Kit Miyamoto Explained

Dr. Hideki "Kit" Miyamoto
Birth Place:Tokyo, Japan
Nationality:American, Japanese
Education:Ph.D from Tokyo Institute of Technology,[1] MS and BS from California State University[2]
Occupation:Seismic safety professional[3]
Known For:Miyamoto International, Earthquake disaster response

Dr. Hideki "Kit" Miyamoto (born 1963) is a Japanese-American structural engineer known for being the founder-CEO of Miyamoto International, a global structural engineering and disaster risk reduction organization.[4] [5] He is also the chairman of California's Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, which investigates earthquakes and recommends policies for risk reduction.[6] [7]

Early life and education

Miyamoto was born and raised in Tokyo and studied earthquake engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and California State University. He lives in Los Angeles.[8]

Career

Miyamoto started his career in structural engineering and later focused on disaster resiliency, response, and reconstruction.[9] He provides policy consultation to the World Bank, USAID, UN agencies, governments and private sector. He has led teams of professionals on response and reconstruction projects after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, 2010 Haiti earthquake,[10] [11] 2011 Japan earthquake, 2015 Nepal earthquake,[12] 2020 Puerto Rico earthquakes[13] and other seismic risk reduction programs along with disaster risk mitigation policy work.[14] Miyamoto was elected as a chair of the California Seismic Safety Commission in October 2020. He has formerly served as a seismic safety commissioner for eight years where he has advocated for increased resiliency in California.[15]

Innovations

Dr. Miyamoto was responsible for the seismic retrofit of the Theme Building, an iconic Space Age structure at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The innovative retrofit consisted of adding a tuned mass damper (TMD) to the top of the building's core. The TMD option was selected because it was less expensive, protected the building's architectural features, and minimized building closure.[16] This was the first time this retrofit had been achieved in the United States.[17]

Awards and recognitions

YearAwardInstitution or PublicationDistinction
2024Award of Excellence[18] Engineering News RecordRecognition of trajectory in engineering, disaster risk reduction, and post-disaster and post-conflict response across the globe.
2022Most Admired CEO[19] Sacramento Business JournalHonorees for this award program were nominated by Business Journal readers and staff and chosen through a vote of their peers.
2015Humanitarian Award[20] American Society of Civil Engineers of SacramentoThe award is given annually to an outstanding Sacramento Section member who supports ASCE's mission through dedication of time and involvement with humanitarian efforts, local Section affairs, safety, social services, and the like.
2013G. Brooks Earnest Technical Lecture Award[21] American Society of Civil EngineersThis Award lecture is presented by an outstanding individual of National and/or International prominence, preferably one who is renowned in the field of Civil Engineering.
20131st Annual Business Innovation & Economic Development AwardHaiti Renewal Alliance
2012Allied Professions Honor Award[22] American Institute of Architects California CouncilThe award celebrates a member of an allied profession who is committed to enhancing and contributing to the field of architecture and architectural design.
2012Distinguished Alumni[23] California State University, SacramentoThe Distinguished Service Award recognizes professional achievements and community service to alumni.
2011Distinguished Alumni[24] California State University, ChicoThe Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni from California State University for their outstanding contributions to their communities.
2011FellowAmerican Society of Civil Engineers
2011Frederick W. Panhorst Structural Engineering AwardAmerican Society of Civil Engineers
2011Top 25 NewsmakersEngineering News RecordSpecial recognition to Engineering News Record stories chosen by ENR editors.
2011Alfred E. Alquist California Seismic Safety Commissioner[25] Seismic Safety CommissionThe Seismic Safety Commission (SSC) investigates earthquakes, researches earthquake-related issues and reports, and recommends to the Governor and Legislature policies and programs needed to reduce earthquake risk.
2011Community Service Award[26] Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce
2011Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership AwardZweig GroupThe Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award is given each year to someone working in an architecture, engineering, planning or environmental firm who has made tremendous impacts on the company through courageous leadership.

Earthquake Response

Dr. Kit Miyamoto plays a key role in earthquake damage assessment, building safety, capacity building, and reconstruction strategies to improve seismic resilience around the world. His work focuses on failure mechanisms and improved construction practices to reduce future earthquake risks.

