- 1 - SEAONC Business Forum Wednesday, May 24th 2006 The City Club 155 Sansome Street, 9 th Floor Bechtel Room San Francisco Registration Deadline: 12:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18th (Details on page 6) A Message from the President VOL. LXI, NO. 05 FOUNDED 1930 May 2006 575 MARKET STREET SUITE 2125 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-2870 415/974-5147 WWW.SEAONC.ORG [email protected]May 2nd Monthly Meeting Continued on page 2 SEAONC Monthly Meeting Tuesday, May 2nd 2006 The City Club 155 Sansome Street, 10 th Floor San Francisco Registration Deadline: 12:00 p.m. Thur. April 27th (Details to the right, reg. form on back of news) Meeting Notice The main structure of the World Trade Center consisted of an external steel tube with closely spaced col- umns, internal gravity columns and simply supported steel truss joists connecting the interior gravity col- umns to the columns of the exterior tube. In the aftermath of the col- lapse of the WTC towers, in 2001, the speaker conducted a field investiga- tion of the structural remains and in 2002 he testified before the Com- mittee on Science of the U.S. House of Representatives. Since then, he has conducted nonlinear dynamic analyses of impact of airplanes on tall buildings including the col- lapsed WTC towers. One of the main objectives of these studies was to find out what would have happened if the structure of the WTC towers were a traditional system, instead of the innovative system that was used. To find out, inelastic finite element analysis software Dytran was used to build realistic models of the WTC towers as well as models of pas- What if the WTC Towers Had a Traditional Structural System? By Prof. Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl, Department of CEE and Center for Catastrophic Risk Management (CCRM) University of California, Berkeley Program Committee Chair Hamid Fatehi senger airliners and to simulate the impact of the airplanes flying into the towers with high speed. Two models of the WTC towers were used in the studies. One model of the building had the innovative struc- tural system that was actually used in the towers. The second model was a redesigned version of the structure of the towers using a more traditional system consisting of a perimeter mo- ment frame and a composite shear wall system for the core. The columns in the perimeter were connected to the core by typical steel trusses. The presentation will provide a sum- mary of the field studies followed by the results of analyses of the impact of passenger airplanes on the two WTC structures, one using the actual innovative system and the second using a more traditional system. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of lessons learned and implications of the findings. At our April dinner meeting, I an- nounced that our Board has autho- rized creation of a Transportation Structures Committee. In so doing, the Board is taking an important step in recognizing and promot- ing the interests of members of the structural engineering commu- nity that have historically played a marginal role in SEAONC. While SEAONC has provided interesting and informative dinner programs on the unique challenges structural engineers face designing transporta- tion structures, the organization has provided little in the way of techni- cal programs for this vital segment of our profession. With the formation of the Trans- portation Structures Committee, it is our hope that this will change dramatically. Structural Engineers engaged in the design of highway bridges, port facilities, air and rail facilities will be actively encouraged to join together to share techno- logical breakthroughs, discuss and develop uniform design criteria
Transcript
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SEAONC Business ForumWednesday, May 24th 2006
The City Club155 Sansome Street, 9th Floor
Bechtel RoomSan Francisco
Registration Deadline: 12:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18th(Details on page 6)
A Message from the President
VOL. LXI, NO. 05 FOUNDED 1930 May 2006
575 MARKET STREET SUITE 2125 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-2870 415/974-5147 WWW.SEAONC.ORG [email protected]
May 2nd Monthly Meeting
Continued on page 2
SEAONC Monthly MeetingTuesday, May 2nd 2006
The City Club155 Sansome Street, 10th Floor
San FranciscoRegistration Deadline: 12:00 p.m.
