In partnership with our Northeast neighbors and as a part of the NorthEast Coalition of Structural Engineers Associations (NECSEA), a discounted rate is being offered for NECSEA associations at this upcoming SEAConn seminar on ASCE 7-22 wind design topics. SEAoNY is a member of NECSEA and all SEAoNY members are eligible for a discounted rate to this event.

On Wednesday November 12th, 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Glastonbury, CT, SEAConn will be hosting a half-day seminar presented by John O'Brien of PES Structural Engineers out of Atlanta, Georgia. The event will highlight wind design topics in ASCE 7-22. It will be broken down into four sessions:

What's New in ASCE 7-22: Highlights key technical changes to the ASCE 7-22 wind provisions. These changes will take effect early next year with Connecticut's Adoption of the 2024 International Building Code.

Wind Loads on Irregular Buildings: This session offers practical guidance on applying wind provisions to complex shapes and components by understanding how wind pressures interact with building geometry. 

Wind Loads on Non-Building Structures: Chapters 29 and 30 of ASCE 7-22 address wind loads on a wide range of non-building structures and components attached to buildings. This session explains the background behind these provisions and demonstrates how to apply them - even to structures not explicitly indicated in the code. 

Wind Considerations for Existing Building Renovations: will focus on wind-related design considerations in the International Existing Building Code (IEBC).  It will discuss how repairs, alterations, and additions affect wind-resisting components and overall building performance. The session will also address common questions and share case studies demonstrating the use of the IEBC in practice.

John O’Brien, P.E., S.E. is a Senior Associate and Director of Structural Engineering at PES Structural Engineers in Atlanta, GA, with over 20 years of structural design experience. He has designed a wide range of essential facilities and commercial, industrial, and residential structures in high-wind regions. He serves as Chair of NCSEA’s Wind Engineering Committee and Chair of the ASCE 7 Chapter 29 Task Committee for Wind Loads on Other Structures and Building Appurtenances. He is also a member of the Chapter 32 Tornado Loads Task Committee and the Chapter 30 Task Committee for Wind Loads on Components and Cladding.

Attendees will receive 4 NY PDHs and a catered lunch.

This event is sponsored by Simpson Strong-Tie and Weyerhaeuser Wood Products. 

This event will be conducted in-person in the Frederick P. Rose Auditorium and through Zoom. 

For in-person attendance, please register in advance here. 
For Zoom attendance, please register in advance here.

The event will examine how a consistent pursuit of blue-sky research by designers can advance technologies that result in new, substantive architecture. 

The program begins with a presentation by structural engineer Bill Baker. Mr. Baker’s  presentation will be followed by a conversation with Sigrid Adriaenssens and Thorsten Helbig, exploring the role of research in advancing architectural and structural innovation, and examining how engineering inquiry shapes the creation of new spatial and material possibilities. 

The conversation will be moderated by Elizabeth O’Donnell.

Bill Baker is a structural engineering Consulting Partner at the architectural and engineering firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where he led the structural engineering practice for over 20 years. He joined the firm in 1981, became a Partner in 1996 and transitioned to the role of a Consulting Partner in 2019.  In addition to his professional practice, he teaches at MIT and the University of Cambridge. 

Bill has designed buildings of all scales from single-family homes to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest manmade structure. While widely regarded for his work on supertall buildings, Bill’s expertise also extends to long-span roof structures and specialty structures such as the Broadgate Exchange House in London, the Entrance Pavilion for General Motors’ Headquarters in Detroit, and the Manulife Calgary Pedestrian Bridge. Baker has also collaborated with numerous artists including James Carpenter, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, James Turrell, Janet Echelman, and Jaume Plensa.

Throughout his career, he has been involved in research with the aim of creating new ideas and technology that will lead to both efficient structures and meaningful architecture.  He shares his discoveries through publications, lectures, and teaching.

He is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering in the US and an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK.  He has honorary doctorates from the University of Stuttgart, Heriot-Watt University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Missouri.

