Viet Le

PhD

New York, NY 10005 vqle21@gmail.com
CV
Resume

Engineer, Arup, Advanced Technology and Research (AT+R)

Education

NEU

Northeastern University (Boston, MA)

Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Engineering

Doctoral Dissertation Research: Performance-based engineering framework for vertical structures subjected to nonstationary wind loads from thunderstorm downbursts and tornadoes
Link to dissertation

Advisor: Associate Professor, Luca Caracoglia, Ph.D.

September 2016 - May 2020
UML

University of Massachusetts Lowell (Lowell, MA)

Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Structural Engineering)

Master's Thesis Research: Multi-physical quantification of damage due to swelling from alkali-silica reaction (ASR) gels in mortar bars
Link to thesis

Advisor: Professor, Tzuyang Yu, Ph.D.

September 2015 - May 2016
UML

University of Massachusetts Lowell (Lowell, MA)

Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Undergraduate Research: Vibration-based structural health monitoring of a multistory building using a cellular mobile device

Advisor: Professor, Tzuyang Yu, Ph.D.

September 2011 - May 2015
CCHS

Central Catholic High School (Lawrence, MA)

Valedictorian
September 2007 - May 2011

Experience

Arup

Arup (New York, NY)

Engineer, Advanced Technology and Research (AT+R)
Specialize in wind engineering assessment of wind hazards, loads and effects, and the resilience of the built environment

Apply beyond code and leading-edge analytical methods to evaluate wind climate phenomena and their effects

Employ computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation tools for wind comfort analysis, dispersion modeling, and aerodynamic and aeroelastic modeling of wind loads and structures
September 2020 - Present
NEU

Northeastern University (Boston, MA)

Structural Engineering Graduate Research Assistant
Developed a performance-based engineering framework for the analysis of vertical structures subjected to nonstationary wind loads generated from thunderstorm downbursts and tornadoes

Conducted wind tunnel experiments to physically simulate non-stationary wind outflows and their effects on a tall building model using a high frequency force balance

Applied data science techniques to approximate structural responses and fragilities
September 2016 - May 2020
NEU

Northeastern University (Boston, MA)

Structural Engineering Graduate Teaching Assistant
Provided assistance for Steel Design and for Materials and Measurements courses. Graded homework and lab reports, led lectures and labs, and held office hours for students
September 2017 - May 2020
GCP

GCP Applied Technologies (Cambridge, MA)

Research Intern
Performed image analysis and data clustering techniques for the improvement of quality control for concrete mixes and the mitigation of the environmental impact of concrete production
June 2016 - August 2016
UML

University of Massachusetts Lowell (Lowell, MA)

Structural Engineering Under/Graduate Research Assistant
Involved in the multiphysical nondestructive evaluation of cementitious composites using microwave imaging radar, ultrasonic testing, dielectric measurements with a contact probe, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
May 2013 - May 2016
UML

University of Massachusetts Lowell (Lowell, MA)

Geoenvironmental Engineering Undergraduate Research Assistant
Worked in a multi-disciplinary research group for novel technology in geoenvironmental site characterization
May 2012 - September 2012

Publications & Presentations

Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers and Technical Notes

  1. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2022). "Practical Approach to Digitally Simulate Nonsynoptic Wind Velocity Profiles and Its Implications on the Response of Monopole Towers." ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. 148 (1): 06021007. DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003228
  2. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2021). "Life-cycle cost assessment of building and tower structures under nonstationary winds: Downburst vs. tornado loads." Engineering Structures. 243: 112515. DOI:10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112515
  3. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2020). "Experimental investigation of non-stationary wind loading effects generated with a multi-blade flow device." Journal of Fluids and Structures. 96: 103049. DOI:10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2020.103049
  4. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2020). "A neural network surrogate model for the performance assessment of a vertical structure subjected to non-stationary, tornadic wind loads." Computers & Structures. 231: 106208. DOI:10.1016/j.compstruc.2020.106208
  5. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2020). "Life-cycle cost analysis of a point-like structure subjected to tornadic wind loads." ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. 146 (2): 04019194. DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002480
  6. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2019). "Generation and characterization of a non-stationary flow field in a small-scale wind tunnel using a multi-blade flow device." Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. 186: 1-16. DOI:10.1016/j.jweia.2018.12.017
  7. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2018). "Computationally efficient stochastic approach for the fragility analysis of vertical structures subjected to thunderstorm downburst winds." Engineering Structures. 165: 152-169. DOI:10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.03.007
  8. Yu, T.; Twumasi, J.O.; Le, V.; Tang, Q.; D'Amico, N. (2017). "Surface and Subsurface Remote Sensing of Concrete Structures Using Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging." ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. 143 (10): 04017143. DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001730