Thur. April 27th(Details to the right, reg. form on back of
news)
Meeting Notice
The main structure of the World Trade Center consisted of an external steel tube with closely spaced col-umns, internal gravity columns and simply supported steel truss joists connecting the interior gravity col-umns to the columns of the exterior tube. In the aftermath of the col-lapse of the WTC towers, in 2001, the speaker conducted a fi eld investiga-tion of the structural remains and in 2002 he testifi ed before the Com-mittee on Science of the U.S. House of Representatives. Since then, he has conducted nonlinear dynamic analyses of impact of airplanes on tall buildings including the col-lapsed WTC towers. One of the main objectives of these studies was to fi nd out what would have happened if the structure of the WTC towers were a traditional system, instead of the innovative system that was used. To fi nd out, inelastic fi nite element analysis software Dytran was used to build realistic models of the WTC towers as well as models of pas-
What if the WTC Towers Had a Traditional Structural System?By Prof. Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl, Department of CEE and Center for Catastrophic Risk Management (CCRM) University of California, Berkeley
Program Committee ChairHamid Fatehi
senger airliners and to simulate the impact of the airplanes fl ying into the towers with high speed. Two models of the WTC towers were used in the studies. One model of the building had the innovative struc-tural system that was actually used in the towers. The second model was a redesigned version of the structure of the towers using a more traditional system consisting of a perimeter mo-ment frame and a composite shear wall system for the core. The columns in the perimeter were connected to the core by typical steel trusses. The presentation will provide a sum-mary of the fi eld studies followed by the results of analyses of the impact of passenger airplanes on the two WTC structures, one using the actual innovative system and the second using a more traditional system. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of lessons learned and implications of the fi ndings.
At our April dinner meeting, I an-nounced that our Board has autho-rized creation of a Transportation Structures Committee. In so doing, the Board is taking an important step in recognizing and promot-ing the interests of members of the structural engineering commu-nity that have historically played a marginal role in SEAONC. While SEAONC has provided interesting and informative dinner programs on the unique challenges structural engineers face designing transporta-tion structures, the organization has provided little in the way of techni-cal programs for this vital segment of our profession.
With the formation of the Trans-portation Structures Committee, it is our hope that this will change dramatically. Structural Engineers engaged in the design of highway bridges, port facilities, air and rail facilities will be actively encouraged to join together to share techno-logical breakthroughs, discuss and develop uniform design criteria
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Continued from page 1
Centennial Contribution
A Message from the President
and provide SEAONC with a voice in the rule making deliberations of the agencies that protect the public’s safety in the design and construction of transportation structures. We hope that this new committee will serve in much the same way that SEAONC Seismology and Existing Buildings committees have worked to develop and articulate a consensus-derived understanding of the fundamental is-sues in designing, evaluating and/or rehabilitating buildings.
Next year’s committee will be co-chaired by Mark Ketchum. Initially, his objectives will be to develop a working committee core that will identify a program of future goals. It is our hope that by this time next year, there will be a new and impor-tant forum within SEAONC for the advancement of our profession.
I would like to thank Board member and Treasurer Mike Fretz and the other SEAONC members who have worked with him to help launch this
Based on the 2001 CBC & the 2003 IBC Following 5 successful years of presentations, BYA Publications is pleased to announce the 2006 SE Review Workshops. The program is comprised of a detailed interactive review of a comprehensive selection of problems included in the California Structural Engineer exams and discussion of more recent developments in structural and seismic engineering. With the adoption of the IBC in California in near future, the workshops also provides a great introduction to these new provisions, which also include the ASCE-7-02, 2002 ACI-318, 2002 AISC Seismic and 2002 MSJC.