Sigrid Adriaenssens, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University and Director of the Form Finding Lab, investigates the mechanics of large-span structural surfaces through analytical, computational, and machine-learning approaches. Her work bridges the arts and engineering to generate resilient, adaptive forms and has earned recognition from the IASS, ASCE, and institutions worldwide.

Thorsten Helbig, founding partner of knippershelbig, leads an award-winning structural and façade engineering firm with offices in Stuttgart, New York, and Berlin. His practice integrates conceptual design with advanced fabrication technologies, exploring innovative uses of materials from carbon fiber composites to mass timber in collaboration with architects such as Renzo Piano, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Bjarke Ingels Group, and Steven Holl Architects.

Elizabeth O’Donnell is an architect and Distinguished Professor Adjunct at the Irwin S. Chanin School of where she served as Associate Dean from 2001 until 2019, and Acting Dean from 2013-2015. In practice, she has completed numerous residential and commercial projects in New York City, with an emphasis on the adaptive reuse of existing buildings and sites. Her work has been recognized with awards for Design Excellence from the AIA New York Chapter and for Design Distinction from International Design magazine.

This event is supported by The YC Foundation, Inc., New York.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is Required.

Located in the Frederick P. Rose Auditorium, at 41 Cooper Square (on Third Avenue between 6th and 7th Streets)

More information here: Bill Baker in Conversation with Sigrid Adriaenssens and Thorsten Helbig: Structural Research in the Creation of New Architectures | cooperedu

The Department has prepared a multi-part program to train future users on EBC organization, notable chapter requirements, and compliance methodology. The following table includes links to course materials and registration links:

Date & Time	Module Description	Module Materials
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 – 10am to 11:30am	Module A: Participants in this first course will learn about the organization and structure of the EBC, how it changes the overall regulatory scheme for existing buildings, new compliance methods and triggers for incremental upgrades.	All About the Existing Building Code: An Overview
Thursday, October 9, 2025 – 10am to 11:30am	Module B: Participants will learn about revisions to the administrative provisions, key concepts and general provisions. The course introduces the concepts of work area and alteration levels. Participants will learn which allowances will be carried over from the repealed 1968 Building Code.	Beginning Chapters: Administration, General Requirements and Limited Alterations
Thursday, October 16, 2025 – 10am to 11:30am	Module C: In this third course, participants will learn about EBC Chapter 6, the roadmap for compliance. The chapter introduces Work Area – the key concept in this Code that determines levels of alterations and its replacement of alteration cost criteria.	Compliance Path: Work Area Method and Levels of Alteration
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – 10am to 11:30am	Module D: In this fourth course, participants will learn about improvements to existing building systems and elements during reconfigurations. This course will clarify the requirements as applicable to both Level 1 and Level 2 work.	Everything Alterations: Level 1 (Chapter 8) and Level 2 (Chapter
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – 10am to 11:30am	Module E: In this fifth course, participants will be introduced to Chapter 7 and Appendices A and H of the Existing Building Code. These guide the structural analysis and design of alterations, achieving comparable safety to that required in new buildings.	Designing Structural Alterations: Chapter 7 and Related Appendices
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – 10am to 11:30am	Module F: In this sixth course, participants will learn about the key concepts in chapters 10 through 15 of the EBC. These regulate alterations of existing buildings such as changes of occupancy, additions, and relocation, movement or raising of buildings.	Future Changes: Occupancy, Additions, and Relocation of Buildings

More information here: https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/ebc-resources.page

Insightful address will focus on two high profile investigations, demonstrating technical expertise with a passion for lifelong learning.

The Institution of Structural Engineers’ (IStructE) 2025 Gold Medallist, Glenn Bell CEng FIStructE, will deliver his Gold Medal address on the 7 November 2025, titled Learning from Failures: From the Hyatt Regency Walkways to Champlain Towers South.

The lecture is a free event, with bookings now open:

https://www.istructe.org/events/hq/2025/gold-medal-address-2025/

 

Glenn’s presentation will share his extensive insights from a career spanning five decades, drawing on his leadership of two high-profile investigations – the collapse of Hyatt Regency Walkways in July 1981 and the partial collapse of Champlain Towers South in June 2021.

