Alan Poulos
Alan Poulos is a Mendenhall Research Fellow and Research Civil Engineer in the Earthquake Science Center at Moffett Field, California.
Alan Poulos is a Mendenhall Research Fellow and Research Civil Engineer in the Earthquake Science Center at Moffett Field, California. Most of his research is within the field of earthquake engineering, with some of his specific topics of interest being the characterization and simulation of earthquake ground motion and the assessment of seismic risk of spatially distributed infrastructure. His work at the USGS focuses on using physics-based ground motion simulations to improve our understanding of earthquake hazard. Prior to joining the USGS, Alan completed his PhD at Stanford University, where he studied earthquake ground motion directionality. He also completed undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering and an MSc in Structural Engineering at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Professional Experience
2024-Present Research Civil Engineer, U.S. Geological Survey, Moffett Field CA
2023 Lecturer, Stanford University, Stanford CA
2017-2019 Research Engineer, Sirve S.A., Chile
2014-2017 Researcher, Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management, Chile
Education and Certifications
2024 PhD in Structural Engineering, Stanford University
2014 MS in Structural Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2013 Civil Engineer, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Science and Products
Non-USGS Publications**
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2024). Directionality characteristics of horizontal response spectra from the 2022 Mw 6.9 Chihshang, Taiwan earthquake. Earthquake Spectra, 40(3), 1683-1696. doi:10.1177/87552930241247478
Girmay, N., Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2024). Evaluation of directionality in physics-based ground motion simulations of strike-slip earthquakes. Earthquake Spectra. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/87552930241270555
Rosero-Velásquez, H., Monsalve, M., Gómez Zapata, J. C., Ferrario, E., Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., & Straub, D. (2024). Risk-informed representative earthquake scenarios for Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, Chile. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 24, 2667-2687. doi:10.5194/nhess-24-2667-2024
Oneto, A., Lorca, A., Ferrario, E., Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., & Negrete-Pincetic, M. (2024). Data-driven optimization for seismic-resilient power network planning. Computers & Operations Research, 166, 106628. doi:10.1016/j.cor.2024.106628
Girmay, N., Miranda, E., & Poulos, A. (2024). Orientation and intensity of maximum response spectral ordinates during the December 20, 2022 Mw 6.4 Ferndale, California earthquake. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 176. doi:10.1016/j.soildyn.2023.108323
Girmay, N., Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2024). Directionality and polarization of response spectral ordinates in the 2023 Kahramanmaras, Türkiye earthquake doublet. Earthquake Spectra, 40(1), 486-504. doi:10.1177/87552930231203989
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2023). Modification of ground-motion models to estimate orientation- dependent horizontal response spectra in strike-slip earthquakes. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 113(6), 2718-2729. doi:10.1785/0120230084
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2023). Effect of style of faulting on the orientation of maximum horizontal earthquake response spectra. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 113(5), 2092-2105. doi:10.1785/0120230001
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2023). Damping-dependent correlations between response spectral ordinates. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 52(4), 1078-1090. doi:10.1002/eqe.3803
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2022). Probabilistic characterization of the directionality of horizontal earthquake response spectra. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 51(9), 2077-2090. doi:10.1002/eqe.3654
Poulos, A., Miranda, E., & Baker, J. W. (2022). Evaluation of earthquake response spectra directionality using stochastic simulations. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 112(1), 307-315. doi:10.1785/0120210101
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2022). Proposal of orientation-independent measure of intensity for earthquake-resistant design. Earthquake Spectra, 38(1), 235–253. doi:10.1177/87552930211038240
Silva-Lopez, R., Bhattacharjee, G., Poulos, A., & Baker, J. W. (2022). Commuter welfare-based probabilistic seismic risk assessment of regional road networks. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 227, 108730. doi:10.1016/j.ress.2022.108730
Silva-Lopez, R., Baker, J. W., & Poulos, A. (2022). Deep learning-based retrofitting and seismic risk assessment of road networks. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 36(2), 04021038. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0001006
