SEAOSD May Dinner Meeting

Structural Engineers Association of San Diego

 

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

“Performance-Based Engineering”

 

Traditionally, earthquake engineering has focused on producing at reasonable cost safe structures that will not collapse. Engineers are increasingly called upon to design structures that are expected to achieve superior performance under severe earthquakes, or to design structures that do not conform to existing building codes because of their size, configuration or the materials used.  In such cases, performance-based engineering concepts can be effectively used and to characterize expected response in a manner useful to the designer, owner and regulatory officials.  This presentation overviews current thinking on performance based design strategies, and illustrates this by several examples based on analysis and tests of concentrically braced steel frames and seismically isolated buildings.  In addition to the analytical aspects of performance-based design, the talk emphasizes understanding how the designer can modify designs to improve performance measures of interest. 

 

Speaker’s Biography

Professor Stephen Mahin is the Byron L. and Elvira E. Nishkian Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.  Dr. Mahin’s research focuses on improving understanding of the seismic behavior of systems by integrating high performance numerical and experimental simulation methods, and using that understanding to improve the earthquake performance of structures.  He chaired the technical management committee for the FEMA/SAC Program to Reduce Earthquake Hazards in Steel Moment Resisting Frame Structures. He has published numerous technical papers and is active in several academic and professional organizations. In recognition of his contributions to research and engineering practice, he has received several awards, including the James Cooper Best Paper Award from FHWA in 2007, Special Recognition Award from ATC in 2006, Special Achievement Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction in 2001, and the Norman Medal from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1987.

 

Time:              Registration: 5:30 PM   Dinner: 6:15 PM   Program: 7:15-8:15 PM

 

Menu:             Rock Shrimp Alfredo Sun-Dried Goat Cheese Ravioli, Market Green Salad, and for dessert, Black Forest for dessert , tea and coffee service. (vegetarian plate is available but must be requested by May 16th)

 

Cost:               Members: $30.00, Non-Members: $40.00, Students: $12.50

                       

Location:        The Handlery Hotel and Resort, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, California, 92108, (619) 298-0511. 

 

Reservation:  RSVP by 11 AM Friday, May 16, 2008 by emailing Cathy at secretary@seaosd.org, or calling 619-223-9955. You may also reserve your place and pay in advance with your credit card at www.seaosd.org, click on the dinner meeting announcement.  Your advanced reservations, made and honored, are essential to fulfilling our catering commitment.  If you make a dinner reservation without advanced payment and fail to attend you will be invoiced.

 

Cancellation: Cancellation must be made at least 24 hours in advance.