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Global Innovation and LeadershipA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5

THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE

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GLOBAL INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP2015 was a year of great success and promise for the future of SEI and the structural engineering profession. The efforts of our volunteers and staff resulted in our most successful conferences ever; a new edition of our flagship standard; expansion of our local groups and membership; and advancement of practice and research through the work of more than 100 committees.

Even with all of these accomplishments, it has never been more important to invest in the future. Therefore, in 2015 SEI launched a host of important new strategic initiatives to lay the groundwork for a new era of global innovation and leadership for structural engineers.

The continued success of our Institute depends deeply on the commitment of time and support from our members. Thank you for all that you do for SEI, and I hope you are inspired to participate even more as we move forward.

David J. Odeh, P.E., S.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE SEI President 2015-2016

GROW WITH SEIThe mission of SEI to advance and serve structural engineering is driven by the efforts of many volunteer members supporting committee and local group activities to create programs and publications, improve knowledge and practice, and much more. SEI membership is vibrant and growing.

Grow with us—and get involved to advance your career and the profession:

• Join a local group activity to network and learn• Come to a conference to experience all SEI offers• Join a committee effort• Contribute to support strategic initiatives and invest in the

future of SE through the SEI Futures Fund.

We look forward to your partnership with us!

Laura E. Champion, P.E., M.ASCE SEI Director

Cover image: Tilikum Crossing cable-stayed bridge (Portland, OR), purpose-built for transit and pedestrian/cycle use. Photo by David Honan, P.E., M.ASCE

David J. Odeh, P.E., S.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE SEI President Odeh Engineers, Inc.

Andrew W. Herrmann, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, Pres.12.ASCE SEI Vice President Hardesty & Hanover

Stephen S. Szoke, P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, SEI Treasurer Portland Cement Association

Donald Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE, SEI Past President Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc.

Laura E. Champion, P.E., M.ASCE, SEI Secretary

Hamid Reza Adib, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE Samsung C&T

Glenn R. Bell, P.E., S.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

John L. Carrato, P.E., S.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE Alfred Benesch & Company

David W. Cocke, S.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE Structural Focus

Cheng Lok Caleb Hing, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE Michael Baker International

Satish Nagarajaiah, Ph.D., F.SEI, M.ASCE Rice University

Chris D. Poland, P.E., S.E., NAE, F.SEI, M.ASCE Consulting Engineer

Sivaji Senapathi, P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE Edminster Hinshaw Russ & Assoc. 20

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The SEI Vision for the Future is our strategy to ensure a vibrant and dynamic future for structural engineering.

SEI envisions a future where, as stewards of the built environment, structural engineers will be key contributors to advance society on a global scale. We will create and use innovative technologies to design inspiring, resilient structures while ensuring the economic and sustainable use of natural resources. The best and brightest will choose to enter the profession, which will provide them with rewarding and dynamic opportunities to advance and be recognized at every stage of their careers. Structural engineers will lead and innovate in a critical role to improve the safety and well-being of the global population.

To achieve these long-term goals, SEI is leading in the following key initiatives:

• Reform structural engineering education. Adopt new education models to equip students with the broad technical, communications, and critical thinking skills needed to compete in the global economy.

• Improve mentoring and continuing education. Develop a national, standardized framework to launch the careers of young professionals, and create a meaningful platform for lifelong learning and professional growth.

• Create the SEI Global Activities Division. Expand the influence of SEI abroad, address the needs of worldwide membership, and position members as global leaders in structural engineering research and practice.

• Promote performance based codes and standards. Give structural engineers new tools to liberate them from the limitations of prescriptive code-checking, encourage design innovation, and increase the value of their services.

• Lead multi-disciplinary summits on technical topics of broad interest. Think outside the traditional boundaries of structural engineering to identify and apply the most advanced new technologies and science.

• Promote the structural engineer as a leader and innovator. Support the expansion of members’ roles to recognized positions of leadership in society by equipping them with the tools to succeed and be recognized by the public.

