Dr. Mihan House McKenna, a research geophysicist with the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., is the recipient of the 2013 USACE Researcher of the Year Award.
McKenna’s recent research involved creating a new capability for structural monitoring at significant distances by applying infrasound experimental techniques, numerical modeling and analyses using high performance computing (HPC). The techniques developed through this research allow remote assessment of critical infrastructure without having to physically touch the structure to gather useful intelligence. This truly remote monitoring of structures has many potential applications, from tactical route reconnaissance for the military to wide-area health monitoring of civilian structures.
"All structures 'sing', but we cannot hear the vibrations because the frequencies are below what humans can perceive,” said McKenna. “Using the naturally emitted, low-frequency structural acoustics (infrasound), engineers are now able to assess condition, capacity and holistic behavior of large, critical structures from distances of ten or more kilometers by listening to the music these structures create. I also get to blow stuff up, which makes neat noises. All kidding aside, it is very gratifying to be recognized for our work, and I really can’t say enough about the exemplary contributions of my colleagues.”
McKenna’s area of expertise is acquiring, interpreting, and numerically modeling seismic, acoustic, and infrasound source and propagation phenomena to support tactical decision making for deployed expeditionary forces. She directs the Remote Assessment of Critical Infrastructure working group at ERDC, which has ongoing, integrated high-performance computing modeling and experimental research with the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Defense Intelligence Agency, Los Alamos National Laboratory and academic institutions. She supports several ongoing Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Defense Threat Reduction Agency programs concerned with hard target defeat and strategic imaging and monitoring of trans-national threats.
Prior to joining ERDC, McKenna taught geophysics and geology at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, from 1999-2005, where she remains an adjunct faculty member. At SMU, she conducted research in support of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and currently serves as an advisory member of the U.S. and International Infrasound Working Groups for Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization of Vienna.
McKenna holds a bachelor’s in physics, with a chemistry minor, from Georgetown University. She received her doctorate in geophysics from SMU in 2005. She is a certified professional geologist by the American Institute of Professional Geologists, a registered professional geologist in the state of Alaska, and a federally certified bridge inspector.