2025 International Research Seed Funding Winner

1st Place

Dr. Renmin Pretell

University of Nevada, Reno

Dr. Renmin Pretell, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, has been awarded the 2025 International Research Seed Funding grant of $20,000, kindly sponsored by Sun Hung Kai Properties, for his project “The Overlooked Component in Seismic Design: Addressing Vertical Ground Shaking.” Pretell's proposal addresses a critical gap in seismic design: the effects of vertical ground shaking on tall buildings. While horizontal shaking has long been the focus of seismic research, vertical accelerations can often be larger and threaten the safety and serviceability of essential facilities such as hospitals, schools, and museums. The project aims to deliver the first practical tool for assessing the seismic amplification of vertical shaking, directly responding to research needs identified in the CTBUH Roadmap. The research methodology combines wave propagation theory, empirical data, and computational tool development. Using Japan’s KiK-net dataset, Pretell's team will collect and analyze ground motion data, calibrate analytical models, quantify uncertainties, and implement a Python-based tool for engineers. This structured, data-driven approach not only provides immediate solutions for the industry but also establishes a foundation for future investigations into nonlinear soil behavior and soil-structure interaction. Research report will be published in late 2026.