ASCE - ATC & SEI Conference on Improving the Seismic Performance of Existing Buildings and Other ...

Structural engineers with little or no experience in seismic engineering will learn the basics of the current approach to design and evaluation of structures subjected to earthquake loading. Structural engineers experienced in the use of building code provisions for seismic design will benefit from the segment on code philosophy and limitations and the sessions devoted to performance and evaluation of existing structures. Seismic engineering is one of the most rapidly evolving disciplines in the civil/structural engineering profession. Recent seismic events in the U.S. and around the world have provided new insight into the way structures perform when subjected to earthquake related ground motion. In the U.S., these events have focused the attention of government agencies, code bodies, insurance companies, the scientific community and the general public on safety hazards and potential losses associated with structures that perform poorly during earthquakes. As a result, there is growing national emphasis on seismic risk assessment, seismic design requirements for new structures, and seismic retrofit of existing structures. Seismic provisions of model building codes have been extensively revised in recent years; many west coast communities have adopted certain mandatory seismic upgrade requirements, and at least one state has instituted specific earthquake related licensing requirements for professional engineers. Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 133,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide, and is Americas oldest national engineering society. ASCEs vision is to position engineers as global leaders building a better quality of life.