08.25.10: 2010 SEAoNY Board Elections

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For the year beginning September 1, 2010, Kevin Poulin will become President of SEAoNY. Deborah McGuiness was appointed by the board to continue as Secretary. Cristobal Correa and Joe Savalli will continue to serve their second year as Directors. Chris Cerino has completed his term as President and will continue as Past-President. Benjamin Wisniewski has completed his term as Treasurer. Deborah McGuinness, Karl J. Rubenacker and Constadino Sirakis have completed their terms as Directors. SEAoNY thanks all of them for their hard work and dedication to the success of our organization. Elections are being held for President-Elect, Secretary, and three Directors. To vote please click the below link to download a ballot.

07.14.10: Guide to the Design of Out-of-Plane Wall Anchorage

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Please consider having your office attend the new short course from NCSEA presented below and to be highlighted in STRUCTURE® magazine.
Registration forms can be obtained from the web link at the bottom of this page. NCSEA is offering this FULL DAY short course in cities across the country.

Contact Dr. Mays directly (timothymays@bellsouth.net) for additional discounts that may be available for firms sending multiple employees. Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity!

8.0 NY/FL registered PDHs will be awarded for attending this short course.

Guide to the Design of Out-of-Plane Wall Anchorage: Based on the 2006/2009 IBC and ASCE/SEI 7-05

Course Description: The 2006/2009 International Building Code (IBC) and ASCE/SEI 7-05 contain detailed design requirements for wall anchorage systems to resist out-of-plane wind and seismic load effects. However, the provisions are scattered throughout the code and/or referenced standards, are material specific, and are often challenging for practicing structural engineers to apply for many practical building configurations. Using concept oriented instruction, Dr. Mays breaks down the analysis and detailing requirements separately for seismic and wind anchorage.
Structural walls, nonstructural walls, parapets, and cladding are each considered separately as related to governing provisions. Solutions for high wind areas, Seismic Design Category (SDC) B, and SDC D are provided for each problem presented in the course. Example anchorage problems for connecting concrete, masonry, timber, and precast walls/panels to diaphragms composed of various materials are presented.

Special provisions for subdiaphragms, continuous ties/struts, pilasters, straps, eccentric connections, and wood ledgers are included. A detailing example for economical tilt up wall anchorage using just metal decking is presented. Comprehensive examples are provided for subdiaphragms composed of wood structural panel sheathing on wood framing and metal decking on steel joists.
The course is based on a new NCSEA publication titled Guide to the Design of Out-of-Plane Wall Anchorage: Based on the 2006/2009 IBC and ASCE/SEI 7-05.

Course Location: July 14, 2010 – New York City (Hotel Penn)

Author and Course Presenter:
Timothy Wayne Mays, Ph.D., P.E. is President of SE/ES and an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Dr. Mays recently served as Executive Director of the Structural Engineers Associations of South Carolina and North Carolina. He currently serves as Chairman of the Structural Technical Group for ASCE SC Section and NCSEA Publications Committee Chairman. He has received two national teaching awards (ASCE and NSPE) and both national (NSF) and regional (ASEE) awards for outstanding research. He is the recipient of the 2009 NCSEA Service Award. He is a prolific speaker who sits on several code writing committees and his areas of expertise are code applications, structural design, seismic design, steel connections, structural dynamics, and civil engineering aspects of antiterrorism.

“The NCSEA short course on anchorage for out-of-plane seismic and wind forces will be helpful to practicing engineers of all levels and backgrounds. It provides a step-by-step approach from developing the load path through detailing the connections for a multitude of different structural systems that are commonly used for both wall and diaphragm elements. Tim Mays is an outstanding lecturer who presents the material in a clear and concise fashion, and will provide the background so that the attendees will be able to successfully use the material presented in the seminar and the companion NCSEA document in their practice. I am confident that the attendees will consider their time at the short course as informative, educational and extremely well spent!” - James O. Malley, Structural Engineer and Senior Principal, Degenkolb Engineers

Register Here

07.12.10: Post Earthquake Structural Investigations in Chile

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In April 2010, Ramon Gilsanz traveled to Chile to participate on two investigative teams after the 8.8 Maule, Chile Earthquake of February 27, 2010. The first team was formed by the Applied Technology Council to focus on emergency response issues, in particular as they relate to ATC-20, Post-Earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings. The second team was coordinated by the American Society of Civil Engineers. This team focused on the Chilean Building Codes and structural design issues related to ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.