All classes are on Saturdays or Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.** At the Hayward La Quinta, 20777 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94541 (510) 732-6300
May 7 Introduction to 2003 IBC Dr. S.K. Ghosh, Ph.D. May 20 Steel Design, Part I (ASD/CBC) Rafael Sabelli, MS, SE June 3 Masonry Design (UBC/IBC) Dr. Chukwume Ekwueme, Ph.D.,SE June 10 Concrete Design, Part I (UBC/IBC) Dr. S.K. Ghosh, Ph.D. July 8 Advanced Analysis/Dynamics Dr. Farzad Naeim, Ph.D., SE, Esq. July 15 Wood Design (UBC/IBC) Kelly Cobeen, MS, SE July 29 Steel Design, Part II (ASD/LRFD/IBC) Dr. Michael Engelhardt, Ph.D., PE August 12 CBC/OSHPD Provisions, New Construction Chris Tokas, MS, SE August 13 CBC/OSHPD Provisions, Existing Buildings Chris Tokas, MS, SE September 9 Concrete Design, Part II (UBC/IBC) Dr. S.K. Ghosh, Ph.D. September 10 Concrete Design, Part III (UBC/IBC) Dr. S.K. Ghosh, Ph.D. September 16 Steel Design, Part III (ASD/CBC/IBC) Rafael Sabelli, MS, SE October 7 General Overview Ben Yousefi, MS, SE
What Last Year’s Participants Are Saying About Our Workshops?
I did take both the national and state-specific SE examinations and passed them on the first try. Though it was an effort to make it all the way through your preparation course (I live around 3-1/2 to 4 hours away and didn’t miss a single session), I believe that it significantly contributed to my success. The SE Review Manual and the host of celebrity (at least within the SE community) guest speakers you had lined up for us helped to sharpen the areas I was weak in. I wouldn’t have attempted the exam without first taking your course. Thanks for the valuable service you provide to the structural engineering profession in this state. Steve Mickelson, SE, LEED AP, NorthStar Engineering
I passed both tests! Thank you for organizing the workshop. It was a great experience for me and it helped me greatly in my preparation. I have already recommended your class to a few of my friends, so hopefully you will need a bigger room next year.
Mahmoud M. Hachem, Ph.D, SE, Senior Associate, Wiss, Janney, Elstner First of all, I would like to thank you Ben for putting this review course together. It helped tremendously and got me focused on studying early enough that I felt very prepared entering the first day of the exam. I believe it was a large part of the reason I passed. Thanks again and I will be recommending the course to all of m friends/coworkers. Brad Erickson, S.E., Associate, Watry Design
For additional information please check our web site at www.structuralsolutions.com , call 800-566-2906 or see last month’s newsletter
new committee. I would also like to ask all of you to help in supporting the efforts of this new committee. If you have an interest in sharing your experiences or suggesting improve-ments in the structural engineering of transportation structures please contact:
Mark Ketchum (415) 989-4551 x214
-Andrew Merovich
2006 SEAONC Summer Seminar: New Wood and Masonry Codes for 2005 and beyond
On June 7 & 14 the Summer Semi-nar will be held at PG&E in SF. For the 2005 Fall Seminar we intro-duced the new wind and seismic loading under the 2006 IBC. The 2006 Spring Seminar covered the concrete and steel provisions referred to in the 2006 IBC This up-coming 2006 Summer Seminar will present the codes that the 2006 IBC refers to; 2005 NDS & 2005 ACI 351 ACI 530. The following introduces the wood section of the seminar and its presenters.
Description:Wood design using the 2006 IBC will include some notable changes from current California codes. Design loads and load combina-tions will be governed by the IBC and ASCE 7-05. Capacities of wood members and connections will be governed by the new 2005 edition of
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Job Forum
DESIMONE Consulting Engineers, a leading national structural engineering firm with a staff of more than 160 employees, has immediate openings in our growing San Francisco office for engineers at all levels, especially experi-enced Project Managers and Project Engineers. Presently, we are designing a diverse mix of interesting and technically challenging projects, including museums, resorts, and residential projects, along with several high-rise build-ings ranging up to 75 stories. Ideal candidates should have strong technical, management and communications skills, with a PE license (pre-ferred). We offer a competitive benefits package, coupled with a dynamic work environment. Additional opportunities are available in our New York, Miami, New Haven and Las Vegas offices. Please send your resume via e-mail to [email protected].
NISHKIAN MENNINGER SEEKS EXPE-RIENCED REGISTERED ENGINEER with 5 or more years experience in various types of structures; office buildings, high-rises, schools, multiple-tenant residential & other commercial projects, garages and seismic rehab. Resume & salary requirements to: 1200 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 or e-mail: [email protected].
