SEAOA

Post Tensioning in Building Construction

The presentation targets structural engineers at large. The increased application of post-tensioning in building construction makes the encounter with PT design or construction either in capacity of PT designer, member of a design team, or walk through jobsite practically inevitable. In clear and simple explanation, the presentation covers the PT basics that structural engineers need to know for their own work or interaction with PT design engineers. It also elaborates is some detail what structural engineers are expected to note and point out for correction/remedy in the course of construction observation of PT floors.

Design of Column-Supported Post-Tensioned Floors

The presentation starts with a brief background to the concepts and procedures for design of column-supported concrete floors. Next using a real and typical post-tensioned floor slab that supports several light-framing (podium slab) the presentation walks through the entire design steps from initial assumption to the final detailing. An emphasis aspect of the presentation is to point out and follow the considerations of the building code requirements to minimize repetition in design steps in arriving at code compliant design and detailing. Where appropriate the presentation makes reference to software as resource in design.

Bijan Aalami, PhD, PE, SE , a practicing structural engineer and software developer, Bijan Aalami is an internationally renowned educator and leader in the analysis and design of concrete structures with specialization in post-tensioning. A native of Iran, he held positions as professor and Vice-Chancellor of Arya-Mehr (now Sharif) University, President of Abu Rayhan University before joining the faculty at San Francisco State University. Bijan is registered Structural Engineer in California and Chartered Engineer in the UK. A former Fulbright Scholar, he received the ACI’s Design Award for the “application of advanced engineering to a notable concrete structure.” Bijan is the founder, and for over 20 years was the project leader of the software suite ADAPT, now RISA-Builder- ADAPT that is serving the concrete design engineers in over 75 countries worldwide. Bijan’s many publications on design of PT structures includes his latest book “Post-Tensioning; Concepts, Design, Construction, www.PTstructures.com.”

Challenges of Glass Design

Glass continues to push the boundaries of modern architecture—but for structural engineers, it brings a unique set of challenges. This presentation explores the critical considerations when designing with glass, from managing its brittle nature and post-breakage behavior to addressing load paths, failure modes, and constructability concerns. Attendees will gain practical insights into current best practices, limitations of existing codes, and strategies for ensuring safety and performance in structural glass applications.

Ted Kraemer, PE is a structural engineer specializing in innovative façade and envelope design. He has extensive experience with structural glass systems, including canopies, fin walls, cable-net walls, guardrails, and walkable surfaces. Ted has led KPFF Sacramento’s façade team since 2019 and is licensed in California and Connecticut. Email: ted.kraemer@kpff.com

Structural Insulated Panels in Commercial and Residential Construction

In her Structural Insulated Panels in Residential and Commercial Construction presentation, Gwen Bertolami Lysons, P.E., first gives a refresher on the makeup of a structural insulated panel (SIP) and how it differs from conventional stick-frame construction. Gwen explores the structural, thermal, and environmental rigorousness of SIPS, as well as how SIPS can reduce overall project labor, time, and material waste. Next, Gwen takes a deep dive into design best practices - both how SIPS enable desirable styles and how designers can optimize their work to be mindful of their clients' pocketbooks without sacrificing quality. Gwen then examines the key structural design points to keep in mind when engineering with SIPS. The presentation concludes with tips for how to set up construction crews for efficient installation, the benefits of SIPS long after the project is complete, and a preview of where the industry is headed next.

Gwen Bertolami Lysons, PE is owner/professional engineer with more than 20 years structural and design experiences with residential and commercial construction and has been designing with SIPs since 2017. Her first SIPs project included architecture and structural design for R-Control SIPs on a 2-story tri-plex project. Since that time, she's completed structural projects in Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico. Gwen has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. By the time she reached age 25, she had engineered computer hardware for Hewlett-Packard and Apple Computer, negotiated Chinese steel contracts, and was awarded two patents for her mechanical designs. She obtained her first Civil license in California in 2010 and holds engineering licenses in CA, AZ, NV, NM, ID, OR, UT, TX, TN, and MD with five more states in progress. After four years of working on her own construction project, Gwen started her own business, Bertolami Engineering in 2005. And while Gwen likes to take on construction projects of all kids, she is especially passionate about finding solutions to difficult design challenges. Gwen is the proud mother of three: two engineers and one Fung Fu Instructor. She spends her free time advancing her own Kung Fu skills and traveling.

