SEAOC Talk December 2024

President's Message

Steven Crook, SE

2024-2025 SEAOC President

“If you take away Eau Rouge, you take away the reason why I do this.”

- Ayrton Senna

“I fight for the man next to me. It don’t matter about me, what matters about me is sacrificing for you; for the ultimate goal which is us.”

- Ray Lewis

Most of us chose a career in structural engineering when we were kids; with little experience at adulting, much less engineering. With that context, it’s not surprising that the NCSEA 2018 SE3 Survey report indicated that 59% of respondents had considered leaving the structural engineering profession. I was one of the respondents to say yes to that question. However, I also joined the 60% of people who answered that they plan to stay in the profession until retirement. Why do so many of us get to the precipice of such a life-altering decision? Why do so many of us who’ve been there decide to stay? I’ll answer those questions with two of my own (borrowed from a former mentor). What makes you feel energized? What makes you feel drained?

I can’t speak for anyone else; but for me, at my lowest point, I was just lost. I no longer felt a connection to the young man who filled out that college application and declared for ARCE. I couldn’t see a path forward, and didn’t have a meaningful connection to the engineering community. I was fortunate to stumble into an opportunity that happened to put me in direct contact with the thing that would be most energizing for me. And at the same time, someone recommended me for a position on the SEAOSD Board.

What makes you feel energized? What makes you feel drained? Those two questions were on my mind when Joyce Feng brought forward to the Board some questions about the sustainability and future of the profession, and how SEAOC can help.

The conversation isn’t new, but our willingness to ask hard questions about how we can do better has led to a string of successes that foster a culture of energized community. You launched the Pathways program, you transformed the Convention into a state committee, you helped the Wind committee author publications and lead the way in research of special wind regions, you’ve helped Continuing Education coalesce from disparate local efforts to a coordinated state program, and that’s just a few of the successes. As we’ve moved to a national computer-based exam for Structural Engineering, your licensure committee has been a benchmark for advocacy with NCEES.

Somewhere along the way, you’ve redefined SEAOC’s relationship with NCSEA, from suspicious to supportive; opening up ever more opportunities for California engineers to both lead and learn from the rest of the country. You built on that cooperation to co-host a very successful Convention in Portland (with the SEA NW Conference).

In all of our committees, you are asking the questions that will extend SEAOC’s relevance another generation and beyond. How can we coordinate regional efforts better? How can we collaborate across committees? Can we share resources to be more effective?

What makes SEAOC more energized, and how can we do more of that? If you’re already in a committee, keep bringing that can-do attitude. If you’re thinking about joining a committee but now sure if you’re needed, show up; tell us what makes you feel energized, and we will find a place for you.

And if this message finds you when you’re feeling lost, come find me. I’ll buy you a drink, or coffee, or tacos. I’ll tell you about my personal “Eau Rouge”; and you can tell me the reason why you do this.

Register for the SEAOC Webinar:

Beyond Site Class - Influence on Seismic Vulnerability

Speakers:

Ashwani Dhalwala, MS, SE, AEC Solutions

Martin B. Hudson, PhD, PE, GE, Hudson Geotechnics, Inc

12 - 1 pm

Wed, Dec. 18

$50 SEAOC members

$75 non-members

Influence of soil conditions on seismic response of structures was originally researched by Prof. H.B.Seed at UC Berkeley back in 1967-68 when he founded the discipline of Geotechnical Engineering. Considerable progress in understanding this phenomenon has been made since then culminating in the Site Specific Ground motion provisions and definition of Site Classes including provisions of Soil Structure Interaction (SSI) as required.

However a very critical part of site response and structural evaluation is understanding the resonance that occurs when the building periods are in close proximity to the ground motion periods which are dictated largely by the time history of earthquake motions as these motions transmit thru soil strata and the natural site period, the root cause of site resonance, if it exists. Site resonance among other mechanisms, forms a second peak or sometimes multiple peaks in the site response spectra. This was observed during several earthquakes such as the Superstition Hills, Landers, Northridge, Christ Church, and more recently the M7.8 Turkey Earthquake. The duration of these peaks is far longer than the duration of the peak period of underlying seismic motions and can potentially cause significantly higher probability of collapse and greater damage.

The presentation addresses the effects of site resonance and site conditions under which it can exist. In addition, per the ASCE 7-22 provisions, with a multi-period spectrum, a small change in the period of earthquake motion can modify the spectral acceleration by a very large amount, this itself presents another scenario of building performance as the peak in the response spectrum shifts. Procedures to assess site resonance period using available drill-boring log data or by on-site measurement of ambient vibrations by measuring horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) are described.

The presentation also discusses an example of using site specific drill-boring log data for reliably estimating the site resonance period and demonstrates how the soil resonance site period differs from the site-specific peak response period per ASCE 7 16 and ASCE 7 22. Finally, specific structural systems and examples of construction details which are affected by site response are discussed.

Navigating the New SE Exam: SEAOC’s Commitment to Supporting You

The transition to the new Structural Engineering (SE) Exam format administered by NCEES has raised questions and concerns from our members. As your voice within the structural engineering community, SEAOC wants you to know that we hear you, have appreciated your sharing of feedback, and are actively working to advance your comments and concerns to BPELSG and NCEES.