Tipping Mar + associates seeks an energetic, creative individual to join the staff of a dy-namic, emerging structural engineering firm. If you have imagination in addition to technical expertise, and would enjoy working in early collaboration with architects and contractors to provide exceptional seismic and sustainable design, please send a resume and cover letter to Tipping Mar + associates, 1906 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704; fax to 510-549-1912; or e-mail [email protected].
Jacobs Civil Inc. a major nationwide engi-neering firm has an immediate opening for a Structural Engineer for its Walnut Creek, CA office. The successful applicant shall have a CE license in California and a BSCE and at least 3 years experience in facility projects, preparing plans and specs for construction. A MS degree in structural engineering is preferred. Experi-ence in computer programs (SAP2000, ETABS, etc) is required and knowledge of Auto CADD is desirable. Strong written and verbal skills and the ability to work with peers and clients are required. Our office is conveniently located next to the BART Pleasant Hill Station. Jacobs is an Affirmative Action, EOE. Please email cover letter and resume to [email protected] or fax to: 925/256-7999. Visit our website at www.Jacobs.com
Degenkolb Engineers is looking for talented engineers to join our San Francisco team. As recognized leaders in seismic engineering, we offer a diverse, challenging mix of projects on new and existing structures. We offer an excel-lent salary and benefits package. Currently, we are looking for engineers with a M.S. in Struc-tural Engineering with 0-3 years of experience. Experience in structural/seismic engineering analysis and design of buildings is a plus. Please see our website atwww.degenkolb.com. EOE. To apply, send a narrative letter about yourself with your cur-rent resume to [email protected] or to Degenkolb Engineers, Attn: James Malley, 225 Bush Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco, Califor-nia 94104.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is seeking Project Engineers & Project Managers for full time employment. Applicants must be motivated
and possess excellent written and verbal skills. KPFF offers our employees an environment that supports personal growth, education and training, and the freedom to pursue individual career goals. If you have at least 5 years of design experience, a PE license, an advanced degree in structural engineering, and an interest in Struc-tural Design, we want to hear from you. Send cover letter and resume to KPFF 1160 Battery St., Suite 300, SF, CA 94111. EOE
Hoogerwerf Engineering Group, Inc. is seek-ing both engineers and CAD technicians for a San Jose firm specializing in the design and detailing of post-tensioned concrete structures. All levels of experience will be considered. Please fax resume to 408-323-2005 or e-mail it to [email protected]. See our website at www.hoogerwerfegi.com for more informa-tion.
PEOPLES ASSOCIATES STRUCTURAL EN-GINEERS INC., a growing Structural Engineer-ing consulting firm in the Bay Area, is looking for talented and energetic people to join our Milpitas (San Jose) office. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a team-oriented atmosphere that encourages professional growth. BS required (MS preferred). Experience is a plus. Mail resume & cover letter to 529 South Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035. Fax: (408) 957-9221. Email: [email protected]. Check us out on the World Wide Web at www.PASE.COM.
Forell/Elsesser Engineers, an award-winning structural engineering firm, offers outstanding career opportunities to engineers with 0 to 5 years experience who seek a dynamic, challenging and rewarding work environment (www.forell.com). An M.S. degree in structural engineering is preferred, but not required. Work on exciting projects and collaborate with innovative design engineers. We offer an unparalleled salary & benefits package, including employer matched 401(k), pension and incentive compensation plans. Contact: Jim Guthrie, 160 Pine St. #600, San Francisco, CA 94111; fax (415) 837-0800 or [email protected].
Jon Brody Structural Engineers is an award winning San Francisco firm with a reputation for design creativity and a high level of professional service. We work on a wide variety of new and retrofit project types, with a focus on the integra-tion of structural requirements with architectural design objectives. Committed engineers with strong design, analytical, and interpersonal skills and min. 2 years design experience in CA are encouraged to apply for Structural Designer, Project Engineer and Project Management posi-tions on our team. Please e-mail resume/cover letter to [email protected].
