Contribution · Seoul National University
Hokyung Kim is a professor at Seoul National University. Since 1990, Hokyung Kim has developed analysis programs for cable bridges and techniques for wind-resistant design, then brought them into practice in Korea. Asked why this work had to be done first-hand, Hokyung Kim gives a short, clear answer.
In Hokyung Kim's own words.
"If even one expert in Korea has a particular technology,
then Korea has the technology in that field."
That's why we need at least one expert in every field.
In the 1990s, I developed a program that simulates the construction stages of cable bridges using elastic catenary cable elements, and made it available to others. I also developed wind tunnel testing and buffeting analysis techniques for the wind-resistant design of bridges and shared those too.
I've run wind tunnel tests and wind-resistant design for more than 20 long-span bridge projects in Korea. I also wrote design guidelines for suspension footbridges, which set out a wind-resistant design approach for that type of bridge.
Q. What research are you leading now?
Since 2023, I've been director of the Floating Infrastructure Research Center. I plan and run its research and lead the development of modular floating structures for the future. We're building a modular floating platform and mooring system that can carry three- to four-storey facilities in coastal waters with a significant wave height of 3 m.
The structure is scalable. Modules connect to each other, so it can grow to whatever area is needed. It's an eco-friendly way to extend usable land into coastal waters and respond to rising sea levels. It can also serve as infrastructure for facilities with high energy demand, such as data centres.
MIDAS got started at about the same time I began developing analysis programs. Its history has followed a path much like mine, both in timing and in direction. It feels like we've travelled side by side, and that means a lot to me.
At many of the academic events I attend, including IABSE, MIDAS is already well recognised. It has grown beyond a Korean program into an established global one, and I'm proud of that.
From cable bridge analysis to floating infrastructure, Hokyung Kim has set out to become the first expert in each technology Korea needed. MIDAS is grateful to be part of the story of those years.