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.