Biggs Cardosa Associates has immediate open-ings in our San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland, CA offices! Are you interested in a long-term career with an exciting and growth-oriented firm? In San Jose, we are looking for a Senior Engineer or Project Manager (min. 10 years experience in building design and California SE required). In San Francisco, we are looking for a Staff Engineer, Senior Engineer or Project Engineer (min. 5 years experience in building design and California PE required) - email your resume to [email protected]. In addi-tion, we have openings in our San Jose, CA office for Assistant Engineers - email your resume to [email protected] out more about our firm at www.biggscar-dosa.com. EOE.
PARADIGM Structural Engineers, Inc., has
moved to our new home at 450 Sansome Street, 5th Floor, and we are looking for talented Proj-ect Manager, Senior Project Engineer, Project Engineer and Staff Engineer level individuals to come join our dynamic and creative team. At PARADIGM, we work in a collaborative environment which focuses on developing you as a professional while producing some of the most innovative design solutions for our clients. Now is the time to take control of your future and make a “PARADIGM Shift!” Visit us at www.paradigmse.com and see how your qualifications and talents can help you become a contributing member at PARADIGM. Send re-sume and cover letter to [email protected] or fax to Jennifer at (415) 362-8945.
GFDS Engineers, an innovative, service-driven & successful structural engineering firm spe-cializing in high-end residential, hospitality, historic renovation & other unique projects, is looking to fill Project Manager positions in our San Francisco and Hawaii offices. Candidates must be experienced and highly capable in project management & organization & dedi-cated to the highest quality design. Ability to work confidently & effectively with architects and owners is essential. If you’re an engineer with outstanding problem-solving abilities & the know-how to run high-end projects from start to finish -- with the commitment to client service and the architectural sensitivity to make every project architect look like a hero -- this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Masters degree & S.E. preferred. GFDS of-fers excellent salary & benefits and is an equal opportunity employer. Please email cover letter & resume to: [email protected]
MBA Structural Engineers, Inc. seeks project structural engineers with 3 yrs. min. experience and drafters with 2 yrs. min. experience to join us in our downtown Walnut Creek office. We offer a strong compensation package, including flexible hours, retirement plan, bonuses, and full family medical coverage. Send your resume to 1717 N. California Blvd., Suite 2A, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, or fax to 925/933-6140, or e-mail to [email protected].
HDR, Inc. Bridge/Structural Engineer Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Employee-owned HDR is working on high-profile structural engineering project the bay area. Excellent resume building opportunity! Experience Required: - BS Degree in Civil Engineering required; Masters Degree preferred -5+ years experience with structural design and retrofitting -Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite - Familiarity with structural analysis and bridge design software Apply Online: http://www.gojobs.com/seeker/aoframeset.asp?JobNum=544768&JBID=1432 Or call Brent at 800-366-2701 Employer JobCode: 052376
MKM & Associates, Santa Rosa, CA seeks structural design engineer with emphasis in timber construction. Salary and signing bonus dependent on experience and availability to start. Excellent benefits. Please FAX resume to 707-578-7153.
KPFF Structural Project Engineer Has your job hit a standstill? KPFF Consulting Engineers in Walnut Creek is seeking engineers with 1-5 years experience for full-time employment. We are searching for individuals who are motivated, who can multi-task and adapt to the ever-changing work effort, have excellent design and communication skills, and above
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Job Forum
all, provide exceptional client service. KPFF offers a family-friendly professional environ-ment with flexible hours, an independent work environment with a team approach, and a dynamic group of engineers and colleagues. We encourage innovation and high profes-sional standards in our work with minimal organizational structure and restrictions. KPFF offers an environment that supports personal and professional growth, professional training, and the freedom to pursue individual career goals. At KPFF, you control your career. Sal-ary is commensurate with experience. For more information about KPFF, please see our website at www.kpff.com. Please email your resume to [email protected], or mail to KPFF, ATTN: WCAPP, 1160 Battery St., # 300, San Francisco, CA 94111
APPLIED ENGINEERING has two positions available for structural/Civil design engineers w/ min. of 1-8 Yrs. exp. Good computer, CAD and communication skills req’d. Send Resume To: 502 Valley Way, Milpitas, Ca. 95035- Fax 408-263-5915, E-mail [email protected]
Seeking Resumes for Structural Engineers:Rinne & Peterson Structural Engineers (RPSE) seeks and executes diverse, challenging projects. Are you customer-focused, detail-oriented, flexible, with great communication skills? Want growth opportunity, flexible hours, competitive salary, great benefits and superb working environment? Please send cover letter and resume to Human Resources, via fax at 650.428.2861, or e-mail [email protected].
