Marlou B. Rodriguez (mbrodrig@OBOE.AIX.CALPOLY.EDU)
Thu, 9 Nov 1995 05:49:44 -0800
Message-ID: <9511091349.AA189310@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu>
Date: Thu, 9 Nov 1995 05:49:44 -0800
From: "Marlou B. Rodriguez" <mbrodrig@OBOE.AIX.CALPOLY.EDU>
Subject: 1996 Structural Forum
To: Multiple recipients of list CIVIL-L <CIVIL-L@unb.ca>
Cal Poly's 1996 Structural Forum
Each year Cal Poly's SEAOC Student Chapter stages a structural engineering
forum. The concept of the forum is to bring the students and the faculty
into open dialogue with the practicing profession while at the same time
bringing professionals together to focus on an important issue. This is
done with speakers coming to campus during the morning and afternoon to
discuss current structural engineering ideas and accomplishments. Also, an
alumni panel discussion gives students the opportunity to better understand
the transition from college to practice. The evening program includes a
social hour that allows representatives from structural engineering firms,
students, and faculty the opportunity to exchange information, questions,
and ideas. Dinner and a keynote speaker finishes up a full day.
Last year's speakers were Craig D. Comartin, Michael Griffin, and Jim Seay.
Mr. Comartin, a Structural and Civil Engineering consultant for seismic
strengthening and rehabilitation, showed slides and talked about the damage
from the Kobe earthquake which he saw the day after it happened. Mr.
Griffin, the Vice President of Advanced Structures Incorporated, talked
about the Cal State Long Beach Athletic Facility "Pyramid" and its space
frame structure. The Manager of Technical Services at Magic Mountain, Jim
Seay, gave a very interesting keynote presentation on the structural design
and testing of their newest attraction, Batman The Ride.
The focus of the Structural Forum is determined with input from the
structural engineering profession. One of the most difficult topics
emanating from the Northridge and Kobi earthquakes is the subject of near
field effects on the performance of structures. The concern of those
studying the phenomena is that our current codes do not address these
effects which could be critical for certain types of structures. A velocity
pulse has been identified from the records studied which has unusual energy
content. Damage to structures has been directly linked to this pulse. When
the profession is queried on the subject it is found that there is not even
a good common definition nor is there a procedure for design considering
this information.
This year's forum will focus on near field effects. The attendee will be
taken through geology and seismicity as it effects seismic design. Then
into the basics of the code, the basics of dynamic behavior, and ultimately
into a formal definition of the velocity pulse and near field. Finally,
special problems presented by near field phenomena for new and existing
buildings will be addressed.
Anyone interested in either attending or speaking in this year's Structural
Forum, or for more information, please contact Andy Guyader @ 805-541-4904,
or email back with your mailing address so that we can send you more
information.
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
_/Marlou B. Rodriguez _/
_/SEAOC Fundraising Coordinator (Student Chapter) _/
_/ Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo _/
_/ARCE Computer Lab Manager _/
_/ Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo _/
_/email: mbrodrig@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu _/
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/