Conference Papers and Presentations

  1. Ramponi, R.; Le, V.; Haskell, J.; Brooks, A. (2021). "Impact of landscaping elements on pedestrian wind simulations using OpenFOAM." Full paper and presentation prepared for: 17th International IBPSA Building Simulation Conference, Sept 01-03, 2021, Burges, Belgium.
  2. Le, V.; Caracoglia L. (2020). "A Performance-based Wind Engineering Framework Tailored to the Analysis of Vertical Structures Impacted by Downburst and Tornado Wind Loads." Presented for: One-Day On-Line Event IN-VENTO 2020, Sept 07, 2020, Politecnico di Milano – Polo di Lecco, Lecco, Italy.
  3. Le, V.; Caracoglia L. (2019). "Performance-based design of vertical structures impacted by thunderstorm downburst loads and tornado wind loads by wavelet-Galerkin approach." Presented at: 1st Northeastern University - Tongji University Workshop on Wind Engineering (NU-TJU WWE1), May 23, 2019, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
  4. Le, V.; Caracoglia L. (2018). "Performance-based assessment of tall buildings subjected to thunderstorm downburst loads using the wavelet-Galerkin approach." Presented at: Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference 2018, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
  5. Le, V.; Caracoglia L. (2017). "A Preliminary examination of structural fragility for a cantilever structure subjected to a thunderstorm downburst loading." In: Proceedings of the 13th Americas Conference on Wind Engineering (ACWE13) , University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. Link to paper
  6. Le, V.; Yu, T.; Twumasi, J.O.; Tang, Q. (2016). "Sizing and ranging criteria for SAR images of steel and wood specimens." In: SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9804: Nondestructive Characterization and Monitoring of Advanced Materials, Aerospace, and Civil Infrastructure , Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Link to paper
  7. Twumasi, J.O.; Le, V.; Tang, Q.; Yu, T. (2016). "Quantitative sensing of corroded steel rebar embedded in cement mortar specimens using ultrasonic testing." In: SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9804: Nondestructive Characterization and Monitoring of Advanced Materials, Aerospace, and Civil Infrastructure , Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Link to paper
  8. Qin, Y.; Twumasi, J.O.; Le, V.; Ren, Y.-J.; Lai, C.P.; Yu, T. (2016). "Roadside IED detection using subsurface imaging radar and rotary UAV." In: SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9823: Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXI , Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Link to paper
  9. Le, V.; Yu, T. (2015). "Mass and stiffness estimation using mobile devices for structural health monitoring." In: SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9437: Nondestructive Characterization and Monitoring of Advanced Materials, Aerospace, and Civil Infrastructure , San Diego, California, USA. Link to paper

Software Programs

  1. Caracoglia L.; Le, V., (2020). "A MATLAB-based GUI for Performance-based Tornado Engineering (PBTE) of a Monopole, Vertical Structure with Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)", DesignSafe-CI , MATLAB Application. DOI:10.17603/ds2-g7fe-1k09
  2. Caracoglia L.; Le, V., (2019). "Simulation of the dynamics of a monopole structure subjected to non-stationary, stochastic downburst wind loads using the Wavelet-Galerkin approach", DesignSafe-CI , MATLAB Application. DOI:10.17603/ds2-a8nq-g348

Thesis/Dissertation

  1. Le, V. (2020). A Performance-based Wind Engineering Framework for Vertical Structures Subjected to Nonstationary Wind Loads, Ph.D. Dissertation, Advisor: Luca Caracoglia, Northeastern University, May 2020. Link.
  2. Le, V. (2016). Detection and quantification of damage from ASR gels using multiphysical nondestructive evaluation, M.S. Thesis, Advisor: Tzuyang Yu, University of Massachusetts Lowell, May 2016. Link.