Watry Design, Inc. is looking for just the right individuals to join our highly skilled team of ar-chitects, engineers and parking consultants. Are you interested in forging new territory? Our firm is doing just that . . . We currently have openings for entry to mid-level structural designers who would like to work for clients such as Pixar, Stanford, BART, Kaiser, IKEA and Marriott. Email resumes to [email protected] or fax 650.298.8151.
E/A firm at Lake Tahoe, CA seeking high quality candidates. This is a wonderful career opportunity while living a fabulous lifestyle at North Lake Tahoe, a year round resort com-munity. Flex hours, great benefit package, salary negotiable. PROJECT ENGINEER 4 to 8 years experience preferably with high end custom wood frame multistory residences. Creativity in design, client and contractor relations required. Cali-fornia PE requiredSTRUCTURAL DESIGNER1 to 4 years experience. A good understand-ing of wood engineering and lateral analysis required. California EIT required. AutoCad skills a plus. Fax resume to (530) 583-9294 or Email [email protected] Visit our website:www.garydavisgroup.com
Centennial Donations
Russell Nygaard
Fred Ziaripour Scholarship Donations
Russell Nygaard
Donations
Life Member SE James Tsao Principal, James C. Tsao & Associates
Member Sara Hohenshelt Assistant Engineer, Biggs Cardosa AssociatesJason Holley Project Manager, Structural Engineering Solutions, Inc.Ian Kelso Endres WareParham Khoshkbari Kleinfelder, Inc.Brian Pardo Project Engineer Middlebrook + LouieGreg Thiebaut Laboratory Manager Dynamic Consultants Inc.Brian Treece Project Engineer DASSE DesignKelly Turbin Engineer Framework Engineering Inc.Tae Ho Um Project Engineer Kam Yan & AssociatesWanda Wei Liu Karen Winikka Design Engineer, Donald C. Urfer & Assoc., Inc.
Associate Francisco Castillo FTF Engineering, Inc.Mike Deigert Hohbach-Lewin, IncJoe Igber Staff Engineer FTF EngineeringHadi Razavi Project Engineer, KPFFRobert Tadlock General Manager MatriScope Engineering LaboratoriesSarah Wichern EIT Peoples Associates Structural Engineers
Industry Samuel Woldesmait Junior Engineer, San Francisco State University
Student Thomas Yeboah University of Education
Pending Members the AF&PA National Design Specification (NDS), which now uses an ASD/LRFD dual format. Wind and seismic design provisions are permitted to use either provisions of IBC Chapter 23 or the AF&PA Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) Supplement to the 2005 NDS. This seminar will in-troduce wood design using the 2006 IBC and standards, and will provide design examples for members, connections and seismic-force-resisting systems.
Presenter Information:David G. Pollock is a professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering De-partment at Washington State University (WSU). He teaches structural engi-neering courses and conducts research regarding connection behavior and nondestructive evaluation of structural materials. Prior to joining the faculty at WSU, Dave Pollock was the Director of Engineering for the American Forest & Paper Association (formerly the National Forest Products Association). He was responsible for revising and updating the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS), developing other design guidelines for wood structures, and conducting continuing education seminars for engineers and architects. His B.S. and M.S. degrees are from Virginia Tech, and he has a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Texas A&M University. He is a co-author of the Design of Wood Structures textbook, and is a registered P.E. in Virginia.