Mr. Gilsanz will present his observations from the two teams he participated on as well as a comparative discussion on the seismicity of Chile to the seismicity of the west coast of the United States, discussions of the difference in codes and design practices between Chile and the United States and a discussion on how to investigate buildings after an earthquake to understand how the buildings performed during the earthquake itself.

The event will take place upstairs at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.
Registration: 5:45; Lecture: 6:15

For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.
For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

06.21.10: SEAoNY Golf Outing

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Reserve a Spot by May 31st! (140 Golfer Limit) Last Year Sold Out Fast!

Please join us Monday, June 21st for a wonderful day on the links. Come on out and improve your handicap, get a sun-tan or just mingle with colleagues, all while supporting a great cause.

SEAoNY awards an annual scholarship to two deserving undergraduate engineering students from a New York college or university as chosen by each year’s Honorary SEAoNY Member. Last year our winners were Adrian Wright from Columbia University and Neal Kwong from Cooper Union / University of California Berkeley as selected by Honorary Member Ed DePaola. In addition, SEAoNY awarded a scholarship to graduating high school senior, Lonzel Trevon McNeil from the Urban Assembly School for Design and Construction. Lonzel exemplifies what SEAoNY looks for in awarding scholarships to Urban Assembly students. His application essay was a moving example of a student who worked hard and persevered throughout high school. He is now studying engineering at DePauw University in Indiana.

SEAoNY continues to support education for engineering students at both the college and high school levels. Without the support of the many who attend the golf outing, none of this would be possible.

Registration: 10:00 am
Lunch: 11:00 am
Shotgun Start: 12:00 pm
Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres: 5:00 pm
Prime Rib Dinner, Silent Auction, Awards, Raffles: 6:00 pm
Foursome(s) @ $800.00
Individual Golfer(s) @ $225.00
Sponsorship Information also available.

TO REGISTER, please downlaod the PDF below, complete form and send with payment to:
Robert Silman Associates
Attn: Gretchen Lear
88 University Place
New York, NY 10003
P: 212.620.7970
F: 212.620.8157
lear@silman.com

06.15.10: Design of Multi-Story Light-Frame Shear Walls:

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Registration: 5:45
Lecture: 6:15

The 2009 IBC references two new standards for the lateral design of light-frame structures: AF&PA’s 2008 Wind and Seismic standard for wood framing, and AISI’s 2007 Lateral Design standard for cold-formed steel framing. This presentation will review the design procedures described in these documents for multi-story shear walls. This will include cumulative overturning effects, the different requirements for wind and seismic design, aspect ratio limits, and designing with prefabricated shear wall panels. Lastly, the latest research and testing relating to multi-story lateral design will be presented. The event will take place at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.

For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

06.08.10: SEAoNY's Annual Social Boat Cruise

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Join us aboard the Temptress on the SEAoNY Annual Social Boat Cruise

Tuesday, June 8th 2010
RSVP by June 7th to receive discounted price
Price:

Advanced Payment:
$40 Members | $60 Non-Members
Includes Buffet, Open Bar, Live DJ

Payment after June 7th at noon/after noon and at the dock:
$50 Members | $70 Non-Members

We are departing from a different location this year:
2430 FDR Drive East Service Road at East 23rd Street.

Boarding: 6:30 PM
Departing: 7:00 PM
(Arrive EARLY, Boat departs at 7p.m. sharp.)
Returning:10:00 PM

05.22.10: ATC-20 & ATC-45 - Assessment of Structures Post-Earthquake and Post-Flood

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Recent earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and China serve as heartbreaking reminders of destructive events on our own soil, like hurricane Katrina and the Loma Prieta earthquake. Just like the world came together to assist us through these and other emergencies, it is our job as responsible citizens of the world to be able to respond to similar situations whenever we can.

This course will present the relevant information required to follow the Applied Technology Council’s procedure for evaluating buildings for safety after a catastrophic seismic (ATC-20) or wind and flood (ATC-45) event.

ATC-20 is a set of procedures and guidelines for making on-the-spot evaluations and decisions regarding continued use and occupancy of earthquake damaged buildings. These guidelines have become the de-facto national standard for safety evaluation of earthquake-damaged buildings. Similarly, ATC-45 is a set of procedures and guidelines for conducting post-windstorm and post-flood building safety evaluations.