Glenn is the co-lead on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST), investigation into the Champlain Towers condominium incident, with its interim findings announced in June 2025.

The address promises to demonstrate a powerful perspective on the role of forensic engineering to shape a resilient built environment, exploring how studying structural failures can enhance design practice and improve public safety.

IStructE’s Gold Medal is awarded annually for outstanding contributions to the advancement of structural engineering. It was awarded to Glenn for his “significant contributions to structural engineering, particularly in the areas of building safety, standards development, and forensic investigations of catastrophic failures.”

Glenn’s biography

• Glenn Bell spent 45 years at Simpson Gumpertz and Heger (SGH), where he engaged in the design, investigation and rehabilitation of building structures, building envelopes and other structures. 
• He was SGH’s CEO from 1995 through 2016 and its Board Chair from 2016 through 2018.
• Glenn was Co-Founder of the ASCE Technical Council on Forensic Engineering (now the ASCE Forensic Engineering Division). 
• Glenn is Past President of SEI, a past Director of IStructE, and a Board Member of the Charles Pankow Foundation.

2025 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SUMMIT

OCTOBER 14–17, 2025

NYC: NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN

Bright ideas in the Big Apple: The NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit is coming to New York City on October 14–17, 2025.

Be part of the action at the Midtown Hilton, where you’ll connect with practicing structural engineers, industry leaders, and innovative thinkers from across the country. Join us to explore the latest advancements in structural engineering, building, and design codes through engaging education sessions. Collaborate on technical, business, and industry challenges, enhance your leadership skills, and expand your professional network in an inspiring setting.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Programming is focused on structural engineering content for both technical and non-technical practitioners and professional development. Attendees can earn up to 14 PDHs through sessions covering best design practices, new codes and standards, recent project case studies, advanced analysis techniques, management and business practices, diversity and inclusion, resilience, and sustainability.

AWARDS CELEBRATION

The SEE Awards Celebration spotlights the ingenuity, creativity, and innovation within the structural engineering world. Held on Thursday evening, the celebration includes a short awards presentation, as well as an after-party with food, drinks, and entertainment. It’s sure to be a memorable evening, and we encourage all registrants to attend!

VENUE & LOCAL INFORMATION

Experience the vibrant energy and timeless elegance of New York City. Immerse yourself in the excitement of the Big Apple with Broadway shows, iconic landmarks, and diverse culinary experiences just steps away. Relax in luxurious accommodations that offer a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication. There are plenty of must-visit spots to explore in the “City That Never Sleeps.”

EXHIBIT HALL

Visit the largest structural engineering focused Exhibit Hall in the industry and discover countless solutions and resources to help you through your everyday challenges. Connect with industry partners. Learn about their products, services, innovations, and updates. All in a festive and interactive environment catered to you—the practicing structural engineer.

Click the link below for more information:  

NCSEA Summit

AISC requests proposals for the development of a Design Guide on Sustainability as it relates to structural steel. All work is to be in accordance with the 2022 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, the 2022 AISC Seismic Provisions, the 16th Edition Steel Construction Manual, and all other current editions of other specifications and standards in place at the Commencement of Work. The design guide is to be written in such a manner that the content may be readily applied to design by the typical practicing structural engineer or architect. AISC Design Guides are typically 50 to 150 pages in length, yet the length should be commensurate with the scope of work, and provide information in a complete and concise manner. Given the scope of this design guide, AISC anticipates that the Principal Author or Project Director will form their own team of authors and assign sections appropriately. Design Guide Components Proposals should address all aspects of sustainable structural steel design in the United States, for use by architects, engineers, and other designers and their project teams. It should establish the best practices for sustainable design and construction in steel, and it should showcase how steel can be an ideal sustainable material. A summary of preliminary Design Guide discussions is provided below, with a detailed desired scope of work provided in Section C.