Kelly E. Cobeen, president of Cobeen & Associates, has over twenty years of experience in building structural design, including a wide variety of project types, sizes, and construction materi-als. Seismic resistance of woodframe construction, including new construction and evaluation and rehabilitation of ex-isting buildings, is an area of particular interest. Kelly is co-author of the Design of Wood Structures textbook, and was manager of the Codes and Standards ele-ment of the recently completed CUREE-Caltech Woodframe Project, investigating earthquake performance of woodframe structures. Kelly has bachelors and mas-ters degrees in Civil Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, and is a registered civil and structural engineer in California. She is past member and chair of the SEAONC and SEAOC Code Committees and past member of the SEAONC Board.
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Indonesia Tsunami Housing Reconstruction
By Tim Hart, S.E.
Beginning in the Spring of 2005, a group of SEAONC engineers came together to donate their time and engineering expertise to assist in the reconstruction efforts in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, the region hardest hit by the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami. The group has been working with Build Change, an international 501(c)3 non-profit organiza-tion based in San Francisco. Founded by Dr. Elizabeth Hausler, recently named a “Person of the Week” by ABC News, Build Change’s philosophy is to build “earthquake-resistant houses in devel-oping countries and change construc-tion practice, so that homeowners and builders continue to build earthquake-resistant houses after Build Change’s intervention is finished.” Another unique aspect of Build Change’s approach is to not only mobilize local engineering and construction expertise in the affected region but also utilize the earthquake engineering expertise of structural engi-neers here in Northern California.
The initial work done by the volunteers consisted of evaluating 4 home designs common to the region and identify the elements that would be most likely to sustain damage and pose a life safety hazard in an earthquake. Once the criti-cal building elements were identified, the team developed design and construc-tion modifications that would be low in cost and be more earthquake resistant. During this process the team of engi-neers had to take into account several factors that they did not normally deal with in their standard practice, including but not limited to: the unavailability of reinforced masonry blocks, the scarcity of deformed rebar, the lack of available material testing laboratories, the exper-tise of local builders, the preference for confined masonry construction that is not used in California, and a construc-tion budget of around $3,000 per house.
The group was able to overcome these limitations and develop modified designs for each building, which were then forwarded to Build Change’s local design team in Banda Aceh.
The home designs were reviewed by the homeowners involved in the pilot project set up by Build Change with Mercy Corps. The homeowners selected the confined masonry house, after which Build Change’s design team prepared the final set of construction documents. Before construction began, the volunteer team reviewed the final construction documents and provided additional com-ments and suggestions for improvement. The volunteers have remained involved now that construction has started by reviewing the construction and helping to develop a construction and inspection checklist to aid both the contractors and the homeowners.
As of this writing 15 homes are under construction with plans for at least 50 more homes in the works. In addition, several other relief agencies in Banda Aceh have seen the Build Change homes and been so impressed by the quality of the design and construction that they have asked for Build Change to review other home and building designs being used in the reconstruction of Banda Aceh.
The group of Bay Area volunteers consists of: Kevin Moore and Evan Reis from Cer-tus Consulting (who served as the project managers); Lisa Cassedy, Forrest Lan-ning, Tim Hart, David Kirschenbaum, Jay Pisano, Rafael Sabelli, and Carl Wilford from DASSE Design; Margarite Bello from Bello & Associates; Matt Eatherton from GFDS Engineers; Jeff Falero; Andrew Mole from Arup; and Andy Fennell and Tom Voss from Scientific Construction Labs.
Whether you are implementing an internal transition program or planning on selling your firm in the future, the same critical points will determine the value of your prac-tice. There are key points that you should consider now that will enhance the value of your firm and the more time you have to develop and implement important strategies, the more you will receive when it is time to pass on your legacy to the next generation or sell to a third party.