• Advocate for SE licensure. In partnership with peer associations, advance implementing the SE license as a post-PE credential to ensure public safety and recognize the unique qualifications of structural engineers.

2015 PROGRESS & ACHIEVEMENTS

G E T I N V O L V E D

Students:

• Enter a competition to showcase your talent• Participate in a Graduate Student Chapter• Apply for a research fellowship

Young Professionals:

• Apply for a scholarship to Congress

• Join a Committee or local Chapter• Learn and network at a conference• Continue your education

with lifelong learning• Support the Future of SE through the

SEI Futures Fund

• Advance to SEI Fellow• Be recognized through

Honors and Awards

TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND THE PROFESSION

courtesy of AAIR

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Laura E. Champion, P.E. Director

Suzanne Fisher Senior Manager, Operations

Jennifer Goupil, P.E. Senior Manager, Engineering

Susan Reid Administrator

Debbie Smith Senior Manager, Programs

In addition to SEI Divisions of committee efforts for Business & Professional Activities (BPAD), Codes & Standards Activities (CSAD), Local Activities (LAD), and Technical Activities (TAD), SEI has established the new Global Activities Division (GAD) to monitor global challenges and opportunities that affect our profession as well as pursue initiatives to prepare our members to address those challenges and opportunities.

The Committee for the Reform of Structural Engineering Education (CRoSEE) is organizing efforts with stakeholders toward long- and short-term goals and developing an action plan to study and implement ideas for reform.

SEI is grateful to the SEI Futures Fund and its supporters for providing vital funding beyond the SEI operating budget for these strategic vision initiatives. For the complete list of efforts made possible with your support, see the SEI Futures Fund Annual Report on page 10.

SEI continues to advance strategic initiatives such as SE licensure through the Structural Engineering Licensure Coalition (SELC), and standards development coordination through the International Code Council (ICC), International Standards Organization (ISO), and Structural Standards Coordination Council (SSCC).

Standards development is at the forefront of SEI activities. Significant industry standards, including ASCE 7, are working hard toward a 2016 completion date and adoption into the model building codes.

SEI conferences had a very successful year with record participation and industry support. From our annual Congress with concurrent sessions on a broad range of topics, to niche specialty offerings at the Electrical Transmission and Substation (ETS) Structures Conference and the ATC&SEI Conference on Improving the Seismic Performance of Existing Buildings and Other Structures, SEI offers unparalleled opportunities for your innovation and networking needs.

SEI FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 2015

SEI AT-A-GLANCE

There were 31,459 SEI members at end of 2015, 22% outside the US.

Local Activities

Five new local SEI Chapters were established in 2015, with several new Graduate Student Chapters forming. In all 44 local SEI Chapters including 6 Graduate Student Chapters extend the reach to advance and serve structural engineering by providing local opportunities for networking, partnership, professional development, and outreach.

Connect with SEI Chapters at www.asce.org/seilocal

2015 SEI PROGRAMS

Revenue $2,535,154Expenses $2,422,257Reserves $724,601

STAFF

courtesy of S. Swift

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

In collaboration with ASCE Continuing Education, 100 webinars were offered in 2015. With new standards, guidelines, and manuals of practice in production, efforts are continuous to develop new opportunities for continuing education.

PUBLICATIONS

SEI publications produced in 2015:

• Design Loads on Structures during Construction (ASCE/SEI 37-14)

• Design of Latticed Steel Transmission Structures (ASCE/SEI 10-15)

• Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures 2015

• Journal of Structural Engineering• Journal of Bridge Engineering• Practice Periodical on Structural

Design and Construction• Structures Congress 2015• Tier 1 Checklists for Seismic

Evaluation of Existing Buildings• Wind-Induced Motion

of Tall Buildings

STUDENT AND YOUNG PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

SEI is proud to support programs that foster successful transition of student members from college to career including student competitions,scholarships for young professionals, and special events to welcome and engage students and young professionals at Congress.

SEI Graduate Student Chapters continue to grow and are a vital initiative to orient and involve students in SEI. Additionally through the O. H. Ammann Research Fellowship in Structural Engineering four fellowships were granted in 2015.