● Overview of the steel production industry
● EAF and BOF steel-making
● Waste reduction design strategies
● Material reduction design strategies
● Whole building life cycle assessments
● Sample specification language
● Regulatory landscape
● Deconstruction and reuse
● Storage of deconstructed steel
● Labeling of reused steel
● Structural performance assessment of reused steel
● Designing for disassembly

Where applicable, provide parallel coverage of LRFD and ASD in all information and example solutions and use a load ratio that produces an equivalent design in both methods. 

Click the link below for more information.

request-for-proposal---sustainability-design-guide.pdf

The Concrete Industry Board Presents

Parking Structures: The Parallels of Code & Inspection

November 16, 2023

12:00 - 1:30 PM

Zoom Webinar

Presented by: Yagal Shamash, P.E., Assistant Commissioner, Investigative Engineering Services, NYC Department of Buildings

PDH Credit 

This presentation will discuss key measures needed to ensure the structural stability of existing parking structures. The course will cover data that is relevant to parking structures in New York City that led to the development of the new Code ad Rule. We will discuss different incidents that we are hoping to avoid by enacting these Code changes, and delve into some of the details of the pending rule and how one can become a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI).

Participants will be able to identify the maintenance difficulties, inspection nuances, and the details of the code requirements for different types of parking structures. Lastly, we will discuss the new proposed rule for an early initial observation.

Registration fees:

CIB Members: $25 ; Non-Members: $35

Register Here

WASHINGTON, DC –The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has published a new research report, “RP23-02: Influence of Support Attachment Pattern on the Out-of-Plane Buckling Capacity of Steel Deck.” RP23-02 is available for free download in the AISI Design Resources section at www.buildusingsteel.org.

The research was undertaken to determine if the diaphragm testing used to develop AISI S310-20, North American Standard for the Design of Profiled Steel Diaphragm Panels, 2020 Edition, could be verified for new buckling limit states that will be required for higher-strength steel deck fasteners currently in development. 

“This research provides more accurate predictions of strength and stiffness for higher-strength fasteners which will lead to more reliable and robust structures and more economical and sustainable design solutions for steel deck,” said Jay Larson, P.E., F.ASCE, managing director of AISI’s Construction Technical Program. 

Larson noted that RP23-02 is the result of a project selected through AISI’s Small Project/Fellowship Program, which identifies and provides funding for research projects that will significantly impact the reliability, performance and cost-competitiveness of cold-formed steel in construction. The research is conducted by project teams which include a student, an academic advisor from the student’s academic institution and an industry advisor.

The RP23-02 project team included Divyansh R. Kapoor, graduate research assistant and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Kara D. Peterman, associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; and Brian Bogh, industry advisor and senior research engineer at NUCOR/Vulcraft Group.  

AISC in tandem with Severud Associates and Empire State Development Corporation Present:

A Celebration of Moynihan Train Hall

Thursday, October 19, 2023

5:30 - 7:30 PM

Moynihan Train Hall

350 West 33rd Street

New York, NY 10001

Get an inside look at New York City's new grand rail entrance! Join AISC for an IDEAS2 Awards Reception and walking tour with the project team themselves as they highlight what makes the structure so special. The completion of Moynihan came five decades after the demolition of the original Penn Station. The addition of a steel-framed, skylit boarding concourse to the 20th-century building that formerly housed New York’s James A. Farley Post Office increased the station’s public space by 50%. This event is part of SteelDays 2023.

Registration is free! Click here to Register. 

As part of SEAoNY’s mission to advance the art of structural engineering by building a community of colleagues, the Diversity Committee seeks to practice intentional inclusion and equity by identifying the myriad ways our membership is diverse. We are beginning this journey with an anonymous self-identification survey open to all SEAoNY members. Data collected from this survey will be used to develop more inclusive and responsive programming for our membership. Key demographic information will be shared at the Diversity event on October 31. This survey is the beginning of our long-term journey to better serve our members’ needs and perspectives. Your contributions to the survey will enhance SEAoNY.

Click Here for the Survey 

SEAoNY Self ID Campaign Q and A.pdf