!Seismic Event!Contributions!Outcomes and impact
Sichuan, China (M-8.0, 2008)Observation and assessment of collapsed schools and other buildings, identifying issues with non-ductile concrete construction[27]
  • Provided recommendations on improving construction practices and seismic safety of buildings[28]
Port-au-Prince, Haiti(M-7.0, 2010)Damage assessment and reconstruction planning[29]
  • Assessed 430,000 buildings and developed a repair program for damaged structures
  • Trained over 600 local engineers and 6,000 masons in seismic-resistant construction techniques
  • Helped repair nearly 10,000 houses, impacting over 100,000 people[30]
Tōhoku, Japan (M-9.0, 2011)Damage assessment and tsunami impacts[31]
  • Observed failures of seawalls and nuclear power plant cooling systems
  • Provided recommendations on improving tsunami resilience of coastal infrastructure[32]
Gorkha District, Nepal (M-7.8, 2015)Damage assessment in Kathmandu and remote villages[33]
  • Evaluated safety of damaged buildings and provided repair recommendations
  • Advised on reconstruction strategies and seismic strengthening of structures[34]
Manabí Province, Ecuador(M-7.8, 2016)Damage assessment in affected coastal areas
  • Worked with local officials to evaluate building safety and develop reconstruction plans
  • Provided training to local engineers on post-earthquake assessment techniques
Paktika, Afghanistan(M-5.9, 2022)Damage assessment to develop repair strategies for traditional mud brick buildings[35]
  • Provided recommendations on improving earthquake resistance of vernacular construction techniques
  • Trained local engineers and masons on proper repair and reconstruction methods[36]
Osmaniye and Gaziantep, Türkiye-Syria (M-7.8, 2023)Damage assessment to heavily damaged areas, building collapses and failures[37]
  • Evaluated reasons for widespread destruction, including poor construction quality and lack of code enforcement
  • Provided recommendations on improving building safety and reconstruction strategies[38]

Publications

Media

Major media such as CNN,[45] LA Times,[46] NY Times[47] and Rolling Stone[48] have mentioned, represented, or interviewed him. He was also featured in the “Designing for Disaster” exhibit at the National Building Museum.[49]