Allen, E., Chamorro, A., Poulos, A., Castro, S., de la Llera, J. C., Echaveguren, T. (2022). Sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification of a seismic risk model for road networks. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 37(4), 516-530. doi:10.1111/mice.12748
Ferrario, E., Poulos, A., Castro, S., de la Llera, J. C., & Lorca, A. (2022). Predictive capacity of topological measures in evaluating seismic risk and resilience of electric power networks. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 217, 108040. doi:10.1016/j.ress.2021.108040
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2021). Relations between MaxRotD50 and some horizontal components of ground motion intensity used in practice. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 111(4), 2167-2176. doi:10.1785/0120200364
Espinoza, S., Poulos, A., Rudnick, H., de la Llera, J. C., Panteli, M., & Mancarella, P. (2020). Risk and resilience assessment with component criticality ranking of electric power systems subject to earthquakes. IEEE Systems Journal, 14(2), 2837-2848. doi:10.1109/JSYST.2019.2961356
Olivares, C., Poulos, A., & de la Llera, J. C. (2020). Torsion control in structures isolated with the triple friction pendulum system. Engineering Structures, 216, 110503. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110503
Candia, G., Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., Crempien, J., & Macedo, J. (2020). Correlations of spectral accelerations in the Chilean subduction zone. Earthquake Spectra, 36(2), 788-805. doi:10.1177/8755293019891723
Poulos, A., Monsalve, M., Zamora, N., & de la Llera, J. C. (2019). An updated recurrence model for Chilean subduction seismicity and statistical validation of its Poisson nature. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 109(1), 66-74. doi:10.1785/0120170160
Yang, S., Mavroeidis, G. P., de la Llera, J. C., Poulos, A., Aguirre, P., Rahpeyma, S., Sonnemann, T., & Halldorsson, B. (2019). Empirical site classification of seismological stations in Chile using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios determined from recordings of large subduction-zone earthquakes. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 125. doi:10.1016/j.soildyn.2019.05.017
Favier, P., Poulos, A., Vásquez, J., Aguirre, P., & de la Llera, J. C. (2019). Seismic risk assessment of an emergency department of a Chilean hospital using a patient-oriented performance model. Earthquake Spectra, 35(2), 489-512. doi:10.1193/103017EQS224M
Castro, S., Poulos, A., Herrera, J. C., & de la Llera, J. C. (2019). Modeling the impact of earthquake induced debris on tsunami evacuation times of coastal cities. Earthquake Spectra, 35(1), 137-158. doi:10.1193/101917EQS218M
Poulos, A., Tocornal, F., de la Llera, J. C., & Mitrani-Reiser, J. (2018). Validation of an agent-based building evacuation model with a school drill. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 97, 82-95. doi:10.1016/j.trc.2018.10.010
Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., & Mitrani-Reiser, J. (2017). Earthquake risk assessment of buildings accounting for human evacuation. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 46(4), 561-583. doi:10.1002/eqe.2803
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Non-USGS Publications**
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2024). Directionality characteristics of horizontal response spectra from the 2022 Mw 6.9 Chihshang, Taiwan earthquake. Earthquake Spectra, 40(3), 1683-1696. doi:10.1177/87552930241247478
Girmay, N., Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2024). Evaluation of directionality in physics-based ground motion simulations of strike-slip earthquakes. Earthquake Spectra. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/87552930241270555
Rosero-Velásquez, H., Monsalve, M., Gómez Zapata, J. C., Ferrario, E., Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., & Straub, D. (2024). Risk-informed representative earthquake scenarios for Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, Chile. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 24, 2667-2687. doi:10.5194/nhess-24-2667-2024
Oneto, A., Lorca, A., Ferrario, E., Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., & Negrete-Pincetic, M. (2024). Data-driven optimization for seismic-resilient power network planning. Computers & Operations Research, 166, 106628. doi:10.1016/j.cor.2024.106628
Girmay, N., Miranda, E., & Poulos, A. (2024). Orientation and intensity of maximum response spectral ordinates during the December 20, 2022 Mw 6.4 Ferndale, California earthquake. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 176. doi:10.1016/j.soildyn.2023.108323
Girmay, N., Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2024). Directionality and polarization of response spectral ordinates in the 2023 Kahramanmaras, Türkiye earthquake doublet. Earthquake Spectra, 40(1), 486-504. doi:10.1177/87552930231203989
