Predicting Response to Structures Subjected to Seismic Loading

Loyola Marymount University Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental EngineeringNegin Tauberg 's research interests center on analysis methods that predict the response to structures subjected to seismic loading to minimize destruction and ensure more resilient communities.

Thanks to Tauberg's doctoral research, a "Reinforced Concrete Ductile Coupled Walls" system was implemented into the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7-22 code as a validated system structural engineers can design for lateral force resistance. "I was fortunate to go through this process with my advisor and learn what it takes to get a change approved for the ASCE 7 building code," said Tauberg. "My research contributed to new code guidelines based on the nonlinear collapse assessment studies I conducted on various coupled wall systems, which enables engineers to design a reliable lateral force resisting system using ductile coupled walls."

Tauberg's interest in structural resistance to seismic activity grew while completing her undergraduate and graduate studies. "I was inspired by my professors to pursue a focus on predicting the response of the elements of a building after a major earthquake and to work on changing code provisions in a constructive way to improve building resilience and infrastructure preservation."

She was drawn to teaching at LMU because of the high value placed on undergraduate research, small class size facilitating professor/student engagement, and the bonus of being able to conduct her research in Southern California, which is a high-risk seismic region. She is currently teaching a Reinforced Concrete Design course and lab, as well as a Probability and Statistics for Civil Engineers course. She has also taught Structural Analysis, Design of Steel Structures, Seismic Design of Structures, and Building Information Modeling, among other related courses.

Tauberg continues to focus her research on how structural elements and systems respond during earthquakes. She uses advanced computer modeling to predict how reinforced concrete structures-especially those with shear walls and/or coupling beams-would behave during seismic events. By analyzing how different parts of a building might fail, she identifies which materials and structural elements are most vulnerable. Her work helps determine what future design improvements are needed, such as making building components stronger, more ductile, or better connected.

Tauberg brings real-world experience to the classroom having worked as consultant for local engineering firms. She earned a doctorate in structural and earthquake engineering with a minor in geotechnical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. At the University of California, Berkeley, she earned a master's degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials (SEMM) and a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering. Since 2021, she served as a visiting assistant professor at LMU, before becoming a full-time professor for Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering in fall 2025. She was also formerly a lecturer at USC.

Tauberg has plans to involve senior level undergraduate students, who have completed the necessary prerequisites, in her research to collect data and participate in nonlinear structural analysis with the goal of informing resilient design. She will also continue her role as advisor to students for various design competitions including ASCE's Timber-Strong Design™ and Concrete Canoe competitions, as well as advising campus clubs and competition teams. "I'm also excited to help our department develop a structural engineering master's program to be offered at LMU in the future," Tauberg said.