Poster Presentations

  1. Le, V.; Caracoglia L. (2020). "Framework to extend performance-based engineering for the treatment of wind loads from thunderstorm downbursts and tornadoes." Poster presented at: 2020 Research, Innovation and Scholarship Expo (RISE: 2020), April 09, 2020, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  2. Le, V.; Caracoglia L. (2020). "Performance-based tornado engineering (PBTE) of a vertical structure via Artificial Neural Network (ANN) surrogate modeling." Poster presented at: 2020 MathWorks SMART Laboratory Northeastern University Collaboration Day Event, February 21, 2020, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  3. Le, V.; Caracoglia L. (2020). "Performance-based evaluation of structures impacted by winds from thunderstorm systems via surrogate modeling." Poster presented at: 2020 Northeastern University College of Engineering PhD Research Expo, February, 20, 2020, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  4. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2019). "Performance-based framework for the evaluation of non-stationary wind loads on vertical structures." Poster presented at: Northeastern University 9th annual Civil & Environmental Engineering Industry Leadership Night, October 29, 2019, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  5. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2019). "Analytical methodology for the performance-based assessment of vertical structures impacted by thunderstorm downburst and tornado wind loads." Poster presented at: Northeastern University 2019 Research, Innovation and Scholarship Expo (RISE: 2019), April 4, 2019, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  6. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2019). "Machine learning algorithms for performance-based tornado engineering in the MATLAB® computing environment." Poster presented at: 2018 MathWorks SMART Laboratory Northeastern University Collaboration Day Event, February 26, 2019, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  7. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2019). "Performance-based structural design against thunderstorm and tornadic loads: Recent numerical and experimental developments." Poster presented at: 2019 Northeastern University College of Engineering PhD Research Expo, February, 21, 2018, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  8. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2018). "Performance-based engineering framework for vertical structures subjected to non-stationary wind loads." Poster presented at: Northeastern University 8th annual Civil & Environmental Engineering Industry Leadership Night, November 28, 2018, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  9. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2018). "Investigations on the structural performance of building structures subjected to non-stationary thunderstorm wind loads by wavelet-Galerkin numerical methods." Poster presented at: 2018 Research, Innovation and Scholarship Expo (RISE: 2018), April 6, 2018, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster
  10. Le, V.; Caracoglia, L. (2018). "A MATLAB®-based numerical algorithm for stochastic simulation of structural load, response and damage (MATLAB® SLRD) induced by non-stationary thunderstorm downbursts." Poster presented at: 2018 MathWorks SMART Laboratory Northeastern University Collaboration Day Event, March, 12, 2018, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Link to poster

Technical Skills

Proficient/Working Knowledge

Python
Python
Rhino
Rhinoceros 3D
openfoam
OpenFOAM
MATLAB
MATLAB
LaTeX
LaTeX
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office

Basic Knowledge

grasshopper
Grasshopper
ansys
ANSYS Fluent

Memberships & Certifications

  • Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
    • Passed
      October 2015
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
    • Associate Member (A.M.)
      May 2020 - Present
  • American Association for Wind Engineering (AAWE)
    • Student Member
      May 2020 - Present

Awards & Honors

  • Northeastern Graduate Structural Engineering Association (NGSEA)
  • Northeastern University
    • PhD Network Dissertation Research Grant
      May 2019
    • College of Engineering PhD Bridge Funding Fellowship
      May 2019
    • College of Engineering Dean's Fellowship
      April 2016
  • American Concrete Institute (ACI)
    • Kumar Mehta's Scholarship
      May 2016
  • United States Department of Energy (US DOE)
    • Integrated University Program Fellowship
      May 2015
  • American Society of Nondestructive Testing
    • Engineering Undergraduate Award
      May 2014
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell
    • Dean's Gold Medal - Highest Achievement (Graduate College of Engineering)
      May 2016
    • Summa Cum Laude
      May 2015
    • Dean's List
      2011 - 2015
    • Chancellor's Medal for Distinguished Academic Achievement in Engineering
      May 2015
    • William Haskell Award for Outstanding Junior
      May 2014
    • Herman J. Shea Award for Outstanding Sophomore
      May 2013
  • Central Catholic High School
    • Valedictorian
      May 2011

Interests and Community Outreach

Basketball

I am very enthusiastic about basketball and the NBA. I have even developed a web-based application that allows users to quickly plot the stats of NBA players. Called BBALL STAT View (http://bballstatview.xyz/), the idea came from a desire to learn Python, reinforce my love for research, and immerse myself in basketball data. If you have any suggestions to the app, please do not hesitate to inform me. Also, if you like to play or watch basketball, please let me know!

Technology

I enjoy digesting the latest tech news including computer and mobile hardware.

Community Outreach

  • Chair of Northeastern Graduate Structural Engineering Association (NGSEA)
    September 2018 - September 2019
  • Student Co-Chairman of 1st Northeastern University - Tongji University Workshop on Wind Engineering (NU-TJU WWE1)
    May 2019
    • Funded through PhD Network Dissertation Research Grant
    • Co-led a workshop to discuss the latest developments in wind engineering research made by academics from Northeastern University and Tongji University
  • President of UML Chapter of Tau Beta Pi (TBP) Engineering Honors Society - MA Theta
    September 2014 - May 2015
    • Organized "Academic Advising Sessions" for upperclassmen to provide advice to the underclassmen peers on course planning
    • Organized professional seminars for undergraduate engineering students
  • President of UMass Lowell Vietnamese Student Association (UML VSA)
    September 2014 - May 2015
  • Vice President of Vietnamese Students Association (VSA)
    September 2013 - May 2014
    • Organized gatherings with undergraduate students to celebrate Vietnamese culture
  • Social Chair of UML Chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
    September 2012 - May 2013
    • Assisted with advertisement of the chapter's activities
  • Student Member of Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honors Society
    January 2013 - May 2015
  • Captain of Red Lotus Lion Dance Troupe
    November 2013 - September 2018