The class will be taught by Scott Nacheman, M.Sc.Eng., AIA, VP at Thornton Tomasetti’s Chicago Office, and Chair of the SEER Committee at NCSEA. The presentation will also include an overview of NCSEA's Structural Engineer Emergency Response (SEER) Plan as well as Rescue Engineering/Urban Search and Rescue.

Who should take this course:
Any engineer, architect, or other building professional interested in being prepared to volunteer for disaster relief.

Where: Davis Auditorium (Schapiro Building) at Columbia University, New York City. Please enter campus at the 116th Street gate, as all other gates are closed during the weekend. Click here for a campus map.

When:
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Program:
8:30-9:00 Breakfast and Registration
9:00-12:00 Session 1
12:00-1:00 Break for Lunch (not provided at the event)
1:00-4:00 Session 2

Cost:
Registration fee is $110 in advance (credit or debit card only), $130 at the door (cash or check only). Students pay half price at the door with valid ID.

Both ATC Field Manuals will be available for purchase at the discounted price of $21 each. They are not required but purchasing them is highly recommended (no other notes will be handed out during the presentation).

Space is limited so early registration is strongly suggested.

05.18.10: Monitoring Corrosion Inside Main Cables of Suspension Bridges

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Registration: 5:45
Lecture: 6:15

Speaker: Raimondo Betti
Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
Columbia University

Current inspection procedures of suspension bridge main cables mainly consist of visually inspecting the exterior covering of the cable every two years. A team of inspectors “observe” the surface of the cable protection materials and reports the findings regarding cracks and levels of deterioration of the wrapping/painting materials. An in-depth inspection is usually scheduled when necessary to assess the condition of the interior wires by wedging the cable at selected locations along the cable. However, such approaches were discovered to be deficient in uncovering the most deteriorated and weakest regions in the cables of several bridges during their full cable rehabilitation projects. In this presentation, the preliminary results of a 5 year investigation, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, on the development of an integrated methodology that uses state-of-the-art sensing capabilities and NDT technologies to assess the cable condition will be presented. The system developed in this study will represent a revolutionary breakthrough with respect to current inspections and will allow bridge owners to have an updated estimate of the remaining strength of the main cables. A smart sensor system integrated with NDE that would map the entire length of the cable is the only accurate method for reliably assessing the condition of suspension bridge cables. Some of the most promising NDT technologies for direct detection of the corrosion damage (Main Flux method, Magnetostrictive technology together with Acoustic Emission technology) have been implemented and validated and their applicability to large suspension bridge cables has been tested. In addition to Direct Sensing technologies, a network of sensors that can monitor the external and internal environment of these cables and provide information that can be used to indirectly assess the cable’s deterioration conditions and their evolution over time has been assembled and it is currently under testing. In the selection of the sensors to be used as Indirect Sensing Methods, special consideration has been placed in considering the performance of such sensors in realistic conditions in which they will be working during service: a harsh environment, extreme reversals in cyclic histories (temperature, humidity, wind, strain, electro-chemical activity byproducts, etc), large compaction forces, and a lack of easy access from the exterior of the cables. To recreate conditions as close as possible to real operating conditions, a cable mock-up, 20 in diameter and 20 ft long subjected to 1,500 kips and fully instrumented, has been built at Columbia University and is currently undergoing deterioration tests inside an accelerated corrosion chamber. Once this phase is completed, the system will be installed in two panel locations on the main cable of one of the suspension bridges in NYC.



The event will take place at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.

For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

Registration for this event will be open on April 21st.

04.20.10: ASCE SEI Guide: Sustainability for Structural Engineers

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Registration: 5:45
Lecture: 6:15

Sustainable design is not a toolbox of new technologies, but rather a change in the process of design. It requires consultants to play a more open-minded part in informing the choices involved in creating a building while more thoughtfully considering its long-term impact on the environment.

This presentation will cover:
• Some unifying concepts fundamental to sustainable design.
• New technologies and strategies that can be applied to structural design.
• Terms and approaches to sustainable solutions, which may have structural impact. The combination of these varied ideas & tools is what will enable a consultant to contribute effectively to the design team’s sustainable design of the built environment.