Structural Engineering Emergency Response Presentation of a Mock Disaster Deployment 

This presentation is provided by the Structural Engineers Emergency Response Committee and will be an introduction to the process of post-disaster rapid building damage safety assessments. We will cover an overview of the assessment process from why it is important to how they are performed. A building damage assessment is completed after the application of a green, yellow, or red placard indicating the safety of the building with the goal of safe re-occupancy. The presentation will provide an introduction to the building assessments and end with a hands-on experience using a mock deployment of attendees to perform their own rapid assessments. The assessment process in this presentation is based on the CalOES SAP, ATC-20, & ATC-45 programs and documents. 

Derek Hanson, PE  is the President of Structural Engineering Excellence, Inc. and holds professional engineering licenses in both Arizona and California. He serves as a Structures Specialist for the FEMA Arizona Task Force One and as a Co-Chair with the Arizona Structural Engineers Emergency Response Committee. Derek is the Co-Chair for NCSEA SEER Committee and is a CALOES Assessor, Coordinator, and Instructor.

Heidi Park Heidi Park is a co-chair for NCSEA SEER Committee and has worked extensively with natural disaster and hazard mitigation. She contributed to the Hurricane Ian Mitigation Action Team Report which provided an in-depth assessment of mitigation successes and areas of improvement. Heidi has worked the last few years working closely with FEMA through communities and grant programs in the areas of wind and seismic retrofits, hurricane and tornado safe rooms, and tsunami vertical evacuation structures. Heidi has a passion for mitigation work, infrastructure resilience, and disaster recovery.

Introduction to Strength Design in Masonry

Strength design was introduced into the TMS 402 masonry code in 2002. However, most masonry is still designed by Allowable Stress Design. The presentation will show the advantages of strength design. The similarities of strength of reinforced masonry to the strength design of reinforced concrete will be shown. An overview of the provisions and design suggestions will be provided for reinforced masonry beams, bearing walls, and shear walls.

Richard Bennett, PhD, PE, SE is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee and an Honorary Member of The Masonry Society. He was chair of the 2016 TMS 402/602 committee and vice-chair of the 2013, 2022, and 2028 committee. He was editor of the 2022 Masonry Designer’s Guide and a co-author of Strength Design of Masonry.

 

Keynote: Engineer Yourself First 

In structural engineering, the "strong column, weak beam" principle is a critical design strategy that ensures a structure's stability during extreme events by prioritizing the integrity of columns over beams. This principle can also serve as a metaphor for personal and professional growth. By strengthening the "columns" of personal development—such as cultivating self-discipline, enhancing self-awareness, and fostering creativity—we create a foundation that supports sustained professional success and overall well-being. This presentation explores practical strategies, including mastering morning routines, reflective writing, and engaging in creative pursuits outside of work, to build a resilient personal foundation that leads to long-term productivity and fulfillment.

Jake Kennington, PE, SE is a licensed Structural Engineer with extensive experience navigating the technical and personal demands of the engineering profession. Passionate about fostering a holistic approach to success, Jake helps engineers and other professionals find meaning by aligning career ambitions with a purposeful and fulfilling life. Jake shares his insights through a weekly newsletter focused on personal development for engineers, available alongside his coaching services at humanengineercoach.com. He is also the author of a children’s book and has additional literary projects in development.

 

An Overview of Changes to the ACI 318-25

The latest edition of ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete was released at the end of January, 2025, although a printed version is still not available as of mid-April. It is expected to be adopted by the 2027 IBC. ACI 318-25 introduces significant updates, including a new sustainability appendix and a new appendix on performance-based wind design, revised requirements for post-installed reinforcing bars, and enhanced provisions for shear friction. Additional updates include improvements to deep foundation requirements across all seismic design categories and clarified guidelines for cantilever and basement wall shear design. The document also features numerous advancements in seismic design provisions (including significant relief from the severe shear design requirements for special shear walls in ACI 318-19), and modifications to development length equations. Enhanced language on the development, embedment, and anchorage of reinforcement, as well as new strength reduction factors for breakout failure, are also included, along with updated guidance for developing closely spaced bars in tension.