The mission of SEI to advance and serve the structural engineering profession is fulfilled through the activities of the more than 100 volunteer member committees of SEI. Thank you to the many volunteer committee members who contribute countless hours to produce SEI conferences, continuing education, publications, and more.

CONFERENCES

Structures Congress April 23-25 in Portland, OR brought together more than 1,100 participants from 19 countries for a strong program of stimulating sessions and networking opportunities including the CASE Spring Risk Management Convocation. Members also engaged in more than 70 committees meetings held at the conference. Plenary presentations included recognition of the 2015 SEI and ASCE awardees and SEI Fellows, the SEI annual meeting, and a stirring keynote on Engineering in Action by Avery Bang, CEO of Bridges to Prosperity.

The triennial Electrical Transmission and Substation (ETS) Structures Conference “Grid Modernization – Technical Challenges and Innovative Solutions” September 27 – October 1 in Branson, MO was a great success. More than 1,200 transmission and substation engineers from 15 countries participated to learn what it takes to design, build, maintain, and secure a global grid for the 21st century. They enjoyed a high-quality program, connecting with colleagues in the sold-out Exhibit Hall and social/networking events, and an outdoor power line construction equipment demo day.

At the SEI Local Leaders Conference October 23-24 in Charlotte, NC participant representatives from 32 local SEI Chapters and Graduate Student Chapters learned about developments at SEI and had an exchange on local best practices. SEI President David Odeh gave an update on the SEI Vision for the Future of Structural Engineering Initiatives. The conference also included a tour of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Research Center, a technical presentation on the design and construction of the UNC Charlotte Football Stadium project, and leadership training.

SEI wrapped up 2015 with Improving the Seismic Performance of Existing Buildings and Other Structures, December 10-12, San Francisco, CA our second conference on this topic in partnership with the Applied Technology Council (ATC).

Save the date:

• Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Congress, February 14-17, 2016, Phoenix, AZ

• SEI Local Leaders Conference – Fall 2016• Structures Congress, April 6-8, 2017, Denver, CO• Structures Congress, April 19-21, 2018, Ft. Worth, TX• Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures Congress,

November 4-8, 2018, Atlanta, GA

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David W. Cocke, S.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, Chair Structural Focus

Glenn R. Bell, P.E., S.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

John L. Carrato, P.E., S.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE Alfred Benesch & Company

Edward M. DePaola, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, M.ASCE Severud Associates

David J. Odeh, P.E., S.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE Odeh Engineers

SEI FUTURES FUND ANNUAL REPORT 2015 INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF OUR PROFESSION

Through the SEI Futures Fund in 2015, donors contributed more than $50,000 to advance the art, science and practice of structural engineering, and enabled the Fund Board to grant nearly $60,000 in critical program funding for 2016 strategic initiatives to shape the future of our profession, including those outlined in the SEI Vision for the Future (see pg. 5).

The Fund leverages contributions to fund strategic initiatives outside the SEI operating budget following these priorities:

• Invest in the future of the structural engineering profession• Promote student interest in structural engineering• Support younger-member involvement in SEI• Provide opportunities for professional development

FY2015 Gifts and revenue received: $52,262 Fiscal year-end balance: $304,051

Initiatives Funded for 2016:

• Workshop for Committee for the Reform of Structural Engineering Education • SEI Global Activities Division • Efforts to evaluate and recommend SEI global initiatives • Scholarships for 10 Young Professionals to engage at Congress • Research in support of SE licensure • Sponsored ASCE Continuing Education Webinar for local SEI Chapters

Your continued giving will build momentum to fund strategic initiatives in 2017 and beyond, and will strengthen SEI efforts to build a vibrant community of structural engineers who will lead the profession into the future.

Thank you for giving! www.asce.org/SEIFuturesFund

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“I see the Futures Fund as our ‘rapid-deployment force’ investing in the future of our profession through activities addressing immediate needs outside the annual operating budget of SEI, needs that would otherwise be delayed - at best.”

Dennis Mertz, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE

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