News of the Institute   december-15-2023

Leadership Communique from Heidi Tremayne: EERI Highlights in 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, I want to thank our members for your dedication and commitment to EERI. Hundreds of volunteers—committee members, chapter officers, reconnaissance team participants, Spectra reviewers, student volunteers, meeting organizers, Board members, and more—have contributed thousands and thousands of hours of time and expertise to furthering our mission as we work together to learn from earthquakes and build a more resilient future. The achievements I name below would not be possible without you.

Here are just a few highlights of what we have accomplished together this year:

• In the wake of the devastating M7.8 and M7.6 earthquakes that struck Turkey in February, Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) launched its largest reconnaissance response since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. A joint EERI-GEER advance team was en route to the region a week after the earthquakes, and three more LFE teams followed a month later. To share their findings, we collaborated with StEER on a preliminary virtual reconnaissance report and with GEER on a joint reconnaissance report, organized a rapid-response plenary session at the 2023 Annual Meeting, and hosted a series of five LFE reconnaissance webinars. This work continues—the 2024 Annual Meeting will feature a special programming track developed in cooperation with NEHRP, and the Spectra team is hard at work preparing the special collection that will be published next year.
• Earthquake Spectra’s 2022 Impact Factor rose to 5.0 from 4.330 in 2021, thanks to the dedication and skill of our editorial team led by Jack Baker and the high quality of the papers submitted, many of them authored by members like you.
• Nearly 800 people attended EERI’s 2023 Annual Meeting and the 2023 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition in San Francisco in April, which marked the 50th anniversary of our flagship Learning From Earthquakes program with a series of plenaries highlighting the impacts of earthquake reconnaissance past, present, and future. We also had the pleasure of recognizing the dedication and achievement of several outstanding members in EERI’s 2023 awards and honors ceremony.
• EERI welcomed a vibrant new regional chapter in the Carolinas, and four new student chapters at universities in the United States, Turkey, and Peru.
• EERI hosted 15 webinars, many of them organized with committees and regional chapters, with a total live audience of over 3500 people. Thousands more have viewed the recordings on our YouTube account.
• Student chapters hosted 21 visits from Friedman Family Visiting Professionals at universities around the United States.
• The LFE Endowment Campaign has brought us within 10% of our total goal of raising $4 million to achieve sustainable funding for the program, thanks to the generosity of our members and the hard work of the Fundraising Committee. We’ve launched a year-end campaign to add another $20,000 by the end of this month, and 2024 will bring a final drive to get us across the finish line. Thank you to all of you who have contributed so far to this essential campaign!

I also want to mention some of the things you can look forward to seeing from EERI in 2024:

• We’re putting together a great 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle, and you’ll hear more about those efforts from EERI President Janiele Maffei soon. The meeting will feature a two-day technical program, a reconnaissance workshop and field exercise based on a Seattle Fault 7.5 scenario hosted in cooperation with the Washington Geological Survey, and much more.
• Planning is also underway for the 13th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering to be held in 2026.
• EERI is developing a bid to host the 2028 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Los Angeles.
• Earthquake Spectra plans to release four special collections in 2024—including one on the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence, one on the update of the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model, and one on advancements in broadband fault-to-structure earthquake simulations.
• Fall 2024 will see the release of a new membership database and system to keep you better connected with EERI and our community.

As the year closes, I am also opening a new chapter for my family as we welcome a new baby. During my leave, EERI Director of Programs Maggie Ortiz-Millan will be stepping into the role of Acting Executive Director. With full support of our exemplary staff and dedicated Board of Directors, EERI’s leadership will remain strong and stable. I look forward to seeing EERI’s progress over the next several months when I return from leave. In the meantime, I encourage you to show your support for Maggie and EERI’s leadership team by renewing your membership for 2024 and registering to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting.

I wish each of our members a joyous holiday season and a very happy and prosperous new year in 2024!

Sincerely,

Heidi Tremayne
Executive Director

2024 EERI Board of Directors Election Results

Many thanks to all EERI members who took the time to consider and choose from the exceptional candidates for the 2024 EERI Board of Directors! EERI would like to welcome our new President-Elect and two new Directors: 

President-Elect:

• Ellen Rathje (M.EERI, 1996)
  Janet S. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
  Austin, Texas

Directors:

• Michael Mahoney (M.EERI, 1996)
  Director of Projects, Applied Technology Council
  Washington DC Area
• Rebecca Laberenne (M.EERI, 2007)
  Independent Consultant
  New York, New York

Rathje, Mahoney, and Laberenne will assume their new posts at the first Board of Directors meeting in 2024.

The Institute extends appreciation to outgoing board members, Past President David Cocke (M.EERI, 1992), Vice President Terri Norton (M.EERI, 2004), Secretary/Treasurer Lucy Arendt (M.EERI, 2008), and Director Jonathan Stewart (M.EERI, 1994) for their service and dedication to the institute. EERI’s leadership and staff appreciate the insight and diligence that they brought to the Board during their tenure.

EERI would also like to thank the Election Tellers who were critical in the election process: Christopher Cattron (M.EERI, 2021), Tal Feinstein (M.EERI, 2017), and Ehsan Kianirad (M.EERI, 2011). Per the bylaws: "The President shall appoint three (3) tellers from the Membership-at-large who shall with the Executive Director to certify the electronic election results, and shall report their findings to the Secretary/Treasurer each year."

To read more about the newly elected Board members, view the News post on the website.

2024AM: One Month Left for Early-Bird Registration!

There’s just a month left to register for 2024AM at the early bird rate! EERI’s 2024 Annual Meeting, on the theme “Uniting Earthquake Science and Engineering for a More Resilient Future,” will take place in Seattle, WA from April 9-12, 2024.

The two-day technical program at the 2024AM will offer plenary, special, and poster sessions, including a special programming track on the lessons learned one year after the 2023 Turkey Earthquake Sequence, developed in collaboration with the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). You can look forward to member-organized special sessions on topics such as:

• Seismic design provisions for functional recovery performance in the next generation of building codes and standards
• What are We Doing About Building Collapse?
• 2026 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions: Progress Report and EERI Community Outreach
• Preparing Critical Energy Infrastructure in Pacific Northwest for a Cascadia Earthquake Event
• Seismically Resilient Tall Wood Building Systems
• How can we enhance collaboration across professional silos to promote holistic multi-hazard resilience in the built environment?
• Climate change and seismic hazard
• All fired up! The intersection of fire and earthquakes
• Urban- and Regional-Scale Modeling of Earthquake Geohazards and Risks
• UR-Missing Lateral Strength: Development of Seattle’s Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Retrofit Technical Standard
• Collective Impact's role in uniting earthquake science and engineering for more resilient futures
• Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Earthquake and Tsunami Mitigation Best Practices
• Funding Earthquake Retrofits- Exploring funding options and successes
• An Adaptation Strategy for Tsunami Hazards in a Changing Climate

Poster sessions will share new research on subjects including big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; building codes and performance; climate, multi-hazard modeling, and earthquake resilience, and post-earthquake emergency response and planning, as well as posters on geotechnical and structural engineering and seismology and earth science.

The meeting will also feature exciting events like a Seattle Fault scenario earthquake reconnaissance exercise conducted in collaboration with the Washington Geological Survey, the 2024 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition, and training and data workshops hosted by EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes program and partner organizations.

Register to attend 2024AM today! More information about registration rates and timing is available at the meeting website here.

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Spectra   december-15-2023

Don't Miss Spectra's November Issue!

Volume 39, issue 4 (November 2023) of Earthquake Spectra is out! The Editor's Choice selection for this issue is “Earthquake response of head-mounted equipment in advanced nuclear reactors” by Faizan Ul Haq Mir, Kaniel Tilow, Nam Nguyen, Brian Song, Matthew Clavelli, Benjamin Kosbab, and Andrew Whittaker.

Abstract: The seismic response of safety-related equipment mounted on the head of an advanced reactor, including pumps, control rod drive mechanisms, and reactor monitoring devices, will affect the design and layout of many advanced reactors. High earthquake-induced accelerations in such equipment may challenge their seismic qualification and trigger the need for additional support framing on the reactor head. Base isolation is a design solution that can drastically reduce seismic demands on equipment. This article describes a set of earthquake-simulator experiments conducted on a scale-model of a base-isolated reactor vessel including four representations of head-mounted equipment, with frequencies spanning from 4.5 to 27 Hz. Dynamic responses of the head-mounted equipment, including displacements, accelerations, and strains, were measured in the experiments for three support conditions: conventional, and seismically isolated using single concave Friction Pendulum (SFP) bearings and triple Friction Pendulum (TFP) bearings. Seismic isolation was effective at reducing equipment responses (accelerations, displacements, and strains) with respect to those in the conventionally supported vessel across a range of seismic inputs. Companion numerical studies highlight the accuracy to be expected in the calculation of different response quantities for lightly damped equipment. The importance of characterizing damping in head-mounted, safety-related equipment through physical experiments to support design and risk assessment is made clear through the numerical simulations.

View the rest of the November issue at the Earthquake Spectra website here. Make sure you are logged into your EERI member account on the EERI website for full access!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   december-15-2023

Walter P. Moore

Founded in 1931, Walter P. Moore is an international company of engineers, architects, innovators, and creative people who solve some of the world’s most complex structural and infrastructure challenges. Providing structural, diagnostics, civil, traffic, parking, transportation, enclosure, and construction engineering services, we design solutions that are cost- and resource-efficient, forward-thinking, and help support and shape communities worldwide.

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News of the Institute   december-1-2023

September 2023 Board Meeting Highlights

The EERI Board of Directors met in person at Degenkolb Engineers in Oakland on Monday, September 18, 2023.

The Board approved the June 2023 meeting minutes and annual reports from EERI Student Chapters and the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program. The Board also approved the independently audited 2022 financial statement. The Board reviewed and approved quarterly financial and investment statements and conducted their annual review of EERI’s investment policies and spend guidelines. The Board reviewed and discussed EERI’s 2024 Preliminary Budget. A final 2024 budget will be approved at their December meeting. The Board reviewed a memorandum from the 2023 Nominating Committee with recommendations for the 2024 Board Election and approved the recommended election slate, criteria, and selection process.

The Board reviewed the recommendations of the EERI Honors Committee, the Shah Family Innovation Prize Selection Committee, the Joint Bruce Bolt Selection Committee, and the Joyner Lecture Selection Committee and approved the recommended recipients for the Housner Medal, Alquist Award, Shah Prize, Bolt Medal, Distinguished Lecture, Joyner Lecture, Honorary Memberships and Younger Member Awards. The Board discussed and approved a new policy regarding nominations of current Board members for EERI honors and awards, which will in future defer their consideration for awards until after their term is complete.

The Board discussed the possibility of submitting a bid to the International Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE) to host the 19WCEE in the United States in 2028.

Finally, the Board discussed the 2023 EERI Membership Report, an update on the 2024 Annual Meeting, the outcome and summary report from the 2023 Annual Meeting, leadership transitions in the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee (PPAC) and the World Housing Encyclopedia (WHE) Committee, and progress updates on the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, particularly Goals 1, 2, and 3. The meeting concluded with a recognition of the Board members whose terms will end with the December meeting.

Register Soon for 2024AM in Seattle!

The 2024 Annual Meeting will take place in Seattle, WA from April 9-12, 2024. The meeting will bring together participants from engineering, geoscience, emergency planning, social science, and other fields to connect and learn about the latest developments in research and practice for understanding earthquake risk and increasing earthquake resilience. The meeting’s theme is “Uniting Earthquake Science and Engineering for a More Resilient Future,” and the two-day technical program will offer plenary, special, and poster sessions spanning a range of topics related to earthquake engineering, risk, reconnaissance, and resilience. It will include a special programming track on the lessons learned one year after the 2023 Turkey Earthquake Sequence, developed in collaboration with the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). 

The meeting will also feature exciting events like a Seattle Fault scenario earthquake reconnaissance exercise conducted in collaboration with the Washington Geological Survey, the 2024 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition, and training and data workshops hosted by EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes program and partner organizations.

Register to attend 2024AM today! The deadline to register at the early bird rate is January 16, 2024. More information about registration rates and timing is available at the meeting website here. We're excited to see you in Seattle next year!

Polly Murray Receives 2024 Younger Member Award

Polly Murray (M.EERI 2017) has been named a 2024 recipient of the Younger Member Award, in recognition of her energetic and kind leadership for the Seismic Design Competition, Student Leadership Council, and the Younger Members Committee and her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and mentorship. The EERI Younger Member Award is awarded to recognize early-career members of the Institute who have made outstanding contributions to the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the pursuit of its objectives in the early stages of their career—especially contributions that have improved opportunities for and increased the impact of younger members within the Institute. 

Murray has shown sustained and substantial commitment to EERI’s activities since joining as a student member more than five years ago. She currently serves as co-chair of the Younger Members Committee, where she is developing a mentorship program to aid in the development of younger members and those mid-career.

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

Kristin Ulmer Receives 2024 Younger Member Award

Kristin J. Ulmer (M.EERI 2014) is named a 2024 recipient of the Younger Member Award, in recognition of her impactful contributions to fundamental and applied research in soil liquefaction and her commitment to the earthquake engineering profession. The EERI Younger Member Award is awarded to recognize early-career members of the Institute who have made outstanding contributions to the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the pursuit of its objectives in the early stages of their career—especially contributions that have improved opportunities for and increased the impact of younger members within the Institute. 

Ulmer has served as secretary in the Younger Member Committee of EERI and participated in various supporting roles in EERI student chapters. Through the Younger Members Committee, she has developed connections with other early career researchers and helped form a community where individuals can feel a sense of belonging. She also served on the EERI Student Awards Committee and as a volunteer coordinator at the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City.

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

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Spectra   december-1-2023

Don’t Miss the November issue of Earthquake Spectra!

Volume 39, issue 4 (November 2023) of Earthquake Spectra is out! The Editor's Choice selection for this issue is “Earthquake response of head-mounted equipment in advanced nuclear reactors” by Faizan Ul Haq Mir, Kaniel Tilow, Nam Nguyen, Brian Song, Matthew Clavelli, Benjamin Kosbab, and Andrew Whittaker.

Abstract: The seismic response of safety-related equipment mounted on the head of an advanced reactor, including pumps, control rod drive mechanisms, and reactor monitoring devices, will affect the design and layout of many advanced reactors. High earthquake-induced accelerations in such equipment may challenge their seismic qualification and trigger the need for additional support framing on the reactor head. Base isolation is a design solution that can drastically reduce seismic demands on equipment. This article describes a set of earthquake-simulator experiments conducted on a scale-model of a base-isolated reactor vessel including four representations of head-mounted equipment, with frequencies spanning from 4.5 to 27 Hz. Dynamic responses of the head-mounted equipment, including displacements, accelerations, and strains, were measured in the experiments for three support conditions: conventional, and seismically isolated using single concave Friction Pendulum (SFP) bearings and triple Friction Pendulum (TFP) bearings. Seismic isolation was effective at reducing equipment responses (accelerations, displacements, and strains) with respect to those in the conventionally supported vessel across a range of seismic inputs. Companion numerical studies highlight the accuracy to be expected in the calculation of different response quantities for lightly damped equipment. The importance of characterizing damping in head-mounted, safety-related equipment through physical experiments to support design and risk assessment is made clear through the numerical simulations.

View the rest of the November issue at the Earthquake Spectra website here. Make sure you are logged into your EERI member account on the EERI website for full access!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   december-1-2023

Shannon & Wilson, Inc.

Established in 1954, Shannon & Wilson Inc. is an employee-owned consulting firm headquartered in Seattle. S&W provides integrated geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, environmental, and natural resource services for clients worldwide.

Simpson Strong-Tie

Simpson Strong-Tie is one of the world's largest suppliers of structural building products. The company is recognized as the genuine connector brand in the residential construction industry and for its offering of shearwalls, moment frames, and fasteners. The company also offers products in infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction, including mechanical anchors and adhesives that repair, protect and strengthen concrete and masonry.

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News of the Institute   november-15-2023

David A. Friedman Named 2024 Honorary Member

David A. Friedman (M. EERI 1988) has been named a 2024 EERI Honorary Member in recognition of his devotion to world-wide seismic risk reduction and advancing community seismic resilience. Honorary membership of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute is awarded to recognize members who have made sustained and outstanding contributions to the field of earthquake engineering and/or to EERI and the pursuit of its objectives.

Friedman is retired Senior Principal, Emeritus Chair of the Board of Directors, President and CEO of Forell|Elsesser Engineers.  He has over 48 years of professional practice  in structural and earthquake engineering. He has solved numerous structural and earthquake engineering challenges during his career with a specialty in seismic engineering and retrofitting of existing structures, particularly those with historic designation. His notable contributions to EERI include serving on the Board of Directors from 2011-2013 and as President in 2017-2018, during which he oversaw a successful Executive Director transition. In 2001, he and his family endowed the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals program, which now provides lectures to hundreds of students each year. He has also played an integral role in the creation and success of the Learning From Earthquakes Endowment Fund, which launched in 2019.

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

Ivan G. Wong Named 2024 Honorary Member

Ivan G. Wong (M. EERI 1978)  has been named a 2024 EERI Honorary Member in recognition of his significant contributions to earthquake engineering and seismology. Honorary membership of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute is awarded to recognize members who have made sustained and outstanding contributions to the field of earthquake engineering and/or to EERI and the pursuit of its objectives.

Wong is a Senior Principal Seismologist at Lettis Consultants International and an internationally renowned expert with nearly 50 years of experience. He has directed and participated in seismic hazard assessments and seismic design of more than 700 critical facilities.  He was involved in the education and implementation of the seismic risk assessment software HAZUS for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has been the recipient of 20 United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) external research grants for the development of urban probabilistic and scenario hazard maps and other earthquake hazard-related studies. Wong has been an active EERI member for 45 years, serving on the Board of Directors, as President of the Northern California chapter, on the Earthquake Spectra editorial board, as a SESI founding member, and as a Friedman Family lecturer.

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

2023 Shah Family Innovation Prize Awarded to Eyitayo Opabola

EERI is pleased to announce that the 2023 recipient of the Shah Family Innovation Prize is Eyitayo (Tayo) Opabola (M.EERI 2020), in recognition of his significant contributions to earthquake engineering research and practice, supported by expertise in engineering mechanics, experimentation and community resilience. The Shah Prize is awarded to early- to mid-career individuals who have emphasized creative and innovative thinking and demonstrated the potential to make major contributions to the field of earthquake risk mitigation and management. The prize recognizes a combination of past accomplishments and future potential.

Opabola’s research focuses on laboratory and field testing of large-scale structural components and systems, assessment and design of civil infrastructure under single and multiple hazards, and developing risk-informed methodologies for resilience enhancement of buildings and communities. He is a member of several technical committees on seismic assessment and design of reinforced concrete structures. He has served as a consultant for a wide range of disaster risk management projects in Africa, North America, Europe, Oceania, Central Asia and South-East Asia. He has also served as a member of the UK Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) missions to Indonesia and Turkey. 

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

2024AM: Registration Grant Applications Due Today!

Planning to apply for a registration grant to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle? Applications are due by 11:59 PM today, Wednesday November 15! Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have generously made funds available to award registration grants and attendance scholarships to students, early career members, and those participating in the April 9 Reconnaissance Training Workshop to help defray costs of attending 2024AM. Find out more about registration grants here and click here to apply.

The 2024 Annual Meeting will take place in Seattle, WA from April 9-12, 2024. The meeting will bring together participants from engineering, geoscience, emergency planning, social science, and other fields to connect and learn about the latest developments in research and practice for understanding earthquake risk and increasing earthquake resilience. The meeting’s theme is “Uniting Earthquake Science and Engineering for a More Resilient Future,” and the two-day technical program will span a range of topics related to earthquake engineering, risk, reconnaissance, and resilience. The meeting will also feature exciting events like a Seattle Fault scenario earthquake reconnaissance exercise conducted in collaboration with the Washington Geological Survey, the 2024 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition, and training workshops hosted by EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes program and partner organizations.

Register to attend 2024AM here! 

More details on registration rates and deadlines are available at the meeting website. 

EERI has secured special group rates for rooms at the meeting venue, and strongly urges participants to book rooms at the Sheraton Grand in order to take full advantage of the workshop and networking opportunities at the 2024AM. EERI's special room rates are available via this booking link. EERI has also partnered with Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines for discounted airfare to the 2024 Annual Meeting. Please use code NM32Y when flying with Delta and code ECMK158 when flying with Alaska to receive a discount. More details regarding these discounts can be found here. We're excited to see you in Seattle next year!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   november-15-2023

Kinemetrics

Since 1969, Kinemetrics and its subsidiaries continue to lead the global market in designing technologies, products, and solutions for monitoring earthquakes and their effects on people and structures. Today, Kinemetrics continues to lead the seismic industry’s vision of earthquake resilience by delivering results that reinforce saving lives and operational continuity initiatives. 

California Earthquake Authority

California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a longtime EERI Platinum-Level Subscribing Member. CEA is a not-for-profit, privately funded, publicly managed organization that provides residential earthquake insurance to more than 1 million households in California. Since 1996, CEA has been making earthquake insurance as affordable as possible for all California residents, while helping reduce their risk of earthquake loss wherever they live. 

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News of the Institute   november-1-2023

2024 George W. Housner Medal Awarded to Robert D. Hanson

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)'s George W. Housner Medal for 2024 has been awarded to Robert D. Hanson (M. EERI 1968) in recognition of his contributions to earthquake hazard reduction through education, research, international cooperation, and public service. The Housner Medal is awarded to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to public earthquake safety through the development and application of earthquake hazard reduction practices and policies. It is the most prestigious award of the institute. The medal will be presented at EERI's Annual Meeting in Seattle in April 2024.

Hanson joined EERI in 1968 by invitation and has been an Honorary Member since 2001. In addition to service on five EERI committees, he served on the EERI Board from 1976-1979 and 1988-1991 and as president in 1989 and 1990. His participation in eleven post-earthquake field investigations starting in Venezuela, 1967 led to his support of the EERI Learning From Earthquakes program. He also led the establishment of two EERI Awards: the Housner Medal in 1990 and the Shah Family Prize in 1997. Over that time, his EERI committee service has included the Endowment, Shah Award, Development, Oral History, and Nomination committees. Hanson is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and Fellow and Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

2024 Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal Awarded to Laurie Johnson

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)'s Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal for 2024 has been awarded to Laurie Johnson (M.EERI 1990) in recognition of her extensive work and dedication in improving the seismic safety and resilience of urban environments and communities by reducing, managing, and communicating risks from earthquakes around the world. The Alquist Medal recognizes an individual, company, or organization that has made substantial contributions to the field of seismic safety and earthquake risk reduction, directly serving the public good. The medal will be presented at EERI's Annual Meeting in Seattle in April 2024.

Johnson was President of EERI from 2019-2020, and served on the Board of Directors from 2006-2009. A member of several EERI reconnaissance missions, including to Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, she has also served on the Earthquake Spectra Editorial Board and the Northern California Regional Chapter Board. She is currently co-chair of EERI's Oral History Committee and a member of the Learning From Earthquakes Committee.

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

Helen Crowley Receives 2024 William B. Joyner Lecture Award

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and the Seismological Society of America (SSA) are pleased to announce that Helen Crowley (M.EERI 2008) is the 2024 recipient of the William B. Joyner Lecture Award. The lectureship is jointly awarded by EERI and SSA to those who have provided outstanding earth science contributions to the theory and practice of earthquake engineering or outstanding earthquake engineering contributions to the direction and focus of earth science research—together with demonstrated skills of communication at the interface of earthquake science and earthquake engineering.

Crowley will deliver the Joyner Lecture at the 2024 EERI Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, held from April 9-12, and at the 2024 SSA Annual Meeting to be held April 29-May 3 in Anchorage, Alaska. Her lecture, “Why Seismic Hazard Modeling has Become a Risky Business” will look at the role that probabilistic seismic hazard models have historically played in defining actions for seismic design, will review the criticisms that have been placed on these models—especially, but not only, after damaging earthquakes—and will present numerous examples that underline the need for risk assessment to be an integral part of this process going forward.

Crowley is currently Editor of Earthquake Spectra, where she previously served as an Associate Editor. She is also the recipient of the 2012 Shah Family Innovation Prize.

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

Michael Olsen Receives 2024 Distinguished Lecture Award

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is pleased to announce that Michael Olsen (M.EERI ) is the recipient of the 2024 EERI Distinguished Lecture Award in recognition of his pioneering work applying geomatics to identify spatial geologic seismic hazards as well as risks to distributed systems.

The Distinguished Lecture Award is awarded to members of the Institute to recognize and encourage communication of outstanding professional contributions of major importance for earthquake hazard mitigation and to communicate developments on topics of major significance for earthquake hazard mitigation. Olson will deliver the Distinguished Lecture, on a topic to be announced, at the EERI 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington in April.

Olsen serves as the Technical Director for the NSF Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) RAPID Facility, the Director of the Cascadia Lifelines Program (CLiP), a member of the Partnership and Applications committee of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT), an Associate Editor of the ASCE Journal of Surveying Engineering, the Past-President of the Surveying and Geomatics Educators Society (SaGES), and a co-founder and CEO of a tech transfer spinout company, EZDataMD, LLC.

To read the full announcement, view the news post on the EERI website here.

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Learning From Earthquakes   november-1-2023

Earthquake Reconnaissance Retrospective: Eduardo Miranda on Loma Prieta 1989

Check out the latest in the series of Earthquake Reconnaissance Retrospectives we are sharing in 2023 to celebrate the Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) program’s 50th anniversary. In this retrospective, Eduardo Miranda (M.EERI 1987), Professor of Engineering at Stanford University and co-chair of the LFE program, recalls the reconnaissance efforts at the Cypress Street Viaduct after the 1985 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Miranda writes: “Over the years I have done reconnaissance after many earthquakes in many countries and I have stood in front of many collapses, including several very large buildings such as the Pino Suarez complex in Mexico City in 1985 or the Alto Rio in Concepcion in 2010. But nothing has been as shocking as the 1.25 kilometer-long collapse of the upper deck of the Cypress Street Viaduct onto the lower deck. As we were walking, we started to understand the long and complex viaduct bent by bent. The damage progressed, with each bent having more damaged than the previous. The collapse was being showed to us frame-by-frame in a sort of slow motion. By the time we arrived to the first collapsed bent, we had a very good idea on how it had started and how it had progressed. Search and rescue was still ongoing at the time. We were doing our reconnaissance next to first responders and volunteers from the Port of Oakland.”

To read the full piece, visit the LFE at 50 page here. 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   november-1-2023

Exponent

Exponent is a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm that brings together more than 90 different disciplines to solve engineering, science, regulatory, and business issues. Exponent’s staff of 900 are located in 20 offices throughout the United States and 7 international offices (Europe and Asia).

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News of the Institute   october-15-2023

2024AM: Session Proposals and Poster Abstracts Due Tomorrow!

Are you planning a special session or poster for the 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle in April? All session proposals and poster abstracts are due tomorrow! The deadline is Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. All submissions should be made via Proposal Space. Click here to start your submission! 

The Organizing Committee welcomes proposals and abstracts on the following topic areas, and we are particularly interested in sessions that approach a topic with a multidisciplinary lens and/or merge perspectives from academia and practice:

• Big Data, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence
• Building Codes and Building Performance
• Cascadia Subduction Zone (particularly topics of broad national/international interest)
• Climate, Multi-hazard Modeling, and Earthquake Resilience
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Hurriquakes, Beastquakes, and Swiftquakes
• Lifelines
• Planning and Data
• Policy
• Post-earthquake emergency response/planning
• Risk Modeling and Insurance
• Seismology and Earth Science
• Social Science
• Socioeconomic impacts and Vulnerable Populations
• Structural Engineering
• Tsunamis

Learn more about the annual meeting at the 2024AM website and register to attend the meeting today!

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Announcements   october-15-2023

ERIES–ALL4wALL 2023 Blind Prediction Competition

EERI members are invited to participate in the ERIES–ALL4wALL 2023 Blind Prediction Competition, regarding the dynamic shake-table response of a 40-ton reinforced concrete (RC) U-shaped wall. The unit should be tested in December 2023 on the shake table of the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), Portugal, in the scope of an experimental program primarily funded by the ERIES (Engineering Research Infrastructures for European Synergies) Transnational Access program.

The ALL4wALL team welcome participants to submit a compulsory set of basic data or, optionally, a full set of information that includes more refined data, which will be compared with some state-of-the-practice instrumentation measurements. Participants can consist of individuals or teams, where three categories are considered: practicing engineers, researchers, and students (up to and including doctoral level). A description of the design and test setup of the wall unit can be found here (PDF). The rules for the blind prediction competition are explained here (PDF). This information, as well as other helpful information (i.e., prediction submission sheet, ground motions, other given information) is provided on the competition website.

The deadline for the submission of the blind predictions is Thursday January 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM (CEST). An open online live video session, towards April/May 2024, will release the main (anonymized) results and announce the winners. Some of the winners of each category will be invited to briefly present their method of prediction during the live session, and later in a technical session at the WCEE2024, “CMS – 1: RC Structural Walls: Advances and Future Challenges for Design, Modelling, Testing, and Construction.” They will be able to present in person if they are attending the conference, or otherwise online. 

If you have any questions or queries, please use the following email: blind-prediction@uclouvain.be.The ALL4wALL team look forward to receiving your predictions!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   october-15-2023

Computers and Structures, Inc.

Computer and Structures, Inc. is EERI’s Visionary-Level Subscribing Member. CSI is the Anchor Sponsor of the 2024 Annual Meeting and the 2024 Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition, and has generously provided support for registration grants allowing students and early career members to attend the meeting. CSI has been a longtime supporter of the Institute and our student activities, including the Student Leadership Council. Founded in 1975 by company president and CEO Ashraf Habibullah (M.EERI,1999), CSI is recognized globally as the pioneering leader in software tools for structural and earthquake engineering. Software from CSI is used by thousands of engineering firms in over 160 countries for the design of major projects, including the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan, One World Trade Center in New York, the 2008 Olympics Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing and the cable-stayed Centenario Bridge over the Panama Canal.

Degenkolb

Degenkolb Engineers is a longtime EERI Platinum-Level Subscribing Member and a Sustainer-level donor of the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Endowment Fund. Founded in 1940, Degenkolb's practice reflects more than eight decades of commitment to technical expertise, exceptional client service through close collaboration, and life-long learning. Our employees are passionate about working in collaborative environments which help our healthcare, education, advanced technology, construction, and existing building clients achieve outstanding project results. The firm is committed to helping institutions and individuals recover after disaster and build resilient communities. Its innovative award-winning structural designs have saved clients hundreds of millions of dollars. The firm pioneers first of its kind engineering including the recent first instance of viscous wall dampers in the United States at CPMC Van Ness & Geary Hospital and the first US based tsunami evacuation center in the state of Washington.

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News of the Institute   october-1-2023

2024AM: Registration Now Open, Two Weeks to Submit Session Proposals and Paper Abstracts

Registration is now open for the 2024 EERI Annual Meeting (2024AM)—Uniting Earthquake Science and Engineering for a More Resilient Future!

The 2024AM will be held April 9-12, 2024 at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Seattle, Washington. The main meeting, including a technical program with plenary, special, and poster sessions, the EERI awards ceremony, and the Seismic Design Competition Shaking Day, will take place over two days, April 10-11. Pre- and post-meeting activities will include a reconnaissance workshop and partner-hosted workshops on April 9, and a reconnaissance field exercise held in coordination with the Washington Geological Survey and based on an M7+ Seattle Fault earthquake scenario on April 12.

Learn more about the annual meeting at the 2024AM website. The Call for Session Proposals and Poster Abstracts is available here, and the deadline to submit proposals and abstracts is Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 

Registration rates and deadlines are available here. Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have generously made funds available to award registration grants and attendance scholarships to students, early career members, and those participating in the April 9 Reconnaissance Training Workshop to help defray costs of attending 2024AM. To apply for a registration grant, view the instructions here and complete the linked form. The deadline to apply for a grant is Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). We're excited to see you in Seattle next year!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   october-1-2023

National Institute of Standards and Technology

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a physical sciences laboratory and non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life. NIST seeks to be the world's leader in creating critical measurement solutions and promoting equitable standards. 

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Learning From Earthquakes   september-15-2023

LFE Response to M6.8 Morocco Earthquake

EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) program continues to monitor the impacts of the destructive M 6.8 earthquake that struck near Oukaïmedene, Morocco at 11:11 pm local time on Friday, September 8, 2023. According to Moroccan authorities, at least 2,946 people were killed and more than 5,674 were injured. Significant structural damage, including many building collapses, occurred in rural communities in the Atlas mountains as well as in the historic city of Marrakesh. The EERI community extends its sympathy to the victims as the relief work continues.