Notes and References

  1. News: Emblin . Richard . Miyamoto: Making Bogotá seismically more secure . The City Paper Bogotá . August 14, 2017.
  2. News: van der Meer . Ben . H. Kit Miyamoto: Quake expert picks up the pieces . Sacramento Business Journal . December 5, 2014.
  3. News: Lin . Rong-Gong . In this Mexican town broken by an earthquake, hope rises . . October 4, 2017.
  4. News: Staff . Miyamoto brings its earthquake expertise to seismic Colombia . The City Paper Bogotá . July 17, 2017.
  5. News: Ashbrook . Tom . Preparing For The Next Deadly Earthquake . www.wbur.org . April 19, 2016 . en.
  6. News: Berardi . Erica . Kit Miyamoto Is Named Chair of California's Seismic Safety Commission . . October 29, 2020 . en.
  7. Web site: Appointed Commissioners & Staff Seismic Safety Commission . 2024-06-06 . en.
  8. Web site: Fountain . Henry . Extent of Damage to Japan's Infrastructure Still Unclear . . March 25, 2011.
  9. News: Pardo . Daniela . How prepared is Sacramento to receive evacuees after a natural disaster? . American Broadcasting Company 10 . June 4, 2018.
  10. Reitman . Janet . Beyond Relief: How the World Failed Haiti . . August 4, 2011.
  11. News: Kurczy . Stephen . Haiti's tent cities to bear worst of potential hurricane Tomas . . November 4, 2010.
  12. News: Staff . Miyamoto stresses on technology, change and modification . . November 30, 2015.
  13. News: Florido . Adrian . Earthquake-Stricken Puerto Ricans Seek Engineers To Inspect The Safety Of Their Homes . . January 17, 2020 . en.
  14. News: Malkin . Elisabeth . In Mexico City, Pressure to Prepare for the Next Big Earthquake (Published 2017) . . October 5, 2017.
  15. News: Carothers . Luke . Dr. Kit Miyamoto Elected as a Chair of California Seismic Safety Commission . Civil + Structural Engineer magazine . October 27, 2020.
  16. (PDF) Seismic Retrofit of a Landmark Structure Using a Mass Damper: (PDF) Seismic Retrofit of a Landmark Structure Using a Mass Damper, accessdate: March 2, 2022
  17. lawa.org/news-releases/2010/news-release-33: lawa.org/news-releases/2010/news-release-33, accessdate: March 2, 2022
  18. Web site: Award of Excellence Winner Kit Miyamoto Travels the Globe to Help Countries Rebuild From Disaster Engineering News-Record . 2024-06-18 . www.enr.com . en.
  19. Web site: https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2022/01/28/kit-miyamoto-most-admired-ceo-2022-intro.html . 2024-06-18 . www.bizjournals.com.
  20. Web site: American Society of Civil Engineers - Sacramento Section - Photo Gallery . 2024-06-20 . asce-sacto.org.
  21. Web site: Awards . 2024-07-05 . ascecleveland.org . en.
  22. Web site: Kit Miyamoto wins AIA Honor Award - Civil + Structural Engineer magazine . 2024-06-20 . csengineermag.com/ . en-US.
  23. Web site: Distinguished Alumni Awards . 2024-07-05 . www.csus.edu . en.
  24. Web site: CSU, Chico Distinguished Alumni – Chico State Alumni Association . 2024-07-05 . www.csuchico.edu . en.
  25. Web site: Appointed Commissioners & Staff Seismic Safety Commission . 2024-07-05 . en.
  26. Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce 2012 Installation & Awards Banquet Highlights . 2012-02-03 . Mike Alvarez . 2024-06-18 . YouTube.
  27. Web site: Earthquake Reconnaissance of the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake and Retrofit Options – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive . 2024-08-27 . en-US.
  28. Web site: Miyamoto . 2013-02-05 . New 10 Coverage of Sichuan China Earthquake - 2008 . 2024-08-27 . Miyamoto International . en-US.
  29. Web site: Massive Damage Assessment Program and Repair and Reconstruction Strategy in the Aftermath of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive . 2024-08-27 . en-US.
  30. Web site: Miyamoto . H. Kit . Gilani . Amir S.J. . March 28, 2012 . URBAN EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION: 2010 HAITI EARTHQUAKE . August 27, 2024.
  31. Web site: Early Field Survey of Damage from Japan's March 11th Earthquake and Tsunami, presentation by Kit Miyamoto . 2024-08-27 . www.eeri.org.
  32. Web site: Miyamoto . H. Kit . Gilani . Amir S.J. . The 2011 Eastern Japan Earthquake: Facts and Reconstruction Recommendations . August 27, 2024.
  33. Web site: Miyamoto . H. Kit . Gilani . Amir S.J. . 2016 . Damage Assessment and Seismic Retrofit of Buildings Following the 2015 Nepal and 2016 Ecuador Earthquakes . August 27, 2024.
  34. Web site: Damage Assessment of Seismic Retrofit Midrise Buildings Nepal WCEE 2017 – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive . 2024-08-27 . en-US.
  35. Web site: Miyamoto Technical Support to Afghanistan Shelter Cluster Shelter Cluster . 2024-08-27 . sheltercluster.org.
  36. Web site: Elassy . Hala . 2023-07-04 . Miyamoto Relief's engagements in Afghanistan, 2022 . 2024-08-27 . Humanitarian Library . en.
  37. Turkey Earthquake Dr. Kit Miyamoto on CNN with Becky Anderson . 2023-02-21 . Miyamoto International . 2024-08-27 . YouTube.
  38. Web site: Field Survey of Buildings After Mw = 7.8 Turkey Earthquake: Observations and Remedial Measures – Earthquake Engineering Technical Paper Archive . 2024-08-27 . en-US.
  39. Gilani, Amir & Miyamoto, H. Kit & Nifuku, Tsutomu. (2018). Seismic Risk Assessment and Retrofit of School Buildings in Developing Countries.
  40. Gilani, Amir & Miyamoto, H. Kit. (2018). Seismic Collapse Probability of Structures with Viscous Dampers per Asce 7-16: Effect of Large Earthquakes.
  41. Miyamoto, H. Kit & Gilani, Amir. (2018). Damage Assessment and Seismic Retrofit of Heritage and Modern Buildings in the Aftermath of 2015 Nepal Earthquake.
  42. Gilani, Amir & Miyamoto, H. Kit. (2018). Design of Structures with Dampers per ASCE 7-16 and Performance for Large Earthquakes. 1-10. 10.1061/9780784481325.001.
  43. Miyamoto, H. Kit & Gilani, Amir. (2016). Cost-Effective Seismic Isolation Retrofit of Heritage Cathedrals in Haiti. 288-298. 10.1061/9780784479742.024.
  44. Keller, N. & Miyamoto, K. (2013). Transparente Global Earthquake Risk and Loss Estimation.
  45. CNN.com: Haiti trying to avoid past mistakes as rebuilding begins – CNN.com, accessdate: March 2, 2022
  46. Los Angeles Times: Heading inside a quake-damaged hospital in Mexico – Los Angeles Times, accessdate: March 2, 2022
  47. The New York Times: Japan's Strict Codes and Drills Are Seen as Lifesavers – The New York Times, accessdate: March 2, 2022
  48. Rolling Stone: Beyond Relief: How the World Failed Haiti – Rolling Stone, accessdate: March 2, 2022
  49. Blog: Designing for Disaster – Blog, accessdate: March 2, 2022

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