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2023). Modification of ground-motion models to estimate orientation- dependent horizontal response spectra in strike-slip earthquakes. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 113(6), 2718-2729. doi:10.1785/0120230084
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2023). Effect of style of faulting on the orientation of maximum horizontal earthquake response spectra. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 113(5), 2092-2105. doi:10.1785/0120230001
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2023). Damping-dependent correlations between response spectral ordinates. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 52(4), 1078-1090. doi:10.1002/eqe.3803
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2022). Probabilistic characterization of the directionality of horizontal earthquake response spectra. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 51(9), 2077-2090. doi:10.1002/eqe.3654
Poulos, A., Miranda, E., & Baker, J. W. (2022). Evaluation of earthquake response spectra directionality using stochastic simulations. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 112(1), 307-315. doi:10.1785/0120210101
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2022). Proposal of orientation-independent measure of intensity for earthquake-resistant design. Earthquake Spectra, 38(1), 235–253. doi:10.1177/87552930211038240
Silva-Lopez, R., Bhattacharjee, G., Poulos, A., & Baker, J. W. (2022). Commuter welfare-based probabilistic seismic risk assessment of regional road networks. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 227, 108730. doi:10.1016/j.ress.2022.108730
Silva-Lopez, R., Baker, J. W., & Poulos, A. (2022). Deep learning-based retrofitting and seismic risk assessment of road networks. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 36(2), 04021038. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0001006
Allen, E., Chamorro, A., Poulos, A., Castro, S., de la Llera, J. C., Echaveguren, T. (2022). Sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification of a seismic risk model for road networks. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 37(4), 516-530. doi:10.1111/mice.12748
Ferrario, E., Poulos, A., Castro, S., de la Llera, J. C., & Lorca, A. (2022). Predictive capacity of topological measures in evaluating seismic risk and resilience of electric power networks. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 217, 108040. doi:10.1016/j.ress.2021.108040
Poulos, A., & Miranda, E. (2021). Relations between MaxRotD50 and some horizontal components of ground motion intensity used in practice. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 111(4), 2167-2176. doi:10.1785/0120200364
Espinoza, S., Poulos, A., Rudnick, H., de la Llera, J. C., Panteli, M., & Mancarella, P. (2020). Risk and resilience assessment with component criticality ranking of electric power systems subject to earthquakes. IEEE Systems Journal, 14(2), 2837-2848. doi:10.1109/JSYST.2019.2961356
Olivares, C., Poulos, A., & de la Llera, J. C. (2020). Torsion control in structures isolated with the triple friction pendulum system. Engineering Structures, 216, 110503. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110503
Candia, G., Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., Crempien, J., & Macedo, J. (2020). Correlations of spectral accelerations in the Chilean subduction zone. Earthquake Spectra, 36(2), 788-805. doi:10.1177/8755293019891723
Poulos, A., Monsalve, M., Zamora, N., & de la Llera, J. C. (2019). An updated recurrence model for Chilean subduction seismicity and statistical validation of its Poisson nature. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 109(1), 66-74. doi:10.1785/0120170160
Yang, S., Mavroeidis, G. P., de la Llera, J. C., Poulos, A., Aguirre, P., Rahpeyma, S., Sonnemann, T., & Halldorsson, B. (2019). Empirical site classification of seismological stations in Chile using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios determined from recordings of large subduction-zone earthquakes. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 125. doi:10.1016/j.soildyn.2019.05.017
Favier, P., Poulos, A., Vásquez, J., Aguirre, P., & de la Llera, J. C. (2019). Seismic risk assessment of an emergency department of a Chilean hospital using a patient-oriented performance model. Earthquake Spectra, 35(2), 489-512. doi:10.1193/103017EQS224M
Castro, S., Poulos, A., Herrera, J. C., & de la Llera, J. C. (2019). Modeling the impact of earthquake induced debris on tsunami evacuation times of coastal cities. Earthquake Spectra, 35(1), 137-158. doi:10.1193/101917EQS218M
Poulos, A., Tocornal, F., de la Llera, J. C., & Mitrani-Reiser, J. (2018). Validation of an agent-based building evacuation model with a school drill. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 97, 82-95. doi:10.1016/j.trc.2018.10.010
Poulos, A., de la Llera, J. C., & Mitrani-Reiser, J. (2017). Earthquake risk assessment of buildings accounting for human evacuation. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 46(4), 561-583. doi:10.1002/eqe.2803
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.