Photo: Building damage in Marrakesh (Luis Bozzo)

View the LFE earthquake page here for resources and information on this earthquake. More about the LFE response and future reconnaissance findings will be shared there and in forthcoming issues of the Pulse.

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News of the Institute   september-15-2023

June 2023 Board Meeting Highlights

The EERI Board of Directors met virtually on June 29, 2023. The meeting was chaired by President Janiele Maffei.

At this meeting, the Board reviewed and approved previous meeting minutes and notes, confirmed 2023 board liaison assignments, appointed Thalia Anagnos as the new co-chair of the Oral History Committee, and approved the formation of a new student chapter at Seattle University. The Board also approved the selection of the 2023-24 NEHRP Graduate Fellow and a subject nominated by the Oral History Committee for an oral history volume. The Board approved the members of the 2023 Nominating Committee, reviewed the candidate criteria for the 2023 Board election, and heard an update on venue selection and planning for the 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

The Board reviewed the executive director’s report and a membership report, and approved 2024 individual and subscribing member dues. The Board also reviewed and approved financial and investment reports for 2022 and 2023 Q1, heard updates on EERI’s transition to a new accounting system, and reviewed and approved a timeline for the 2024 budget process.

The Board discussed a series of mid-cycle updates on the 2021-2025 EERI Strategic Plan, focusing in particular on progress towards Strategic Goals 1 (Institute Infrastructure and Operations), 2 (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and 3 (LFE Program Alignment).

The Board also heard an update on two draft Public Policy and Advocacy Committee position statements (on comprehensive tsunami risk management in the United States and synergies in approaches to earthquake and climate change resilience) that are in the process of being finalized and submitted for Board approval at a future meeting.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   september-15-2023

COSMOS

Established in 1997, the Consortium of Organizations for Strong Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS) promotes collaboration among programs and institutions to improve strong-motion measurements, to solve mutual problems with instrumentation and data, and to assist in strong-motion data dissemination.

Enidine

Established in 1966, Enidine provides products and services to the industrial, aerospace, defense, rail and transportation markets throughout the world. The company is a premier supplier of engineered mechanical shock absorbers, vibration isolation products, noise attenuation products as well as deceleration devices and products for hydraulic/pneumatic actuation and motion control applications. ITT’s global resources, six-sigma and lean manufacturing provide Enidine the resources to stay at the forefront of new technologies, research & development, and high-quality production.

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News of the Institute   september-1-2023

2024AM: Technical Program Topics and Hotel Booking

EERI's 2024 Annual Meeting will take place in Seattle, Washington from April 9-12! The meeting will feature a two-day technical program, the EERI Awards Ceremony, and the Seismic Design Competition Shaking Day on Wednesday, April 10th and Thursday, April 11th. Optional pre- and post-meeting activities will include a Learning From Earthquakes reconnaissance workshop and partner-hosted workshops on Tuesday, April 9, and an exciting Seattle-focused reconnaissance field exercise on Friday, April 12. The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Grand in Seattle, and meeting-rate hotel rooms are now available at this booking link.

Submissions for special session and poster abstracts will open in mid-September, so start planning your proposals now! We particularly welcome proposals for sessions that approach a topic with a multidisciplinary lens and/or merge perspectives from academia and practice. Topics include:

• Big Data, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence
• Building Codes and Building Performance
• Cascadia Subduction Zone (particularly topics of broad national/international interest) 
• Climate, Multi-hazard Modeling, and Earthquake Resilience
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Hurriquakes, Beastquakes, and Swiftquakes
• Planning and Data
• Policy
• Post-Earthquake Emergency Response and Planning
• Risk Modeling and Insurance
• Seismology and Earth Science
• Social Science
• Socioeconomic Impacts and Vulnerable Populations
• Structural Engineering
• Tsunamis

Stay tuned for more information on the 2024AM website soon.

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Students   september-1-2023

2023 Student Leadership Council Retreat

The EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC) met in Oakland, California on August 16-17 for their annual retreat, at which they elected new officers and started planning the 2024 Seismic Design Competition (SDC). SLC outgoing co-presidents Kayla Sorenson (Portland State University) and Charlie Zhang (UC San Diego) led the meetings at EERI’s Oakland offices. 12 student members attended, met with EERI staff, reviewed the SLC’s activities over the past year, including the successful SDC, and planned for the coming year. The SLC thanks Computers and Structures, Inc., (CSI), an EERI Visionary Subscribing Member, for its generous support of the annual SLC retreat and year-round activities. CSI held a fabulous reception for the SLC members in Walnut Creek, hosted by CSI President and CEO Ashraf Habibullah (M. EERI, 1999).

The SLC elected the following officers for the 2023-2024 academic year:

• Co-Presidents: Aditya Jhunjhunwala, UC Davis, and Alanna Joachim, Stanford University
• Secretary: Nancy Ingabire Abayo, North Carolina State University
• Treasurer: Kate Rhoades, University of Colorado Boulder
• SDC Chairs: Gustavo Araujo, Stanford University (Lead); Kayla Sorenson; Portland State University; Charlie Zhang; UC San Diego; Mohsen Akhani, University of Memphis; Ahmed Gamal, Polytechnic University of Milan; Casey Rodgers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign; Pratiksha Dhakal, Virginia Tech; Arka Maity, UC Davis; Julio Samayoa, North Carolina State University; Tanner Field, Oregon State University; Mohammed Ibrahim, University of Nevada, Reno; SESI Chair: Benjamin Croyle, University of Victoria
• Outreach Chairs: Mostafa Mohammed, Holberton School Tulsa; Amy Metz, Oregon State University
• Webmasters: Casey Rodgers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, and Mohsen Akhani, University of Memphis.
• Shake Table Operator: Jose Lois Caisapanta, UC Davis
• University Outreach Chair: Morgan Sanger, University of Washington

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Opportunities   september-1-2023

ATC Hiring Director/Associate Director of Projects

The Applied Technology Council (ATC) is hiring a Director or Associate Director of Projects! ATC seeks a highly qualified individual interested in joining a dynamic, small office environment to manage research and development projects focused on disaster risk mitigation. View the job description here or visit the ATC website for more information. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to jheintz@atcouncil.org.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   september-1-2023

RenaissanceRe Risk Sciences

RenaissanceRe Risk Sciences Inc., a part of RenaissanceRe since 2007, focuses on modeling and quantifying risk from natural and man-made perils on a worldwide basis. Its team of advanced scientists draws upon expertise in oceanography, meteorology, wind engineering, structural engineering, and seismology to provide intelligence on hazards, vulnerability and risk management strategy.

ABS Group

ABS Group provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions and technical services that help clients confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of critical assets and operations. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. 

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Member Perspective   september-1-2023

Yumei Wang: A Hundred Years of Inspiration from Japan’s 1923 Earthquake

Yumei Wang (M.EERI 1989), Senior Advisor on Infrastructure Resilience and Risk at Portland State University in Oregon and Special Advisor to NIBS on the Lifeline Infrastructure Hub, shared the following reflection for today's hundredth anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake.

A Hundred Years of Inspiration from Japan's 1923 Earthquake

On September 1, 1923, Japan was ravaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake. Within minutes after the magnitude 7.9 subduction zone earthquake, a 33-ft tsunami flooded the nearest coastal areas. A large landslide crushed the entire village of Nebukawa. Fires ignited seemingly everywhere; some grew into huge firestorms. While fire fighting was hampered by broken water pipes, a typhoon brought in winds that further spread the flames.

Over 140,000 people perished in the disaster—mostly from fires but also from earthquake destruction, coastal tsunami flooding and massive landslides. Tokyo suffered extensive damage. Within hours, almost two million people became houseless. Tragically, riots broke out and mobs killed many thousands more.

Since 1960, September 1st has been designated as Japan’s official Disaster Prevention Day to commemorate the 1923 earthquake. School children across Japan recognize the victims with a moment of silence and all are reminded to prepare for disasters.

Over the past 100 years, Japan has become the world’s most advanced country in terms of earthquake preparedness. Nevertheless, the 2011 Great East Japan subduction zone earthquake and tsunami still resulted in over 16,000 fatalities—a figure that would have been much higher without Japan’s high level of preparedness.

Future Disasters on U.S. Soil

One hundred years later and from across the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. faces fierce natural disasters— hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, winter storms, heat and drought.

One of the most serious disasters in our future is the inevitable magnitude 9 Cascadia subduction zone earthquake and tsunami. The Cascadia earthquake will be geologically similar to Japan’s 1923 and 2011 earthquakes and will similarly result in substantial destruction and casualties.

Much of the infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest was built with inadequate seismic provisions and has gaping seismic deficiencies. Consequently, thousands of buildings and bridges will be destroyed in a Cascadia earthquake.

Our lifeline systems—water, electrical power, fuels, communications and transportation—will suffer widespread damage and lengthy outages for weeks to months. Emergency response services will be overwhelmed and largely unavailable.

Planning for the Inevitable

Will the Pacific Northwest wait until it suffers a catastrophic earthquake disaster like the one in Japan 100 years ago? Or, will we learn from Japan’s experience, and proactively build a culture of preparedness to undertake the preventive actions that would certainly save countless lives when the Cascadia “big one” hits?

To reduce the frequent disasters that our nation is experiencing, we must take inspiration from Japan’s sophisticated disaster prevention methods, be an insistant voice and take stronger actions.

• EERI members should speak out authoritatively and persistently about high risk situtions, perhaps in collaboration with its public policy, schools and learning from earthquake committees. Using this approach, such as illustrated here for bulk fuel terminals on liquefiable soils, Oregon has consistently make improvements in seismic resilience. Although seismic mitigation of schools, hospitals, fire stations, and water, electrical and natural gas systems has been underway in Oregon for many years, faster progress is warranted in Oregon as well as other seismically active places.
• EERI members may get involved with the National Institute of Building Sciences with the new Lifeline Infrastructure Hub to address lifeline system deficiencies in communities across the nation.
• Finally, if you haven’t already done so, please prepare an emergency plan for yourself and your loved ones. After all, it’s September—let’s make the most out of the U.S. National Preparedness Month.

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News of the Institute   august-15-2023

Save the Date: 2024AM in Seattle, April 9-12

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is delighted to announce that the 2024 Annual Meeting will take place in Seattle, Washington from April 9-12! The main meeting, including a two-day technical program, the EERI Awards Ceremony, and the Seismic Design Competition Shaking Day, will take place on Wednesday, April 10th and Thursday, April 11th. The technical program will feature plenary sessions, a series of member-organized special sessions, the 2024 Distinguished Lecture and Joyner Lecture, and two poster sessions with networking receptions. Optional pre- and post-meeting activities will include a Learning From Earthquakes reconnaissance workshop and partner-hosted workshops on Tuesday, April 9, and an exciting Seattle-focused reconnaissance field exercise on Friday, April 12. 

More information, including venue details, a call for special session proposals and poster abstracts, and sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, will be available on the 2024 Annual Meeting website soon. We expect to open submissions for special session proposals and poster abstracts in mid-September, so start your planning now! Early-bird registration will also be available by the end of September 2023.

We're excited to see you again next spring in Seattle for another great meeting!

Board of Directors Applications Due Thursday

This is your last chance to apply to serve on the EERI Board of Directors next year! The open positions are for President-Elect and two Directors. Applications will be reviewed by the 2023 Nominating Committee. The committee will identify one individual for President-Elect and four individuals for the two open Director positions to become candidates in the 2024 Board of Directors Election, which takes place in October 2023. The election results will be announced in early December 2023. The Director and President terms will begin at the first board meeting of 2024, typically in March.

To apply to be on the Board:

1. Click here to learn more about the application process.
2. Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document.
3. Submit the application form.

The application deadline is this Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications must include a brief written statement (no more than 750 words total) and a CV or résumé. Click here for details on what should be included in the written statement.

Questions about the application process should be sent to silvana@eeri.org.

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Member Spotlight   august-15-2023

Meet the 2023-2024 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellow

EERI is excited to announce that the 2023-2024 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellow is Kayla Sorenson (M.EERI 2021)!

Supported by funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the one-year fellowship seeks to foster the participation of those working toward goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). To learn more about the fellowship, click here.

Kayla Sorenson is a PhD student in geotechnical engineering at Portland State University. Kayla’s research focuses on reducing the liquefaction susceptibility of fine-grained soils using the emerging method of microbially induced desaturation (MID). MID uses the soil’s native bacteria to introduce nitrogen and carbon dioxide gasses into the soil’s pore matrix which reduces the excess pore water pressure generated under cyclic loading. One of the goals of this research is to determine how much desaturation needs to occur to reduce the liquefaction susceptibility of the soil, thereby increasing its cyclic resistance.

Kayla has been part of the Student Leadership Council since 2020 and served as co-president last year. She has also been involved in the Portland State University student chapter, having held the role of president for two years. Additionally, she is involved in multiple outreach events aimed at strengthening the ties between the community, industry professionals, and local government officials. She obtained both a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Portland State University.

Honorable Mention

EERI’s Student Awards Committee awarded an honorable mention to candidate Cristina Lorenzo-Velázquez (M.EERI 2020), who is pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University.

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Regional Chapters   august-15-2023

WA Chapter: August 17 Turkiye Earthquakes Emergency Response Webinar

Next in the EERI Washington Regional Chapter’s Türkiye Earthquake series of events: on Thursday August 17, the chapter will host a webinar bringing together local professionals and the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality’s Director of Emergency Response.

The webinar will take place from 12:00-1:00 PM on Thursday, August 17th via Microsoft Teams. The event is free and EERI membership is not required to attend. RSVP by email to EERI.Washington@gmail.com to sign up and get the link.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   august-15-2023

Arup

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s built environment. From 85 offices in 35 countries, Arup’s 12,000 planners, designers, engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion.

Haselton Baker Risk Group

Haselton Baker Risk Group provides methods and software to enable cutting-edge resilient design and risk assessment using advanced building-specific risk assessment technologies, enabling engineers to quickly implement advanced design and assessment methods into practice. Its Seismic Performance Prediction Program (SP3) implements the FEMA P-58 (ATC-58) analysis method, distilling years of research into a user-friendly tool enabling performance-based design methods (and advanced building-specific risk assessments). SP3 supports both new design and advanced building-specific risk assessments.

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News of the Institute   august-1-2023

Apply for the EERI Board of Directors!

EERI is now accepting applications for a President-Elect and two Director positions to serve on the EERI Board of Directors beginning in 2024. Applications will be reviewed by the 2023 Nominating Committee. The committee will identify one individual for President-Elect and four individuals for the two open Director positions to be candidates in the 2024 Board of Directors Election, which will take place in October 2023. The results will be announced in early December 2023. The new Directors and President will begin their terms at the first board meeting of 2024, which typically occurs in March.

Eligible applicants are Regular Members, Young Professional Members, Retired Members, Subscribing Member Representatives, and Honorary Members in good standing. All eligible members are welcome to submit a Board of Directors application. Priority will be given to eligible members who fit any of the following criteria in order to maintain the diversity of the Board as a whole:

• Candidates employed in professional practice or academia. 

• Candidates representing the following disciplines: lifelines, public health, economics, risk analysis, urban planning, emergency management, or social science.

• Candidates representing regions anywhere in the United States other than Northern California; however, that does not preclude candidates from Northern California being considered.

• Candidates with leadership experience in member organizations, professional societies, or non-profits where membership engagement and recruitment is a priority. 

• Candidates with experience in financial management, fundraising, or operations/governance for any other nonprofit or corporation.


To apply to be on the Board:

1. Click here to learn more about the application process. 

2. Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document (PDF).
3. Submit the application form.


The application deadline is August 17, 2023 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications must include a brief written statement (no more than 750 words total) and a CV or résumé. Check here for details on what to include in the written statement.

Questions about the application process should be sent to silvana@eeri.org. 

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Learning From Earthquakes   august-1-2023

Photo Data from LFE Turkey Reconnaissance Teams Now Available

EERI's Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) program continues to gather and share reconnaissance data and reports from the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake sequence affecting Turkey and Syria at the LFE Virtual Earthquake Clearinghouse. Recently, over a thousand photos from the LFE reconnaissance teams that traveled to Turkey in February and March 2023 have been added to the virtual clearinghouse photo gallery. Photos are geolocated, allowing users to identify specific damage locations by site. Photos also include a description of the observations and can be filtered and searched. All photos, along with any additional information recorded by the reconnaissance team members, are available to download from the site. More resources, including webinar videos and Q&A transcripts, reports, and datasets, are available in the virtual clearinghouse Resources section.

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Member Spotlight   august-1-2023

Helen Crowley Starts as Secretary-General of GEM Foundation

Helen Crowley (M.EERI 2008) is the new Secretary-General of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation. Crowley was previously Deputy Secretary General from 2012 to 2014, before working as an independent seismic risk consultant with the European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE). She is the current Editor of Earthquake Spectra and received EERI’s Shah Family Innovation Prize in 2012. EERI congratulates Dr. Crowley on her new role at GEM!

In a recent interview, Crowley delves into the foundation’s ambitious vision for a world that is resilient not just to earthquakes, but to all natural hazards. She shares her perspective on GEM's potential to make a difference, expand its impact, foster partnerships, and promote sustainable disaster risk reduction. Among the topics discussed are embracing a multi-hazard approach that includes earthquake-related hazards like tsunamis and landslides, enhancing data sets for more holistic risk assessment, and focusing on sustainable development through retrofitting. Watch the interview or read a summary here.

Dan M. Frangopol elected to Academy of Engineering of Mexico

Longtime member Dan M. Frangopol (M.EERI 1987), the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture at Lehigh University, has been elected into the Academy of Engineering of Mexico (AEM) as a Corresponding Member. An induction ceremony will be held at a future date. EERI congratulates Professor Frangopol on this honor!

Frangopol is also a member of the National Academy of Construction (USA), the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Academia Europaea (Academy of Europe, London), the Engineering Academy of Japan, the Royal Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts, the Romanian Academy, and the Academy of Technical Sciences of Romania. To read more, view the Lehigh University announcement here.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   august-1-2023

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. is a global interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists specializing in the investigation, analysis, testing, and design of repairs for historic and contemporary buildings and structures.

Nabih Youssef & Associates

Nabih Youssef & Associates provides specialized structural and earthquake engineering consulting. NYA has engineered high-rise buildings, medical centers, educational & athletic facilities, and has conducted seismic evaluations, historical preservations and strengthening of major landmark structures. It has offices in offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Irvine and South Carolina.

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News of the Institute   july-15-2023

Judith Mitrani-Reiser Presents EERI Distinguished Lecture at Natural Hazards Workshop

EERI's 2023 Distinguished Lecturer Judith Mitrani-Reiser (M.EERI 2001) presented her lecture "Taking Measure: How Disaster Reconnaissance Has Evolved Over Fifty Years," at the Natural Hazards Workshop in Colorado this week. The lecture, first given at EERI's 2023 Annual Meeting in San Francisco in April, examines how the metrology of disasters has evolved since the Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) Program was established fifty years ago. Dr. Mitrani-Reiser provided an overview of LFE’s history and impact, discussing how the advancement of tools and technology (e.g., lidar, GPS, drones, etc.) in seismic reconnaissance missions has enabled scientists and engineers to better quantify the physical and social impacts of earthquakes on communities. She also articulated how the impact of participating in LFE reconnaissance missions to Chile, New Zealand, and Nepal shaped her own career trajectory and research interests, and detailed the use of reconnaissance techniques in the investigations of disasters and failure events by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Dr. Mitrani-Reiser will present the distinguished lecture to a number of EERI student and regional chapters over the course of the year. A full schedule of dates and locations will be announced in an upcoming edition of the Pulse.

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Learning From Earthquakes   july-15-2023

New GEER Report on Geotechnical Effects of Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence

The Geotechnical Extreme Event Reconnaissance (GEER) Association has released an additional report documenting findings from the Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence: "February 6, 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes: GEER Phase 3 Team Report on Selected Geotechnical Engineering Effects," by Diane Moug, Patrick Bassal, Jonathan D. Bray, K. Önder Çetin, Sena Begüm Kendir, Arda Şahin, Elife Çakır, Berkan Söylemez, and Soner Ocak. The report is available to download here (PDF).

GEER’s Phase 3 team conducted reconnaissance from March 27 to April 1, 2023 in and around İskenderun, Hatay; Gölbaşı, Adıyaman; and Antakya, Hatay. The team’s objectives were to build upon the work of the previous GEER teams and partners by gathering detailed data to develop well documented field case histories in high priority areas. The reconnaissance efforts focused on surveying liquefaction effects including building settlement, lateral spreading, and flooding in Iskenderun and Gölbaşı, documenting bridge performance in and near Antakya, and observing fill settlement at a hospital near Antakya.

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Announcements   july-15-2023

Lettis Consultants International, Inc.

Lettis Consultants International, Inc. (LCI) is the world’s largest geohazards-focused earth science consultancy. LCI geologists, seismologists, and engineers have comprehensive worldwide experience providing earthquake hazard analyses, engineering geology and geotechnical services, water resources expertise, and licensing and regulatory strategy and compliance. 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   july-15-2023

Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP

Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP provides structural engineering and building envelope consulting for construction and restoration projects. These projects include tall office and residential towers, theaters, housing, educational buildings, sports facilities, sculptures, landmarks, and special structures. Founded in 1991, GMS is headquartered in New York City, with offices in New Jersey and Los Angeles, California. 

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News of the Institute   july-1-2023

March-April 2023 Board Meeting Highlights

The EERI Board of Directors met virtually on March 9 and 20, 2023, and in person on April 11, 2023 during the 2023 Annual Meeting (2023AM) in San Francisco, California. The meetings were chaired by President Janiele Maffei.

The board welcomed new directors Keith Knudsen and Ashley Morales-Cartagena, approved the election of Terri Norton as Vice President and Lucy Arendt as Secretary/Treasurer, and discussed and finalized board member assignments as EERI committee liaisons for 2023. The Board approved chairs for the Honors Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Joyner Lecture,  Bolt Medal, and Shah Prize Selection Committees, and the Student Awards Committee. The Board also approved the new Younger Members Committee (YMC) co-chairs.

The Board reviewed the conflict of interest policy and internal EERI procedures for coordination and communication (including media inquiries) in emergency situations such as major earthquake responses. The board discussed the ongoing Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) response to the February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence in Turkey. 

On the recommendation of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, the Board approved a position in support of California Assembly Bill 1505 (“Seismic retrofitting: soft story multifamily housing”) and reviewed a California Legislative Policy Agenda jointly drafted by EERI and SEAOC as well as a Joint 2023 Support Letter for Resilient Codes to the United States Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) signed by several organizations.

The Board approved various meeting minutes and notes, confirmed four new subscribing members (Engeo, GeoEngineers, InfraTerra, and the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering of Taiwan) and a new student chapter at the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, and approved the formation and draft bylaws of the Carolinas Regional Chapter. The Board also reviewed and discussed finance committee reports, the executive director’s report, updates on membership renewal and recruitment and fundraising for the LFE Endowment, and approved the draft 2024 Annual Meeting plan. The Board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between EERI and the Seismological Society of America (SSA) for the continuance of the William B. Joyner Lecture Award. 

At 2023AM, the board held a Committee & Chapter Leadership Discussion with EERI staff and representatives of regional chapters and committees attending the meeting, focused on Strategic Priority Goal #2 (“endure principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion drive all Institute decisions”) in the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. Breakout groups of participants held a series of lively and productive discussions exploring the intersections between diversity, equity, and inclusion and membership growth and retention. The committee and chapter input and insights from these discussions will inform EERI’s membership planning going forward.

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Spectra   july-1-2023

Earthquake Spectra Impact Factor Rises to 5.0!

The Editorial Board of EERI’s peer-reviewed journal Earthquake Spectra is proud to announce yet another significant rise in our Impact Factor! Earthquake Spectra’s 2022 Impact Factor (IF) rose to 5.0 from 4.330 in 2021, setting a new high for the journal. This brings Spectra to the rank of 23 out of 139 journals in the Civil Engineering category, a jump of 13 places from last year, and up 4 places in the Geological Engineering category, to number 12 out of 41.

The IF is the number of citations in 2022 of papers published in 2020 and 2021, divided by the number of citable papers published in 2020. This year, the format of the Impact Factor changed from three decimal places to one decimal place, simplifying the score but also resulting in more ties between journals.

Spectra’s rising IF can be attributed primarily to the significant number of citations for many of its top-cited papers (see the “Most Cited” papers on the journal homepage). Journal Editor-in-Chief Jack Baker notes, “I am thrilled that authors continue to see Earthquake Spectra continue to be seen as a desirable home for some of the top scholarship in our field. I am grateful for the commitment and expertise of our Editorial Board and reviewers, and the leadership of recent Editors-in-Chief David Wald and Jon Stewart.” 

EERI thanks the Spectra Editorial Board and all contributors and reviewers for their dedication and hard work!

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Announcements   july-1-2023

Kinemetrics Webinar: CROSSNET Project: A New Vision for the Croatian Seismological Survey

Kinemetrics invites you to a free webinar on July 5 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, featuring speaker Tomislav Fiket of the Croatian Seismological Survey.

The Croatian Seismological Survey faced numerous difficulties before the Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes in 2020. The organization was understaffed, underfunded, and had a meager number of stations in the national network. The situation began to change after the Zagreb earthquake in March 2020, but the real turning point came with the Petrinja earthquake in December of the same year. In the days following the earthquake, a donation of 20 sets of mobile stations, consisting of both broadband and strong motion instruments in each set, was received. Furthermore, the annual budget was increased, and the long-awaited opportunity to upgrade the national network of seismic stations was granted by including this project in the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience for 2021.

The CROSSNET project, an acronym for the Croatian Seismological Survey Network, is funded by the European Union and the Croatian government. This webinar will explain the desired outcomes of the CROSSNET project and outline the envisioned evolution of the Croatian Seismological Survey. Register here to attend the webinar.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   july-1-2023

Kleinfelder

Kleinfelder is a multinational engineering, construction management, design and environmental professional services firm. Its staff includes engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure.

Rutherford + Chekene

Established in 1960, Rutherford + Chekene provides new design, advanced structural analysis, seismic evaluations and retrofits, peer review and plan review, and full geotechnical services. R+C provides services in multiple sectors, including healthcare, higher education, corporate, research and development, art and education, and technology.

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Learning From Earthquakes   june-15-2023

Leadership Communique: LFE Endowment Completion Campaign Update

In February, EERI announced the Learning From Earthquakes Endowment Completion Campaign, with the purpose of raising the remaining funds needed for the LFE Endowment Fund by the end of 2023. Ever ambitious, this set the goal of raising the final $1.2 million in roughly one year's time. 

With half the year behind us now, we are excited to share updates on our progress. At this time we have reached $567,810* of our $1,200,000 completion campaign goal! As always, we are astonished by the generosity and response of the EERI community.  Thank you to the 130+ donors who have already contributed to this completion campaign!

Heading into the second half of the year we are still focused on raising the remaining $611,200 needed to complete this campaign. We ask that you consider making a 2-3 year final cash pledge in an amount significant to you, or extending an existing pledge in support of this incredible and acclaimed program. Or join the growing list of individuals that have pledged through a planned gift. 

With a fully funded $4 million endowment, LFE can respond to earthquakes more quickly, comprehensively, consistently, and with certainty into the future. Our response to the Kahramanmaraş Turkey Earthquake Sequence was a great example of how this fund can help EERI members—EERI quickly sent several topic-specific reconnaissance teams, hosted an informative webinars series to share their findings, collaborated with responding colleagues around the world, and is considering additional follow-up activities into the recovery phase. This is an example of the type of robust LFE response we would like to launch when it seems appropriate given the significance of the earthquake and the potential learnings.  But, as our endowment fund is still not fully funded, LFE was only able to mount the effort for this earthquake with a one-time gift expressly for this purpose. This underscores the need to complete our campaign for the full $4 million endowment.

With this complete permanent endowment EERI will be able to:

• Quickly decide to deploy reconnaissance teams, both after major earthquakes to observe ephemeral damage, and over the recovery time period for topic-focused longitudinal studies. 
• Expand opportunities for early career members, such as the travel study program, virtual reconnaissance work, and skill development workshops.
• Conduct regular reconnaissance exercises for improved response and coordination amongst many reconnaissance partners.
• Accelerate the work of our new LFE Reconnaissance Advisory Subcommittees and increase the topics covered.
• Increase staffing support levels to better advance and support volunteers leading all ongoing EERI LFE activities.
• Advance LFE Database and information retrieval systems.

Together we can ensure a bright and promising future for LFE!  

As you consider the type of gift that is possible for you, please contact David Friedman at  d.friedman@forell.com or Devon Clayton, EERI’s Membership and Donor Manager, at devon@eeri.org, with any questions. You can also make your pledge online.

Thank you for your consideration. You can track our progress and learn more about our campaign here.

David Friedman
M.EERI 1988; Chair, Fundraising Committee

Heidi Tremayne 
Executive Director

Devon Clayton
Membership and Donor Manager

*reflects funds received by May 24, 2023

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Announcements   june-15-2023

Kinemetrics Webinar: CROSSNET Project: A New Vision for the Croatian Seismological Survey

Kinemetrics invites you to a free webinar on July 5 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, featuring speaker Tomislav Fiket of the Croatian Seismological Survey.

The Croatian Seismological Survey faced numerous difficulties before the Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes in 2020. The organization was understaffed, underfunded, and had a meager number of stations in the national network. The situation began to change after the Zagreb earthquake in March 2020, but the real turning point came with the Petrinja earthquake in December of the same year. In the days following the earthquake, a donation of 20 sets of mobile stations, consisting of both broadband and strong motion instruments in each set, was received. Furthermore, the annual budget was increased, and the long-awaited opportunity to upgrade the national network of seismic stations was granted by including this project in the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience for 2021.

The CROSSNET project, an acronym for the Croatian Seismological Survey Network, is funded by the European Union and the Croatian government. This webinar will explain the desired outcomes of the CROSSNET project and outline the envisioned evolution of the Croatian Seismological Survey. Register here to attend the webinar.

 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   june-15-2023

Gannett Fleming

Gannett Fleming is a global infrastructure firm that provides planning, design, technology, and construction management services for a diverse range of markets and disciplines. Founded in 1915, Gannett Fleming embraces sustainability and innovation in its projects and internal activities, achieving results while being responsible stewards of our environment.

Risk Management Solutions

For over 30 years, Risk Management Solutions, Inc. (RMS) has led the way in transforming the catastrophe risk industry, helping organizations make better decisions to improve human and environmental outcomes with 1,200 employees across 13 offices and products and models covering six continents. By combining proven modeling science with powerful advances in technology, RMS offers models and solutions to help insurers, financial markets, corporations, and public agencies evaluate and manage global risk throughout the world.

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Students   june-15-2023

Last Chance to Apply for the Student Leadership Council

The EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC) is recruiting members! If you had fun as an undergraduate participating in the Seismic Design Competition (SDC) and are continuing on to grad school, come join us! If you don't know what the SDC is, but are passionate about engineering, outreach, or resiliency after an earthquake, we want you too!

The SLC is made up of graduate students from around the world. Come make friends, learn leadership skills, and help organize next year's SDC! If you're interested, fill out the form at this link by the end of the day today, June 15.

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Learning From Earthquakes   june-1-2023

Recordings and Q&A from the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes Reconnaissance Briefing Webinars

In May, Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) hosted a weekly webinar series featuring briefings from the three LFE teams that traveled to Turkey to collect reconnaissance data on the impacts to lifelines, hospitals, and buildings from the February 6 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence. A fourth webinar featured members of the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) Association's reconnaissance teams and focused on geotechnical impacts. Video recordings of all the webinars, as well as the March webinar with members of the joint LFE-GEER advance reconnaissance team, are now available as a playlist on EERI's YouTube account here. Copies of the written questions and speaker responses from each webinar are also available on the LFE virtual clearinhouse website in the Resources section (select a webinar recording entry and click on the "Read webinar Q&A" link below the embedded video for a PDF of the Q&A).

Thank you to all the speakers, team leads, team members, and moderators for contributing to this series! LFE is planning an additional webinar later this summer focusing on the impacts of the earthquakes in Syria. Stay tuned for announcements in future editions of the Pulse.

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Students   june-1-2023

Sign up for the Student Leadership Council Today!

The EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC) is recruiting members! If you had fun as an undergraduate participating in the Seismic Design Competition (SDC) and are continuing on to grad school, come join us! If you don't know what the SDC is, but are passionate about engineering, outreach, or resiliency after an earthquake, we want you too!

The SLC is made up of graduate students from around the world. Come make friends, learn leadership skills, and help organize next year's SDC! If you're interested, fill out the form at this link by June 15.

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Spectra   june-1-2023

Don't Miss the May Issue of Earthquake Spectra!

Have you explored the May 2023 (Volume 39, issue 2) issue of Earthquake Spectra? Editor-in-chief Jack Baker selected "Seismic loss and resilience assessment of tall-coupled cross-laminated timber wall building," by Tian You, Biniam Tekle Teweldebrhan, Wei Wang, and Solomon Tesfamariam, as the editor's choice paper for this issue.

Editor's Recommendation:  “You et al perform an integrated response history analysis and FEMA P-58 loss assessment to quantify the seismic performance of a tall cross-laminated timber wall building. The study involved developing an OpenSEES model of a 20-story case study building, performing incremental dynamic analysis using 30 pairs of ground motions, and using the FEMA P-58 methodology to compute repair costs and repair times. Analyses show that the structural repair costs are dominated by damage to steel coupling beams. Fortunately, these coupling beams are more easily replaceable than many of the other structural components in the building. The study is noteworthy for the holistic analysis of a structural system that is of significant interest at present, providing helpful insights and demonstrating the utility of the FEMA P-58 loss assessment methodology.”

View the rest of the May issue at the Earthquake Spectra website here. Make sure you are logged into your EERI member account on the EERI website for full access.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   june-1-2023

GeoSIG Ltd

GeoSIG Ltd provides earthquake, seismic, structural, dynamic and static monitoring and measuring solutions. Founded in 1992, GeoSIG is a world leader in design and manufacture of a diverse range of high quality, precision instruments for vibration and earthquake monitoring.

AIR Worldwide

AIR Worldwide provides risk modeling solutions that make individuals, businesses, and society more resilient to extreme events with nine offices around the globe. More than 400 organizations rely on AIR’s models, software, and services to manage their risk from natural catastrophes, terrorism, cyber attacks, to pandemics. 

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Learning From Earthquakes   may-15-2023

GEER and EERI Release Major Joint Reconnaissance Report

The Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance Association (GEER) and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) released a major report on May 6, the three-month anniversary of the Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence that affected southern Türkiye and northern Syria earlier this year.

“February 6, 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes: Report on Geoscience and Engineering Impacts” details the findings of six international reconnaissance teams that traveled to Turkey in February and March to examine and document the geotechnical and structural effects of the earthquakes, working in close coordination with partnering organizations including the Earthquake Engineering Research Center at Middle Eastern Technical University (METU) and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

Edited by Önder Çetin (METU, M.EERI 2009), Jonathan Bray (UC Berkeley, M.EERI 1990), David Frost (Georgia Tech, M.EERI 2009), Ayse Hortacsu (ATC, M.EERI 2000), Eduardo Miranda (Stanford, M.EERI 1987), Robb Moss (Cal Poly, M.EERI 2003), and Jonathan Stewart (UCLA, M.EERI 1994), along with more than 50 contributing authors, the report details the earthquakes’ tectonic setting and surface rupture, ground motions, and observed liquefaction and landslide effects. It examines evidence of damage to buildings, hospitals, lifelines, and dams, as well as highlighting examples of good seismic performance. Additional chapters provide a summary of the reconnaissance effort, an overview of impacts in Syria, and recommendations for future research.

The full report is available to download here (PDF). Read more about the report in the news post on the EERI website here.

LFE Reconnaissance Retrospective: Marshall Lew on Wenchuan 2008

In 2023, EERI is marking the 50th anniversary of the official creation of our flagship Learning From Earthquakes Program with a series of Earthquake Reconnaissance Retrospectives featuring personal accounts from EERI members about their experiences of post-earthquake reconnaissance with LFE and highlighting turning points in the program’s history.

Last week, we shared reflections from Marshall Lew (M.EERI 1979) on the May 12, 2008 M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake that affected China's Sichuan province. Two and a half months after the earthquake, a joint team from EERI LFE and GEER traveled to China to conduct post-earthquake reconnaissance in cooperation with the Institute of Engineering Mechanics-China Earthquake Administration. Lew led the reconnaissance team for LFE. You can read Lew's account of the reconnaissance efforts here.

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Webinars   may-15-2023

LFE Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes Hospitals Reconnaissance Webinar

EERI's Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) Program invites you to a FREE webinar series this month with the LFE and GEER reconnaissance teams that traveled to Turkey in March to assess the impacts of the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence. The video of the first webinar in the series, the May 9th Lifelines Team briefing, is now available on YouTube here. This week's webinar features the hospitals team.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023
10:00 AM-11:30 AM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE 

The LFE Hospitals Reconnaissance Team visited hospitals (including both seismically isolated and fixed-base structures) in the affected region of southern Turkey in March, collecting data on both structural and nonstructural performance. The team documented the operational status for 36 hospitals six weeks after the mainshocks, looking particularly at factors that impacted functional recovery. In this webinar, Bret Lizundia S.E., Executive Principal and Rutherford + Chekene, will present findings and preliminary recommendations on behalf of the hospitals team, with other team members available for Q&A.

Moderator: Eduardo Miranda, Stanford University

Hospitals Team Members:

• Ali Sümer, California Department of Health Care Access and Information (Team Lead)
• Gordon Wray, Degenkolb
• Maryann Phipps, Estructure
• Ali Roufegarinejad, Forell/Elsesser
• Ricardo Henoch, SOM
• Önder Akıncı, Simpson, Gumpertz, & Heger
• Volkan Kara, Cerrahpaşa Medical School
• Yüksel Tonguç, PROMER

Additional webinars will take place in the following weeks at the same time on Tuesday.

The May 23rd webinar will focus on buildings, with members of the buildings reconnaissance team led by Halil Sezen (Ohio State University).

The May 30th webinar will focus on geotechnical impacts, with members of the GEER reconnaissance teams.

Registering once at the above link will allow you to attend any of the webinars in the series—if you registered for the Lifelines webinar you already have access. PDHs for each webinar will be available at no charge to EERI members, and at a fee of $35 per webinar for non-members.

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Spectra   may-15-2023

Don't Miss the May Issue of Earthquake Spectra!

Volume 39, issue 2 (May 2023) of Earthquake Spectra is out! The Editor's Choice selection for this issue is "Seismic loss and resilience assessment of tall-coupled cross-laminated timber wall building," by Tian You, Biniam Tekle Teweldebrhan, Wei Wang, and Solomon Tesfamariam.

Abstract: Balloon-type cross-laminated timber coupled-wall (CLT-CW) structure is an emerging and sustainable option for constructing tall timber buildings. The structure features buckling restrained brace (BRB) hold-downs, balloon-type CLT walls, and coupling beams with replaceable shear links. This study investigates the probabilistic seismic performance (including economic loss, downtime, and resilience index) of a 20-story CLT-CW building. A three-dimensional (3D) structural model is developed to perform incremental dynamic analysis using 30 pairs of ground motion records that represent the seismicity of Vancouver, Canada. Intensity- and time-based loss assessments are conducted to estimate probability distributions of seismic losses according to the FEMA P-58 methodology. Post-earthquake recovery trajectories of the housing function are also presented to calculate the seismic resilience indices under different intensities. The results reveal that the coupling beams contribute the most to repair cost among all structural components. In light of the replaceability and energy dissipating role of coupling beams, the efficiency and resiliency of the CLT-CW building are validated.

View the rest of the May issue at the Earthquake Spectra website here. Make sure you are logged into your EERI member account on the EERI website for full access!

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Announcements   may-15-2023

Call for Papers: Seismic Bridge Engineering Research, Analysis, and Design

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Seismic Design and Performance of Bridges (AKB50) is currently accepting submissions of papers on topics related to seismic analysis, design, performance, and inspection of bridges. This year, the AKB50 Committee is focusing on research and current issues of performance-based seismic design. The AKB50 Committee will review extended abstracts for a special presentation-only session during the AKB50 Committee Meeting at the 2024 TRB Annual Meeting (January 7-11, 2024). This session is specifically designed for "Young Professionals" and "First Time Attendees" to showcase their work and interact with field experts. 

For more information, view the full Call for Papers here (PDF). Submissions due by October 1st, 2023 at 11:59PM (ET).

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   may-15-2023

Nanometrics

Nanometrics is an award winning company providing monitoring solutions and equipment for studying man-made and natural seismicity. Headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, with offices and representatives world-wide, Nanometrics delivers solutions to customers across the globe, with real-time and portable seismic systems utilized by the world’s leading scientific institutions, universities and major corporations. Nanometrics specializes in collecting and analyzing critical real time data for global, regional and local seismic networks. Nanometrics is dedicated to providing an open and honest scientific approach to seismic monitoring that has been honed by over 30 years of experience developing innovative seismic technology. 

ImageCat

ImageCat is an international risk management innovation company supporting the global risk and catastrophe management needs of the government, NGOs, and the insurance industry. As a leading provider of risk and disaster management technologies, ImageCat is highly regarded for cutting-edge products, services, and R&D activities, targeting decision support needs at all phases of the disaster management cycle. ImageCat is world-renowned for integrating remotely sensed data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and harnessing advanced technologies to create building and critical infrastructure exposure datasets that combine satellite, tabular, and geospatial data to provide quantitative information on occupancy and structure type in a format suitable for risk assessment.

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News of the Institute   may-1-2023

2023 Seismic Design Competition Highlights

The 20th Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition took place during 2023AM in San Francisco from April 11-14! Organized by the EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC), the competition brought together more than 370 students on 34 teams from 9 countries on 5 continents and 13 U.S. states. The action kicked off on Wednesday with team presentations and architectural and poster judging. Thursday was Shake Day, and more than 4,500 remote viewers watched on a live YouTube stream. The competition wrapped up on Friday with the awards ceremony.

The winner of the 2023 EERI Seismic Design Competition is Technical University of Cluj-Napoca! University at Buffalo was awarded second place and the Cornell University team received third place honors.

Several teams were recognized with additional awards:

• T-shirt Design Competition Winner: Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (Honorable mentions: Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest and Universidad Iberoamericana)
• Best Architecture Award: Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest
• Best Seismic Performance Award: The University of Memphis
• Most Improved Team: University at Buffalo
• Rookie of the SDC Award: Altınbaş University
• The Charles Richter Award for the Spirit of the Competition: The University of Texas at Austin
• Best Communication Skills Award: The University of British Columbia
• The Egor Popov Award for Structural Innovation: Cornell University

The EERI SLC wishes to thank the generous sponsors who made the competition possible: Computer and Structures, Inc.(CSI), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Degenkolb Engineers, Kinemetrics, California Earthquake Authority, and the University of California, Davis, Center for Geotechnical Modeling.

EERI also thanks the members of the Student Leadership Council who made this year’s competition possible:

Kayla Sorenson, Portland State University; Charlie Zhang, University of California San Diego; Kate Rhoades, University of Colorado Boulder; Camila Lopez Ruiz, University of California, Berkeley; Alaaeldin Soliman, Oklahoma State University; Mohsen Akhani, University of Memphis; Gustavo Araujo, Stanford University; Ahmed Gamal, Politecnico di Milano; Aditya Jhunjhunwala, University of California, Davis; Michael Morano, University of California San Diego; Tricia Oleson, Portland State University; Jessi Thangjitham, North Carolina State University; Abdurahman Abdulhadi, University of Memphis; Casey Rodgers, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Alanna Joachim, Stanford University; Mostafa Mohammed, Helwan University; Pratiksha Dhakal, Virginia Tech; Nancy Ingabire Abayo, North Carolina State University; and Arka Maity, University of California, Davis.

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Learning From Earthquakes   may-1-2023

LFE Survey on Health and Hospitals Assessment Tool in Earthquake Reconnaissance

The LFE Public Health Sub-Committee is developing a rapid-assessment tool to streamline data collection regarding health services and hospitals during earthquake reconnaissance. If you have participated in reconnaissance efforts, please complete this survey! This rapid-assessment tool will be used in future reconnaissance efforts (possibly by you or someone on your team!), so we are seeking your insight on the subject matter and best practices for use. The survey will be open until May 20. 

To learn more about the LFE Public Health Subcommittee and the creation of the post-earthquake social determinants of health tool, check out Courtney Welton-Mitchell's recent contribution to the LFE at 50 Reconnaissance Retrospectives series, which focuses on her experience of reconnaissance after the April 25, 2015 Gorkha Nepal earthquake.

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Awards   may-1-2023

EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship Applications Due This Week!

Applications for the EERI/FEMA NEHRP Fellowship are due May 7, 2022, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Apply using this form today!

EERI is pleased to announce the availability of one Graduate Fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year to support a full-time student in a discipline contributing to the science and practice of earthquake hazard mitigation. The one-year fellowship, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is designed to foster the participation of capable individuals in working toward the goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. To learn more, visit the graduate fellowships page on the EERI website.

We urge faculty members and academic staff to advertise this opportunity to their students! Click here to print or download the fellowship information flyer (PDF).

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   may-1-2023

Walter P Moore

Founded in 1931, Walter P Moore is an international company of engineers, architects, innovators, and creative people who solve some of the world’s most complex structural and infrastructure challenges. Providing structural, diagnostics, civil, traffic, parking, transportation, enclosure, and construction engineering services, we design solutions that are cost- and resource-efficient, forward-thinking, and help support and shape communities worldwide.

Keller

Keller is the world’s largest geotechnical specialist contractors with 10,000 employees and operations across six continents. Keller's techniques solve a wide range of challenges across the entire construction sector – from industrial, commercial and housing projects to infrastructure construction for dams, tunnels, transportation and water treatment, as well as projects to address environmental challenges.

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News of the Institute   april-15-2023

EERI 2023 Annual Meeting Summary

Nearly 800 people gathered last week in San Francisco, California for EERI’s 2023 Annual Meeting (2023AM) and the 2023 Seismic Design Competition (SDC)! 2023AM celebrated the 50th anniversary of EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes Program and introduced a flexible new program format with a shorter technical program and a series of optional workshops and other activities.

The meeting began on Tuesday, April 11 with the Early Career Workshop sponsored by Computers and Structures, Inc, followed by a welcome reception and the evening special session on the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence. The special session featured oral presentations from David Wald and Kishor Jaiswal on rapid characterization of seismic hazard and impacts; from Ozgun Numanoglu and Özgür Kozacı on geotechnical impacts observed by the GEER reconnaissance teams; from Louise Comfort on social science reconnaissance on communication and coordination in emergency response; and from EERI’s three reconnaissance teams on buildings (represented by Mike Mieler and Rupa Garai), hospitals (Gordon Wray), and lifelines (Riccardo Cappa, Ezra Jampole, and Brad Wham) reporting on their findings. The session closed with a series of lightning presentations from Adam Hugo-Holman, Zeynep Tuna Deger, Furkan Narlitepe, Ali Sari, and Bozidar Stojadinovic, on performance of school buildings, public buildings, and residential reinforced concrete buildings, as well as the factors contributing to structural collapses. The session also included poster presentations by Nesrin Yenihayat and Jiachen (Charlie) Zhang.

The next morning, EERI President Janiele Maffei opened the technical program, with welcome remarks from San Francisco Department of Emergency Management Executive Director Mary Ellen Carroll. “LFE at 50: Impacts of Earthquake Reconnaissance Past, Present, and Future” took place alongside team presentations for the Seismic Design Competition. Technical Program Committee co-chair Laurie Johnson introduced the morning plenary session on Major Contributions of Earthquake Reconnaissance, featuring remarks by Keith Kelson on geologic hazards and risk, Jonathan Bray on geotechnical engineering, William Holmes on structural engineering, Thomas O’Rourke on lifelines, Kathleen Tierney on social science, and Mary Comerio on public policy. The session closed with four personal testimonials by EERI members reflecting on their experiences of reconnaissance with LFE: Craig Comartin on Kobe 1995, Tom Tobin on Armenia 1988, Eduardo Miranda on Mexico City 1985 and Loma Prieta 1989, and Anne Hulsey on Christchurch 2011 and Kaikoura 2016. Each of the speakers talked about the pivotal role of these reconnaissance experiences in their careers, emphasizing the emotional as well as the intellectual impact of witnessing earthquake damage firsthand and interacting with survivors and local communities. The morning culminated in Judith Mitrani-Reiser’s 2023 EERI Distinguished Lecture, Taking Measure: How Earthquake Reconnaissance Has Evolved Over 50 Years.

After a networking lunch and lightning showcase with presentations from EERI committees and partner organizations, the technical program resumed with Jack Baker’s 2023 William B. Joyner Lecture, Spatial Correlation in Ground Motion Intensities: Measurement, Prediction, and Seismic Risk Implications. Jonathan Stewart, co-chair of the Technical Program Committee, then opened the afternoon plenary session, Optimizing Reconnaissance Impact, which included a series of mini-keynotes by Keith Knudsen on USGS earthquake response and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, Ellen Rathje on data sharing and organization for reconnaissance research, Eric Fielding on remote sensing and satellite imagery, and LFE co-chair Mike Mieler on the vision for what Learning From Earthquakes can accomplish in its next 50 years. The session closed with a panel on opportunities to contribute to LFE reconnaissance efforts, featuring Eric Fisher, Luis Ceferino, Thalia Anagnos, Ryan Kersting, Anne Wein and Rob Olshansky. Finally, the EERI Honors and Awards Ceremony recognized this year’s honorees, including T. Leslie Youd (George W. Housner Medal), James Malley (Alfred E. Alquist Medal), Ian Buckle and Gregory L. Deierlein (Honorary Members), Gerard O'Reilly (Shah Family Innovation Prize), Dustin Cook and Diane Moug (Younger Member Awards), Lauren Vinnell (Spectra Outstanding Paper Award), Ioanna Kavvada (Graduate Student Paper Prize), and Connie Chen and Jessi Thangjitham (EERI/NEHRP Graduate Fellows). Jose Martinez-Crusado, recipient of the Bruce Bolt medal, was recognized in absentia.

Shaking Day for the Seismic Design Competition took place on Thursday (livesteamed and available on YouTube here), while meeting participants gathered for the FEMA-sponsored Reconnaissance Training Workshop, with presentations from speakers representing a range of organizations and resources from across the reconnaissance community and an introduction to tools, programs, and resources for conducting post-earthquake reconnaissance. On Friday, workshop participants took part in a field exercise based on the Hayward Earthquake scenario, with teams roaming out across downtown San Francisco to practice observing and recording reconnaissance data for a dashboard and data map, as well as receiving an introduction to LiDAR instruments and their use in reconnaissance from the NHERI RAPID facility. The SDC Awards Ceremony also took place on Friday. Congratulations to Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (First Place), the University at Buffalo (Second Place), and the University of California, San Diego (Third Place), as well as the other award winners, all participating teams, and the Student Leadership Council! A full writeup of the 2023 SDC will be available in the next issue of Pulse.

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Learning From Earthquakes   april-15-2023

Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) $100k Matching Gift Campaign

EERI is excited to host a matching gift campaign for the LFE Endowment Fund! Thanks to the incredible support of Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) and David A. Friedman every new gift or pledge made to LFE made by April 30th will be matched dollar for dollar until we reach $100,000.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of members during the EERI Annual Meeting last week, EERI has raised $81,877 (as of Friday, April 14). But we need to reach $100,000 to fully leverage the match, so there is still time to double your impact for LFE. Donate here today!

A special thank you to those who have already contributed to this incredible match campaign—visit the updated news post to see the names of donors.

Preliminary Report from EERI Hospitals Reconnaissance Trip to Turkey

In March, EERI deployed three topic-focused expert teams to Turkey to conduct reconnaissance on the impacts of the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence. One of those teams focused on assessing the performance of hospitals. The team visited 12 towns and cities to observe structural response, damage, and the effect of earthquakes on hospital functionality. Of primary interest was understanding what characteristics enabled hospitals to continue functioning after the earthquakes, and conversely, what caused hospitals to be evacuated.

The team observed a total of 23 hospitals with varying levels of structural and nonstructural damage. The sampling of buildings included old and new, large and small, and government, private, and university hospitals. It also included both fixed-base and seismically-isolated hospital buildings. The diverse sampling was intended to be representative of the hospitals in the affected area, but observations depended on level of access and extent of damage.

In general, observed structural damage in the lateral force-resisting system was minimal except for older buildings; however, nonstructural damage was widespread. Closures of hospitals that were still standing were primarily due to damage to unreinforced the heavy, stiff partitions, ceilings, medical equipment, and emergency generators, and disruptions to water, electricity, and gas lines. Three seismically-isolated buildings were observed; all were operational; however, the isolation system displacements were far lower than the system capacities. From the hospitals that the team visited, 26% (6 of 23) had collapsed, had severe damage, or had been demolished due to the extensive damage.

To read a brief preliminary report summarizing the team’s findings, view the news post on the EERI website here.

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Awards   april-15-2023

Apply today for the 2023-2024 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship

Applications are due May 7, 2022, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

Apply here!

EERI is pleased to announce the availability of one Graduate Fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year to support a full-time student in a discipline contributing to the science and practice of earthquake hazard mitigation. The one-year fellowship, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is designed to foster the participation of capable individuals in working toward the goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. To learn more, visit the graduate fellowships page on the EERI website.

We urge faculty members and academic staff to advertise this opportunity to their students! Click here to print or download the fellowship information flyer (PDF).

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   april-15-2023

Shannon & Wilson, Inc.

Shannon & Wilson is an employee-owned consulting firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Committed to technical excellence and high-quality service, we provide integrated geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, environmental, and natural resource services for clients worldwide. Since 1954, we have delivered comprehensive engineering and environmental solutions for the most challenging infrastructure planning, design, permitting, and construction conditions. We are dedicated to improving our communities, preserving the environment, and utilizing the most innovative science practices in all our work.

InfraTerra

InfraTerra is a certified small business enterprise based in San Francisco. InfraTerra has extensive consulting experience in structural engineering, earthquake engineering, and geology with emphasis in natural hazard risk and reliability assessment of infrastructure systems, numerical simulations, dynamic analysis, retrofit design, seismic review of structures, geohazards assessment and geologic mapping.

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News of the Institute   april-1-2023

Turkey/Syria Special Session at 2023AM: Register Soon!

Just-in-time registration is still available for EERI’s 2023 Annual Meeting in San Francisco this month! Join us for the one-day technical program on Wednesday April 12, and you will also get access to a welcome reception and the Special Session on the 2023 Turkey/Syria Earthquake Sequence taking place on Tuesday, April 11—as well as to all of the 2023 Seismic Design Competition.

Register here for 2023AM!

The special session on Tuesday evening will include oral, lighting, and poster presentations on topics including ground motions, the rapid characterization of earthquake hazard and impacts, response communication and coordination networks, geotechnical impacts, remote sensing, building performance, collapse investigation, schools performance, and more. During the session, members of EERI’s buildings, hospitals, and lifelines reconnaissance teams will report on their findings from the recent field reconnaissance trips to Turkey. Speakers for the special session include David Wald, Kishor Jaiswal, Louise Comfort, Ozgun Numanoglu, Brad Wham, Ezra Jampole, Rupa Garai, Michael Mieler, Adam Hugo-Holman, Furkan Narlitepe, Bozidar Stojadinovic, and Jiachen (Charlie) Zhang. More speakers will be confirmed shortly.

For more information on the main technical program—LFE at 50: Impacts of Earthquake Reconnaissance Past, Present, and Future—including speaker and session details, visit the technical program page on the 2023 Annual Meeting website.

New Younger Members Committee Co-Chairs

EERI is pleased to welcome Cristina Cordova-Arias (M.EERI 2018), Polly Murray (M.EERI 2017), and Renmin Pretell (M.EERI 2018) as the new co-chairs of the Younger Members Committee (YMC). Their term of service will begin April 1, 2023 and extend through early 2025. EERI thanks outgoing Co-Chairs Dustin Cook (M.EERI 2018), Jack English (M.EERI 2019), and Diane Moug (M.EERI 2014) for their service. In their time as Co-Chairs, Dustin, Jack, and Diane provided strong leadership and valuable opportunities for EERI's younger members. Cristina, Polly, and Renmin are excited to continue to lead the committee and support EERI’s younger members.

Cristina Cordova-Arias is the Program Director of Civil Engineering at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. She has worked on a World Bank project about structural-upgrading policy-making for school buildings and participated in the EERI Learning From Earthquakes Travel Study Program in New Zealand. Her research focuses on developing innovative people-centered, engineering-based decision-support tools that facilitate earthquake-safe buildings. Cristina is a big believer that education transforms lives. She recently founded an initiative to encourage low-income and first-generation students to reach higher education in Peru.

Polly Murray is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She earned her PhD in structural engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2021. Her research focuses on seismic risk of concrete and wood structures built outside of engineered design and regulation. Polly is a past co-president of the Student Leadership Council and looks forward to fostering mentorship among the next generation of earthquake engineers.

Renmin Pretell is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California Los Angeles. Renmin’s research work aims to advance the assessment of geotechnical systems and infrastructure subject to earthquake hazards by integrating numerical simulations and data. His research interests include site response, liquefaction, ground motions, earth and rockfill dams, and geostatistics applied to geotechnical engineering. Renmin earned his Ph.D. and M.S. from UC Davis, where he was co-chair for the EERI student chapter. Renmin enjoys teamwork, and he looks forward to serving as co-chair for the younger members.

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Learning From Earthquakes   april-1-2023

LFE Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Response: Reconnaissance Teams Return

Learning From Earthquakes continues to respond to the February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence affecting Turkey and Syria. The three LFE teams conducting field reconnaissance on the impacts to buildings, hospitals, and lifelines in Turkey all returned from their trips this week. Team members are working on a series of draft reports with their findings, and a short preview will be shared in the April 15th Pulse. Several members of the teams will also present in the Special Session on the Turkey/Syria Earthquake Sequence at EERI’s 2023 Annual Meeting in San Francisco on April 11. The EERI-GEER advance reconnaissance team’s briefing webinar is now available to watch on YouTube here, and a multi-part webinar series featuring the buildings, hospitals, and lifelines teams is being planned for May. Registration details will be available soon.

Today (March 31) EERI also hosted a second coordination call with national and international organizations in the earthquake reconnaissance community and with local partners in Turkey. Members of the three EERI teams and nine other reconnaissance organizations provided updates based on their recent experiences in the field, and several others discussed upcoming missions and plans for further reconnaissance. All teams emphasized the value of working through the Ankara-based clearinghouse hosted by AFAD and local partners in the academic and practitioner communities in Turkey. Members are encouraged to continue to share information about their reconnaissance plans via this form. Presentations, data, and reports from these teams continue to be added to the EERI Virtual Earthquake Clearinghouse website as they become available.

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Awards   april-1-2023

2023-2024 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowships: Application now open!

EERI is excited to announce that the application is now open for EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship! One Graduate Fellowship is available for the 2023-2024 academic year to support a full-time student in a discipline contributing to the science and practice of earthquake hazard mitigation. The one-year fellowship, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is designed to foster the participation of capable individuals working toward the goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Click here to learn more.

APPLY HERE!

Applications are due Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. 

We urge professors to advertise this opportunity to their students. Print or download the fellowship information flyer (PDF) to share!

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Announcements   april-1-2023

WCEE 2024: Abstracts Submission Platform Will Open Soon

The organizers of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE2024), to be held from 30th June to 5th July 2024, in Milan, Italy, have received close to 170 proposals for Technical Sessions, involving scholars from 68 different countries from around the world. This response to the call for session proposals will ensure a successful community-based conference program! However, as a result of the high number of proposals it is taking the conference organizers a longer time than initially foreseen to prepare the abstracts submission platform. As a result, the call for abstracts has been delayed. It should open during the first week of April, and information will be available on the WCEE2024 website here.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   april-1-2023

Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP is one of the largest and most influential architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world. SOM is responsible for some of the world’s most technically and environmentally advanced buildings, and significant public spaces.

Forell/Elsesser Engineers

Forell/Elsesser Engineers Inc. is an award-winning San Francisco-based structural and earthquake engineering firm. The firm brings substantial experience in the design of new and rehabilitated facilities of various types of construction, with expertise on all aspects of structural engineering and seismic design, including cost-effective and innovative design solutions.

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Learning From Earthquakes   march-15-2023

LFE Reconnaissance Retrospectives: Christopher Rojahn on San Fernando and Terri R. Norton on Tōhoku

In 2023, EERI is marking the 50th anniversary of the official creation of our flagship Learning From Earthquakes Program with a series of Earthquake Reconnaissance Retrospectives featuring personal accounts from EERI members about their experiences of post-earthquake reconnaissance with LFE and highlighting turning points in the program’s history.

Recently, we published two new additions to the series. In the first, Christopher Rojahn (M.EERI 1973) provides an additional account of the foundational importance of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, focusing on the detailed reconnaissance effort conducted by NOAA and EERI in the aftermath of the earthquake. Rojahn, who served as Field Coordinator for the study and as NOAA Liaison Representative to EERI, highlights the findings of the study, the impact on building codes and engineering practice, and the inspiration for the creation of both LFE and the Applied Technology Council (ATC) in 1973. In the other, Board Vice President Terri R. Norton (M.EERI 2004) shares a personal account of her reconnaissance experience following the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami. Norton was the sole engineer on a multidisciplinary societal dimensions reconnaissance team that traveled to Japan about a hundred days after the earthquake and tsunami. She discusses her observations in the field, the trip’s impact on her research into post-disaster debris management, and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in reconnaissance work.

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News of the Institute   march-15-2023

Last Day of Advance Registration for the 2023 Annual Meeting!

Today is the last day of advance registration for EERI's 2023 Annual Meeting­! Starting tomorrow, rates will increase in all categories, and just-in-time registration will be subject to availability.

You can register just for the one-day technical program (including a bonus special session on the Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence, and full access to the Seismic Design Competition) or sign up for the optional workshops and exercise if you are planning to attend for the full week. This flexible approach allows you to tailor your participation in the meeting to fit your schedule and budget. 

Register here for 2023AM!

The annual meeting will consist of a one-day technical program preceded and followed by a series of workshops and exercises that will offer attendees hands-on training in earthquake reconnaissance and showcase opportunities for members to become involved in LFE projects and activities. This new flexible format for the annual meeting means you can pick and choose which parts of the meeting to attend. The one-day technical program on April 12, LFE at 50: Impacts of Earthquake Reconnaissance Past, Present, and Future, will underscore major achievements in seismic safety around the world that were only possible because of observations made and data captured through reconnaissance efforts over the past 50 years. Registration for the technical program now also includes an additional special session on the 2023 Turkey/Syria Earthquake Sequence on April 11. Places in the Early Career Workshop on April 11 and the Reconnaissance Training Workshop and Exercise on April 13-14 are filling up quickly, so register soon to secure your spot.

And don't forget to book rooms at Parc55 in order to take full advantage of the workshop and networking opportunities at AM2023! By doing so, you are supporting EERI and helping us make the annual meeting possible. EERI's special room rates, which include wifi access throughout the meeting, are available via this booking link.

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Webinars   march-15-2023

Joint EERI-GEER Webinar: 2023 Kahramanmaraş Turkey Earthquake Sequence Reconnaissance Briefing

Monday, March 20
11:00 AM-12:00 PM Pacific Standard Time
REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND

EERI's Learning from Earthquakes Program and the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) Association invite you to a FREE reconnaissance briefing webinar on the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence in Turkey.

On February 6, 2023, a M7.8 earthquake occurred in southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria, followed about 9 hours later by a M7.5 earthquake approximately 90 km to the north of the first. The impacts of these earthquakes were devastating. The number of fatalities in both countries has risen to more than 50,000. According to Turkish government sources, more than 200,000 buildings collapsed or suffered damage severe enough to require demolition. Over a million people have been displaced as a result.

A joint EERI-GEER advance reconnaissance team conducted field visits in the disaster zone in southern Turkey from February 15-20. The team traveled over 1,500 km in the affected areas, first along a north-to-south path, and then east-to-west in the southern third of the region. They collected perishable geotechnical data, made observations of structural damage, and assessed needs and opportunities for future reconnaissance. The four members of the team will present initial findings on topics including surface fault rupture and liquefaction, impacts to structures and lifelines, and emergency response. As the team was unable to visit Syria, the webinar will focus on impacts in Turkey. 

Speakers:

• Robb Moss, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo
• Özgür Kozacı, Principal Geologist, Mott MacDonald
• Ayşe Hortacsu, Director of Projects, Applied Technology Council
• Ayhan İrfanoğlu, Professor and Associate Head of Civil Engineering, Purdue University

PDH certificates will be available upon request.

