# Felipe Contreras

> Felipe Contreras studies the seismic performance of buckling-restrained brace frames — an advanced lateral-load-resisting system increasingly adopted in high-rise construction — under the particular ground-motion hazard profile of Bogotá's soft lacustrine basin, where long-period spectral amplification can multiply structural demands by factors of 3–5 compared to rock-site records. At Universidad de los Andes's Civil Engineering department, supervised by Prof. Andrés Torres, he runs nonlinear time-history analyses in OpenSees using a suite of 60 near-fault and subduction records spectrally matched to the Bogotá basin response spectrum, tracking BRB core yielding strains and gusset plate rotational demands across 12 prototype archetypes. His experimental programme on a shake-table at the Universidad de los Andes structural laboratory validates the numerical models and reveals that current AISC 341 detailing provisions are insufficient for basin-amplified pulse-type motions, allowing cumulative plastic deformation demands that cause core fracture 40% earlier than the code design life assumes. Felipe's consulting engagement with the Bogotá District infrastructure office — which is assessing the BRB retrofit feasibility for 34 school buildings — means his research directly influences the city's seismic resilience investment programme.

*Source: [https://selltoscientists.com/phd/felipe-contreras/](https://selltoscientists.com/phd/felipe-contreras/)*

**Institution:** Universidad de los Andes Colombia
**Field:** Earthquake-Resilient Structural Engineering
**Advisor:** Prof. Andrés Torres
**Thesis:** Buckling-Restrained Brace Performance Under Near-Fault Ground Motions in Soft-Soil Bogotá Basin Conditions
**Publications:** 2

## Skills

- nonlinear time-history OpenSees modelling
- shake-table experimental testing
- DIC strain-field optical measurement
- pushover and IDA analysis

## Industry transition signals

- consulting with Bogotá District Office of Infrastructure
- presenting at 17WCEE 2024
- LATAM engineering consultancy interest

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