An Overview of Changes to the ASCE 7-22

ASCE 7-22 is adopted by the 2024 IBC, which is in the process of being adopted by major local jurisdictions, such as the State of California and the State of New York. The changes from ASCE 7-16 to ASCE 7-22 are numerous; many of them are truly substantive. The chapter on flood loads is the only chapter that has escaped any change. There are huge changes in snow load, ice load, and tsunami load provisions. There is a whole new chapter (32) on tornado loads. Risk Category III or IV structures located in the tornado-prone region shown in a figure are required to be designed and constructed to resist the greater of the tornado loads determined in accordance with Chapter 32 or the wind loads determined in accordance with Chapters 26 through 31. The changes in Chapters 11-23 on earthquake loads and Chapters 26-31 on wind loads are many and many of the seismic changes mark significant departures from past practice. ASCE 7-22 load combinations and importance factors are also quite different because of changes in the load chapters. Tsunami loads are obviously of no concern in Arizona. Also, luckily, Arizona outside of the tornado-prone region. Also, snow is not a big concern. So, most of the time will be spent on earthquake and wind forces.

S.K. Ghosh, PhD, PE, SE  heads the consulting practice, S. K. Ghosh Associates LLC, Palatine, Illinois, now a subsidiary of the International Code Council. Dr. Ghosh has influenced seismic design provisions in the United States for many years. He is a member of ACI Committee 318, Standard Building Code, the ASCE 7 Standard Committee (Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures), and fib Commission 6, Prefabrication. He is a former member of the Boards of Direction of ACI, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the Building Seismic Safety Council, and ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute. He is PCI’s Code Consultant.

 

An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Performance-Based Design: The Future of Earthquake Engineering!

Performance-Based Design (PBD) is a major shift from traditional seismic design practice and represents the future of earthquake engineering. These new procedures help assure that the design will reliably meet a desired level of performance during a given earthquake. A fundamental component of PBD is nonlinear dynamic analysis where an attempt is made to capture the real behavior of the structure by explicitly modeling and evaluating post-yield ductility and energy dissipation when subjected to actual earthquake ground motions. In this talk, Ashraf will present the theory and practice of PBD in terms and analogies that are very familiar to the practicing structural engineer. Attendees will leave empowered with a clear understanding of this new technology.

Ashraf Habibullah, SE, NAE

Ashraf Habibullah, SE, NAE is the Founder and CEO of Computers and Structures, Inc. Ashraf graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1970 with a master's degree in structural engineering. He founded CSI in 1975 and has led the development of CSI's products, including SAP2000 and ETABS, for fifty years. Today, CSI is recognized globally as the pioneer in the development of software for structural and earthquake engineering. CSI's software is used by thousands of engineering firms and is the choice of sophisticated design professionals in over 160 countries. Ashraf has been elected a Member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for his distinguished contributions to engineering, for his development of structural engineering software that is used by engineers globally and for his advocacy of the engineering profession. Ashraf’s legacy is etched into the skylines of major cities worldwide and into the global infrastructure that sustains modern society.

 

Concrete Repairs: Every Project Will Need Them Initially or Eventually

Initially there will be construction defects on almost every job unless it is a very small job or unless the Owner is extremely fortunate. Eventually horizontal, vertical, or overhead repairs will be required on most jobs. The list of problems includes cracks, spalls, rock pockets, delaminations, slabs that are soft/dusty/punky, chips, gouges, uneven slabs, etc, etc. This presentation will discuss identifying the cause for the problem, owner expectations, repair material selection, repair methods, surface preparation, bonding, curing, etc. In some cases, it will be important for the repairs to be aesthetic as well as functional and we will cover how to accomplish that. It will also explain the best ways to specify concrete repairs. This 90-minute presentation includes plenty of time for questions.

Dave Flax is an accomplished speaker, having done dozens of National Webinars for SEA, ASCC, ACI, ICRI, CSI, and more. Webinar attendance has varied from hundreds to over 1,600 attendees. He has spoken on many concrete related topics at World of Concrete, hundreds of association meetings and national conventions including ACI, ICRI, CSI, IPI, and SEA, and thousands of individual firms and DOTs. He received his Civil Engineering Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 1969 and has been involved with construction and concrete for over 45 years. He has been a field engineer, a contractor, a specifier, and a researcher with the Corps of Engineers. He earned his CDT (Certified Document Technologist) and CCPR (Certified Construction Products Representative) certifications from the CSI (Construction Specification Institute). He has been on many national organization committees including "Repair of Construction Defects", “Guide Specifications", and "Repair Materials and Methods”. He has had dozens of articles published, was awarded the Extra Yard Award by SCCP for 30+ years of service to the concrete industry, and has a patent for zero-shrinkage concrete and fibers. He enjoys sharing the knowledge that he has gained over all of those years.

