Walter F. Silva, Ph.D.

Walter Silva has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with concentration in Hydraulic Engineering from Washington State University. He earned a MS with concentration in Water Resources from the University of Puerto Rico and a BS degree in the Civil Engineering from the University of Costa Rica. He is Professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, was Director of the Research and Development Center (AOR) until December 2013, is Associate Director of the Puerto Rico Water Resources Research Institute. He was Chairman of the Department of General Engineering, Director of the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory and Associate Director of the Center for Hemispherical Cooperation.

Doctor Silva research and consulting interest is in unsteady closed and open channel flow, rehabilitation of hydraulic structures, environmental hydraulics and numerical modeling of hydraulic systems. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in fluid mechanics, water resources and hydraulic engineering. He organizes international events including short-courses and workshops for professionals; as well as, developing research and education in water resources and environmental engineering in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Doctor Silva has been consultant for private companies and government agencies in Puerto Rico. His projects include flood studies, hydrologic/hydraulic studies and sediment transport analysis.

Dr. Silva-Araya serves as reviewer for the Journal of Hydraulic Engineering and the Journal of Hydraulics Research. He is a member of ASCE, IAHR and AWWA. He is back a UPR-M after a successful sabbatical at USC working in the project Modeling of Flood Hazards & Geomorphic Impacts of Levee Breach & Dam Failure. He collaborates with this research group leaded by Dr. M. H. Chaudhry. Has several publications in ASCE and Conference proceedings.

Specialties:

Hydraulic engineering and hydrodynamics: Hydraulic modeling, transient flow, dam breaks and sediment transport analysis.