The Causes and Prevention of Structural
Failures
By: Ali K. Nessaee, PE, SECB
This presentation will provide an overview of the main causes of structural failures including; errors in design and planning, flaws in construction and /or materials, soil and foundation failure and failures due to natural forces such as wind and earthquake. Examples of each type of failure will be given and causes of some of the major catastrophic structural failures will be discussed. Also, some structural failure preventive methods and procedures including ; quality assurance during the design and construction and coordination as well as proper communication among members of different design disciplines with each other and with the construction management crews will be discussed.
Biographical sketch of Ali K. Nessaee
Ali is the president and founder of Alvand Consulting Engineers, Inc., a structural engineering design firm established in Tucson, Arizona in 1995. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northern Arizona University in 1983 and Master of Science in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structural engineering from the University of Arizona in 1986 and has been working in the field of structural engineering ever since. He is a registered structural engineer in the state of Arizona, and a registered professional engineer in the states of California, Colorado and Nevada. He is also certified in the practice of Structural Engineering by Structural Engineering Certification Board (SECB).
During the past 29 years, he has provided structural design for residential, commercial, educational and industrial buildings and facilities as well as structural design for bridges, water reservoirs and wastewater treatment plants. He has also provided peer reviews and third party plan checks for commercial buildings and educational facilities. In addition, he has conducted structural inspections for various structures, failure investigations and repairs for existing structures, forensic engineering and expert witness testimonies.
He served as the president of Structural Engineers Association of Arizona for the Tucson chapter (1998-1999) as well as the State (1999-2000). As an adjunct lecturer, he has taught design of Steel Structures at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada and Advanced Structural Design in Steel, Advanced Structural Design in Concrete and Wood -Masonry Design at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.
Menu:
Classic Caesar Salad with Fresh Parmesan, Croutons and a Creamy Dressing
Chef’s Traditional Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna
Fresh Vegetable Medley
Warm Garlic Toast
Southern Apple Cobbler
Iced Tea and Water
Should you have any special dietary needs, please contact Andy DiLeo at ADileo@hmwstructural.com to coordinate.