Hermann Fritz, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Contact
Office: PARB A229
Email: hermann.fritz@gtsav.gatech.edu
Research Thrusts
Environmental Hydrodynamics
Hydraulic Construction
Links
Education
Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 2002
M.S., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 1997
Research Interests
  • Tsunamis, hurricanes, non-linear and breaking waves
  • Subaerial and submarine landslides and oceanic volcano island collapses
  • Hydraulic, coastal, marine and offshore structures
  • Hydropower, wave and tidal energy
  • River engineering, sediment transport and morphologic processes
  • Advanced whole field multi-dimensional laser measurement techniques
  • Numerical simulation of multiphase flows
  • Natural hazard mitigation and risk analysis
  • Natural hazards

Dr. Fritz’ present research activities are driven by recent mega-disasters, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami (26 December 2004) and Hurricane Katrina (29 August 2005). In the wake of the tsunami, Dr. Fritz led International Tsunami Survey Teams (ITST) in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Somalia, Madagascar and Oman. The combination of field data with first-time tsunami recordings by technologies as diverse as eyewitness videos, satellite imagery and altimetry, broadband seismometers, infrasound, and hydroacoustic sensors completely revolutionizes the state-of-the-art in tsunami modeling and warning algorithms. The tsunami reconnaissance experience was expanded later in 2005 by conducting several field campaigns focusing on the storm-surge impact in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Fritz’ numerical modeling activities center on tsunami generation and the impact of hurricane storm surges along the coast, including the interaction with the built environment. A growing research area is evolving around ocean energy extraction techniques harnessing the enormous potential of waves and tidal and ocean currents for energy production. Dr. Fritz’ physical modeling activities concentrate on landslide- and volcanic island collapse-generated tsunamis. The experimental techniques encompass advanced multi-dimensional laser and imaging-based measurement techniques such as stereo-PIV, LSV and LiDAR.