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Announcements   march-15-2023

WCEE 2024: Session Proposals Extended; Abstract Submission Opening Soon

Although the original deadline for technical session proposals was March 15th, the organizers of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE2024), to be held from 30th June to 5th July 2024, in Milan, Italy, will be keeping the submissions platform open for one or two more weeks. If you have have not yet submitted a technical session proposal, take advantage of this extension to do so!

In the meantime, technical session proposals that have been submitted within the original deadline are now being evaluated and will soon be published on the conference website so that the submission of abstracts may begin. Abstract submissions will close on April 30, 2023. For more information, visit the conference website here.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   march-15-2023

Computers and Structures, Inc

Computer and Structures, Inc (CSI) is EERI’s Visionary-Level Subscribing Member. CSI is the Anchor Sponsor of the 2023 Annual Meeting and the 2023 Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition!  CSI has been a longtime supporter of the Institute and our student activities, including the Student Leadership Council. Founded in 1975 by company president and CEO Ashraf Habibullah (M.EERI,1999), CSI is recognized globally as the pioneering leader in software tools for structural and earthquake engineering. Software from CSI is used by thousands of engineering firms in over 160 countries for the design of major projects, including the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan, One World Trade Center in New York, the 2008 Olympics Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing and the cable-stayed Centenario Bridge over the Panama Canal.

NCREE

The National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) of Taiwan  was established in 1980 by the National Science Council (NSC), together with the National Taiwan University (NTU), and the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL), with the purpose of improving efficiency between research institutions, and working to decrease the impact of earthquakes. NCREE is aiming to improve seismic resistant designs for all constructions and to provide feedback to the engineering community through research and development.

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Learning From Earthquakes   march-1-2023

LFE Advance Reconnaissance Team Observations on Earthquake Impacts in Turkey

EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes Program continues to respond to the pair of earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria last month.

From February 15-20, an LFE advance team conducted field visits in the disaster zone as part of a joint reconnaissance effort with GEER. The LFE field team included Ayse Hortacsu (M.EERI 2000) from the Applied Technology Council and Ayhan Irfanoglu (M.EERI 1994) from Purdue University, along with Prof. M. Altuğ Erberik  from the Middle East Technical University (ODTU) and M. Fırat Aydın from the TED University. 

The field visits took place in the second week following the main shocks. Aftershocks were frequent, limited rescue operations were still ongoing, and damage assessment and demolition efforts were very active. Most residents of towns with high damage were living in tent cities or had traveled out of town, leaving almost all residential units empty, even those assessed to have low damage. The team traveled over 1,500 km in the regions affected by the disaster in Turkey, first along a north-to-south path, and then east-to-west in the southern third of the region. Unfortunately, the EERI-LFE team was not able to travel to the disaster zone in Syria. The team made stops at the following towns and cities:

• Day 1: Elbistan, Nurhak, Gölbaşı, Pazarcık, Narlı, Gaziantep
• Day 2: Kahramanmaraş, Türkoğlu, Nurdağı
• Day 3: İslahiye, Hassa, Kırıkhan, Antakya
• Day 4: Erzin, Dörtyol, İskenderun, Arsuz
• Days 5 & 6: Adana, Osmaniye, Bahçe

The team made drive-by observations of the damage to private and public buildings along the main roads as well as close range observations in the areas where they stopped for on-foot reconnaissance. Observations included residential buildings of various kinds where casualties and damage primarily occurred, from 3-7 story low-rise older (built before the 1998 code) to 8-20 story mid-rise newer reinforced concrete buildings, and 1-2 story adobe or brick buildings with vernacular architecture. The team also made attempts to note performance of hospitals and school buildings, new and old, in the region. Information regarding disaster response was gathered either through direct observation or through talking to locals, including a hospital chief in Kahramanmaras and an NGO involved with disaster aid distribution based in Iskenderun.

Read the full text of the team’s initial report on their observations on the EERI website here. Purdue University also published a press release and interview with team member Ayhan Irfanoglu with additional details. A webinar with presentations from the advance team is being planned for mid-March and registration information will be available soon.

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News of the Institute   march-1-2023

Register and Book Your Hotel Rooms for 2023AM!

The advance registration deadline for EERI's 2023 Annual Meeting is March 15—just two weeks away! We're looking forward to seeing you in San Francisco this spring to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Learning From Earthquakes, hear from a great lineup of keynote speakers, cheer on the teams in the Seismic Design Competition, and much more!

Register here for 2023AM!

The annual meeting will consist of a one-day technical program preceded and followed by a series of workshops and exercises that will offer attendees hands-on training in earthquake reconnaissance and showcase opportunities for members to become involved in LFE projects and activities. This new flexible format for the annual meeting means you can pick and choose which parts of the meeting to attend. The one-day technical program on April 12, LFE at 50: Impacts of Earthquake Reconnaissance Past, Present, and Future, will underscore major achievements in seismic safety around the world that were only possible because of observations made and data captured through reconnaissance efforts over the past 50 years. Registration for the technical program now also includes an additional special session on the 2023 Turkey/Syria Earthquake Sequence on April 11!

Places in the Early Career Workshop on April 11 and the Reconnaissance Training Workshop and Exercise on April 13-14 are filling up quickly, so register soon to secure your spot.

And don't forget to book rooms at Parc55 in order to take full advantage of the workshop and networking opportunities at AM2023! By doing so, you are supporting EERI and helping us make the annual meeting possible. EERI's special room rates, which include wifi access throughout the meeting, are available via this booking link.

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Spectra   march-1-2023

Don't Miss the February Issue of Spectra!

Volume 39, issue 1 (February 2023) of Earthquake Spectra is out! Past Editor David Wald has selected “Seismic safety of informally constructed reinforced concrete houses in Puerto Rico,” by Polly B Murray, Dirsa Feliciano, Briar H Goldwyn Abbie B Liel, Orlando Arroyo, and Amy Javernick-Will as the Editor’s Choice paper for this issue.

According to Wald, “Murray et al. examine the characteristics of seismically vulnerable reinforced with concrete houses to fully assess their seismic risks and recommend risk-reducing design and construction strategies. After characterizing an architype building following local interviews with builders and store owners, the authors develop seismic collapse functions that account for the local building practices and materials. They quantify the effects of these building characteristics on collapse risk applied for housing in the U.S. Caribbean Islands of Puerto Rico. Their analysis showed that heavy construction, most often attributable to a second story, and the presence of an open ground story leads to a high collapse risk, and that corroded steel bars naturally worsen performance. They also assessed retrofit options for open-ground-story houses.” 

View the rest of the February issue at the Earthquake Spectra website here. Make sure you are logged into your EERI member account on the EERI website for full access!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   march-1-2023

Exponent

Exponent is a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm that brings together more than 90 different disciplines to solve engineering, science, regulatory, and business issues. The Exponent name is recognized for its integrity, objectivity, independence, and professionalism. Our corporate core values drive a commitment to client service that enables us to provide consistently high quality work to clients worldwide. For over 50 years we have provided engineering, scientific, environmental and health consulting services to corporations, insurance carriers, government agencies, law firms and individuals. The firm has been best known for analyzing accidents and failures to determine their causes, but in recent years it has become more active in assisting clients with human health, environmental, engineering and regulatory issues associated with new products or processes to help prevent problems in the future. Exponent’s staff of 900 are located in 20 offices throughout the United States and 7 international offices (Europe and Asia).

GeoEngineers

GeoEngineers is an employee-owned earth science and engineering firm with 20 offices nationwide. Founded in 1980, GeoEngineers is a collection of professionals passionate about using earth science and engineering to help our clients find a balance between human needs and the earth’s physical systems. The geotechnical engineers on our Performance-Based Design (PBD) Team use state-of-the-art techniques to predict how buildings and earth structures will response under a variety of loading scenarios. The team specializes in earthquake engineering and seismology, soft-ground sites, numerical modeling, and system performance. Our seismic hazard assessment approach uses both state-of-the-practice and state-of-the-art engineering analysis methods. We integrate the latest scientific findings on seismic hazard methodology and ground-motion and source characterization methods which include, but are not limited to, seismicity, paleoseismology, fault geometry and geodetic (GPS) data in the region and the effects of the unique site conditions. Our staff are actively involved with researchers and seismologists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on recent developments and treatment of new seismic sources and the impacts on the seismic design of structures. We are compassionate about contributing to the long-term resiliency of our shared communities.

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News of the Institute   february-15-2023

Leadership Communique from David Friedman: LFE Endowment Completion Campaign

In 2019, EERI launched a wildly ambitious campaign to raise $4 Million for a Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) Endowment Fund, at the end of my term as EERI's President. The campaign has been successful beyond our wildest imagination as EERI raised $2.8 million in cash and testamentary pledges to date. With the support of over 250 donors, we have made great strides towards ensuring a bright and robust future for LFE.

In 2023, EERI is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of LFE and the EERI Annual Meeting, in San Francisco in April, is themed around this anniversary. Along with that exciting milestone, the EERI Board has committed to completing our fundraising campaign for the LFE Endowment by raising the remaining $1.2 million towards our goal.

As Chair of EERI’s Fundraising Committee, I’m working with EERI staff and volunteers to realize this goal by launching EERI’s LFE Endowment Completion Campaign. This campaign aims to raise the remaining $1.2 million before the end of 2023 through a combination of one-time cash gifts, multi-year cash pledges, and commitments for planned testamentary/estate gifts.

As we kick off this ambitious effort, I’m asking each member to consider making a 2-3 year final cash pledge at a level that is significant to you in support of EERI and this acclaimed and critical program.

With a fully funded $4million endowment, LFE can respond to earthquakes more quickly, comprehensively, consistently, and with certainty into the future. With this complete permanent endowment EERI will be able to:

• Quickly decide to deploy reconnaissance teams, both after major earthquakes to observe ephemeral damage, and over the recovery time period for topic-focused longitudinal studies.
• Expand opportunities for early career members, such as the travel study program, virtual reconnaissance work, and skill development workshops.
• Conduct regular reconnaissance exercises for improved response and coordination amongst many reconnaissance partners.
• Accelerate the work of our new LFE Reconnaissance Advisory Subcommittees and increase the topics covered.
• Increase staffing support levels to better advance and support volunteers leading all ongoing EERI LFE activities.

I hope you agree that these future possibilities show a bright and promising future for LFE in service of our members and the broader community. As LFE responds to the devastating earthquake affecting Turkey and Syria, the importance of the program’s mission is clearer than ever. Without the stability of a fully-funded endowment however, this vision for a robust LFE program is at risk.

As you consider the type of gift that is possible for you, please contact me (d.friedman@forell.com) or Devon Clayton, EERI’s Membership and Donor Manager, at devon@eeri.org, with any questions. You can also make your pledge online.

Thank you for your consideration. You can track our progress and learn more about our campaign here.

David Friedman
M.EERI 1988; Chair, Fundraising Committee

EERI Welcomes Two New Board Members: Keith Knudsen and Ashley Morales-Cartagena

EERI is pleased to welcome Keith Knudsen and Ashley Morales-Cartagena to the Board of Directors! Both were selected by the 2022 Nominating Committee from the applicants for the Appointed Director board positions last fall, and appointed at the December 2022 Board Meeting. Keith Knudsen will serve a 2-year term, and Ashley Morales-Cartagena will serve a 4-year term. They will begin their terms in March 2023.

Keith L. Knudsen (M.EERI 2001) has served as the Deputy Director of the USGS Earthquake Science Center for about a dozen years, and has also served as the Earthquake Hazard Program’s Northern California Coordinator. He is a Quaternary geologist and geomorphologist who specializes in the assessment of earthquake hazards. Prior to joining the USGS, he led and worked on projects characterizing seismic hazards for large engineered facilities at URS Corporation in Oakland. Before joining URS, for eight years, Keith managed the Liquefaction Zoning Unit and the Bay Area Regional Geologic Mapping Unit of the California Geological Survey’s Seismic Hazards Zoning Program. He served on the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute’s Northern California Chapter Board as a Director and as President spanning the 2006 anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. He also served as Secretary of the Seismological Society of America for nine years. In his roles in the public and private sectors, he has been successful in identifying partner organizations and building relationships so that innovative projects get supported and completed. He lives about a kilometer from the Hayward fault.

Ashley Morales-Cartagena (M. EERI 2015) is a disaster risk reduction professional with 15 years of experience working in academia, industry, the public sector and international development. She is a professor and researcher at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), where she served as Director for the past four years and founded the EERI PUCMM student chapter. She also served as head of the Disaster Risk Management and Geotechnical Engineering departments at the Domincan Republic’s National Bureau of Seismic Evaluation and Infrastructure Vulnerability (ONESVIE). Ashley co-chaired the EERI Younger Members Committee from 2019-2021 and received the EERI’s Younger Members Award in 2018. Ashley pursued her graduate studies (MS) as a Fulbright Scholar in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She also holds an MS in Construction Management from the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC) and a BS in Civil Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. Most recently she founded Mujeres en la Ingeniería (MIRD), the first NGO focused on supporting women to pursue careers in engineering in the Dominican Republic.

 

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Webinars   february-15-2023

Quick Quake Briefing: Indonesia M5.6 Cianjur Earthquake of 21 November 2022

Thursday February 16, 2023
4:00-5:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter is hosting a FREE webinar on the M5.6 earthquake that struck West Java in Indonesia. 

The earthquake struck near Cianjur in West Java. Between 330 and 640 people died, and over 7,700 were injured. More than 63,000 homes were damaged across the region. The earthquake was strongly felt in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, over 100 km (63 mi) to the North. It is the deadliest earthquake to hit Indonesia since the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake.

Damage evaluated after the quake indicated a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the earthquake had a strike-slip focal mechanism at a depth of 11 km (7 mi), classifying it as a shallow event. Despite the moderate size of the earthquake, its shallow depth caused strong shaking. The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) described the damage to homes and buildings as "massive."

Two speakers will be joining from Indonesia:

• Dr. Nuraini Rahma Hanifa, a previous EERI Housner Fellow now with the Research Center for Geological Disaster, Research Organization of Earth Sciences and Maritime, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), will present an overview of the earthquake and its aftermath.
• Dr. Sigit Pramono of the Engineering Seismology Earthquake Early Warning System Division, Meteorological Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) will present on the engineering seismology aspects.

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Spectra   february-15-2023

Don't Miss the February Issue of Earthquake Spectra!

Volume 39, issue 1 (February 2023) of Earthquake Spectra is out! Past Editor David Wald has selected “Seismic safety of informally constructed reinforced concrete houses in Puerto Rico,” by Polly B Murray, Dirsa Feliciano, Briar H Goldwyn Abbie B Liel, Orlando Arroyo, and Amy Javernick-Will as the Editor’s Choice paper for this issue.

According to Wald, “Murray et al. examine the characteristics of seismically vulnerable reinforced with concrete houses to fully assess their seismic risks and recommend risk-reducing design and construction strategies. After characterizing an architype building following local interviews with builders and store owners, the authors develop seismic collapse functions that account for the local building practices and materials. They quantify the effects of these building characteristics on collapse risk applied for housing in the U.S. Caribbean Islands of Puerto Rico. Their analysis showed that heavy construction, most often attributable to a second story, and the presence of an open ground story leads to a high collapse risk, and that corroded steel bars naturally worsen performance. They also assessed retrofit options for open-ground-story houses.” 

View the rest of the February issue at the Earthquake Spectra website here. Make sure you are logged into your EERI member account on the EERI website for full access!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   february-15-2023

Structural Focus

Structural Focus is a structural engineering consulting company specializing in the design of complex and innovative buildings. Since its founding in 2001, the firm has designed several million square feet of new structures and rehabilitated hundreds of existing buildings, including numerous historic projects, dozens of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Simpson Strong-Tie

Simpson Strong-Tie is is one of the world's largest suppliers of structural building products. The company is recognized as the genuine connector brand in the residential construction industry and for its offering of shearwalls, moment frames, and fasteners. The company also offers products in infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction, including mechanical anchors and adhesives that repair, protect and strengthen concrete and masonry.

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News of the Institute   february-1-2023

2023 Annual Meeting: Two Weeks Left for Early Bird Registration!

The deadline to register for EERI's 2023 Annual Meeting at the discounted early-bird rate is February 15th—just two weeks away! We're looking forward to seeing you in San Francisco this spring to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Learning From Earthquakes, hear from a great lineup of keynote speakers, cheer on the teams in the Seismic Design Competition, and much more.

The 2023 Annual Meeting will combine a one-day technical program with a series of workshops and exercises offering attendees networking opportunities and hands-on training in earthquake reconnaissance­. The theme of the technical program on Wednesday, April 12 is "LFE at 50: Impacts of Earthquake Reconnaissance Past, Present, and Future," and an overview of sessions and speakers is now available on the meeting website here.

On Tuesday, April 11, EERI’s Younger Members Committee will host a full-day Early Career Training Workshop, sponsored by Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI). The meeting will conclude with a Reconnaissance Training Workshop on Thursday, April 13, followed by an exciting Reconnaissance Field Exercise on Friday, April 14, planned in coordination with the California Earthquake Clearinghouse and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Places in these workshops are limited, so register soon to secure your spot! The 2023 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will also take place throughout the week, with Shaking Day on Thursday April 13 open to all meeting attendees.

Visit the meeting website to learn more, and register to attend via this link.

José A. Martinez-Cruzado Awarded 2023 Bruce Bolt Medal

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), the Consortium of Organizations for Strong Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS), and the Seismological Society of America (SSA) are pleased to announce that José A. Martinez-Cruzado, professor of the civil engineering and surveying department at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez is the recipient of the 2023 Bruce Bolt Medal. The award will be presented at the 2023 SSA Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

The Bruce Bolt Medal honors the legacy of Bruce Alan Bolt (1930-2005), a pioneer at the intersection of earthquake science and earthquake engineering. The medal is awarded jointly by EERI, COSMOS, and SSA to recognize individuals worldwide who work at the intersection of seismology and earthquake engineering, whose accomplishments involve the promotion and use of earthquake measurements, and whose leadership in the transfer of scientific and engineering knowledge into practice or policy has led to improved seismic safety.

Martinez-Cruzado has been a leader in earthquake engineering in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region for three decades. As the director of the Puerto Rico Strong Motion Program, he has focused on the development of a strong motion network in Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic, and on seismic arrays in dams, buildings, and bridges. He has also worked on the design and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures in regions with high seismic risk. A Ph.D. student of Bolt’s at the University of California, Berkeley, Martinez-Cruzado returned to Puerto Rico after receiving his degree to help expand and modernize its strong motion network and promote seismic safety in the Caribbean region. He received his BSCE in 1984 and MSCE in 1987 from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, and his MEng in 1989 and Ph.D. in 1993 in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.

For more information on the Bolt Award and past nominees, visit the SSA website here.

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Learning From Earthquakes   february-1-2023

LFE at 50

In 2023, EERI is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formal establishment of our flagship Learning From Earthquakes Program. As part of this milestone, we’re marking the anniversaries of selected major earthquakes by highlighting resources from the LFE archives and sharing recollections from EERI members.

On the LFE at 50 page, we will be archiving a series of Earthquake Reconnaissance Retrospectives that showcase the history of the program and the impacts of earthquake reconnaissance work over the past decades. In "LFE Earthquake Reconnaissance Retrospective #1: Kobe, January 17, 1995," Craig Comartin (M.EERI 1987), one of several EERI members who were attending a workshop in Osaka when the 1995 earthquake struck, recounts major lessons learned from the earthquake. Upcoming retrospectives in the series will explore the 1971 San Fernando earthquake and its role in the creation of LFE, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and more.

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Webinars   february-1-2023

Ferndale M6.4 Earthquake Reconnaissance Briefing Webinar

Thursday, February 9, 2023
11:00 AM-1:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

EERI's Learning from Earthquakes Program and the California Earthquake Clearinghouse invite you to a FREE reconnaissance briefing webinar on the earthquake that struck Humboldt County, California in December.

At 2:34 AM on December 20, 2022, a M6.4 earthquake struck offshore near Ferndale, California, causing damage to lifelines and structures in Humboldt County. Structures in the nearby communities of Ferndale, Fortuna, and Rio Dell experienced damage including broken windows, collapsed chimneys, and fallen bricks, and a small number of buildings slid off their foundations. Roughly 150 homes were damaged or destroyed in the earthquake. More than 70,000 people lost power, and there was damage to roads and bridges in the area. The ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system was activated, and approximately three million people in northern California and southern Oregon received warnings.

In this multidisciplinary webinar, speakers will provide information on the science, engineering, and emergency response aspects of the earthquake, and discuss the impact on lifelines and critical infrastructure, including electricity, transportation, and healthcare facilities.

Speakers include:

• Cynthia Pridmore, California Geological Survey
• Jason Patton, California Geological Survey
• Richard Allen, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory and MyShake
• Maggie Ortiz-Millan, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
• Megan Stanton, Pacific Gas and Electric
• Bob Tanaka and Richard Heninger, Caltrans Division of Engineering Services
• Speaker TBD from California Department of Health Care Access and Information

Additional speakers will be announced soon. PDH certificates will be available upon request.

Quick Quake Briefing: Indonesia M5.6 Cianjur Earthquake of 21 November 2022

Thursday February 16, 2023
4:00-5:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter is hosting a FREE webinar on the M5.6 earthquake that struck West Java in Indonesia. 

The earthquake struck near Cianjur in West Java. Between 330 and 640 people died, and over 7,700 were injured. More than 63,000 homes were damaged across the region. The earthquake was strongly felt in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, over 100 km (63 mi) to the North. It is the deadliest earthquake to hit Indonesia since the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake.

Damage evaluated after the quake indicated a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the earthquake had a strike-slip focal mechanism at a depth of 11 km (7 mi), classifying it as a shallow event. Despite the moderate size of the earthquake, its shallow depth caused strong shaking. The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) described the damage to homes and buildings as "massive."

Two speakers will be joining from Indonesia:

• Dr. Nuraini Rahma Hanifa, a previous EERI Housner Fellow now with the Research Center for Geological Disaster, Research Organization of Earth Sciences and Maritime, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), will present an overview of the earthquake and its aftermath.
• Dr. Sigit Pramono of the Engineering Seismology Earthquake Early Warning System Division, Meteorological Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) will present on the engineering seismology aspects.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   february-1-2023

California Earthquake Authority

California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a longtime EERI Platinum-Level Subscribing Member. CEA is a not-for-profit, privately funded, publicly managed organization that provides residential earthquake insurance to more than 1 million households in California. Since 1996, CEA has been making earthquake insurance as affordable as possible for all California residents, while helping reduce their risk of earthquake loss wherever they live.

ENGEO

ENGEO is an award-winning, employee-owned firm of more than 400 geotechnical and civil engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, water resources engineers, and other specialists serving a diverse range of public and private clients on projects across the world. ENGEO has served many projects with complex engineering and geologic challenges, incorporating advanced methods and expertise to perform site-specific geotechnical earthquake engineering to precisely quantify seismic hazards, optimize designs, and apply
performance-based engineering.

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News of the Institute   january-15-2023

Leadership Communique: LFE at 50 and More

Welcome to another great year with EERI in 2023!  We have an exciting and busy year ahead, with many opportunities to get involved and leverage your membership to connect with like-minded colleagues, learn the latest advancements in earthquake risk reduction, and expand your leadership skills.  

As we look to the year ahead, I also want to celebrate just a few of our many accomplishments in 2022:

• Earthquake Spectra’s impact factor rose to 4.33! The journal produced 117 papers in Volume 38 with more than 3,000 pages of technical content.  
• 
Learning From Earthquakes responded to several earthquakes in 2022, including in Mexico, Taiwan, and California. Read more about LFE’s accomplishments and plans here. 

• 12NCEE provided an in-person opportunity for 1,200 attendees to share and learn together in Salt Lake City, Utah, alongside a thriving Seismic Design Competition with 34 teams from 9 countries. The conference included 94 sessions, 5 workshops/special events, 15 EERI committee/chapter meetings, and 6 tours! Enthusiastic feedback by attendees has spurred our plans to push for an in-person Annual Meeting in 2023 rather than a virtual format.  

• EERI produced 19 webinars with more than 2,000 total attendees in 2022, serving a large cross-section of the membership and covering a vast range of topics. You can see the full range of content or watch webinars you missed at EERI’s YouTube Channel.

• Our Student Chapters hosted visits from 27 Friedman Family Visiting Professionals at universities around the U.S. 

• We recognized 15 individuals with EERI awards and honors at the 12NCEE
.

We will be building upon these accomplishments in 2023 and introducing some new strategic work to ensure EERI continues to thrive into the future.

Notably, EERI is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our flagship Learning from Earthquakes program. This milestone will be a focus in 2023 and you can expect to see highlights from LFE’s archive, materials showcasing some of LFE’s impacts, and new opportunities to participate and help set reconnaissance priorities via our LFE Subcommittees.

To ensure that both EERI and LFE will be financially sustainable into the future, EERI’s leadership has committed to achieving our $4 million LFE Endowment fundraising goal in 2023 by raising the remaining $1.2 million before the year ends. We appreciate your support as we make this final push.

Our LFE focus will extend to our 2023 Annual Meeting this April. I hope you will join me in San Francisco for what promises to be a thriving and innovative meeting! The program will explore the legacy and impact of earthquake reconnaissance. Meeting activities are also designed to accelerate reconnaissance collaboration and planning, while considering how to expand the involvement of diverse participants and increase access to lessons learned. It should be fun, informative, and, as usual, filled with numerous cross-disciplinary networking opportunities. Visit the meeting website to learn more and register.

In 2023, we’ll also be continuing to provide the member benefits you know and rely on, from producing Earthquake Spectra and sharing new and outstanding paper highlights to hosting regular webinars, including an upcoming LFE Reconnaissance Briefing on the Ferndale Earthquake. We’ll also be supporting legislative tracking and policy advocacy through the work of our Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, honoring achievements in the field through our awards, prizes, and Oral History series, and continuing to advance our mission and vision through the activities of our many committees, regional chapters, and student chapters.

As always, the best way to make the most of EERI is to participate and get involved. In the coming year, I encourage you to register for the 2023 Annual Meeting, attend an upcoming webinar, offer to serve as a reviewer for Earthquake Spectra, and join an active committee. See you in San Francisco in April!

Together, we can achieve earthquake resilience in communities worldwide.

Heidi Tremayne
Executive Director

Register and Book Hotel Rooms for the 2023 Annual Meeting

We're excited to see you for EERI's 2023 Annual Meeting from April 11-14 in San Francisco. Our meeting venue and hotel is the Parc 55 Hotel in central San Francisco. EERI has secured special group rates for rooms at the meeting venue, and strongly urges participants to book rooms at Parc55 in order to take full advantage of the workshop and networking opportunities at AM2023! EERI's special room rates, which include wifi access throughout the meeting, are available via this booking link.

The 2023 Annual Meeting will combine a one-day technical program with a series of workshops and exercises offering attendees networking opportunities and hands-on training in earthquake reconnaissance­—including lessons learned from the recent virtual activation of the California Earthquake Clearinghouse in response to the offshore earthquake near Ferndale. The theme of the technical program on Wednesday, April 12 is LFE at 50: Impacts of Earthquake Reconnaissance Past, Present, and Future. The 2023 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place throughout the week, with Shaking Day on Thursday April 13 open to all meeting attendees. On Tuesday, April 11, EERI’s Younger Members Committee will host a full-day Early Career Training Workshop, sponsored by Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI). The meeting will conclude with a Reconnaissance Training Workshop on Thursday, April 13, followed by an exciting Reconnaissance Field Exercise on Friday, April 14, supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Places in these workshops are limited, so register soon to secure your spot. Visit the meeting website to learn more, and register to attend via this link. Registration grant applications are due on February 1, and the early bird registration rate deadline is just a month away!

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Spectra   january-15-2023

A Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

Jack Baker (M.EERI 2004), who took over as Editor-in-Chief of Earthquake Spectra on January 1, has shared a letter laying out his vision for the journal, which you can read in full on the EERI website: Why Choose Earthquake Spectra? Baker concludes,

Moving forward, I aim for Earthquake Spectra to continue growing its impact and reputation, and to serve our Institute as an author- and reader-friendly venue for disseminating ideas. Spectra needs your help to achieve these goals. First, we need your scholarship! Groundbreaking and impactful papers power this operation, so please send us your best work. I would be happy to discuss your ideas for papers, special collections, and general improvements to the journal. Second, we need your help reviewing manuscripts. Your fair and constructive feedback on submitted manuscripts is essential in helping authors improve their papers, and in ensuring that we publish only the highest quality work. And I know from years of experience that reviewing papers enhances my critical thinking skills and helps me become a more effective author. Please let us know via this form if you are interested in reviewing, and please take invitations to review as recognition of your expertise.

Together we can ensure that Earthquake Spectra continues its nearly 40-year tradition of serving the informational needs of the diverse professionals engaged in earthquake risk reduction. The journal is an essential part of EERI’s community, and I am grateful for your support as we continue to care for and advance its legacy.

Additionally, EERI and the Spectra editorial team wish to thank retiring Associate Editors Domniki Asimaki (M. EERI 2005), Kenneth Elwood (M.EERI 1994), Tara Hutchinson (M.EERI 1995), Michael O’Rourke, Mark D. Petersen, and M. Saiid Saiidi (M.EERI 2021), as well as Past Editor Jonathan Stewart (M.EERI 1994). We welcome incoming Editor Helen Crowley (M.EERI 2008) and new Associate Editors Ana Acevedo, Svetlana Brzev (M.EERI 1995), Ashly Cabas (M.EERI 2013), Serena Cattari, Fatemeh Jalayer, David Lallemant (M.EERI 2022), Jorge Macedo (M.EERI 2021), Carlos Molina Hutt (M.EERI 2021), and Eric Thompson (M.EERI 2005).

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Webinars   january-15-2023

Quick Quake Briefing: Indonesia M5.6 Cianjur Earthquake of 21 November 2022

Thursday February 16, 2023 (Tentative)
5:00-6:00 PM Pacific Time

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter is hosting a FREE webinar on the M5.6 earthquake that struck West Java in Indonesia.

The earthquake struck near Cianjur in West Java. Between 330 and 640 people died, and over 7,700 were injured. More than 63,000 homes were damaged across the region. The earthquake was strongly felt in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, over 100 km (63 mi) to the North. It is the deadliest earthquake to hit Indonesia since the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake.

Damage evaluated after the quake indicated a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the earthquake had a strike-slip focal mechanism at a depth of 11 km (7 mi), classifying it as a shallow event. Despite the moderate size of the earthquake, its shallow depth caused strong shaking. The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) described the damage to homes and buildings as "massive."

Two speakers will be joining us from Indonesia. Confirmation of the date and a registration link will be shared by email and in the next issue of Pulse.

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Regional Chapters   january-15-2023

Ken Elwood Lecture Tour: San Diego and Berkeley

This month, 2022 Distinguished Lecturer Ken Elwood (M.EERI 1994) is visiting several regional and student chapters on the West Coast of North America to present his lecture “From Ductility to Repairability: Evolution of Building Design in the Wake of the Christchurch Earthquake.” Last week, Professor Elwood spoke in Vancouver, BC, hosted by the British Columbia Regional Chapter, in Seattle, WA, hosted by the Washington Regional Chapter, and in Corvallis, OR,, hosted by the Oregon State University Student Chapter.

This week he will present his lecture in San Diego and Berkeley. Both events are free and open to the public. See below for details.

San Diego, CA, co-hosted by the San Diego Regional Chapter and the UC San Diego Student Chapter
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 17, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST
Location: University of California San Diego, SME 248 
9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92093 
Register here

Berkeley, CA, hosted by the Northern California Regional Chapter and the UC Berkeley Student Chapter
Date and Time: Thursday, January 19, 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: 534 Davis Hall, University of California Berkeley 
Directions to Davis Hall here

 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   january-15-2023

Degenkolb

Degenkolb Engineers is a longtime EERI Platinum-Level Subscribing Member and a Sustainer-level donor of the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Endowment Fund. Founded in 1940, Degenkolb's practice reflects more than eight decades of commitment to technical expertise, exceptional client service through close collaboration, and life-long learning. Our employees are passionate about working in collaborative environments which help our healthcare, education, advanced technology, construction, and existing building clients achieve outstanding project results. The firm is committed to helping institutions and individuals recover after disaster and build resilient communities. Its innovative award-winning structural designs have saved clients hundreds of millions of dollars. The firm pioneers first of its kind engineering including the recent first instance of viscous wall dampers in the United States at CPMC Van Ness & Geary Hospital and the first US based tsunami evacuation center in the state of Washington.