Stiffness Analysis in Steel Structure Connections

Today’s structural engineers are being asked to carry a huge load (and also make sure it doesn’t move too much)! Projects are getting more complex, schedules are being condensed, and good employees can be hard to come by. All the while, design teams are being pushed to further optimize new and retrofit structures to meet strength, serviceability, and sustainability needs. If you’ve been involved in a tough project or two, you’ve undoubtedly discovered that the stiffness of connections can present a design challenge. Large drifts or deflections, fit up issues, and cracking in finishes, can all be concerns that relate back to stiffness.

This presentation explores the pivotal role of stiffness analysis in steel structures and will hone in on the rotational stiffness of steel connections. It will emphasize both traditional methods and modern software solutions. The traditional process will be discussed, along with revealing common challenges that often arise. Key reasons for conducting stiffness analysis will be covered, including ensuring analysis assumptions, enhancing serviceability, optimizing structural performance, and meeting stringent design codes. Several illustrative case studies will demonstrate the practical implications of stiffness analysis, showcasing how informed design decisions lead to safer and more efficient structures.

With advances in structural engineering software, structural engineers no longer need to rely on idealized assumptions and can take advantage of improved tools for stiffness analysis of steel connections. These innovative tools simplify the analysis process by automating complex calculations and providing comprehensive visualizations, significantly improving accuracy and reducing design time. A cyclical workflow can even be created to take connection stiffness information and input it back to the global analysis model, resulting in a more accurate understanding of the structural behavior. Attendees will gain insights into how software solutions not only alleviate the burdens of manual analysis but also empower engineers to explore complex design scenarios with confidence.

Jason McNeil, PE, IDEA StatiCa Regional Structural Engineer, Jason McNeil, PE, has been involved in the steel industry for 15 years and has gained a broad range of experience working in steel detailing, structural engineering design, project management of steel construction, and structural software. In his role at IDEA StatiCa, Jason works with engineers and steel detailers to help them safely design and optimize structural details, namely steel connections.

Steel Industry Insight

This presentation will discuss the domestic manufacturing and supply chain of structural steel products, providing engineers with structural design insights and value engineering opportunities. The manufacturing process includes a discussion of Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace and Electric Arc Furnace technologies, and the breadth of products manufactured in the United States, including wide-flange sections, HSS, metal decking, rebar, and more. By understanding how steel is made and its supply chain before arriving on a job site, engineers can utilize this knowledge to inform design decisions to best leverage the steel material available in the country.

In addition, the presentation will dive into the sustainability of steel manufacturing and provide guidance on quantifying and minimizing the carbon impacts of steel construction. Attendees will be equipped with an understanding of Environmental Product Declarations, life cycle analysis and carbon calculations, and strategies for specifying sustainably made steel.

Wes Frampton, PE, has over 36 years of experience in the joist industry. In his current position as Business Development Manager, Wes focuses on engaging with specifiers early in the design process to provide innovative solutions and value-added options. His work aims to benefit the end owner and streamline efforts for field crews. Wes is a licensed professional in eight Western states.

Ethics in Engineering Practice: Decision Process, Perspectives and Results (Saturday Ethics Session)

In this session Dr. Civjan will provide his perspectives on the importance of engineering ethics, insight into the decision process, and strategies to improve decision making skills. Case studies will focus on common engineering decisions, including personal experiences and differing perspectives. The goal is to break from approaching ethics solely as a binary right/wrong issue or as a purely rational process. Questioning our decision process can be insightful. What could lead us to make a different decision and, by extension, lead another person to make a choice different than ours? How does workplace culture influence our decision? How does experience influence our assessment of a situation? These questions will be addressed. Making ethical decisions requires personal effort, continuous evaluation, and awareness of ethical issues as they arise. Attendees will be asked to place renewed attention on these issues.

Scott Civjan, Ph.D., PE, has been a faculty member, and now Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for 27 years, with a specialty in Structural Engineering. He obtained his doctorate degree from the University of Texas at Austin 1998. He is also a Registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts and Texas. His experience also includes four years of full-time consulting experience at Black & Veatch in Overland Park, KS. In recent years he has introduced ethics as a “through the curriculum” topic in classes he has taught, including Strength of Materials and several structural design classes. His approach is to discuss ethics through understanding the decision-making process and its impacts of engineering decisions. He has made presentations on engineering ethics at NASCC, ASEE and regional engineering conferences. He has authored related articles in the Structure magazine of ASCE and ASEE Annual Conference proceedings.