Presenter: Robert C. Field, P.E., LEED AP Associate, Robert Silman Associates DC Mr. Field is a LEED Accredited Professional with over 15 years of technical experience designing and supervising the design of complex educational, research, commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential projects of structural steel, reinforced concrete, masonry, light gauge steel and timber. Through his management, he has been responsible for design and construction administration, budgeting, and QA/QC. For the last two years, Mr. Field has acted as a judge for the ASCE/EWB award at the EPA's Earth Day exhibits on the National Mall. Mr. Field currently serves as Vice-Chair of Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE’s Sustainability Committee, which is currently working on a number of projects, the largest of which is the forthcoming ASCE Structural Engineer’s Guide to Sustainability.

The event will take place at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.

For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

The slides from the presentation are accessible via the PDF link below.

04.14.10: New developments in ETABS, SAFE, CSI/Bridge and SAP2000 : Current Innovations & Future Trends

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Computers & Structures, Inc. Structural and Earthquake Engineering Software Celebrating 35 Years of Innovation

Sponsored by the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY)

April 14, 2010 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Alfred Lerner Hall - Columbia University 115th and Broadway, New York, NY

Event is FREE with your $25 donation to SEAoNY.

Come experience first hand how new developments in ETABS, SAFE, CSI/Bridge and SAP2000 will give you a distinct technological edge and enhance your productivity. Join us for an enlightening and fun-filled technology event to mark 35 years of innovation at Computers & Structures, Inc. (CSI). The event will celebrate the long history of our association with the structural engineering profession and unveil new developments that are once again re-defining standards for the future of Structural and Earthquake Engineering software. This seminar will be conducted by Ashraf Habibullah, S.E., President & CEO, Computers & Structures, Inc.



On-site registrations are available and will be processed at the event

03.16.10: Design and Construction of New Meadowland’s Stadium

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Registration: 5:45
Lecture: 6:15

The NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants teams combined to become joint owners of a 100% privately financed, $1.6-billion state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility in East Rutherford, N.J. With over 2.1 million square feet and seating for 82,500 football fans, it will be the second largest NFL stadium. Construction of the stadium began in May 2007 and completion is scheduled for the Spring of 2010, several months ahead of schedule.

The design and construction team was faced with an aggressive schedule that was met under a design-build delivery method under the lead of Skanska Building USA. Thornton Tomasetti’s use of Building Information Modeling and innovative structural solutions attributed to the building of a state-of-the-art stadium months ahead of schedule. The presentation will review critical aspects of the design and construction of New Meadowlands Stadium.

Presenters:
Armindo G. Monteir, P.E., LEED AP
Vice President, Thornton Thomasetti

Brian Tighe
Director – Project Controls Skanska USA Building Inc.

The event will take place at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.

For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

03.08.10: Structures 1 Review Course

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This spring SEAoNY is happy to offer a Structures 1 Review Course to our membership at a discounted registration fee of $350.

The course will consist of five three hour sessions on Mondays March 8th – April 5th at 1 Penn Plaza. Registration forms and detailed information of the review course are available at below. Note that all registration forms should be returned by February 26th to Jason Stern at the address indicated at the end of the form---do not return registration to SEAoNY directly.

03.04.10: PRATT BROOKLYN LECTURE SERIES: Structural Designer for World’s Tallest Building

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William F. BAKER
Engineer, Partner, SOM
Registration 5:30
6pm, Higgins Hall Auditorium

Sponsored by the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY)

The Design of the Burj Khalifa
Bill Baker, Structural Engineering Partner at Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill LLP, will describe the evolution of the design of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. From the project's initial concept through construction, the combination of several important technological innovations results in a building of unprecedented height. This lecture will describe some of the design methods, materials, and construction techniques which enable the creation of this superstructure.
Advanced registration closes at noon the day before the event.

02.24.10: RESCHEDULED: The Future of Building in NYC: Recent Developments at the DOB

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FEBRUARY 24, 2010

ALL REGISTRANTS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED FOR THE NEW DATE:
FEBRUARY 24, 2010. 8am-2pm

If a registrant is unable to attend the seminar at the new date please email Admin@SEAoNY.org.

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The Future of Building in NYC: Recent Developments at the DOB

Location:
New York Academy of Sciences
February 10th, 2010
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007-2157

Registration 7:30AM-8:00AM
Program 8:00AM-2:00PM
Lunch and Refreshments Provided

Presentations:

2009 Department Overview and the Urban Shed project
This presentation will provide a brief overview of Departmental changes in 2009 and an update on the urbanSHED International Design Competition.