Kinemetrics

Since 1969, Kinemetrics and its subsidiaries continue to lead the global market in designing technologies, products, and solutions for monitoring earthquakes and their effects on people and structures. Today, Kinemetrics continues to lead the seismic industry’s vision of earthquake resilience by delivering results that reinforce saving lives and operational continuity initiatives. Don’t miss the upcoming Virtual Antelope User Group Meeting hosted by Kinemetrics and Boulder Real Time Technologies (BRTT) on January 18th and 19th! View the speakers and register to attend here.

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News of the Institute   january-1-2023

Happy New Year From EERI!

Happy New Year from EERI! Our team wishes you all a happy, safe, and successful 2023. We're looking forward to continuing to work together to deepen our understanding of earthquake risk and increase earthquake resilience in communities worldwide throughout the coming year.

In 2023, we'll also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of EERI's flagship program Learning From Earthquakes (LFE), which was formally established under that name in 1973. Stay tuned for more in the weeks and months to come as we share highlights from LFE's history and news about our plans for the program's future—including new ways for members to get involved. We're excited to see you at the Annual Meeting this spring in San Francisco, where we'll mark this milestone year with a special program focused on earthquake reconnaissance.

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Learning From Earthquakes   january-1-2023

EERI Response to M6.4 Earthquake Near Ferndale, CA

At 2:34 AM on December 20, 2022, a M6.4 earthquake struck offshore near Ferndale, California, causing damage to lifelines and structures in Humboldt County. The EERI community extends its sympathy to those affected as the recovery work continues.

Earthquake damage in Fortuna, CA (photo courtesy of InfraTerra)

As part of the Learning from Earthquakes program, EERI has been helping coordinate and share information about post-earthquake reconnaissance. EERI established a virtual clearinghouse website here for sharing reconnaissance data and observation.

Resources added to the virtual clearinghouse currently include:

• Hazus Analysis—a Hazus analysis report estimating the economic losses and anticipated number of damaged structures from the earthquake sequence.
• Event Interpretive Poster—an interpretative poster showing details of the earthquake created by Jay Patton, California Geological Survey.
• Strong Motion Data—links to ground motion data and station information from the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data (CESMD).

As one of the managing partners of the California Earthquake Clearinghouse, EERI hosted two Virtual Clearinghouse Briefing Calls in the week following the earthquake for those on site to share their observations and for those planning to conduct reconnaissance to ask questions and coordinate efforts. Roughly one hundred colleagues participated in each call, including EERI members present in the field. Notes from these briefings can be viewed in the Resources section of the virtual clearinghouse website.

At this time, EERI is not planning to send an LFE reconnaissance team into the field, but will continue to evaluate the need for a team as more information becomes available. More information will be shared as the response develops.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   january-1-2023

Bechtel

EERI is proud to welcome new Subscribing Member Bechtel in 2023!  Bechtel helps customers deliver projects of purpose that create a lasting positive legacy. These are projects that create jobs and grow economies; improve the resiliency of the world's infrastructure; connect communities to resources and opportunity; get us closer to net zero; protect U.S. and allied interests; tackle critical environmental challenges to protect people and the planet; and accelerate progress to make the world a cleaner, greener, safer place. While expertise enables delivery, partnerships ensure long-term success, which is why we align everything we do to our customers’ goals.

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Awards   december-15-2022

Lauren Vinnell et al Receive 2022 Outstanding Paper Award

EERI is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Paper Award for Earthquake Spectra is “Behavioral responses to earthquake shaking: Video footage analysis of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand,” (Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 1636-1660), by Lauren Vinnell, Piata Inch, David M. Johnston (M. EERI 2013), and Nick Horspool.

Outstanding Paper Awards are awarded to authors of Earthquake Spectra papers judged to be outstanding contributions to earthquake hazard mitigation. The award citation notes, “Vinnell et al.'s. use of CCTV shows how detailed analysis of actual behavior during earthquakes may inform the community to reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities through behavior modifications.”

Lauren Vinnell is a Lecturer of Emergency Management at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University, Aotearoa New Zealand. She completed her PhD degree in Psychology in 2020 specializing in applied social psychology, using experimental survey design and quantitative analysis. She is interested in applying psychological theories and concepts to understanding judgments and behavior around preparation for and response to natural hazards such as earthquakes. The multidisciplinary authorship team includes Piata Inch, a research officer at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research and law student at the University of Canterbury, David M. Johnston, Director and Professor of Emergency Management at the Joint Centre of Disaster Research, and Nick Horspool, a risk specialist at GNS Science with expertise in geology and seismology.

For more information about Vinnell and the Earthquake Spectra Outstanding Paper Award, view the news post on the EERI website here.

Ioanna Kavvada et al Receive 2022 Graduate Student Paper Prize

EERI is pleased to announce that the 2022 Graduate Student Paper Prize is awarded to “Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis for Spatially Distributed Infrastructure Considering the Correlation of Spectral Acceleration Across Spectral Periods,” (Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 1148-1175) by Ioanna Kavvada (M.EERI 2021), Scott Moura, Arpad Horvath, and Norman Abrahamson. The award citation notes, “The study presented in the paper strongly aligns with EERI’s mission, and has a strong potential to improve regional-scale seismic hazard and risk assessment using efficient probabilistic simulations…this paper will have a wide appeal among the readership of Earthquake Spectra due to its significance, timeliness, excellent writing and organization, and exceptional data visualization.” Ioanna Kavvada graduated with a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 2022. Her interdisciplinary research focused on the optimal allocation of resources to mitigate earthquake risk in building portfolios. 

An honorable mention was awarded to “An Agent-based Financing Model for Post-Earthquake Housing Recovery: Quantifying Recovery Inequalities Across Income Groups,” (Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 1254-1282) by Irene Alisjahbana (M.EERI 2020), Ana Moura-Cook, Rodridgo Costa (M.EERI 2018), and Anne Kiremidjian (M.EERI 1976).

For more information about Kavvada and the Graduate Student Paper Prize, view the News post on the EERI website here.

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Spectra   december-15-2022

A Note from David Wald, Outgoing Spectra Editor-in-Chief

After four years as Earthquake Spectra Editor-in-Chief, it is an honor (and a relief) to hand over the reins to the capable Jack Baker (M. EERI 2004) of Stanford University. Over that time, I’ve handled well over a thousand papers. From that experience, I can report that the peer-review process is alive and well. Spectra enjoys high-quality submissions, expert Associate Editors, and a generous supply of great reviewers. The results are clear: excellent papers (each of which is still improved in the editorial process) and a high journal Impact Factor (now up to 4.33). I am especially pleased to handle so many inspiring papers authored by students, and I took pride in highlighting them in the Online First and Editor’s Choice selections and with cover figures.
 
Could some of the process go more quickly? Of course, but so many of you put in such an impressive, voluntary effort to make it come together that it’s hard to complain!
 
As always, it does take a village. I would like to thank the 30 Associate Editors, Ombudsperson Farzad Naeim (1983), Past Editor Jon Stewart (M.EERI 1994), and Elizabeth Angell and Ethan Wartick at EERI. Managing Editor Hunter Hayes at J&J Publishing has been especially nice to work with. EERI Executive Director Heidi Tremayne deserves a special shoutout for keeping us all working in harmony.
 
With Jack’s help, we have been able to convince the highly qualified Helen Crowley (M. EERI 2008) of EU Center in Pavia, Italy, to join the Spectra Editorial Board as the new Editor, taking over from Jack. Next month, Jack will also announce several new Associate Editors and thank those who are moving on. I also look forward to keeping a hand in as Past Editor in the coming years.
 
Earthquake Spectra is in great hands!

David J. Wald
Editor-in-Chief, Earthquake Spectra

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   december-15-2022

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. is a global interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists specializing in the investigation, analysis, testing, and design of repairs for historic and contemporary buildings and structures.

Fugro

Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it. Through integrated data acquisition, analysis and advice, Fugro unlocks insights from Geo-data to help our clients design, build and operate their assets in a safe, sustainable and efficient manner.

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Awards   december-1-2022

Jack Baker Selected as 2023 Joyner Lecturer

EERI and the Seismological Society of America (SSA) are pleased to announce that Jack Baker (M.EERI 2004), professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Urban Resilience Initiative, is the 2023 recipient of the William B. Joyner Lecture Award. Baker will deliver the Joyner Lecture at the EERI Annual Meeting in San Francisco on April 12, 2023, and the 2023 SSA Annual Meeting to be held April 17-20, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The lectureship is jointly awarded by EERI and SSA to those who have provided outstanding earth science contributions to the theory and practice of earthquake engineering or outstanding earthquake engineering contributions to the direction and focus of earth science research—together with demonstrated skills of communication at the interface of earthquake science and earthquake engineering. The lecture honors the distinguished career of William B. Joyner at the U.S. Geological Survey and his abiding commitment to continuing communication and education at the interface between research findings of earthquake science and the practical realities of earthquake engineering.

Baker’s research is at the forefront of the interface between earthquake seismology and earthquake engineering, focusing on the use of probabilistic and statistical tools for modeling of extreme loads on structures. At Stanford, he has worked on projects involving risk to spatially distributed systems, earthquake ground motion characterization, and predictions of soil failure from earthquakes. Baker has served as an Associate Editor for both SSA’s Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America and EERI’s Earthquake Spectra. He has been Editor of Earthquake Spectra since 2018, and will become Editor-in-Chief in January 2023. He is a recipient of both the Shah Family Innovation Prize and the Earthquake Spectra Outstanding Paper Award.

Baker’s Joyner lecture will focus on spatial correlations in ground shaking, exploring the measurement of correlations from seismological data, and the impacts of these correlations on risk to distributed infrastructure systems. For more information about the Baker and the Joyner Lecture Award, visit the News post on the EERI website here or the announcement at the SSA website here.

Judith Mitrani-Reiser Selected as 2023 Distinguished Lecturer

EERI is pleased to announce that Judith Mitrani-Reiser (M.EERI 2001) has been selected as the 2023 Distinguished Lecturer in recognition of her exemplary work on and support for investigations of building and infrastructure failures, disaster recovery and community resilience, and multi-hazard mitigation, and contributions that lead to statutory and technical standards changes for a safer world against earthquakes and other extreme events. EERI’s annual Distinguished Lecture Award is awarded to members of the Institute to recognize and encourage communication of outstanding professional contributions of major importance for earthquake hazard mitigation. Mitrani-Reiser will deliver her Distinguished Lecture at the 2023 Annual Meeting in San Francisco on April 12, 2023.

Mitrani-Reiser has dedicated her career to reduction of losses from disasters and failures in our built environment. As a Senior Research Scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), she provides leadership for programs including the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction program. She currently leads the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) investigation for the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Florida, and remains active in the Hurricane Maria NCST investigation. She was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni at UC Berkeley in 2021 and has received several NIST awards for her mentorship, dedication to a safe working environment, and her advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

A dedicated EERI member, Mitrani-Reiser on the Board of Directors from 2018 to 2021 and as Vice-President in 2021. She participated in Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) reconnaissance missions in Chile and Christchurch, offering her holistic mindset. She was also instrumental in establishing the LFE Travel Study program and the Virtual Earthquake Reconnaissance Team (VERT).

For more information about Mitrani-Reiser and the Joyner Lecture Award, visit the News post on the EERI website here.

2022 Shah Family Innovation Prize Awarded to Gerard O'Reilly

EERI is pleased to announce that the 2022 recipient of the Shah Family Innovation Prize is Gerard J. O'Reilly (M.EERI 2022), in recognition of his significant and diverse research output and its impact on engineering practice, as well as his leadership in designing and coordinating international collaborations across the seismic world. The Shah Prize is awarded to early- to mid-career individuals who have emphasized creative and innovative thinking and demonstrated the potential to make major contributions to the field of earthquake risk mitigation and management. The prize recognizes a combination of past accomplishments and future potential.

Gerard J. O’Reilly is an Assistant Professor at the Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori (IUSS) in Pavia, Italy. His research focuses on seismic design and assessment of structures to incorporate innovative aspects of performance-based earthquake engineering. These include loss and risk targeting approaches in a general effort design towards the next generation of design codes, as well as the Sismabonus risk classification guidelines in Italy. He is the principal investigator of the ROSSINI project to develop a risk-based navigation system for industrial plant workers at risk of NaTech events. He also serves as the coordinator of the €11.6M EU-funded ERIES (Engineering Research Infrastructures for European Synergies) project, which provides transnational access to conduct experimental research and advance frontier knowledge related to seismic, wind and geotechnical hazards.

For more information about O'Reilly and the Shah Prize, visit the News post on the EERI website here.

Dustin Cook and Diane Moug Receive 2023 Younger Member Award

EERI is pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2022 Younger Member Award are Dustin Cook (M.EERI 2018) and Diane Moug (M.EERI 2014). The EERI Younger Member Award is awarded to recognize early-career members of the Institute who have made outstanding contributions to the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the pursuit of its objectives in the early stages of their career—especially contributions that have improved opportunities for and increased the impact of younger members within the Institute. 

Dustin Cook is a Research Structural Engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. As part of the Earthquake Engineering Group, he specializes in performance-based earthquake engineering, structural analysis, seismic design, risk quantification, and post-earthquake building recovery. He is passionate about improving community resilience through recovery-based design principles and empowering policy makers with quantitative tools for risk communication and decision making under uncertainty, and is currently collaborating with others to propose updated design guidelines and prescriptive requirements for functional recovery design objectives for new buildings in future editions of the building code. Cook serves as a Co-Chair of the EERI Younger Members Committee, as a member of the Learning From Earthquakes Business Resilience Subcommittee, and as a secretary for the World Housing Encyclopedia. He is awarded in recognition of his leadership of the Younger Members Committee, his contributions and improvements to the World Housing Encyclopedia, and his research excellence within the field of performance-based earthquake engineering.

Diane Moug is an Assistant Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at Portland State University. Her research aims to reduce geotechnical earthquake hazards through improved hazard characterization in poorly-understood soils and innovative mitigation. She is particularly focused on the earthquake hazards of the Pacific Northwest’s fine-grained silty soils and at the Critical Energy Infrastructure hub in Portland, Oregon. She also investigates liquefaction mitigation through microbially induced desaturation. She teaches courses on introductory and advanced soil mechanics, computational geomechanics, and geotechnical site investigation. Moug currently serves as Co-Chair of the EERI Younger Members Committee. She is also a past Co-President and Treasurer of the Student Leadership Committee. She is awarded in recognition of her longstanding commitment to and leadership of the Student Leadership Council and Younger Members Committee, her advocacy for emerging professionals, and her technical leadership in earthquake engineering.

For more information about the recipients and the Younger Member Award, visit the News post on the EERI website here.

 

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Spectra   december-1-2022

Welcoming Jack Baker as Editor-in-Chief and Helen Crowley as Editor

EERI is delighted to announce the Board of Directors has appointed Jack Baker (M.EERI 2004) Editor-in-Chief and Helen Crowley (M.EERI 2008) Editor of Earthquake Spectra. They will take up their new positions in January 2023.

“EERI thanks David Wald for his four years of outstanding service as Editor-in-Chief,” said Executive Director Heidi Tremayne. “Under his leadership, Spectra’s 2021 Impact Factor rose to 4.330, and he navigated a complex and very successful transition from our prior self-published model to our current publisher SAGE. Congratulations to Jack and Helen—we look forward to seeing the journal continuing to grow and thrive with the new editorial team!”

Baker has been Editor of Spectra since 2018, and previously served as an Associate Editor for both Spectra and the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. He is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs at Stanford University. His research is at the forefront of the interface of earthquake seismology and earthquake engineering, and he also has industry experience in seismic hazard assessment, construction management, and modeling of catastrophic losses for insurance companies. Baker is the 2011 recipient of the Spectra Outstanding Paper Award and was awarded the Shah Family Innovation Prize in 2010. He was recently named the recipient of the 2023 William B. Joyner Lecture Award.

Crowley, an Associate Editor of Spectra from 2012-18, is an independent seismic risk consultant. She currently works with the European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE) on a number of projects related to seismic risk and loss modeling, and she recently coordinated the development of the first openly available European seismic risk model. She worked as a seismic risk researcher at EUCENTRE and later coordinated seismic risk activities at the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation. She also served as Deputy Secretary General of the GEM Foundation from 2012 to 2014. She is a recipient of the 2012 Shah Family Innovation Prize and the 2009 European Geosciences Union Plinius Medal.

Read more about Baker and Crowley in the News post on the EERI website here. And stay tuned for a message from David Wald and more announcements about the Spectra leadership transition in the coming issues of Pulse!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   december-1-2022

Nabih Youssef & Associates

Nabih Youssef & Associates provides specialized structural and earthquake engineering consulting. NYA has engineered high-rise buildings, medical centers, educational & athletic facilities, and has conducted seismic evaluations, historical preservations and strengthening of major landmark structures. It has offices in offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Irvine and South Carolina.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP is one of the largest and most influential architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world. SOM is responsible for some of the world’s most technically and environmentally advanced buildings, and significant public spaces. 

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News of the Institute   november-15-2022

September 2022 Board Meeting Highlights

EERI’s Board of Directors met virtually on September 23, 2022. The meeting was chaired by President David Cocke.

A large portion of this meeting was spent reviewing financial items for the Institute. The Board reviewed and approved EERI’s financial statements, investment fund reports, and EERI’s 2021 IRS Form 990. A representative from EERI’s investment management company joined the meeting to provide a financial market analysis and answer questions about EERI’s investment policies, which were approved by the Board along with spend guidelines for each investment account. The Board also discussed EERI’s preliminary 2023 budget, using this information and feedback from 12NCEE as a basis to approve a plan for holding an in-person 2023 Annual Meeting rather than a virtual option. Staff was authorized to begin a venue search in the San Francisco Bay Area for a meeting in March or April 2023 with a focus on the 50th Anniversary of EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes Program. The date and location of the 2023 Annual Meeting will be announced in early December.

The 2023 recipients of EERI's awards and honors were approved by the Board of Directors based on recommendations by EERI’s Honors Committee, the Shah Family Innovation Prize Selection Committee, the Student Awards Committee, the Joint Bruce Bolt Selection Committee, and the Joyner Lecture Selection Committee. Staff was authorized to begin the award notification process and plan for announcement of these winners to the full membership in late 2022.

The Board of Directors approved the 2023 membership dues rates after consideration of a membership report prepared by staff. They discussed appointments for several leadership positions discussed recent progress on the goals in EERI’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. They also approved the formation of a new EERI Student Chapter at Polytechnique Montréal in Canada.

2023 Housner Medal Awarded to T. Leslie Youd

T. Leslie Youd (M.EERI 1974) is the recipient of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute’s 2023 George W. Housner Medal, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to the field of earthquake engineering. The Housner Medal is awarded to recognize members of the Institute and others who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to public earthquake safety through the development and application of earthquake hazard reduction practices and policies. It is the Institute’s most prestigious award.

In his fifty-year career, Youd has made fundamental contributions to geotechnical earthquake engineering. His pioneering work on soil liquefaction and associated lateral spreading began in 1972 and remains fundamental to understanding of volumetrically-induced compaction of dry sands from seismic loading. From 1967 to 1984, he was a Research Civil Engineer with the United States Geological Survey, where he instrumented the Wildlife Site, the first field site to record ground motions and pore water pressures as liquefaction and lateral spread occurred. In 1984, he joined the faculty at Brigham Young University, where he and his students developed the MLR procedure for predicting lateral spread displacement. Youd conducted post-earthquake investigations following 20 major earthquakes on 5 continents and led EERI reconnaissance teams and edited reports following the 1993 Hokkaido, Japan and 1999 Kocaeli, Turkey earthquakes. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an honorary member of EERI and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the recipient of the 2002 H. Bolton Seed ASCE Medal. He previously served on the EERI Board of Directors and as chair of the Learning From Earthquakes and Honors Committees.

For more information about Professor Youd and the Housner Medal, view the news post on the EERI website here. 

2023 Alquist Medal Awarded to James O. Malley

The 2023 Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal has been awarded to James O. Malley (M.EERI 1990) in recognition of his long and distinguished career as a structural engineer connecting research and practice on the seismic design and retrofitting of steel building structures. The Alquist Medal is presented to an individual, company, or organization that has made substantial contributions to the field of seismic safety and earthquake risk reduction, having directly affected the seismic safety of the general population.

James O. Malley, S.E., is a Senior Principal and COO with Degenkolb Engineers. Malley has 40 years of experience in the seismic design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of building structures, and is involved in the peer review of numerous innovative tall building projects. He has devoted himself to connecting research and practice on seismic design of steel building structures. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, he served as Project Director for Topical Investigations in the FEMA-funded SAC Joint Venture to upgrade the seismic design and construction of steel frame structures. A long-standing member of EERI, he served on the EERI Board of Directors from 2014–2016 and was co-chair of Organizing Committee for the 11th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Los Angeles in 2018. Malley was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2021 for his contributions to the advancement of seismic design.

For more information about James Malley and the Alquist Medal, view the news post on the EERI website here.

Ian G. Buckle and Gregory L. Deierlein Named 2023 EERI Honorary Members

EERI has named Ian G. Buckle (M. EERI 1989) and Gregory L. Deierlein (M. EERI 1989) as the 2023 Honorary Members. Honorary membership is awarded to recognize EERI members who have made sustained and outstanding contributions to the field of earthquake engineering and/or to the Institute and the pursuit of its objectives.

Ian G. Buckle, who served as President of EERI from 2013 to 2014, is awarded in recognition of his lasting contributions to research on seismic and tsunami performance of bridge structures and his leadership of efforts to promote earthquake engineering research and its dissemination. Buckle is currently the Foundation Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Buckle has developed and applied innovative experimental techniques to reproduce the seismic response of large structural systems in the laboratory. He led the development of a shaking table test technique in which multiple shaking tables are synchronized to reproduce the spatial variation of ground shaking, which is known to significantly affect the seismic response of long structures such as long-span bridges. He has conducted post-earthquake reconnaissance in many countries, including Japan, Taiwan, and the United States, and serves as an expert advisor to Caltrans. Buckle was the Inaugurating President of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) from 2004-2008. For more information about Ian Buckle and his award, visit the news post on the EERI website here.

Gregory L. Deierlein (M. EERI 1989) is awarded in recognition of his research on improving the design of constructed facilities through the development and application of nonlinear structural analysis methods and performance-based design criteria. Deierlein is a Professor and Director of the Blume Earthquake Engineering Center at Stanford University. Deierlein specializes in the seismic design and behavior of structures, computational simulation of buildings and civil infrastructure, and performance-based engineering. He has led major collaborative research projects, involving teams from the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan, to develop and test innovative composite steel-concrete frame systems, self-centering braced frame systems, and light-frame residential construction. Deierlein received the EERI Distinguished Lecture Award in 2016 and presented his lecture, From Performance-Based Engineering to Earthquake Resilience, at the 68th Annual Meeting. He served on the EERI Board of Directors from 2016- 2020, and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2013. For more information about Gregory Deierlein and his award, visit the news post on the EERI website here.

Buckle and Deierlein will be presented with the Honorary Memberships at the 2023 EERI Annual Meeting in California next spring.

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Spectra   november-15-2022

Don't Miss the November Issue of Spectra!

Volume 38 Issue 4 (November 2022) of Earthquake Spectra is out! The Editor’s Choice paper is “Site response of sedimentary basins and other geomorphic provinces in southern California,” by Chukwuebuka C Nweke, Jonathan P Stewart, Pengfei Wang, and Scott J Brandenberg.

Editor-in-Chief David Wald comments, “Nweke et al. developed a site amplification model for Los Angeles and the surrounding region that considers the response of the main geomorphic domains therein, specifically, basins, valleys, and mountains. These geomorphic province classifications each contain a significant number of ground motion recordings allowing the authors to investigate regional site response in terms of VS30-scaling and differential depth scaling for the main sedimentary valley and basins in southern California.”
 
View the rest of the issue at the Earthquake Spectra website here. Make sure you are logged into your EERI member account on the EERI website for full access!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   november-15-2022

Gilsanz Murray Steficek

Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP provides structural engineering and building envelope consulting for construction and restoration projects. These projects include tall office and residential towers, theaters, housing, educational buildings, sports facilities, sculptures, landmarks, and special structures. Founded in 1991, GMS is headquartered in New York City, with offices in New Jersey and Los Angeles, California.

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News of the Institute   november-1-2022

Leadership Communique: Learning From Earthquakes

With 2022 coming to a close, I’m getting excited about the year ahead—2023 will be the 50th Anniversary of EERI’s Learning From Earthquakes Program (LFE)! As we ramp up planning for this milestone, I want to provide an update on some of LFE’s activities over the last year and how they are laying the groundwork for the future.

Recent Earthquake Response

Two recent earthquakes, a M7.6 in Mexico on September 19, 2022 and a M6.9 in Taiwan on September 18, 2022, have had many LFE volunteers busy! In collaboration with local partners and other US reconnaissance groups, EERI LFE activated the Virtual Earthquake Reconnaissance Team (VERT) to produce two quick in-depth reports about the initial earthquake impacts to both regions. More than 60 authors contributed findings and insights to the resulting reports. Findings from these earthquakes will be featured in webinars in December and January that will provide opportunities to hear directly from those who conducted reconnaissance—stay tuned for announcements.

The 109-page Mexico earthquake report (PDF) describes impacts of this significant earthquake, including several partial and full collapses of non-engineered structures, especially unreinforced masonry construction in the states of Michoacán and Colima. Thanks to our VERT volunteers, including many Mexican colleagues, more impacts were uncovered than immediately apparent from the news coverage of this event. EERI thanks report leader Eduardo Miranda (M.EERI 1987), VERT volunteers, and numerous colleagues from Sociedad Mexicana de Ingeniería Sísmica (SMIS) for their contributions and insights. This cooperation demonstrated the advantages of the recently signed collaborative agreement between EERI and SMIS.

The 101-page Taiwan earthquake report (PDF) also depended on strong collaboration with a local partner—in this case, the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taiwan. Together with NCREE partners, EERI LFE volunteers led by Erica Fischer (M.EERI 2010) compiled observations from the impacted region, including geotechnical failures and damage to infrastructure—mainly bridges, railroads, and highways—and damage to older non-ductile structures and non-structural components.

If you find these reports interesting and valuable, and want to add your expertise to future reports, now is a great time to join VERT! VERT is open to all EERI members and offers a great opportunity to grow your own knowledge and to participate in rapid data collection and analysis following major earthquakes worldwide.

Strategic Updates

Of course, LFE is about more than just immediate response. We are always engaged in planning and collaboration work to ensure EERI is ready to respond effectively to future earthquakes and enhance our learning from them throughout the recovery process. To support this preparation, EERI’s Board of Directors made “LFE Alignment & Adjustment: Adapt our vision for EERI’s LFE, aligning and adjusting activities to reflect the changing reconnaissance landscape and the needs of our diverse membership” a critical goal in their 2021-2025 strategic plan (PDF). In pursuit of this goal, we started with a member survey and a workshop at the 12NCEE to explore needs and opportunities for the program so LFE can continue to best serve our members and the broader community. We’ve used insights from this information to inform two efforts currently underway.

First, EERI is working to formalize new collaboration agreements with many peer organizations in the US and abroad. Several of these organizations participated in our recent workshop at the 12NCEE, and the resulting report will help us identify more formal opportunities to align our activities with these partners in 2023.

Second, EERI is implementing a new Program Alignment Plan designed to enhance connections between EERI’s many programs, projects, and initiatives so that the impact of EERI activities is maximized and that there are more opportunities for members to contribute to LFE. For example, while maintaining robust LFE reconnaissance and dissemination activities, the plan calls for strengthening EERI’s advocacy efforts after significant earthquakes leveraging our strong Public Policy & Advocacy Committee and regional chapters.

A key concept of the plan is to define a set of short- and long-term earthquake response activities for a major earthquake that capture lessons learned and respond to EERI member needs. As part of the plan, topic-focused LFE Reconnaissance Advisory Committees are being established to advise on EERI’s reconnaissance response to major earthquakes. These committees will develop a reconnaissance agenda and priorities for their topic with both immediate focus as well as continued focus into the recovery phase. LFE subcommittees on Business Resilience and Public Health are already established and subcommittees on schools and housing are being formed. If you are interested in joining one of these groups, please reach out to EERI staff lead Maggie Ortiz-Millan at maggie@eeri.org to be connected with these groups.

LFE Endowment

To ensure the sustainability of LFE’s work, EERI continues to make progress towards our $4M LFE Endowment goal. Thanks to the generous bequest from Clarence Allen and a successful matching campaign at 12NCEE, EERI is more than 65% towards this goal! We continue to be so grateful to the over 250 donors to the LFE endowment Fund. Their generosity ensures that EERI has the resources to support the exciting LFE initiatives. If you’d like to contribute to the LFE Endowment fund, you can make a contribution while renewing your EERI membership.

I continue to be amazed by the dedication of EERI member volunteers who work passionately to contribute to LFE activities. I look forward to seeing these activities grow and flourish in LFE’s 50th year and look forward to sharing more details soon about events being planned to celebrate this major milestone!

Heidi Tremayne
Executive Director

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12NCEE   november-1-2022

12NCEE Proceedings and Photo Gallery Now Available

Proceedings from the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering are now available via the conference website and the EERI Digital Library!

All available papers and conference materials supplied to 12NCEE are included. You can scroll through sessions or keyword search the proceedings on this page at the 12NCEE website. The “view paper” links will take you to the EERI Digital Library, where EERI Members can log in to download materials. If you are not a member, you can still download 12NCEE content by entering your name and email address into the pop-up form. Papers will download as PDF files or as ZIP files if other presentation materials are included.

A photo gallery featuring photos from plenaries, technical and special sessions, receptions, the 2022 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition, and other events at 12NCEE is also now available on the conference website here.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   november-1-2022

Lettis Consultants International, Inc.

Lettis Consultants International, Inc. (LCI) is the world’s largest geohazards-focused earth science consultancy. LCI geologists, seismologists, and engineers have comprehensive worldwide experience providing earthquake hazard analyses, engineering geology and geotechnical services, water resources expertise, and licensing and regulatory strategy and compliance.

Kleinfelder

Kleinfelder is a multinational engineering, construction management, design and environmental professional services firm. Its staff includes engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure.

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Announcements   november-1-2022

New Book from EERI Member: The Blessings of Disaster

A new book by Michel Bruneau (M.EERI 1984), The Blessings of Disaster: The Lessons That Catastrophes Teach Us and Why Our Future Depends on It, will be published by Prometheus/Rowman & Littlefield on November 8th. Bruneau is a SUNY Distinguished Professor at the University at Buffalo, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineers, a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and Emeritus Director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER). He is the lead-author of Ductile Design of Steel Structures and Reconstructing Christchurch: A Seismic Shift in Building Structural Systems.

In an entertaining and often counter-intuitive way, The Blessings of Disaster draws on Bruneau’s decades-long career in earthquake engineering to examine how societies confront natural and technological hazards, ranging from earthquakes, hurricanes, terror attacks, and pandemics, and how this could predict how we will deal with climate change, nuclear catastrophes, and other existential threats. Bruneau marries technical explanations for a generalist audience with perspectives from history and social science, exploring the lessons learned from past disasters and presenting arguments for how we can best mitigate current and future risks—as well as scenarios for what is likely to happen when we fail. The book includes detailed discussions of the 1989 Loma Prieta, 1994 Kobe, and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, as well as examples of many other disasters. It is available now for pre-order and purchase from every major online and brick-and-mortar book retailers. More information is also provided on the author's website here.

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In Memoriam   november-1-2022

George G. Mader, 1929-2022

George G. Mader (M.EERI 1978) passed away on July 28, 2022; it was his 93rd birthday. In his remarkable six-decades long career, George was widely recognized for his extensive work in integrating geologic hazards information with land-use planning. He pioneered the development of slope-density zoning and the transfer of development credits, both of which have been used widely in geologically hazardous and environmentally sensitive communities across California and beyond. For his leadership in this area, George was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2003 and received Distinguished Leadership Awards from the Northern Section and California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) in 2010.

