zisis, I., Irwin, P. 2019. “Buffeting Response of Span-Wire Traffic Signals using Large-Scale Aeroelastic Wind Testing.” Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Wind Engineering, Beijing, China.
- Zisis, I. Irwin, P., Chowdhury, A.G., Azizinamini, A., Matus, M., Berlanga, B., Azzi, Z., Estephan, J. 2019. “Development of a Test Method for Assessing the Performance of Vehicular Traffic Signal Assemblies during Hurricane Force Winds.” Submitted to Florida Department of Transportation Research Center, Final Report BVD29 977-20.
- Zisis, I. Irwin, P., Chowdhury, A.G., Matus, M., Azzi, Z., Estephan, J., Hajra, B. 2019. “Assessment of the Performance of Vehicular Traffic Signal Assemblies during Hurricane Force Winds.” Submitted to Florida Department of Transportation Research Center, Final Report BVD29 977-27.
- Matus, M. Zisis, I. 2020. “Wind-Induced Loads on Irregular Shaped Buildings with Flat Roof.” Final report submitted to State of Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Matus, M., Zisis, I. 2020. “Parametric Study to Investigate Span-Wire Traffic Signal System Performance.” Submitted to Transportation Research Board as a Final Report for the Grant Award 693JJ32045135.
- Azzi, Z. Matus, M., Elawady, A., Zisis, I., Irwin, P., Chowdhury, A.G. 2020. “Aeroelastic Testing of Span-Wire Traffic Signal Systems.” Frontiers in Built Environment. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2020.00111.
- Yin, Z., Matus, M., Zisis, I., Leon A. 2021. “Numerical Investigation on the Wind-Excited Dynamic Response of Span-Wire Traffic Signal Systems.” Journal of Fluids and Structures. http://doi.org/10.11648/j.fm.20220801.12.
- Matus, M. Zisis, I. 2021. “Codification of Wind-Induced Loads on Irregular Shaped Buildings – Phase II.” Final report submitted to State of Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Naeiji, A., Moravej, M., Matus, M., Zisis, I. 2022. “Codification Study of Wind-Induced Loads on Canopies Attached to Mid-Rise Buildings.” Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Volume 227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2022.105050.
- Zisis, I., Matus, M., Hajra, B., Irwin, P. 2022. “Development and Validation of a Test Method to Assess the Wind-Induced Response of Span Wire Traffic Signal Systems.” Journal of Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure. https://doi.org/10.1080/23789689.2022.2123143.
- Sarma, H.D., Matus, M., Zisis, I. 2023. “Effect of Roof Shape on Wind Vulnerability of Roof Sheathing Panels.” Journal of Structural Safety, Volume 100. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2022.102283.
- Matus, M., 2023. “Low-rise Irregular Shaped Buildings.” Florida International University (FIU) Electronic Theses and Dissertations.
- Sarma, H.D., Zisis, I., Matus, M., Lee, S.J. 2024. “Shape Effect on Wind Loads on Low-rise Gable and Hip Roofed Buildings.” Under Review.