The speaker for our May business forum will be Mr. Steve Quiggle of Management Design, a business consulting firm to design industry, who will lead a discussion on what potential buyers look at when assessing your practice. In this interactive meeting, Steve will give details on what needs to be considered when building a practice for value, and he will explain the basic valuation formulas used for internal transi-tions and external sales and how various factors affect them.
Mr. Quiggle has over 30 years of experience directing the corporate finance, accounting, administrative and MIS func-tions of major A/E and land planning practices. He pos-sesses a comprehensive understanding of the importance of long-range and strategic planning, operations, mergers and acquisition, incentive compensation and ownership transi-tion in the management of an efficient and profitable prac-tice.
Steve also offers expertise in the coordination of global man-agement operations and organizational structures, particu-larly for multi-discipline firms with branch offices, including those located in foreign countries. Most recently, Steve was the Vice President for Strategic Planning and Finance, and Managing Principal of the Corporate Group for EDAW, Inc., a global practice that provides landscape architectural, land and urban planning, environmental and economic planning services. During Steve’s tenure, EDAW grew from 110 em-ployees to over 800 with 23 offices, and expanded its branch office network to Europe, Asia and Australia.
Cost: $25 Business Forum Members $35 SEAONC Members $40 Other Attendees
Meal Selections: Lunch will be provided. If you prefer a vegetarian meal please specify this when you send in your registration.
RSVP: Contact the SEAONC office at [email protected] or 415/974-5147 (RSVPs sent via e-mail will receive e-mail confirmations)
Registration Deadline: Thur., May 18th at 12:00pm
CASE and ACEC: Who are they and why are they coming to San Francisco?
By Ed Bajer, JD
CASE is the Council of American Structural Engineers. It is a national organization and part of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) which has over 5000 member firms of which about 2500 offer structural engineering services. Over 600 of them are in California. Both CASE and ACEC have firm-based memberships not individual and what distinguishes them from other structural organizations is that they concen-trate exclusively on the business, management and profitability aspects of engineering. Their headquarters are in Washington, DC where they maintain among other things a substantial government affairs and lobbying staff. Their websites are www.acec.org and www.acec.org/case.
CASE has a variety of products among which are contracts covering various contracting situations especially drafted for structural firms, a proposal preparation spreadsheet that lets you “play” with the numbers, several “Guidelines” including “Coordination and Completeness of Structural Construction Documents” and a Risk Management Program just for struc-tural firms. SEAOC has agreed to join with CASE in putting on a day and a half Convocation in San Francisco on October 19-20, 2006 that will focus on managing risk on a structural project. It will include sessions on negotiating with the owner, managing condo projects and deal makers and breakers. A special presen-tation will be made by the structural engineer who oversaw the reconstruction of the Pentagon after 9/11. Watch this space for more information.
Welcome New Members
Member SE Bryce Tanner Engineer, Arup
Member Mary Phung Project Engineer, Peoples Associates Erik Johnson Associate, RBF Consulting
Affiliate Howard Cook President, Bay Area Retrofit
Student Kristen Parrish UC Berkeley Nick Wann Stanford UniversitySze Ki Wong UC BerkeleyJohn-Michael Wong UC Berkeley Mike Zelazek University of Kansas
Cost - S.F. Meeting Pre-Regisration Late Reg. SEAONC o $39 o $44 Junior Mbr. (29 & under) o $33 o $38 Student o $15 o $15 Non-Mbr o $44 o $49
San Francisco -May 2nd, Meeting
Registration Deadines: Monthly Mtg: Noon, Thur. April 27, 2006
Credit Card#:
Expiration date:
Signature:
• Paying by check make payment to SEAONC.• Paying online (monthly meeting only) go to: http://www.seaonc.org/member/member_s/events/order_form.asp • Paying by credit card provide the following: (SEAONC Accepts VISA, MC, AMEX)
S.F. Program 5/02
Note: Payment is required by evening of the meeting.
Register early, seating is limited. No cancellations after deadlines listed above. No-shows are still responsible for full attendance fee.