George was an investigator and advisor following major international earthquakes, including China (1976), Italy (1980), Algeria (1982), Mexico City (1985), and Turkey (1999), as well as the San Fernando (1971), Whittier (1985), Loma Prieta (1989), and Northridge (1994) earthquakes in California. He worked with planners in the replanning of Ech Cheliff following the 1980 Algerian earthquake and with the United Nations on seismic hazard reduction across the Mediterranean region. He was part of the first, comprehensive earthquake risk management study for Quito, Ecuador and helped develop earthquake hazard reduction planning mechanisms for cities in Turkey. For his contributions to the field of earthquake risk reduction, George was awarded the Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute in 2013 and, in 2011, he was invited to have his Oral History recorded—one of EERI’s highest honors. Connections: The EERI Oral History Series, Vol. 22: George G. Mader (2014) can be downloaded from the EERI Digital Library here.

To read the full obituary, visit the News post on the EERI website here.

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News of the Institute   october-15-2022

Applications for the EERI Board of Directors Due Tomorrow

This is your last chance to submit a Board of Director application for the two Appointed Director positions! Applications will be reviewed by the 2022 Nominating Committee before being passed on to the EERI Board of Directors. The EERI Board will make the final selection and appointment of the two Appointed Directors at their next meeting in December 2022. Each Appointed Director will begin their terms in 2023.

To apply to be on the Board:

1. Click here to learn more about the application process.
2. Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document (PDF).
3. Submit the application form here.

Applications are due November 2, 2022 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications must include a written statement (about 750 words total) and a CV or résumé. Read the announcement here for details on what should be included in the written statement.

Questions about the application process should be sent to silvana@eeri.org.

EERI Controller Sonya Hollenbeck Retires

Sonya Hollenbeck is retiring as EERI’s Controller after over three decades of dedicated service to the Institute.

"Sonya has been an anchor for the EERI staff in her three decades of exemplary loyal service,” said EERI Executive Director Heidi Tremayne. “While often rarely visible to the full membership, her dedication and commitment to the Institute's success has been immeasurable. She is highly responsive to the needs of members, like how she thoughtfully expedites all student reimbursements to avoid any financial burden or how she knows every Board member’s food preferences and carefully designs all meals to accommodate them. She thoughtfully cares for the staff in ways both big and small, especially by seeking out customized treats for every birthday celebration. Of course, she is also meticulous and thorough in her approach to our financial management. Sonya will be greatly missed."

Sonya first came on board as EERI’s financial manager in 1990. She was hired by Susan Tubbesing, EERI’s Executive Director at the time, on the recommendation of a former bookkeeper. “Hiring Sonya was the best management decision I ever made,” Tubbesing says. “Sonya is one of the quickest learners I've ever worked with. She's smart, she's funny and she's always been totally devoted to EERI and EERI Members. I wish her a long and very happy retirement.”

Sonya’s diligent management of EERI’s finances over the years has played a crucial role in making EERI’s work possible—from conferences and meetings to post-earthquake reconnaissance missions and travel studies, as well as the activities of committees and chapters. In addition to seeing EERI through several major earthquake responses, such as Northridge in 1994 and Nisqually in 2001, she has played an invaluable role in handling budgets, grant reporting, and annual audits, skilfully supporting both the Board’s governance of EERI and the day-to-day work of staff and volunteers. Read more about Sonya’s contributions in this Pulse article celebrating her 25th anniversary with EERI.

In recent years, Sonya has helped EERI weather the COVID-19 pandemic, welcoming and helping onboard several new staff despite the challenges of remote work, and played a critical role in ensuring the success of the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering. She is also an LFE Endowment Founding Benefactor—one of the first to donate.

“I am forever grateful to have been a part of EERI,” Sonya says. “I’ve learned a lot at this organization, which spurred me to do my best not only professionally but personally. There have been so many generous members who I’ve come to admire for their commitment to EERI and for the impact they’ve made in bettering the world. A special thanks to Susan Tubbesing and Chris Poland who took a chance in hiring a girl from Hawaii over 30 years ago. EERI has given me a great life. I wish EERI and its members all the best and continued success. It has been an honor for me to be associated with EERI, and I look forward to seeing all the exciting things the institute has planned for the future.”

Sonya’s last day at EERI will be October 27. We will miss her and look forward to hearing about the adventures she enjoys in her well-deserved retirement!

Photo: Sonya and her dog Pie.

Remember to Apply for the EERI Board of Directors!

EERI is now accepting Board of Director applications for two Appointed Director positions to serve on the EERI Board of Directors beginning in 2023. Applications will be reviewed by the 2022 Nominating Committee. The committee will select two individuals, one to serve a 2 year term as an Appointed Director and the other to serve a 4 year term as an Appointed Director. Because this selection is for appointed directors, there will be no EERI Election this year. Instead, the EERI Board of Directors will make the final selection and appointment of the two Appointed Directors at their next meeting in December 2022. Each Appointed Director will begin their terms at the first board meeting of 2023, typically in March.

In addition, the Nominating Committee is encouraging applicants who have one or more of the following attributes:

• Have passion for and expertise in the Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) program.
• Are active in local or national professional societies with an emphasis on membership activism and recruitment.
• Enhance the racial/ethnic diversity of the Board, especially candidates who are Latina/o/x.
• Represent the following regions: Central/Eastern US, Intermountain West (UT, CO), or the Pacific Northwest.
• Represent the following disciplines: lifelines, geotechnical engineering, public health, public policy, economics, or social science.
• Are employed in Federal/State/Regional/Local government, or in engineering practice.

To apply to be on the Board:

1. Click here to learn more about the application process.
2. Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document.
3. Submit the application form.

Applications are due November 2, 2022 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications must include a written statement (about 750 words total) and a CV or résumé. Click here for details on what should be included in the written statement.

Questions about the application process should be sent to silvana@eeri.org.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   october-15-2022

Rutherford + Chekene

Established in 1960, Rutherford + Chekene provides new design, advanced structural analysis, seismic evaluations and retrofits, peer review and plan review, and full geotechnical services. R+C provides services in multiple sectors, including healthcare, higher education, corporate, research and development, art and education, and technology.

Wood

Wood is a global leader in the delivery of project management, engineering, consulting and technical services to energy and built environment customers. Wood operates in more than 60 countries, employing around 55,000 people, with revenues of around $10 billion. 

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News of the Institute   october-1-2022

Apply to Serve on the EERI Board of Directors

EERI is now accepting Board of Director applications for two Appointed Director positions to serve on the EERI Board of Directors beginning in 2023. Applications will be reviewed by the 2022 Nominating Committee. The committee will select two individuals, one to serve a 2 year term as an Appointed Director and the other to serve a 4 year term as an Appointed Director. Because this selection is for appointed directors, there will be no EERI Election this year. Instead, the EERI Board of Directors will make the final selection and appointment of the two Appointed Directors at their next meeting in December 2022. Each Appointed Director will begin their terms at the first board meeting of 2023, typically in March.

In addition, the Nominating Committee is encouraging applicants who have one or more of the following attributes:

• Have passion for and expertise in the Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) program.
• Are active in local or national professional societies with an emphasis on membership activism and recruitment.
• Enhance the racial/ethnic diversity of the Board, especially candidates who are Latina/o/x.
• Represent the following regions: Central/Eastern US, Intermountain West (UT, CO), or the Pacific Northwest.
• Represent the following disciplines: lifelines, geotechnical engineering, public health, public policy, economics, or social science.
• Are employed in Federal/State/Regional/Local government, or in engineering practice.

To apply to be on the Board:

1. Click here to learn more about the application process.
2. Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document.
3. Submit the application form.

Applications are due November 2, 2022 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications must include a written statement (about 750 words total) and a CV or résumé. Click here for details on what should be included in the written statement.

Questions about the application process should be sent to silvana@eeri.org.

Housner Fellows Hold Leadership Training Retreat

After COVID-19 delays for several years, the 2020 Class of Housner Fellows was able to conduct their in-person Leadership Training Retreat in August 2022, a critical program component used to kick off their two-year fellowship period. Following an initial meeting of the group at 12NCEE in June, the retreat was held from August 3-7 in Daly City, California. The retreat was hosted by the Housner Fellows Trainer Lucy Arendt (M.EERI 2008). During the retreat, the fellows met with Executive Director Heidi Tremayne to consider topics for their group project that could amplify EERI’s work. The remainder of the training consisted of group and one-on-one sessions with Arendt. The sessions were designed to grow the fellows’ leadership skills and plan for the work ahead. The retreat also allowed many of the fellows to meet in-person for the first time, and allowed them to work together collaboratively, especially in selecting their project focus area. 

To learn more about the Housner Fellows program, visit the EERI website here. This is the fourth class of Housner Fellows, and includes:

• Nuraini Rahma Hanifa (M.EERI 2019), National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
• Chiara McKenney (M.EERI 2011), Applied Technology Council, California
• Tadesse Meskele (M.EERI 2014), GRI, Oregon
• Maria Mohammed (M.EERI 2013), Structural Focus, California
• Siamak Sattar (M.EERI 2011), National Institute of Science and Technology, Maryland

Photo courtesy of Maria Mohammed.

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Students   october-1-2022

2022 Student Leadership Council Retreat

The EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC) met in Oakland, California from September 15-17 for their annual retreat, where they elected new officers and started planning next year's Seismic Design Competition (SDC). SLC outgoing co-presidents Ahmad Hassan (M.EERI 2019, University of California, Davis) and Khalid Saifullah (M.EERI 2018, University of Nebraska, Lincoln), led the meetings at EERI’s Oakland offices. 16 student members attended the retreat, meeting with EERI staff, evaluating the SLC’s activities over the past year, including the successful return to an in-person SDC at 12NCEE, and planning ahead for 2023.

The SLC thanks Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI), an EERI Visionary Subscribing Member, for its generous support of the annual SLC retreat and year-round activities. CSI held a fabulous reception for the SLC members in Walnut Creek, hosted by CSI President and CEO Ashraf Habibullah (M. EERI 1999).

The SLC elected the following officers for the 2022-2023 academic year:

• Co-Presidents: Kayla Sorenson (M.EERI 2021, Portland State University) and Charlie Zhang, (M.EERI 2016, UC San Diego).
• Secretary: Camila Lopez Ruiz (M.EERI 2018, UC Berkeley).
• Treasurer: Kate Rhoades (M.EERI 2019, University of Colorado, Boulder).
• SDC Chairs: Alaaeldin Soliman (M.EERI 2019, Oklahoma State University), Lead; Michael Morano (M.EERI 2015, UC San Diego); Aditya Jhunjhunwala (M.EERI 2022, UC Davis); Tricia Oleson (M.EERI 2022, Portland State University); Mohsen Akhani (M.EERI 2021, University of Memphis); Ahmed Gamal (M.EERI 2017, Polytechnic University of Milan); and Jessi Thangjitham (M.EERI 2018, North Carolina State University).
• PERW Chair: Gustavo Araujo (M.EERI 2020, Oregon State University).
• SESI Chairs: Pratiksha Dhakal (M.EERI 2022, Virginia Tech) and Nancy Ingabire Abayo (M.EERI 2019, North Carolina State University).
• Outreach Chairs: Alanna Joachim (M.EERI 2020, Stanford University) and Mostafa Mohammed (M.EERI 2021, Helwan University).
• Webmasters: Casey Rodgers (M.EERI 2017, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) and Abdurahman Abdulhadi (M.EERI 2019, University of Memphis).

Photos courtesy of CSI and the SLC.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   october-1-2022

Structural Focus

Structural Focus is a structural engineering consulting company specializing in the design of complex and innovative buildings. Since its founding in 2001, the firm has designed several million square feet of new structures and rehabilitated hundreds of existing buildings, including numerous historic projects, dozens of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Forell/Elsesser

Forell/Elsesser Engineers Inc. is an award-winning San Francisco-based structural and earthquake engineering firm. The firm brings substantial experience in the design of new and rehabilitated facilities of various types of construction, with expertise on all aspects of structural engineering and seismic design, including cost-effective and innovative design solutions.

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News of the Institute   september-15-2022

June 2022 Board Meeting Summary

EERI’s Board of Directors met on June 27, 2022 in Salt Lake City prior to the opening events of the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering. The meeting was chaired by President David Cocke.

The Board reviewed the 2021 annual reports from EERI committees, as well as those from EERI student and regional chapters. The Board also reviewed and approved various meeting minutes and notes, the recommendations of the selection committee for the EERI/NEHRP Graduate Fellowship, board-committee liaison assignments, and positions on several building code change proposals recommended by the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Board were once again able to enjoy their traditional in-person meeting with committee chairs and regional chapter officers who were attending the conference. During highly interactive and structured small group discussions, these EERI leaders jointly considered how to effectively align and leverage their work with each other and with LFE and its reconnaissance activities through a new Program Alignment Plan. The Board members invited chapter and committee leaders to share their needs and goals for the coming year, and discussed how to use their activities to attract new members to EERI. The Board extends their thanks to all EERI committee and chapter leaders who traveled early to attend.

The Board also met with the 12NCEE co-chairs to receive updates on planned 12NCEE activities and anticipated outcomes, and discuss plans for Board members’ participation in events throughout the conference.

The Board reviewed and approved audited financial statements for 2021. Additionally, the Board reviewed and approved the proposed collaboration agreement with the Sociedad Mexicana de Ingeniería Sísmica (SMIS), and discussed avenues for forming similar cooperation agreements with other international partner organizations.

The next board meeting is scheduled for September 2022.

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Member Spotlight   september-15-2022

Martin Wieland Receives ICOLD Honorary Member Award

Martin Wieland (M.EERI 1980) received an Honorary Member Award at the World Congress of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), which was held in Marseille, France, from May 29 to June 3, 2022. The ICOLD Honorary Member Award was established in 2000. It is awarded to experts who have made outstanding contributions to the development of dams in the world or have made great achievements in the field of dam engineering. ICOLD was founded in 1928 and is one of the oldest international professional organizations. There are 104 member countries and approximately 10,000 individual members.

Dr. Wieland is an independent consultant on dam safety and earthquake engineering based in Switzerland. Since 1999, he has been been the chairman of the ICOLD Committee on Seismic Aspects of Dam Design, a technical committee created in 1968 with representation from 34 member countries. EERI congratulates Dr. Wieland on this honor!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   september-15-2022

Walter P Moore

Founded in 1931, Walter P Moore is an international company of engineers, architects, innovators, and creative people who solve some of the world’s most complex structural and infrastructure challenges. Providing structural, diagnostics, civil, traffic, parking, transportation, enclosure, and construction engineering services, we design solutions that are cost- and resource-efficient, forward-thinking, and help support and shape communities worldwide.

Safehub

Safehub helps corporations manage catastrophe risk through physics-based technology, enhanced by sensors and AI. The Safehub Global Platform presents building-specific data in real-time to provide critical risk information, enabling corporations to quickly refine and evaluate insurance and risk reduction programs, and expedite emergency response and recovery.

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Spectra   september-1-2022

Don't Forget to Check Out the August Issue of Spectra

The August 2022 issue (Volume 28, Issue 3) of Earthquake Spectra is available online!

The Editor’s Choice paper for this issue, as selected by David Wald, is “The Estimated Carbon Cost of Concrete Building Demolitions following the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence,” by Rosa E Gonzalez, Max T Stephens, Charlotte Toma, and David Dowdell.

Wald writes, “When I first glanced at this paper, I was uncertain as to its suitability for the Spectra readership. I’m glad I was convinced otherwise. It turns out that the demolition of concrete buildings had huge environmental costs in terms of CO2 release and energy requirements, both of which motivate resilient design strategies that reduce waste and pollution following earthquakes. The carbon footprint calculations presented by the authors consider a select subset of the nearly 10,000 buildings demolished after the 2010/2011 Canterbury Earthquake sequence, considering building materials, embodied CO2, transport, and disposal costs.”

To view the rest of the August 2022 issue, visit the Earthquake Spectra website here.

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News of the Profession   september-1-2022

Links to Recent News and Views

• Earthquakes shake Liechtenstein parliament during quake insurance debate (Euronews)
• Earthquakes for Ukraine: Dutch gas drilling tests what countries will accept (Washington Post)
• Photos Uncovered 45 Years After Deadly Romanian Earthquake (Radio Free Europe)
• Strong earthquake shakes western Indonesia, causes panic (Al Jazeera)
• I study earthquakes. My family lives near Diablo Canyon. I believe it’s safe to stay open (San Francisco Chronicle, Opinion)
• California’s water from Colorado River could be crippled by a big earthquake. Drought makes fixes vital (Los Angeles Times) 
• The Carolinas have been all shook up by earthquakes this summer. Is a big one next? (Charlotte Observer)
• The Himalayas' ancient earthquake-defying design (BBC)
• A year after deadly earthquake, Haitians feel ‘abandoned’ (The Washington Post)

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   september-1-2022

WSP USA

WSP USA is one of the world's leading engineering professional services firms, providing management and consultancy services to the built and natural environment. It designs solutions for its clients in the Property & Buildings, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and Power & Energy sectors.

Gannett Fleming

Gannett Fleming is a global infrastructure firm that provides planning, design, technology, and construction management services for a diverse range of markets and disciplines. Founded in 1915, Gannett Fleming embraces sustainability and innovation in its projects and internal activities, achieving results while being responsible stewards of our environment.

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Awards   august-15-2022

Meet the 2022-2023 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Fellows

EERI is excited to announce the 2022-2023 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellows, Connie Chen (M.EERI, 2018) and Jessi Thangjitham (M.EERI, 2018)! Supported by funds from FEMA, the one-year fellowship seeks to foster the participation of those working toward goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. To learn more about the EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship, click here.

Connie Chen
Ph.D. Candidate in Structural Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Connie I. Chen’s doctoral research investigates the effect of vertical earthquake ground motions on the response of tall buildings by developing numerical models. Current code provisions for vertical earthquake effects, which have persisted since their origin in ATC 3-06 (1978), may be underestimating design column axial forces. One of the project’s goals is to determine the adequacy of existing building code provisions for vertical earthquake effects as applied to tall building design.

Connie was the 2021-22 president of the EERI student chapter at UC Berkeley, and continues to be active in the chapter. In addition to academic and professional pursuits, Connie volunteers for mentorship programs at Berkeley, including the Getting into Graduate School (GiGS) program and the GOLD Science Fair program. Connie graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2017 and an M.S. in Civil Engineering in 2018, and is currently advised by Professor Jack Moehle.

Jessi Thangjitham
Ph.D. Candidate in Structural Engineering, North Carolina State University

Jessi Thangjitham is a PhD candidate in structural engineering at North Carolina State University. Jessi’s research seeks to quantify the behavior of high-strength reinforcing steel through large-scale testing and modeling of reinforced concrete structures under earthquake loading. Specifically, her research aims to provide design recommendations for the California Department of Transportation. The goal is to implement high-strength rebar in bridges state-wide to reduce material cost, construction time, and congestion.

For the past three years, Jessi has been a member of the Student Leadership Council and has served as the NC State student chapter president. In addition, she has been involved in the School Earthquake Safety Initiative and uses that knowledge to increase engineering outreach in the Raleigh area. She obtained both a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. She worked as a structural engineer at a multi-disciplinary building design firm for four years in the DC area.

Honorable Mention: Omar Issa
EERI’s Student Awards Committee awarded an honorable mention to candidates Omar Issa (M.EERI, 2018) of Stanford University.

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Webinars   august-15-2022

Quick Quake Briefing: South Carolina Earthquake Swarm of 2022

Thursday, August 18, 12:00-1:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter is hosting a FREE webinar this week on the recent earthquake swarm in South Carolina that started in December 2021. South Carolina is experiencing the longest swarm of earthquakes in its recorded history. Over 50 earthquakes have occurred this year. The swarm began Dec. 27, 2021 with a M3.3, with the strongest being a M3.6 on June 29, 2022. These were among the two largest quakes to hit South Carolina in nearly a decade. Fortunately, the intensities of the recent swarm (<M4.0) were such that negligible damage occurred to the built environment. However, the frequent quakes caused anxiety and heightened awareness of seismic risks for many South Carolina citizens. This has led to more attention to the need for earthquake preparedness and emergency response planning.

Two speakers from South Carolina will present at the webinar:

• Steven Jaume, Professor of Geology at the College of Charleston, will discuss the seismology of South Carolina and details of the recent swarm, including the possible effects of the Wateree River in changing the rock pore-pressure thereby triggering the swarm.
• Brian Blake, Program Manager, Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), will present an overview of CUSEC and activities in South Carolina on earthquake preparedness and emergency response planning.

The webinar will include time for participants to ask questions of the speakers.

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Spectra   august-15-2022

Don't Miss the August Issue of Spectra!

The August 2022 issue (Volume 28, Issue 3) of Earthquake Spectra is now available online!

The Editor’s Choice paper for this issue, as selected by David Wald, is “The Estimated Carbon Cost of Concrete Building Demolitions following the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence,” by Rosa E Gonzalez, Max T Stephens, Charlotte Toma, and David Dowdell.

Wald writes, “When I first glanced at this paper, I was uncertain as to its suitability for the Spectra readership. I’m glad I was convinced otherwise. It turns out that the demolition of concrete buildings had huge environmental costs in terms of CO2 release and energy requirements, both of which motivate resilient design strategies that reduce waste and pollution following earthquakes. The carbon footprint calculations presented by the authors consider a select subset of the nearly 10,000 buildings demolished after the 2010/2011 Canterbury Earthquake sequence, considering building materials, embodied CO2, transport, and disposal costs.”

To view the rest of the August 2022 issue, visit the Earthquake Spectra website here.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   august-15-2022

Concrete West Construction, Inc.

Concrete West Construction, Inc. (CCW) is a specialty contractor for existing buildings based in Southern California. CCW specializes in all aspects of structural construction and seismic retrofit, including concrete (sawcut, break/demo, excavation, rebar and pour), shotcrete, steel, rough carpentry, micropiles, and CFR.

Arup

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s built environment. From 85 offices in 35 countries, Arup’s 12,000 planners, designers, engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion.

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News of the Institute   august-1-2022

12NCEE: Access Papers and Complete the Conference Evaluation

The proceedings of the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering will be published in the EERI Digital Library in the near future. EERI will share an announcement in Pulse and on the website once the conference papers have been made available to the public. In the meantime, 12NCEE attendees have early access to all papers via the Attendee Portal.

If you attended the conference and have yet to complete the overall conference evaluation and claim your Professional Development Hours (PDHs), please do so before August 26, 2022! The evaluation is also found in the Attendee Portal, and PDHs will become available upon completion. To access the attendee portal, check for a final reminder email with your accessed personalized link sent on July 21, 2022. Thank you again for joining us in Salt Lake City this summer and making 12NCEE such a success!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   august-1-2022

Haselton Baker Risk Group

Haselton Baker Risk Group provides methods and software to enable cutting-edge resilient design and risk assessment using advanced building-specific risk assessment technologies, enabling engineers to quickly implement advanced design and assessment methods into practice. Its Seismic Performance Prediction Program (SP3) implements the FEMA P-58 (ATC-58) analysis method, distilling years of research into a user-friendly tool enabling performance-based design methods (and advanced building-specific risk assessments). SP3 supports both new design and advanced building-specific risk assessments.

ABS Group

For four decades, ABS Group has delivered technical service and expertise across the globe, and our leadership team has helped set the standard for safety and reliability for a wide range of industries. Safety, risk and integrity management are at the core of what ABS Group does. ABS Group began providing non-classification marine technical services in 1971, and its range of services has expanded to support the diverse industrial and government clients that power, fuel and regulate our world. Today, ABS Group provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions and technical services that help our clients confirm the safety, integrity, quality and environmental efficiency of their critical assets and operations.

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Webinars   august-1-2022

Quick Quake Briefing: South Carolina Earthquake Swarm of 2022

Thursday, August 18, 12:00-1:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter is hosting a FREE webinar on the recent earthquake swarm in South Carolina that started in December 2021. South Carolina is experiencing the longest swarm of earthquakes in its recorded history. Over 50 earthquakes have occurred this year. The swarm began Dec. 27, 2021 with a M3.3, with the strongest being a M3.6 on June 29, 2022. These were among the two largest quakes to hit South Carolina in nearly a decade. Fortunately, the intensities of the recent swarm (<M4.0) were such that negligible damage occurred to the built environment. However, the frequent quakes caused anxiety and heightened awareness of seismic risks for many South Carolina citizens. This has led to more attention to the need for earthquake preparedness and emergency response planning.

Two speakers from South Carolina will present at the webinar:

• Steven Jaume, Professor of Geology at the College of Charleston, will discuss the seismology of South Carolina and details of the recent swarm, including the possible effects of the Wateree River in changing the rock pore-pressure thereby triggering the swarm.
• Brian Blake, Program Manager, Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), will present an overview of CUSEC and activities in South Carolina on earthquake preparedness and emergency response planning.

The webinar will include time for participants to ask questions of the speakers.

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News of the Institute   july-15-2022

EERI Signs Collaboration Agreement with SMIS

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and the Sociedad Mexicana de Ingeniería Sísmica (SMIS) have established a scientific and collaboration agreement. The agreement was signed by EERI Board President David Cocke and SMIS President Hector Guerrero Bobadilla during a plenary session at the 12NCEE in Salt Lake City on June 30, 2022.

The agreement outlines the shared goals of EERI and SMIS, including contributing to the development of sustainable earthquake risk mitigation in the U.S. and Mexico; building a better understanding of earthquake loss potential and the range of mitigation options in the pre- and post-earthquake environment; improving the dissemination and application of scientific and engineering knowledge and information between the countries; and establishing lines of communication among our members. It outlines the activities both organizations will consider in order to further shared objectives, such as exchanging and translating selected publications, organizing seminars and conferences, supporting scholarly exchanges, and encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to earthquake risk mitigation.

As the collaboration evolves, EERI and SMIS plan to identify specific projects through which members of both organizations can come together to achieve these aims.

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Webinars   july-15-2022

Risk, Resilience, and Society: Understanding Societal Risk Perceptions and Expectations of the Built Environment

Wednesday July 27, 1:00-2:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

When we try to define what it means to be resilient, and to support the recovery of services, shelter, and businesses after a hazard event, many unique considerations arise. What do we know now? What can we technically accomplish? What do we have funding for? And, perhaps most important, who needs what, and when? The EERI Younger Members Committee is hosting a webinar with researchers to share insights from recent projects that contextualize and explore key issues around community resilience research and policy. Presentations will cover societal perceptions of risk and decision-making processes, the influence of the wants of particular parties over the needs of society, and the expectations of the built environment in future hazards versus the desire for enhanced performance. 

The webinar features two speakers:

• Dr. Katherine J. Johnson (Jo) is an applied environmental anthropologist working as a Social Scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Her focus is to promote reduction of risk from natural hazards through emerging areas of research and collaboration from her home base within NIST’s Engineering Laboratory.
• Dr. Shannon Abeling is a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, where she completed a PhD in Civil Engineering in 2021. Her current research explores societal expectations for the seismic performance of buildings to inform future building code and standard updates.

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Spectra   july-15-2022

Earthquake Spectra's Impact Factor Rises Significantly

The Editorial Board of Earthquake Spectra is proud to announce a significant rise in our Impact Factor, according to Journal Citation Reports®. Spectra’s 2021 Impact Factor (IF) is now 4.330, up from 3.033 in 2020—ranking it 36/138 in the category of“Civil Engineering” and 16/41 in “Geological Engineering.” The IF is the number of citations for 2019 and 2020 papers, divided by the number of papers published in 2020. Our IF increase can be attributed primarily to the significant number of citations for many of your top-cited papers (see the link to “Most Cited” on the journal homepage). It is also a testament to the commitment and expertise of our Editorial Board and reviewers, reflecting the high quality of articles published in Earthquake Spectra.

EERI thanks the Spectra Editorial Board and all contributors and reviewers for their dedication and hard work!

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Students   july-15-2022

2022 Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition: The Results Are In!

The 19th Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition returned in-person during 12NCEE in Salt Lake City from June 27—July 1. Organized by the EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC), the competition brought together more than 350 students on 34 teams from 10 countries, 9 U.S. states, and Puerto Rico. The action kicked off on Tuesday with team presentations and architectural and poster judging. Wednesday was Shake Day and nerves were on edge (view the photo gallery here courtesy of CSI). Thousands of remote viewers watched on a live Facebook stream! The competition wrapped up on Thursday with the awards ceremony taking place during the 12NCEE closing plenary.

Photo Courtesy of CSI

The winner of the 2022 EERI Seismic Design Competition is Technical University of Cluj-Napoca! The team from Cornell University was awarded second place and the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest received third place honors.

Several teams were recognized with additional awards during the ceremony:

• T-shirt design competition winner: UC San Diego (Honorable mentions: McMaster University and Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest)
• Fan Favorite Poster Award: Universitas Indonesia
• Best Architecture Award: University of Toronto
• The Seismic Performance Award: Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
• The Charles Richter Spirit of the Competition Award: University of British Columbia
• Best Communication Skills Award: Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
• Structural Innovation Award: Oregon State University

The EERI SLC wishes to thank the generous sponsors who made the competition possible: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Computer and Structures, Inc.(CSI), Degenkolb Engineers, Kinemetrics, California Earthquake Authority, Oregon State University (OSU), and the University of California, Davis, Center for Geotechnical Modeling.

EERI also thanks the members of the Student Leadership Council who made this year’s competition possible: Ahmad Hassan, UC Davis; Khalid Saifullah, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Pouria Khourehpaz, University of British Columbia; Kayla Sorenson, Portland State University; Nick Slavin, UC Davis; Michael Morano, UC San Diego; Alaaeldin Soliman, Oklahoma State University; Charlie Zhang, UC San Diego; Michael Weyant, UCLA; Anita Zhang, Princeton University; Abdurahman Abdulhadi, University of Memphis; Mostafa Amin, Helwan University; Jessi Thangjitham, North Carolina State University; Nancy Ingabire Abayo, North Carolina State University; Ahmed Gamal, Politecnico di Milano; Pratiksha Dhakal, Virginia Polytechnic Institute; Casey Rodgers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign; Mohsen Akhani, University of Memphis; Aditya Jhunjhunwala, UC Davis; Hana Bashady, Cairo University; and Christian Diaz, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Peru.

Congratulations to all award winners and competitors on an outstanding competition!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   july-15-2022

Nanometrics

Nanometrics is an award-winning company providing monitoring solutions and equipment for studying man-made and natural seismicity. Headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, with offices and representatives world-wide, Nanometrics delivers solutions to customers across the globe, with real-time and portable seismic systems utilized by the world’s leading scientific institutions, universities and major corporations. Nanometrics specializes in collecting and analyzing critical real time data for global, regional and local seismic networks. Nanometrics is dedicated to providing an open and honest scientific approach to seismic monitoring that has been honed by over 30 years of experience developing innovative seismic technology.

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News of the Institute   july-1-2022

12NCEE Conference Report

After a fantastic week of sessions, workshops, special events, committee and chapter meetings, and tours, the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City is coming to a close! Over 1200 people participated in the conference, including more than 300 undergraduate students in the Seismic Design Competition. A particularly bright spot was the record rate of participation by younger members and graduate students, who made up more than a third of the conference attendees—when counting the SDC teams, the number rises to half! EERI thanks Computers and Structures, Inc. and FEMA for their generous support in funding the registration grants that made it possible for so many early-career participants to take part in 12NCEE.

After a day of board meetings and a welcome reception on Monday, the conference program began Tuesday morning with the Welcome and Opening Plenary. Governor Spencer J. Cox opened the conference with a keynote emphasizing the importance of ongoing work to advance seismic safety in Utah. “I am grateful that you chose Salt Lake City,” he said. “Having the best experts from all over the world here will help us prepare for the worst to come.” In the roundtable that followed, Professor Lisa Grow Sun of Brigham Young University School of Law led a discussion with State Representatives V. Lowry Snow and Clare Collard, and Utah Seismic Safety Commission members Jessica Chappell and Robert Grow that delved into those issues. The opening plenary received press coverage in The Salt Lake Tribune and kicked off a special track of programming focused on Utah, including sessions on the 2020 Magna earthquake and the Wasatch Front URM risk reduction strategy.

Wednesday morning’s plenary featured the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood on using the lessons learned from Christchurch to shift from designing for ductility to designing for repairability, followed on Thursday by David Wald’s Joyner Lecture on the future of rapid earthquake impact estimation. 12NCEE also featured in-person committee and regional chapter meetings, special events like the Meet the Leaders networking session, and an engaging panel exploring the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in earthquake risk mitigation and engineering education. As usual, one of the highlights of the conference was Shake Day, when 34 teams from nine countries, nine US states, and Puerto Rico gathered to test their Seismic Design Competition model structures. Over 10,000 people viewed the live streams of the shaking table tests.