Advocating for Positive Change

The new computer-based testing (CBT) platform for the SE exam represents a significant shift in licensure. Administered for the first time, the test is evolving, and SEAOC is collaborating behind the scenes to encourage improvements that address your concerns and feedback. While immediate changes to the upcoming April exam are unlikely, NCEES has acknowledged the feedback from structural engineers. It is important to note that any modifications must also maintain the necessary exam rigor and security.

It’s important to note that the SE transition to CBT was the last of the national consensus exams due to the complexities of the content and will remain in this format going forward. This long development timeline underscores the intricacy of the process and the challenges of developing the exam. Any potential change will be gradual, and we remain committed to influencing these updates for the benefit of our community.

How Can You Help?

California SEs serve on the NCEES SE Exam Committee. These individuals play a crucial role in shaping the exam. There’s always room for more volunteers, and we encourage interested members to get involved and add your voice. Your expertise and perspectives are invaluable in fostering a fair and effective examination process.

Resources to Support You

To assist candidates in navigating the new CBT format, SEAOC has created a recorded webinar that offers insights and preparation tips. This webinar is available on the SEAOC YouTube channel, and we encourage all examinees to watch it.

Additionally, NCEES provides a range of resources on its website, including practice exams and guidance on what to expect on exam day. These tools are designed to help you feel more confident and prepared for the transition.

NCEES PE Structural Exam
Alternate Item Type Questions: Watch the YouTube video
NCEES YouTube Channel

Partnering with BPELSG

SEAOC has also contacted the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) to communicate our membership’s concerns. This dialogue ensures that the voices of California engineers are heard at the state level and considered in ongoing discussions about the exam.

We Want to Hear from You

The SEAOC Licensure Committee is dedicated to supporting our members through this transition. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at seaoc@seaoc.org.

Together, we can navigate these changes and ensure that the SE Exam continues to reflect the high standards of our profession while supporting the next generation of structural engineers.

SEISMICALLY VULNERABLE EXISTING BUILDING FACT SHEETS

SEAOC is excited to share our Seismically Vulnerable Building Fact Sheets, which were developed by SEAOC's Existing Buildings Committee to address the critical need for awareness and action regarding the safety of existing buildings during earthquakes. They summarize common structural vulnerabilities in building types including Unreinforced Masonry, Non-Ductile Concrete, Wood Soft/Weak Open Front, Rigid Wall - Flexible Diaphragm, and Pre-Northridge Steel Moment Frames. Each sheet explains the unique risks associated with these building types and highlights potential retrofitting solutions to improve building resilience, protect lives, and support community recovery.

These fact sheets are intended for building owners, policymakers, AEC industry professionals, and the general public, and provide a resource for structural engineers to help convey how seismically vulnerable structures may perform poorly in a seismic event. The information within is particularly valuable for those in earthquake-prone areas looking to better understand how to mitigate risks through retrofitting.

Click here to download the fact sheets today.

2024 Convention Proceedings Now Available!

The 2024 SEAOC Convention Proceedings are now available. Click here to download yours today!

Mark your calendars and save the date for the 2025 SEAOC Convention!

The Structural Engineering Society (SESOC) of New Zealand invites SEAOC members to join them at the 2025 Bi-Annual Conference to be held at the iconic Tākina Convention Centre in the heart of Wellington City from 25-27 June.

The theme of the conference is “Navigating Change with Integrity and Future Focus” noting that engineers are working within a context of fast-paced change. This is impacting engineering practice in many areas, including regulatory, technical, economic, social and digital. The profession faces significant engineering challenges, with a sizable infrastructure deficit, significant natural hazards and a climate emergency. The conference will focus on the vital role of structural engineers in upholding public safety, positively impacting social outcomes and driving climate action.The conference will bring together professionals from a broad range of sectors, including architecture, business, public policy, construction and regulation.

Visit Conference Website Here

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS OPEN NOW

DEADLINE JANUARY 24, 2025

The SESOC 2025 organizing committee invite you to submit an abstract for consideration and inclusion in the technical programme. There are three options available when submitting an abstract:

20-minute traditional presentation. (Full paper submission will be requested if abstract is accepted)
15-minute Emerging Structural Engineers presentation. (Full paper submission will be requested if abstract is accepted)
5-minute ‘Lightning Talk’ presentation. (No full paper required)

Authors should include a short paragraph detailing career history and a written commitment to personally attend and present the paper at the conference, if the paper or presentation is accepted.

See below for more information:

Key Dates, Guidelines, Further Info and Submission Page

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

You are invited to visit the conference website and register now for preferential Early Bird Rates!

EMERGING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

Click below for information on the ESE Pathway Cohort, ESE Paper Stream and Scholarship to the SEAOC Convention 2025 in San Diego, California.

More Information Here

SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION

Partnering with the 2025 SESOC Conference provides a unique opportunity for your organisation to show its support for the advancement of structural engineering-based knowledge in a respected forum. Please see our prospectus or contact Carl Ashby, carl.ashby@wsp.com, 027 705 5758.

Sponsorship Prospectus