Concrete Testing and Inspections
This presentation will review concrete-testing and inspection requirements, including special inspections, the TR2 and TR3 forms and the concrete recommendations developed by the High Risk Construction Oversight study.

Masonry Buildings
This presentation will review historic regulation, empirical design, and factors that can contribute to failure of masonry buildings.

Building Research
This presentation will address how to use public domain internet sites in addition to site visits to gather important information about historical buildings. Sample projects and examples will be presented.

Demolition
This presentation will review new requirements for demolition, including submittal documents and notification.

PDH Credits - 5

SEAoNY Members:
$200 Advance
$250 on Site
**Complimentary Sustaining membership event registrations cannot be used for this event.

Non-Members:
$250 Advance
$300 on Site


** Advanced registration closes at noon February 23rd, you must pre-pay in order to receive the discounted rate.

Thank you to our Event Sponsor, USG Corporation.

02.16.10: Engineering in The Rough: Engineers Without Borders NYC Projects

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Registration: 5:45
Lecture: 6:15

Members from the New York Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders will discuss two recent projects:

Balang, Cambodia - Reservoir Restoration In the Balang Commune of the Siem Reap Province in Cambodia, heavy monsoon rains in 2000 flooded and failed an ancient reservoir, crippling the economy and food supply of over 9,000 residents. Since 2005, members of the New York Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders have collaborated with local engineers on the repair of the 600m earth embankment, as well as on the design and construction of a new 20m concrete water gate, to restore the reservoir to its original function and increase the argricultural productivity within Balang. The concrete structure was built in early 2009; now, with the project nearing completion, team members will discuss the planning, design, and construction of the entire reservoir restoration, and future plans for involvement in the community.

Usalama, Kenya - Primary School Expansion Usalama, located in Kenya between Mombasa and Nairobi, is a community created in 1992 when 60,000 inhabitants of the Chyulu Hills were forcibly displaced to make way for an expanded game reserve. Residents of Usalama, although promised compensation and government assistance with infrastructure development, have instead had to survive as subsistance farmers without water or electricity. Engineers Without Borders - New York was first involved in Usalama with a potable water distribution system in 2005; since then, the work in the village has grown to the development of a major plan for expanding the overcrowded primary school. The first phase of this expansion, a library, was constructed over July and August 2009; team members will discuss the history with the Usalama community, current work, and plans for future involvement.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - In addition, there will be a short presentation given by Aamer Islam of Axis Design Group International, following a five-day assessment of critical structures in Haiti. Mr. Islam will discuss the current and ongoing work in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas following the earthquake of January 12, 2010.

The event will take place at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.

For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

02.15.10: Seaony Educational Event

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Additional seminar details forthcoming.
Registration: 5:45
Lecture: 6:15
The event will take place at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.
For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.
For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

01.19.10: Engineering Sustainable Design

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Registration: 5:45
Lecture: 6:15

Speaker: John Anderson

Highlighting opportunities for engineers and architects to positively impact the environment, John Anderson presents a life cycle inventory analysis of alternative design strategies, including material selection, recycling or reusing a structure, maximizing material efficiency, thermal mass effects and future adaptability, that can be implemented to minimize carbon emissions from the built environment. In addition, the lecture will focus on the Pocantico Proclamation on Sustainability & Historic Preservation, a document developed in November 2008 that blends elements of building preservation and green values into recommendations for policy makers. The Proclamation brings together the work of industry leaders in architecture, engineering, and public policy, and represents an historic synthesis of the fields of sustainability and preservation.

John Anderson is a structural engineer at Robert Silman Associates in New York City where his interest lies in sustainable structural design. In 2009 John was awarded the Anton Tedesko Fellowship, during which he worked with Robert Silman to research the role of the structural engineer in green building and published the results of a life cycle assessment of green building design strategies. In December 2007, John Anderson completed a master of engineering degree at the University of California Berkeley in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research included low CO2 cement alternatives, chemical resistance of concrete, and sustainable building materials in French Polynesia. He has published several articles focusing on sustainability and engineering. Mr. Anderson is also a past Fulbright Fellow, where he researched the relationship between engineering and architecture as they relate to green building at the Technical University of Berlin in Germany. His undergraduate degree is from the University of California at Davis and he has studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland as well.

The event will take place at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.

For SEAoNY members, registration is $20 in advance or $30 at the door.

For non-members, registration is $40 in advance or $50 at the door.

Registration for this event will be open on December 16th.