On Thursday evening, the 12NCEE Closing Plenary brought members of the organizing committee and Utah chapter together to reflect on the lessons learned during the conference, before the Awards Ceremony recognizing EERI’s honoraries. EERI Board President David Cocke presented the Housner Medal to Mary Comerio, the Alquist Medal to Barry Welliver, and the Bolt Medal to C.B Crouse. Jack Moehle and Robin McGuire were recognized with Honorary Membership. Ashly Cabas and Samuel Yniesta received the Shah Family Innovation Prize; Maha Kenawy and Jack English received the 2022 Younger Member Awards; and Patrick Bassal and Alan Poulos were recognized as the recipients of the FEMA/NEHRP Graduate Student Fellowship. Spectra Editor-in-Chief David Wald presented the 2020 Outstanding Paper Award to Vitor Silva; the 2021 Outstanding Paper Award to Adrian Rodriguez-Marek; and the Graduate Student Paper Award to Rodrigo Costa. EERI congratulates all of the awardees!

Finally, the Student Leadership Council took to the stage to present the 2022 Seismic Design Competition awards. The winner of the T-shirt design competition was UC San Diego, with honorable mentions to McMaster University and Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest. Universitas Indonesia won the new Fan Favorite Poster Award, and the Best Architecture Award went to University of Toronto. The Seismic Performance Award was won by Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, the Charles Richter Spirit of the Competition Award by the University of British Columbia, the Best Communication Skills Award to the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, and the Structural Innovation Award to Oregon State University. In the overall competition, third place went to the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, second place to Cornell University, and first place to the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca! Congratulations to all the SDC teams for their hard work and achievements.

Thank you to the 12NCEE Organizing Committee and everyone who came together to make 12NCEE a success! Stay tuned for more content from the conference and information about conference proceedings publication in future issues of the Pulse.

Learning From Earthquakes Matching Gift Campaign

During the month of June, 63 donors doubled their impact with the LFE Endowment Matching Gift Campaign! 

Thanks to the amazing generosity of members, EERI rasied $53,443, which, combined with the match, resulted in a total of $103,443 in donations for the LFE Endowment Fund! This is a big leap towards the overall campaign goal and EERI is especially appreciative of the anonymous donor for their match. 

If you missed your chance to get in on the Matching Gift Campaign, you can still make an impact by making a gift to the LFE Endowment today!

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Webinars   july-1-2022

Risk, Resilience, and Society: Understanding Societal Risk Perceptions and Expectations of the Built Environment

Wednesday July 27, 1:00-2:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

When we try to define what it means to be resilient, and to support the recovery of services, shelter, and businesses after a hazard event, many unique considerations arise. What do we know now? What can we technically accomplish? What do we have funding for? And, perhaps most important, who needs what, and when? The EERI Younger Members Committee is hosting a webinar with researchers to share insights from recent projects that contextualize and explore key issues around community resilience research and policy. Presentations will cover societal perceptions of risk and decision-making processes, the influence of the wants of particular parties over the needs of society, and the expectations of the built environment in future hazards versus the desire for enhanced performance. 

The webinar features two speakers:

• Dr. Katherine J. Johnson (Jo) is an applied environmental anthropologist working as a Social Scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Her focus is to promote reduction of risk from natural hazards through emerging areas of research and collaboration from her home base within NIST’s Engineering Laboratory.
• Dr. Shannon Abeling is a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, where she completed a PhD in Civil Engineering in 2021. Her current research explores societal expectations for the seismic performance of buildings to inform future building code and standard updates.

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Member Spotlight   july-1-2022

Reginald DesRoches Takes Office as President of Rice University

Reginald DesRoches (M.EERI 1995) is the new president of Rice University. After a nationwide search, DesRoches was chosen to lead the university and its 7,500 students, seven schools, and over 700 faculty. "am deeply honored to be the next president of Rice University," DesRoches said. "I look forward to building on the tradition of excellence established by those who served before me." A member of EERI for nearly three decades, DesRoches was the recipient of the 2018 EERI Distinguished Lecture Award, and delivered his lecture on The Promise of Smart Materials in Earthquake Resistant Design at the 11NCEE in Los Angeles.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, DesRoches was raised in the New York City borough of Queens. A boyhood love of science and math encouraged him to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. While studying at the University of California at Berkeley, DesRoches witnessed the damage wrought by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. That experience led him to focus on earthquake resilience as he pursued his masters and Ph.D. degrees in structural engineering at Berkeley.

DesRoches has since become an internationally recognized expert on earthquake resilience. He has testified before committees of the U.S. House and Senate and chaired the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Construction Safety Team, which is overseeing the investigation of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Florida. He also previously served on the Advisory Committee for the Engineering Directorate for the National Science Foundation.DesRoches is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineering Institute.

DesRoches's primary research interests are in the design of resilient infrastructure systems under extreme loads and the application of smart materials. He has published approximately 300 articles and delivered more than 100 presentations in over 30 different countries. He also has mentored more than 30 doctoral students, many of whom hold faculty positions at top universities around the world. Prior to becoming president,he served as Rices Howard Hughes Provost and William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering. EERI congratulates President DesRoches on taking office today!

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   july-1-2022

Simpson Strong-Tie

Simpson Strong-Tie is is one of the world's largest suppliers of structural building products. The company is recognized as the genuine connector brand in the residential construction industry and for its offering of shearwalls, moment frames, and fasteners. The company also offers products in infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction, including mechanical anchors and adhesives that repair, protect and strengthen concrete and masonry. Simpson Strong-Tie was an exhibitor at 12NCEE in Salt Lake City.

Risk Management Solutions

For over 30 years, Risk Management Solutions, Inc. (RMS) has led the way in transforming the catastrophe risk industry, helping organizations make better decisions to improve human and environmental outcomes with 1,200 employees across 13 offices and products and models covering six continents. By combining proven modeling science with powerful advances in technology, RMS offers models and solutions to help insurers, financial markets, corporations, and public agencies evaluate and manage global risk throughout the world. RMS was a Technical Session Sponsor at 12NCEE in Salt Lake City.

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News of the Institute   june-15-2022

12NCEE: Start Planning Your Conference Schedule!

12NCEE is less than two weeks away! We're so excited to reunite with many of you in person in Salt Lake City this month. Now is the time to finalize your conference plans—make sure you register if you haven't done so yet, and check out the Online Session Guide to start planning which sessions and events you want to attend. Registered participants should stay tuned for upcoming emails with instructions for accessing the attendee portal, including details of how to view papers and posters, download handouts, visit virtual sponsor and exhibitor booths, and track and claim your PDHs at the conference. The 12NCEE conference app will be launching soon and will be available for download on the 12NCEE website.

EERI thanks the below Subscribing Members for their support of 12NCEE. Make sure you check out their virtual booths in the attendee portal or visit them in the Exhibit Hall at the Salt Palace!

• Computers and Structures, Inc (CSI): Underwriter Sponsor, Poster Session Sponsor, and Registration Grant Sponsor
• Degenkolb: Plenary Sponsor
• California Earthquake Authority: Plenary Sponsor
• Kinemetrics: Custom Session Sponsor and Exhibitor
• Optimum Seismic: Wifi Sponsor, Session Sponsor and Exhibitor
• Forell/Elsesser: Custom Session Sponsor

Session Sponsors:

ABS Group, AIR Worldwide, Arup, Exponent, Fugro Consultants, Gannett Fleming, GeoSIG, Gilsanz Murray Steficek, Kleinfelder, Lettis Consultants International, Nabih Youssef & Associates, Renaissance Re, Risk Management Solutions, Rutherford + Chekene, Structural Focus, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, Walter P. Moore, and Wiss Janney Elstner Associates.

Exhibitors:

Haselton Baker Risk Group, ImageCat, ITT Enidine Inc, Keller, Nanometrics, NIST, Safehub, Shannon & Wilson, Simpson Strong-Tie, and Taylor Devices.

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Webinars   june-15-2022

Risk, Resilience, and Society: Understanding Societal Risk Perceptions and Expectations of the Built Environment

Wednesday July 27, 1:00-2:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

When we try to define what it means to be resilient, and to support the recovery of services, shelter, and businesses after a hazard event, many unique considerations arise. What do we know now? What can we technically accomplish? What do we have funding for? And, perhaps most important, who needs what, and when? The EERI Younger Members Committee is hosting a webinar with researchers to share insights from recent projects that contextualize and explore key issues around community resilience research and policy. Presentations will cover societal perceptions of risk and decision-making processes, the influence of the wants of particular parties over the needs of society, and the expectations of the built environment in future hazards versus the desire for enhanced performance. 

The webinar features two speakers:

• Dr. Katherine J. Johnson (Jo) is an applied environmental anthropologist working as a Social Scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Her focus is to promote reduction of risk from natural hazards through emerging areas of research and collaboration from her home base within NIST’s Engineering Laboratory.
• Dr. Shannon Abeling is a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, where she completed a PhD in Civil Engineering in 2021. Her current research explores societal expectations for the seismic performance of buildings to inform future building code and standard updates.

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Subscribing Members Spotlight   june-15-2022

GeoSIG Ltd

GeoSIG Ltd provides earthquake, seismic, structural, dynamic and static monitoring and measuring solutions. Founded in 1992, GeoSIG is a world leader in design and manufacture of a diverse range of high quality, precision instruments for vibration and earthquake monitoring. GeoSIG is a Session Sponsor at 12NCEE.

AIR Worldwide

AIR Worldwide provides risk modeling solutions that make individuals, businesses, and society more resilient to extreme events with nine offices around the globe. More than 400 organizations rely on AIR’s models, software, and services to manage their risk from natural catastrophes, terrorism, cyber attacks, to pandemics. Visit AIR Worldwide at booth 307 in the 12NCEE Exhibit Hall.

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News of the Institute   june-1-2022

12NCEE: See You in Salt Lake City This Month!

12NCEE is just a few weeks away! Don't forget to register for the conference and make your travel plans now—flight prices are going up fast, and EERI will be releasing any unbooked rooms from our conference-rate hotel blocks soon. Book now via these links for the special group rate:

• Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek
• Hilton Salt Lake City Center

12NCEE will feature more than 600 technical papers and 35 special sessions, as well as a great series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. You can explore the full conference program at the Online Session Guide. Start planning your conference schedule now!

We're excited to announce that Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox has accepted an invitation to speak at the Opening Plenary on Tuesday, June 28th, delivering the keynote for a a plenary session on advancing seismic safety in Utah. Additional plenary sessions will feature the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald.

The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently. Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website. Stay tuned for more announcements soon—including the debut of the 12NCEE conference app!

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Awards   june-1-2022

Now Open: Nominations for EERI's Housner Medal, Alquist Medal, Distinguished Lecture, and Honorary Membership

Nominate someone today for one of EERI’s prestigious awards! The EERI Honors Committee depends on your nominations to identify members whose contributions should be recognized. The committee considers all nominations and provides recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Nominations are being accepted for the following awards:

• George W. Housner Medal 
• Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal
• 2022 Distinguished Lecture Award
• EERI Honorary Membership

Nomination Process: 

• Please review the award description and criteria.
• Submit the nomination form before June 6, 2021, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

The recipients of these prestigious awards and honors will be announced in fall 2021. They will also be recognized during the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering and the 2022 EERI Annual Meeting. Read about past award recipients. 

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Webinars   june-1-2022

Risk, Resilience, and Society: Understanding Societal Risk Perceptions and Expectations of the Built Environment

Wednesday July 27, 1:00-2:00 PM Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE

When we try to define what it means to be resilient, and to support the recovery of services, shelter, and businesses after a hazard event, many unique considerations arise. What do we know now? What can we technically accomplish? What do we have funding for? And, perhaps most important, who needs what, and when? The EERI Younger Members Committee is hosting a webinar with researchers to share insights from recent projects that contextualize and explore key issues around community resilience research and policy. Presentations will cover societal perceptions of risk and decision-making processes, the influence of the wants of particular parties over the needs of society, and the expectations of the built environment in future hazards versus the desire for enhanced performance. 

The webinar features two speakers:

• Dr. Katherine J. Johnson (Jo) is an applied environmental anthropologist working as a Social Scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Her focus is to promote reduction of risk from natural hazards through emerging areas of research and collaboration from her home base within NIST’s Engineering Laboratory.
• Dr. Shannon Abeling is a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, where she completed a PhD in Civil Engineering in 2021. Her current research explores societal expectations for the seismic performance of buildings to inform future building code and standard updates.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   june-1-2022

Keller

Keller is the worlds largest geotechnical specialist contractors with 10,000 employees and operations across six continents. Keller's techniques solve a wide range of challenges across the entire construction sector from industrial, commercial and housing projects to infrastructure construction for dams, tunnels, transportation and water treatment, as well as projects to address environmental challenges.

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News of the Institute   may-15-2022

12NCEE: Book Your Hotel and Travel Soon!

Have you registered and booked your travel for 12NCEE yet? Flights are filling up quickly, and EERI will begin releasing unbooked conference-rate hotel rooms at the end of the month. Make reservations now so you don’t miss out on the discount!

EERI strongly urges participants to book rooms at one of the below conference hotels in order to take full advantage of the networking opportunities at 12NCEE, particularly the evening social events. By doing so, you are supporting EERI and helping us make the national conference possible.

• Hilton Salt Lake City Center: book via this link for EERI's special group rates.
• Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek: book via this link for EERI's special group rates.

To help you plan your time at the conference, a full Online Session Guide is now available, featuring abstracts and speakers for all special and technical sessions. Governor Spencer J. Cox has accepted an invitation to speak at the Opening Plenary on Tuesday, June 28th, which will feature a special roundtable discussion on advancing seismic safety in Utah. Additional plenary sessions include the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald.

12NCEE will also feature the 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition. Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website. 

EERI 2022 Annual Business Meeting Report

On May 4, EERI held the 2022 Annual Business Meeting via a Zoom webinar open to all members. EERI Board President David Cocke and Secretary-Treasurer Lucy Arendt presented highlights from the 2022 Annual Business Meeting Report. Executive Director Heidi Tremayne joined the presenters to respond to questions from members. 

The presentation provided an update on EERI’s Strategic Plan, reported on programs, activities, membership, and finances during 2021, recognized EERI leaders and awardees, and remembered members who have passed away in the last year. Some 2021 accomplishments highlighted in the report include:

• The first ever Virtual Annual Meeting and Virtual Seismic Design Competition in 2021

• 18 technical webinars with 3,631 attendees

• 31 virtual Friedman Family Visiting Professional lectures for EERI Student Chapters

• A new mission statement and 2021-2025 Strategic Plan

• A new, more user-friendly website

• 4 policy position statements and 3 legislative positions from the Public Policy and Advocacy committee

• Australia and Haiti Virtual Earthquake Clearinghouses 

• Four regular issues and one special issue of Earthquake Spectra

• Three Oral Histories published


The financial report covered EERI’s revenues and expenses, and also provided an overview of the status of the LFE Endowment Campaign, which is making robust progress towards the $4 million goal—not least due to last year’s profoundly generous gift from the estate of Clarence Allen. 

When outlining EERI’s plans for 2022 and beyond, David emphasized the Board’s effort to enhance member engagement opportunities in alignment with our new member-centric mission. He encouraged members to attend the 12NCEE to learn from and connect with many friends and colleagues. He thanked members for their feedback on the recent survey that is being used to evolve and enhance the Learning From Earthquakes program. As EERI continues to advance its 2021-2025 Strategic Goals, members can expect to see new opportunities to participate in LFE and future surveys to solicit their input on other topics of importance to the Institute.

Members are encouraged to review the report in pdf form here.

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Spectra   may-15-2022

Don't Miss the May Issue of Spectra!

The May 2022 issue (Volume 28, Issue 2) of Earthquake Spectra is now available online!

This issue features research papers on the NGA-Subduction research program, the US National Seismic Hazard model for Hawaii, site response analysis in Alaska, risk communication in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a financing model for post-earthquake housing recovery, and much more—as well as data and engineering practice papers. As an EERI member, your full-access subscription to Earthquake Spectra allows you to stay abreast of the latest developments in earthquake engineering practice, codes and regulations, public policy, and investigation reports.

To view the rest of the May 2022 issue, visit the Earthquake Spectra website here.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   may-15-2022

Computers and Structures, Inc.

Computer and Structures, Inc. (CSI) is EERI’s Visionary-Level Subscribing Member. CSI has been a longtime supporter of the Institute and our student activities, including the Student Leadership Council. CSI is a underwriter and poster-session sponsor of 12NCEE and the 2022 Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition. Together with FEMA, CSI made funds available for over 100 registration grants to help students and early-career academics and professionals attend 12NCEE. Additional generous support from CSI provided travel stipends to each registration grant recipient.

Founded in 1975 by company president and CEO Ashraf Habibullah (M.EERI,1999), CSI is recognized globally as the pioneering leader in software tools for structural and earthquake engineering. Software from CSI is used by thousands of engineering firms in over 160 countries for the design of major projects, including the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan, One World Trade Center in New York, the 2008 Olympics Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing and the cable-stayed Centenario Bridge over the Panama Canal.

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News of the Institute   may-1-2022

12NCEE: Regular Price Registration Ends May 31!

There's just one month left to register to attend 12NCEE at the regular price! Register now to secure your spot for the conference and special events like tours of the Utah State Capitol building and the State Emergency Operations Center and the Geology of the Wasatch Mountains.

A full Online Session Guide is now available, featuring abstracts and speakers for all special and technical sessions. 12NCEE will feature more than 600 technical papers and 35 special sessions, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. Plenary sessions will also feature the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald, as well as appearances by leading state and local officials and advocates for earthquake resiliency. View the "Seismic Risk and Resilience in Utah" webinar on EERI's YouTube channel to learn more about the exciting regional developments in earthquake risk reduction that will be featured in the Opening Plenary.

12NCEE will also feature the 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition. Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website. Information about childcare and family activities and tourism and dining options are now also available. 

Help us spread the word about 12NCEE! Know a colleague who might be interested in attending? Are you on an email list or in a social media group for researchers or practitioners in engineering, earth sciences, emergency management, or a related discipline? Post a link to the conference website, or contact us at ncee@eeri.org for an announcement message to share. We're looking forward to reuniting in person this summer in Salt Lake City!

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Awards   may-1-2022

EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship Applications Due May 8

There's just one week left to apply for the 2022-2023 EERI/NEHRP Graduate Fellowship! Applications are due May 8, 2022, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. 

EERI is pleased to announce the availability of two Graduate Fellowships for the 2022-2023 academic year to support full-time students in a discipline contributing to the science and practice of earthquake hazard mitigation. This one-year fellowship, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is designed to foster the participation of capable individuals in working toward the goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. To learn more about the fellowship, visit the Awards page on the EERI website.

APPLY HERE!

We urge members in academia to advertise this opportunity to their students and colleagues. Print or download the fellowship information flyer (PDF) here to share with your department, social media following, or anywhere potential applications might see! Thank you for helping make future scholars and practitioners in our field aware of this opportunity.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   may-1-2022

ITT Enidine

Established in 1966, ITT Enidine Inc. provides products and services to the industrial, aerospace, defense, rail and transportation markets throughout the world. The company is a premier supplier of engineered mechanical shock absorbers, vibration isolation products, noise attenuation products as well as deceleration devices and products for hydraulic/pneumatic actuation and motion control applications. ITT’s global resources, six-sigma and lean manufacturing provide ITT Enidine Inc. the resources to stay at the forefront of new technologies, research & development, and high-quality production.

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News of the Institute   april-15-2022

12NCEE: Check Out the Online Session Guide!

Have you made plans for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering yet? Register now to attend this milestone conference!

A full Online Session Guide is now available, featuring abstracts and speakers for all special and technical sessions. 12NCEE will feature more than 600 technical papers and 35 special sessions, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. Plenary sessions will also feature the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald, as well as appearances by prominent state officials and local advocates for earthquake resiliency.

The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently. Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website. Information about childcare and family activities and tourism and dining options are now also available on the website. We're looking forward to reuniting with you this summer in Salt Lake City!

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Awards   april-15-2022

2022-2023 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship: Applications Due May 8!

EERI is pleased to announce the availability of two Graduate Fellowships for the 2022-2023 academic year to support full-time students in a discipline contributing to the science and practice of earthquake hazard mitigation. The one-year fellowship, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is designed to foster the participation of capable individuals in working toward the goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Learn more about the fellowships on EERI's website here.

Applications are due May 8, 2022, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Use this form to apply!

We urge faculty and academic staff to help advertise this opportunity to students! Click here to print or download a fellowship information flyer (PDF) to share!

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Webinars   april-15-2022

Quick Quake Briefing: Indonesia M6.2 Earthquake on Sumatra Island of February 25, 2022 (2)

Thursday, April 28 
5:00-6:00 PM Pacific Time

REGISTER HERE

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter is hosting a FREE webinar on the M6.2 earthquake that struck Indonesia on February 25, 2022. Indonesia experiences very frequent earthquakes and is highly prone to earthquake hazards. The mainshock struck in the shallow crust, on a segment of the Great Sumatran Fault, an active onshore fault that cuts the island of Sumatra along its entire length. It had strike-slip motion along the right-lateral fault. MMI intensities of VIII (severe) were reported in the epicentral region. About 5,000 homes, 55 schools, 13 medical facilities, and 40 places of worship were damaged or destroyed.

The webinar will feature two speakers from Indonesia:

• Anne Sirait of the Department of Geophysics, University of Indonesia. She will present on the regional seismicity and the earthquake mechanism.
• Iswandi Imran of the Department of Civil Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). He will present on infrastructure and building damages.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   april-15-2022

Risk Management Solutions (RMS)

For over 30 years, Risk Management Solutions, Inc. (RMS) has led the way in transforming the catastrophe risk industry, helping organizations make better decisions to improve human and environmental outcomes with 1,200 employees across 13 offices and products and models covering six continents. By combining proven modeling science with powerful advances in technology, RMS offers models and solutions to help insurers, financial markets, corporations, and public agencies evaluate and manage global risk throughout the world.

Extreme weather, climate change, and other catastrophes impact all of us. Understanding risk, integrating analytics, and sharing our expertise more broadly are how we’re helping to build a more resilient world.

 

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News of the Institute   april-1-2022

Register Today for 12NCEE

Have you registered for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering yet? Sign up now to secure your spot for this milestone conference—and explore special events like guided tours of the Salt Lake Temple retrofit project and the geology of the Wasatch range!

12NCEE will feature more than 600 technical papers and 35 special sessions, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. The full list of special sessions and technical sessions is now available on the conference website, and a complete program will be published in early April. Plenary sessions will also feature the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald, as well as appearances by state officials and local advocates for earthquake resiliency.

The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently. Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website. Information about childcare and family activities and tourism and dining options are now also available on the website. We're looking forward to reuniting with you this summer in Salt Lake City!

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Awards   april-1-2022

2022-2023 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowships: Applications Now Open

EERI is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2022-2023 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship! Two Graduate Fellowships are available for the coming academic year to support full-time students in a discipline contributing to the science and practice of earthquake hazard mitigation. This one-year fellowship, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is designed to foster the participation of capable individuals working toward the goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Visit the Graduate Fellowships page to learn more about this award.

Click here to apply today! Applications are due Sunday, May 8, 2022, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

EERI urges faculty and advisors to advertise this opportunity to their students and departments! See here for a fellowship information flyer (PDF) that you can download, print and share. Thankyou for helping spread the word!

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Webinars   april-1-2022

Quick Quake Briefing: Indonesia M6.2 Earthquake on Sumatra Island of February 25, 2022

Thursday, April 28 (To Be Confirmed)
4:00-5:00 PM Pacific Time

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter is hosting a FREE webinar on the M6.2 earthquake that struck Indonesia on February 25, 2022. Indonesia experiences very frequent earthquakes and is highly prone to earthquake hazards. The mainshock struck in the shallow crust, on a segment of the Great Sumatran Fault, an active onshore fault that cuts the island of Sumatra along its entire length. It had strike-slip motion along the right-lateral fault. MMI intensities of VIII (severe) were reported in the epicentral region. About 5,000 homes, 55 schools, 13 medical facilities, and 40 places of worship were damaged or destroyed.

The webinar will feature two speakers from Indonesia:

• Anne Sirait of the Department of Geophysics, University of Indonesia. She will present on the regional seismicity and the earthquake mechanism.
• Iswandi Imran of the Department of Civil Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). He will present on infrastructure and building damages.

Check the April 15 issue of Pulse for the final date and time and information on how to view the webinar.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   april-1-2022

California Earthquake Authority

California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a longtime EERI Platinum-Level Subscribing Member. CEA is a not-for-profit, privately funded, publicly managed organization that provides residential earthquake insurance to more than 1 million households in California. Since 1996, CEA has been making earthquake insurance as affordable as possible for all California residents, while helping reduce their risk of earthquake loss wherever they live. 

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News of the Institute   march-15-2022

12NCEE: Early Bird Registration Ends Today!

Today is the last day to register for 12NCEE at the early bird discount rate! Sign up now to secure your spot for the conference and special events like tours of the Salt Lake temple retrofit project and the geology of the Wasatch range—tour spaces are filling up fast.

12NCEE will feature more than 600 technical papers and 35 special sessions, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. The full list of special sessions and technical sessions is now available on the conference website here. Plenary sessions will also feature the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald, as well as appearances by state officials and local advocates for earthquake resiliency.

The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently. Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website.

Four EERI Members Made Honorary Members of IAEE

EERI is pleased to annouce that four members were recently named Honorary Members of the International Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE). The General Assembly of the IAEE convened at the 17th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering in 2021 and unanimously decided to award six scholars with the title of Honorary Member in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field.

The EERI members awarded the title of Honorary Member are:

• Peter Fajfar (M.EERI, 1981), Professor Emeritus, University of Ljubljana
• Sudhir Jain (M.EERI 1987), Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University
• James Jirsa (M.EERI 1976), Professor, University of Texas at Austin
• Steve Kramer (M.EERI 1990), Professor Emeritus, University of Washington.

EERI congratulates them on this honor!

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Oral History   march-15-2022

Oral History Committee Presentation on 1971 San Fernando Earthquake

Last month, Thalia Anagnos of the EERI Oral History Committee made a presentation “Reflections from the EERI Oral History Series on the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake,” at the ASCE-UCLA Lifelines Conference. Her presentation draws on a number of oral histories in the series, including those of Roy G. Johnston, Jack Meehan, George Housner, William A. Anderson, and Robert E. Wallace, to shed light on the impact of the San Fernando Earthquake on the field of earthquake engineering and its transformational role in policy advocacy and change at the state and federal levels.

The recorded presentation can be viewed here.

 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   march-15-2022

Taylor Devices, Inc.

Taylor Devices, Inc. is the world leader in the design and manufacturing of fluid viscous damping systems. Originally developed and widely used by the U.S. Military and NASA, Taylor fluid viscous dampers have successfully transitioned into the civil engineering community for use in protecting buildings, bridges, and other structures worldwide. Designing with Taylor Dampers will improve the resiliency of your structure and can allow for the immediate re-occupancy of a structure after even the worst predictable design level earthquakes. Dampers not only improve seismic performance but can also reduce costs for both the one-time direct investment and long-term maintenance.

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News of the Institute   march-1-2022

New and Updated Policy Position Statements from EERI

In December 2021, the EERI Board of Directors adopted one new and three updated Policy Statements drafted by EERI's Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. EERI Policy Statements that can be used by EERI members to promote and encourage action by policymakers to reduce earthquake risk. Each statement has a succinct 1-2 page document summarizing EERI's position, and a longer companion white paper with more details and background information.

The new policy statement Promote Comprehensive, Safe, and Earthquake-Resilient Health Care Systems urges earthquake-prone communities throughout the country to increase earthquake safety and resilience through the planning and design of health care systems. It describes the insufficient preparedness of health care systems in the United States for the impacts of moderate to severe earthquakes, and details steps that can be taken to improve accreditation, licensing, and building code design requirements; funding for safe and resilient health care systems; and regional preparedness planning for health care systems.

The updated Policy Statements are:

• Creating Earthquake-Resilient Communities (adopted December 2019, updated version adopted December 2021)
• Schools shall be URM Free by 2033 (adopted June 2016, updated version adopted December 2021)
• Mitigation of Nonstructural Hazards in Schools (adopted June 2016, updated version adopted December 2021)

The rest of EERI's Policy Statements can be viewed here. To learn more about EERI's policy and advocacy work, including the Legislative Action Center and the Citizen Advocate Toolkits, visit the PPA section of the EERI website here.

Special Sessions at 12NCEE

The Technical Program Committee is hard at work finalizing the conference program for 12NCEE! The full program of events will include some 600 technical papers and at least 35 special sessions, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, networking events, and workshops. Plenary sessions will also feature the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood (M. EERI 1994), on “From Ductility to Repairability: Evolution of Building Design in the Wake of the Christchurch Earthquake,” and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald (M. EERI 1988), on "The Future of Earthquake Impact Estimation," as well as appearances by state officials and local advocates for earthquake resiliency.

Special Sessions planned so far include:

• Bringing Design for Functional Recovery into State of Practice
• The HayWired Scenario: Societal Consequences
• Using Surveys after a Disaster to Understand Business and Community Resilience
• Advancing School Earthquake Safety in Our Communities
• The 2020 Magna earthquake: The Event, its Impacts, and Implications to Hazard and Risk Along the Wasatch Front
• Machine Learning Applications in Earthquake Engineering: Hope, Hype or Hindrance (A Debate)
• Next-Generation Liquefaction Database and Models
• Wasatch Front URM Risk Reduction Strategy: A Model for Moving Mitigation Forward
• Facilitating Cloud Computing in Natural Hazards via DesignSafe Use-Cases
• Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches to Addressing Equity in Disaster Risk
• FEMA Natural Hazard Retrofit Program Toolkit: Overview, How to Use it, and Pitfalls to Avoid
• Seismic Sleuthing: Navigating FEMA’s Programs to Understand and Reduce Your Seismic Vulnerability
• Liquefaction: From Triggering to Societal Impacts
• Addressing the Public Health and Healthcare Impacts of Earthquakes: New Approaches at the Intersection of Public Health and Earthquake Engineering
• The 2021 Mw 7.2 Nippes, Haiti Earthquake: Observations at the Intersection of Earthquake and Geotechnical Engineering, Reconnaissance Missions, Response and Recovery, and Social Sciences
• Challenging the Code: Using Problem-Focused Studies to Improve Seismic Design Practice
• Leveraging the Virtual Classroom: Inspiring the Next Generation of Earthquake Engineers
• Implementing the “Whole Community” Approach to Disaster Resilience
• Recovery Categories and Target Recovery Times for Development of a Functional Recovery Framework
• Coordination of Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance by the Research and Professional Communities
• Earthquake Response in Small Town USA: Lessons from the 2020 Magna UT Earthquake
• Earthquake Reconnaissance with Advanced Technologies
• Resilience in Concrete Additive Construction
• New Design Approaches for Mass Timber Buildings in the United States
• Blind Prediction Contests and the Essential Insights They Provide
• Seismic Risk Assessment Methodologies and Open-Source Tools for Natural Gas Infrastructure
• Resilient Housing Ecosystem Assessment Tool and Strategies
• Functional Recovery as Public Policy: How it Started, How it's Going, and Where it Goes from Here
• User Needs for USGS National Seismic Hazard Models (NSHMs)
• Climate Action: A Seismic Safety Opportunity?
• Coordinated Study of Fault Hazard, Seismic Hazard, Site Response, and Liquefaction in the Southern San Francisco Bay Area
• Does the Building Code Adequately Protect the Wasatch Front From a Wasatch Fault Earthquake?
• No Longer Just a Research Idea—Rocking Technologies as a Practical Approach to Achieving Functional Recovery
• Embrace Divergent Thinking
• YMC Effective Writing Workshop for Young Professionals and Academics

Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website. Register by March 15 for the early bird discount! Full details on registration rates and deadlines and a link to register are available here.

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Students   march-1-2022

2022 Seismic Design Competition: 43 Teams From 10 Countries

The 2022 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place in June as part of the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City, Utah. 43 student teams from universities around the world will be competing in an action-packed in-person event! The full list of accepted teams can be found here. As per the Official Rules, the top nine proposals will receive bonuses during the competition. EERI congratulates the teams whose proposals received top ranking! In alphabetical order, they are:

• New York University Tandon School of Engineering
• Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
• Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest
• University of British Columbia
• University at Buffalo
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, San Diego
• University of Nevada, Reno
• University of Victoria

For a schedule, official rules, sponsors, and other information about the Seismic Design Competition, visit the official SDC website.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   march-1-2022

ImageCat

ImageCat is an international risk management innovation company supporting the global risk and catastrophe management needs of the government, NGOs, and the insurance industry. As a leading provider of risk and disaster management technologies, ImageCat is highly regarded for cutting-edge products, services, and R&D activities, targeting decision support needs at all phases of the disaster management cycle. ImageCat is world-renowned for integrating remotely sensed data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and harnessing advanced technologies to create building and critical infrastructure exposure datasets that combine satellite, tabular, and geospatial data to provide quantitative information on occupancy and structure type in a format suitable for risk assessment. SeismiCat is an engineering-based seismic risk assessment tool developed by ImageCat’s engineering, seismology, and software development teams. SeismiCat provides owners, lenders, insurers and engineers a powerful set of features to examine and manage seismic risks across the United States.

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News of the Institute   february-15-2022

12NCEE: Early Bird Deadline Extended to March 15th!

Don’t forget to register for 12NCEE soon if you want to get the early bird discount! The deadline for the early bird rate has been extended to March 15, 2022. Sign up now to secure your spot for the conference and special events like tours of the Salt Lake temple retrofit project and the geology of the Wasatch range.

Over 600 technical papers and more than 35 special sessions are planned, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. Some of the planned special session topics include design for functional recovery, advancing school earthquake safety, public health impacts of earthquakes, new approaches to post-earthquake reconnaissance, using problem-focused studies to improve seismic design practice, inspiring the next generation of earthquake engineers, and many more—as well as several sessions exploring the impacts of the 2020 Magna, Utah earthquake and considering earthquake risk reduction on the Wasatch Front. The plenary sessions will also feature the 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Ken Elwood (M. EERI 1994), on “From Ductility to Repairability: Evolution of Building Design in the Wake of the Christchurch Earthquake,” and the 2022 William B. Joyner Lecture by David Wald (M. EERI 1988), on "The Future of Earthquake Impact Estimation."

The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will also take place concurrently. 46 university teams have signed up to take part in the Seismic Design Competition this year, and we are excited to return to an on-site shaking table test for the models!

Learn more about the conference at the 12NCEE website.

 

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Spectra   february-15-2022

Don't Miss the February Issue of Earthquake Spectra!

The February 2022 issue (Volume 28, Issue 1) of Earthquake Spectra is now compiled and available online! Editor-in-Chief David Wald selected the paper "The US Geological Survey ground failure product: Near-real-time estimates of earthquake-triggered landslides and liquefaction" by Kate E Allstadt, Eric M Thompson, Randall W Jibson, David J Wald, Michael Hearne, Edward J Hunter, Jeremy Fee, Heather Schovanec, Daniel Slosky, and Kirstie L Haynie as the editor's choice for this issue. In his words, “Allstadt et al. summarize USGS’ Ground Failure Project, which provides near real-time, earthquake-induced landslide and liquefaction estimates. The products include maps and overall estimates of the area exposed to landslide and liquefaction hazards and their intersection with human populations. Since its public release just over two years ago, it has become a useful tool for situational awareness for a wide variety of users prior to the availability of direct observations in the early hours to days after an earthquake. This paper is a tour-de-force that provides the definitive description of the modeling methodologies, data sets used for calibration, and the real-time operational complexities.”

To view the rest of the February 2022 issue, visit the Earthquake Spectra website here.

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Webinars   february-15-2022

Save the Date! Pre-12NCEE Webinar on Seismic Risk and Resilience in Utah

Thursday, March 17
12:00-1:00 PM (PST)

The March 18, 2020 M5.7 Magna, Utah earthquake was a vivid reminder of the hazard posed by the Wasatch Fault to the fast-growing population of the Salt Lake Valley. As the EERI Utah Chapter’s 2015 Scenario study shows, a M7.0 earthquake in the region could result in thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of residents left without shelter, and economic losses measured in the tens of billions. But Utah’s residents are rising to the challenge of building a more resilient state. From the Fix the Bricks program to aid homeowners in adapting unreinforced masonry buildings to the ongoing seismic retrofits of major landmarks like the Salt Lake City Temple, the urban fabric of Salt Lake City is rapidly transforming to become more earthquake-resistant, while planners, policymakers, and the public are more deeply aware of the need to build resilience than ever before. This webinar will provide an interdisciplinary overview of earthquake risk and resilience in Utah today: from the underlying seismology of the region, to current retrofit projects and engineering challenges, to the policy-making environment. In the run-up to the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City in 2022, come hear from regional experts about the exciting progress Utah is making on earthquake risk mitigation—and learn why the state can be a model for other regions facing similar high-hazard, low-probability seismic threats.

Speakers will include:

• Robert Grow, Founding Chair Emeritus, Envision Utah
• Emily Kleber, Utah Geological Survey
• Divya Chandrasekhar, University of Utah
• Brent Maxfield, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Registration information will be available shortly on the 12NCEE and EERI websites.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   february-15-2022

Optimum Seismic

Optimum Seismic is Southern California's leading earthquake retrofit company for seismic engineering and construction, and specializes in multifamily, and commercial, industrial buildings. Since 1984, the team at Optimum Seismic has completed more than 3,000 retrofits throughout the state of California.

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News of the Institute   february-1-2022

Board Announces Plans for Clarence Allen's Gift

In November, EERI announced a groundbreaking gift from the renowned geologist Clarence Allen (M.EERI 1966), who passed away on January 21, 2021. Allen, a longtime EERI member who served on the Board of Directors from 1985-1987, was recognized with four of EERI's highest awards and honors during his lifetime: the Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal (1993), the Distinguished Lectureship (1995), the George W. Housner Medal (2001), and an appointment as an Honorary Member (2005). He was also the subject of the tenth volume of Connections: The EERI Oral History Series. Allen’s generous contribution of over $800,000, a bequest from his estate, is the largest individual gift in EERI’s history.

EERI’s Board of Directors has approved the recommendation of a working group to direct the majority of the funds, $600,000, to the Learning From Earthquakes (LFE) endowment. The LFE program and its endowment campaign are a cause in keeping with Allen’s devotion to international cooperation and collaboration, as well as his lifelong passion for field research. As he recounted in his oral history, “I have always enjoyed the field aspect of geology…I have found it fascinating to be in remote areas of the world and try to learn a little more about their cultures.” Allen led or participated in field studies in the United States, Mexico, Chile, China, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Tibet, Turkey, and Venezuela.

EERI launched the LFE Endowment Campaign in 2019 with a fundraising goal of $4 million, which will generate $200,000 annually to fund the program’s operation, ensuring that a robust and dynamic LFE program can benefit generations to come. The funds from Allen’s bequest will bring the current amount of cash gifts to $1,600,000, nearly 80% of the $2 million cash goal —a substantial step towards securing the future of EERI’s flagship initiative. 

The remainder of Allen’s bequest, about $208,000, will support strategic expenses related to operations and membership, including leadership training on diversity, equity, and inclusion, in keeping with EERI’s Strategic Goal #2, and an LFE workshop at the 12NCEE, advancing Strategic Goal #3. The workshop will facilitate and advance reconnaissance activities among reconnaissance groups in the US and abroad. 

“Clarence Allen’s extraordinary gift will allow EERI to ensure that LFE’s ongoing work to increase learning from earthquake-induced disasters and promote earthquake resilience worldwide is part of his remarkable legacy,” said Executive Director Heidi Tremayne. “I welcome the Board’s decision to honor his interests and achievements with this allocation of funds, and thank the working group members for their careful and considered input.”

To learn more about Clarence Allen’s gift and legacy, read the news post on the EERI website here. If you are also interested in giving to EERI, there are many different ways that you can support our mission as a donor—learn more here.

Early Bird Registration for 12NCEE Ends This Month

Don’t forget to register for 12NCEE this month if you want to get the early bird discount! Sign up now to secure your spot for the conference and special events like tours of the Salt Lake temple retrofit project and the geology of the Wasatch range. Over 600 technical papers and more than 35 special sessions are planned, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. Some of the planned special session topics include design for functional recovery, advancing school earthquake safety, public health impacts of earthquakes, new approaches to post-earthquake reconnaissance, using problem-focused studies to improve seismic design practice, inspiring the next generation of earthquake engineers, and many more—as well as several sessions exploring the impacts of the 2020 Magna, Utah earthquake and considering earthquake risk reduction on the Wasatch Front. Speakers at the plenary sessions will include Ken Elwood (M. EERI 1994) and David Wald (M. EERI 1988).

The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will also take place concurrently. Learn more about the conference at the 12NCEE website. 

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Learning From Earthquakes   february-1-2022

EERI Reconnaissance Report on 2019 Albania Earthquake Now Available

EERI's Learning From Earthquakes Program has released a new reconnaissance report. This comprehensive report documents reconnaissance observations from the M6.4 November 26, 2019 Durrës, Albania Earthquake. The 2019 earthquake was the strongest to hit Albania since 1979 and tested the country’s emergency response capabilities and the seismic safety of the building stock and critical infrastructure. The report is divided into 4 volumes – Volume 1: Executive Summary, Volume 2: Seismology and Geotechnical Effects, Volume 3: Resilience and Recovery, and Volume 4: Building Performance. The Executive Summary provides a brief overview of key reconnaissance observations and Volumes 2-4 provide additional background and in-depth descriptions of observations. The collaborative report includes contributions from 30 authors from 11 teams.

The report, along with several other resources on the earthquake, is available on the Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) Albania Earthquake Event Page. Support for this and other LFE activities is made possible by the generous contributions of LFE Endowment Fund donors.

Photo credit: Chiara McKenney 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   february-1-2022

Exponent

Exponent is a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm that brings together more than 90 different disciplines to solve engineering, science, regulatory, and business issues. Exponent’s staff of 900 are located in 20 offices throughout the United States and 7 international offices in Europe and Asia.

Shannon & Wilson, Inc.

Established in 1954, Shannon & Wilson Inc. is an employee-owned consulting firm headquartered in Seattle. S&W provides integrated geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, environmental, and natural resource services for clients worldwide.

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Announcements   february-1-2022

ASCE-UCLA Lifelines Conference: Fully Virtual This Week

This week’s ASCE-UCLA 2021-2022 Lifelines conference—featuring many EERI members as speakers and participants!—is moving to a fully virtual format. To accommodate the change to a fully virtual platform as a result of COVID-19, the conference program has been modified. The plenary sessions, exhibit hall, poster session and workshops will be held from January 31 to February 4, 2022, while the breakout sessions have been moved to next week. The virtual conference features five plenary sessions with internationally renowned keynote speakers and panel discussions; over 50 technical presentations on lifeline infrastructure systems and resilience; workshops providing knowledge about new developments on infrastructure resilience, future research needs, and seismic hazards, and more.

Visit the conference website for more information and to register.

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News of the Institute   january-15-2022

Leadership Communique: EERI Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct

EERI is committed to creating a safe, productive, and welcoming environment–one that encourages members to freely participate and ensures our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in our conduct. We aspire for our members to conduct themselves with the highest standards of scientific, professional, and personal integrity and responsibility. With that in mind, as we start the new year, I am writing to share with you some important news about EERI’s new Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct.

Over the last year, EERI has been developing a new Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct. At the December 14, 2021 board meeting, the EERI Board of Directors approved both documents. We ask all members to read them and familiarize yourselves with the contents.

The Ethics Policy outlines expectations for members in a number of areas, including adhering to professional conduct; preventing discrimination, harassment, and bullying; maintaining the integrity of honors, awards, and leadership positions; and upholding ethical standards in publications. EERI’s ethics policy is based on those of the Seismological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union (used with permission), and given the diversity of our membership, we recognize that your work and activities may also be guided by the ethics and professional conduct policies and standards of practice of the credentialing organizations or licensing bodies in your field. These guidelines are intended to complement, not replace, those standards and principles.

The new Code of Conduct builds on previous codes developed for EERI-specific events, including the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering. EERI is committed to fostering the exchange of ideas by providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment at all EERI activities and on all EERI platforms. We value the participation of every member of the community and want all participants to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. To this end, the Board has now expanded this code to apply to all EERI activities and communications channels—including email lists, chapter and committee meetings, and all virtual and in-person events. By participating in EERI, you agree to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Thank you for taking the time to become familiar with these new policies and working with us to ensure that EERI remains a safe and effective space for collaboration and achievement.

David Cocke

President, EERI Board of Directors

Reminder: EERI COVID-19 Policy

EERI continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and adapt our plans and policies accordingly. As a reminder, beginning December 15, 2021, all EERI in-person events and activities, including chapter and committee meetings, will require participants to sign a liability waiver to attend. Student chapter events will continue to follow the guidelines of their academic institution. All EERI's COVID-19 updates are available on the website here.

We are planning to gather in person for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City this summer. The 12NCEE Organizing Committee and EERI’s staff and volunteers are all working hard to make 12NCEE an effective and enjoyable in-person event while prioritizing your safety. 12NCEE will observe public health guidelines for indoor gatherings as detailed by federal, state, and local health authorities. As the situation continues to evolve, so will our strategy for risk mitigation. Full vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours will be required to attend all 12NCEE events, and we also expect to require masks except when eating, drinking, or delivering a talk. The conference venue is spacious and social distancing and cleaning measures will be in place. Read more about the 12NCEE COVID-19 Policy here.

2021 Outstanding Paper Award

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is pleased to announce that the 2021 Outstanding Paper Award has been awarded to "Capturing epistemic uncertainty in site response," Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 921-936, by Adrian Rodriguez-Marek (M.EERI 1999), Julian J. Bommer (M.EERI 1992), and Robert R. Youngs (M.EERI 1983). The Outstanding Paper Award recognizes authors of Earthquake Spectra papers judged to be outstanding contributions to earthquake hazard mitigation. Papers must have made a significant impact on the profession, provided a significant advance in the state-of-the-art or understanding of a particular topic, be of exceptional technical quality with concise and informative illustrations, and be well-written for a broad audience.

Dr. Adrian Rodriguez-Marek obtained his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley in Civil Engineering in the year 2000. He then joined the faculty at Washington State University, and since 2010 has been a faculty member in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at Virginia Tech. Dr. Rodriguez-Marek's research and teaching is in the area of geotechnical earthquake engineering, with a focus on site response and seismic hazard analysis. He has published extensively on various topics, including site response, ground motion characterization, and the treatment of uncertainty in seismic hazard analysis. Dr. Rodriguez-Marek has also participated as a consultant in various seismic hazard assessment projects for nuclear power plants and critical facilities around the world. He is the current chair of the Center for Geotechnical Practice and Research at Virginia Tech. 

To read the award citation and learn more about the authorship team, view the news post on the EERI website here.

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Webinars   january-15-2022

Multi-Hazard Parametric Catastrophe Bond Trigger Design for Subduction Earthquakes and Tsunamis

January 25, 2022
2:00-3:00 PM (Eastern)

REGISTER HERE

EERI’s New England Regional Chapter presents a FREE webinar with Dr. Katsuichiro Goda, Associate Professor and a Canada Research Chair in Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, on the topic of his 2021 Earthquake Spectra paper.

Paper abstract: This study presents trigger design methods and performance evaluations of multi-hazard parametric catastrophe bonds for mega-thrust subduction earthquakes and tsunamis. The catastrophe bonds serve as alternative disaster risk financing tools for insurers and reinsurers as well as municipalities and governments. Two types of parametric catastrophe bond trigger are investigated. A scenario-based method utilizes available earthquake source-based information, such as magnitude and location, whereas a station-intensity-based method can be implemented when seismic and tsunami hazard monitoring systems are in place in a region. The case study results, focusing on wooden buildings in Miyagi Prefecture, in Japan indicate that the station-intensity based trigger methods outperform the scenario-based trigger methods significantly. Incorporating seismic and tsunami hazard information from multiple recording stations results in smaller trigger errors. The station-intensity-based methods are applicable to building portfolios at both municipality levels and regional levels.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   january-15-2022

Degenkolb

Degenkolb Engineers is a longtime EERI Platinum-Level Subscribing Member and a Sustainer-level donor of the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Endowment Fund. Founded in 1940, Degenkolb's practice reflects more than eight decades of commitment to technical expertise, exceptional client service through close collaboration, and life-long learning. Degenkolb's employees are passionate about working in collaborative environments which help our healthcare, education, advanced technology, construction, and existing building clients achieve outstanding project results. The firm is committed to helping institutions and individuals recover after disaster and build resilient communities. Its innovative award-winning structural designs have saved clients hundreds of millions of dollars. The firm pioneers first-of-its-kind engineering, including the recent first instance of viscous wall dampers in the United States at CPMC Van Ness & Geary Hospital and the first US-based tsunami evacuation center in the state of Washington.

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News of the Institute   january-1-2022

Early Bird Registration for 12NCEE

Registration is now open for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City this summer! Sign up now at the early bird rate to secure your spot for the conference. Over 600 technical papers and more than 35 special sessions are planned, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently. Learn more, including about our COVID-19 precuations and policy, at the 12NCEE website. 

Register today to secure your spot on one of the exciting tours planned for 12NCEE! Places are limited. Tours include:

• The base-isolated Utah State Capitol building and the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located at the Capitol.
• The Salt Lake Temple Base-Isolation Project and Conference Center, including a presentation discussing the massive temple renovation started in 2020 and engineering aspects of the project.
• Salt Lake City historic buildings and their seismic challenges and upgrades, along historic South Temple Street, and at the University of Utah.
• Geology of the Wasatch Mountains from valley to peaks, including an outdoor tour and a 10-minute aerial tram ride between the Snowbird Mountain Resort (elevation: 8,100 ft) and Hidden Peak (elevation: 11,000 ft).
• An opportunity to attend a rehearsal of the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, with engineers available to discuss the seismic retrofit of the Tabernacle building.

The Early Bird Registration rate is available from now through February 28, 2022. You can register directly via this form.

Happy New Year from EERI!

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute wishes our members a happy and productive 2022! Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a year of growth and achievement for EERI: we produced more than 18 webinars, hosted 31 virtual Friedman Family Visiting Professional lectures, and held the first-ever virtual annual meeting–yielding learning opportunities for over 3,200 members and non-members alike. We also reached nearly $2,100,000 in gifts and pledges to our Learning From Earthquakes Endowment, nearly 52% of our goal.

Looking ahead to the coming year, we are excited to bring our members and the broader earthquake community together in-person at the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (12NCEE) in Salt Lake City this summer. We are also planning a new series of webinars, welcoming the return of campus visits through the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals program, preparing to publish new position papers from the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, and continuing to produce Earthquake Spectra, the EERI Oral History series, and the Pulse newsletter to keep you informed about developments in research and practice in the field of earthquake engineering. We look forward to continuing to work with you to reduce earthquake risk in 2022!

Don't Forget to Renew for 2022

With the holiday rush over and the new year just starting, please don't forget to renew your EERI membership for 2022 if you haven't already! All EERI 2021 memberships expired on December 31. EERI extends a grace period of one month. If you have not yet renewed your membership status for 2022, you will still receive member benefits, including access to Earthquake Spectra, through January 31. As of February 1, your 2021 membership will no longer be active and your member benefits will end. 

Please renew your EERI membership now for 2022 to remain a part of our vibrant community, keep receiving the Pulse e-newsletter, retain access to the premier journal of earthquake engineering, Earthquake Spectra, and be eligible for EERI member discounts and events throughout the year. We've made it simple for you to renew—just click here!


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News of the Profession   january-1-2022

Links to Recent News and Views

• Powerful 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Taiwan (Voice of America)
• Shallow earthquake hits southwestern China (Al-Jazeera)
• Railroad Commission suspends deep well water disposal near Midland after earthquakes (Texas Standard)
• ‘Hell of a way to wake up’: Darwin shaken by earthquake off Indonesian coast (The Guardian)
• Global team seeks to develop early warning system for quakes, tsunami (Hawaii News Now)
• ShakeAlert earthquake warning system needs key change for worst scenarios, UW seismologists say (King5 News)

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News of the Institute   december-15-2021

EERI Leadership Communique

As the year draws to a close, I am grateful for what EERI and our dedicated members have accomplished in 2021. The Board has established a new mission statement and strategic plan to accelerate how EERI provides members with the technical knowledge, leadership and advocacy skills, collaborative networks, and multidisciplinary context to achieve earthquake resilience in their communities worldwide. We have a new, more user-friendly website. Numerous volunteer committees, like the Public Policy & Advocacy and Younger Members Committees, have continued to connect together virtually and exercise leadership in our profession.  We have produced more than 18 webinars, hosted 31 virtual Friedman Family Visiting Professional lectures, and held the first-ever virtual annual meeting–yielding learning opportunities for over 3,200 members and non-members alike!  We have reached nearly $2,100,000 in gifts and pledges to our Learning From Earthquakes Endowment, nearly 52% towards our goal, with contributions by so many dedicated members, like you. We’ve also been humbled by the generosity of our colleague Clarence Allen, whose groundbreaking gift demonstrates such confidence in EERI’s ongoing work  to reduce earthquake risk in the years to come. Amid so many challenges, this has still been a year of remarkable progress and accomplishment.

Of course, I am also already looking ahead to events in 2022, especially the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (12NCEE) where I hope to see our many members in-person (at last!).  It will be a joyful summer to connect again with so many of you after several years apart.  

To ensure that we can meet together carefully and safely in the new year, EERI is continuing to monitor and respond to the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust our practices appropriately.  Our priority remains to ensure the safety of members, partners, staff, and guests.  I appreciate your willingness to support these efforts at future EERI in-person events in 2022.

Until further notice, all EERI regional chapter or committee in-person events and activities will require participants to sign a liability waiver to attend. Student chapter events will continue to follow the guidelines of their academic institution.

12NCEE will take place as an in-person event in Salt Lake City, Utah from June 27 to July 1, 2022. The 12NCEE Organizing Committee and EERI’s staff and volunteers are all working hard to make 12NCEE an effective and enjoyable in-person event while prioritizing your safety. Our decisions and preventive measures are guided by the requirements and recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and federal, state, and local health authorities. View the 12NCEE COVID-19 Policy here.

As the situation continues to evolve, so will our strategy for COVID-19 risk mitigation. Full vaccination, or proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours, will be required to attend all 12NCEE events, and masks will be required except when eating, drinking, or delivering a talk. EERI will also work with venue staff to ensure social distancing is possible. The Salt Lake Palace Convention Center, our conference venue, is extremely spacious, and rooms will be set up to encourage 3-6 ft of distance between those attending sessions. All lunches will be provided as boxed lunches that attendees can eat in the conference venue or carry outside, and lunch breaks will be two hours long to permit extra time for distanced eating as well as participation in meetings and networking events. For more information, visit the COVID-19 portion of the FAQ on the conference website. I welcome continued feedback and suggestions from members on these efforts.  

I wish you a joyful holiday season with family and friends, and remain hopeful to connect with you in 2022 at the 12NCEE.

Heidi Tremayne
Executive Director

Registration is Open for 12NCEE!

Registration is now open for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering! Join us next summer in Salt Lake City, Utah for this milestone conference reuniting the earthquake community. Discounted early bird registration rates are available now through February 2022.

12NCEE will bring together professionals from a broad range of disciplines, including architecture, civil and structural engineering, seismology, geology, geophysics, geotechnical engineering, business, public policy, the social sciences, regional planning, emergency response, and regulation. Over 600 technical papers and more than 35 special sessions are planned, as well as a series of lectures, meetings, tours, and networking events. The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently. Learn more about the conference—including our COVID-19 precautions and policy—at the 12NCEE website. 

2020 Outstanding Paper Award

EERI is pleased to announce that the 2020 Outstanding Paper Award has been awarded to “Development of a global seismic risk model,” Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 36, No. S1, pp. 372-394, by Vitor Silva (M.EERI 2014), Desmond Amo-Oduro, Alejandro Calderon (M.EERI 2020), Catarina Costa, Jamal Dabbeek, Venetia Despotaki, Luis Martins, Marco Pagani, Anirudh Rao, Michele Simionato, Daniele Viganò, Catalina Yepes-Estrada, Ana Acevedo, Helen Crowley (M.EERI 2008), Nick Horspool, Kishor Jaiswal (M.EERI 2007), Murray Journeay, and Massimiliano Pittore.

The Outstanding Paper Award recognizes authors of Earthquake Spectra papers judged to be outstanding contributions to earthquake hazard mitigation. Papers must have made a significant impact on the profession, provided a significant advance in the state-of-the-art or understanding of a particular topic, be of exceptional technical quality with concise and informative illustrations, and be well-written for a broad audience.

The award citation notes that the development of a Global Seismic Risk Model was a mammoth undertaking that involved hundreds of people and for the first time presented a detailed view of seismic risk at the global scale. For some developing countries, this was the first time that a seismic risk map was produced, and the associated country profiles are being used by the local authorities. The development and delivery of a modern global seismic risk model required unprecedented technical, algorithmic, coding, databasing, and collaborative research and development—all well documented by Silva et al. Noting its importance, all three reviewers recommended this seminar paper for an award. This paper was released as a part of the 2020 Earthquake Spectra Special Issue titled "GEM's 2018 global hazard and risk models."  Though it was released only last year, it has already garnered 27 citations and more than 1,700 views on the Earthquake Spectra SAGE portal. 

Vitor Silva is the Seismic Risk Coordinator at the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, and an Associate Professor at the University Fernando Pessoa in Portugal. To learn more about Silva and the rest of the authorship team, read the news post on the EERI website here.

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Students   december-15-2021

Rodrigo Costa et al. Receive 2021 Graduate Student Paper Award

EERI is pleased to announce that the 2021 Graduate Student Paper Award has been awarded to “Agent-based model for post-earthquake housing recovery," Earthquake Spectra Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 46-72, by Rodrigo Costa (M.EERI 2018), Terje Haukaas (M.EERI 2005), and Stephanie Chang (M.EERI 1994). The award recognizes a paper published in Earthquake Spectra that has a graduate student as the first author. The award citation commends the paper for its combination of "a rigorous quantitative framework with the important societal goal of modeling and mitigating loss of housing following major earthquakes." Rodrigo Costa is a post-doctoral scholar at the Stanford Urban Resilience Initiative who works at the interface between engineering and social sciences, examining how communities' physical, economic, and social systems interact to exacerbate disaster risk and further socioeconomic and racial inequalities. He holds a Ph.D. in Earthquake Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and a master’s and an undergraduate degree in engineering from Brazil.

The honorable mentions for the 2021 Graduate Student Paper Award are:

• Mohamad M Hallal (M.EERI 2020) and Brady R Cox (M.EERI 2004), "An H/V geostatistical approach for building pseudo-3D Vs models to account for spatial variability in ground response analyses Part I: Model development," Earthquake Spectra Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 2013-2040.
• Irene Alisjahbana (M.EERI 2020) and Anne Kiremidjian (M.EERI 1976), "Modeling housing recovery after the 2018 Lombok earthquakes using a stochastic queuing model," Earthquake Spectra Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 587-611.

To read more about Costa and the award, visit the news post on the EERI website here.

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News of the Profession   december-15-2021

Links to Recent News and Views

• 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits off coast of Indonesia (CNN) 
• Recycled Tennis Balls Could Protect Buildings from Earthquakes (Scientific American)
• S.F.’s plans to protect the Embarcadero from earthquakes and sea level rise could transform the Ferry Building (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Structural engineers want stronger penalties for errors within industry (Radio New Zealand)
• Utah engineers make a 3D model of BYU's campus (Fox13 Salt Lake City)
• Center touts smart city quake system (Taipei Times)
  
  

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   december-15-2021

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. is a global interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists committed to helping clients solve, repair, and avoid problems in the built world. WJE specializes in the investigation, analysis, testing, and design of repairs for historic and contemporary buildings and structures. 

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News of the Institute   december-1-2021

2022 EERI Board of Directors Election Results

Many thanks to all EERI members who took the time to consider and choose from the exceptional candidates for the 2022 EERI Board of Directors! EERI would like to welcome our new President-Elect and two new Directors: 

President-Elect:

Janiele Maffei (M. EERI, 1992)
Chief Mitigation Officer, California Earthquake Authority 
Sacramento, California

Directors:

Zahraa Saiyed (M. EERI, 2011)
CEO & Principal, Scyma Consulting, LLC 
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Nicholas Gregor (M. EERI, 1992)
Consulting Seismologist
San Francisco Bay Area, California 

Maffei, Saiyed, and Gregor will assume their new posts at the first Board of Directors meeting in 2022.

The Institute extends appreciation to outgoing board members, Past President Laurie Johnson (M. EERI, 1990), Vice President Judith Mitrani-Reiser (M. EERI, 2001), and Director Tara Hutchinson (M. EERI, 1995) for their service and dedication to the institute. EERI’s leadership and staff appreciate the insight and diligence that they brought to the Board during their tenure.

EERI would also like to thank the Election Tellers who were critical in the election process: Mostafa Badroddin (M. EERI, 2020), Shannon Casares (M. EERI, 2013), and Debra Murphy (M. EERI, 2007). Per the bylaws: "The President shall appoint three (3) tellers from the Membership-at-large who shall with the Executive Director to certify the electronic election results, and shall report their findings to the Secretary/Treasurer no later than November 10 of each year."

2022 Distinguished Lecture Award

EERI is pleased to announce that Ken Elwood (M.EERI 1994) is the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Lecture Award. The annual Distinguished Lecture Award recognizes and encourages an EERI member for communication of outstanding professional contributions of major importance for earthquake hazard mitigation. Elwood’s Distinguished Lecture, “From Ductility to Repairability: Evolution of Building Design in the Wake of the Christchurch Earthquake,” will be presented at the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering.

Elwood received his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 2002, M.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1995, and BASc from the University of British Columbia in 1993. Ken served on the EERI Board of Directors and as the Chair of the Learning from Earthquakes Committee. Always seeking to work at the boundary of research and engineering practice, he has served as a member of several international code committees and currently sits on the American Concrete Institute Building Code (ACI 318) Committee. He is actively involved in research related to the seismic performance of existing concrete buildings, repairability, and post-earthquake recovery.

Elwood joined the University of Auckland in July 2014 after 11 years on faculty at the University of British Columbia, Canada. After experiencing the Christchurch Earthquake first-hand, he was drawn to New Zealand to pursue the numerous opportunities for research and implementation in earthquake risk reduction in the wake of the earthquakes. He served as the inaugural Director of Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE: Centre for Earthquake Resilience, a New Zealand Government-funded Centre of Research Excellence. Elwood is excited to be starting a new phase in his career in November 2021 through a multi-year secondment to the New Zealand Government to serve as the MBIE/EQC Chief Engineer (Building Resilience). Through this role, he will champion the resilience of New Zealand’s built environment, by establishing strong stakeholder connections and promoting collaboration between relevant research, policy, and practice players.

To learn more, view the news post here.

September 2021 Board Meeting Summary

The EERI Board of Directors held their September 2021 Board meeting on Friday, September 17, via video conference due to the ongoing pandemic. The meeting was chaired by President David Cocke.

The Board approved various meeting minutes, the slate of candidates in the upcoming election, award winners recommended by various selection committees, student chapter reports, and a charge for a new Fundraising Committee. The Board confirmed their positions on several pieces of federal legislation, including support for the Federal Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act (HR 4675/SB 2432) as well as support for code adoption and implementation funding for FEMA in the federal reconciliation package.

The Board reviewed a preliminary version of the 2022 budget, considering various expenditures needed to advance the 2021-2025 Strategic Goals and other Institute initiatives, as well as revenue sources from donors and other sources. As a part of this budget review, the Board approved individual and subscribing member dues rates for 2022, as well as registration fees for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering.

The Board reviewed and approved financial statements as of July 31, 2021, and reviewed and approved the investment policies and spend guidelines for each of EERI’s investment funds.

Earthquake Spectra Editor-In-Chief David Wald joined the Board for an update on the journal, including Board approval of the paper award winners, discussion of the impact factor that increased to 3.03, and recent recruitment efforts for new reviewers that has yielded a remarkable 228 new volunteers.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled in mid-December 2021.

2021 Shah Family Innovation Prize

EERI is pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2021 Shah Family Innovation Prize are Ashly Cabas and Samuel Yniesta. The Shah Family Innovation Prize rewards younger professionals and academics for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the field of earthquake risk mitigation and management. The intent of the prize is to stimulate further creativity and leadership in the earthquake risk mitigation community and EERI.

Ashly Cabas (M.EERI 2013) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University. She completed her undergraduate studies at Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, Venezuela, and earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech. Her group’s work has been recognized with the EERI best paper awards in 2014 and 2018. She recently served as guest editor of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America Special Section on Advances in Site Response, and joined NSF-sponsored GEER teams after the 2018 Mw 7.1 Alaska, and 2021 Mw 7.2 Haiti earthquakes; leading the ground motion characterization and site effects investigation. Her research program has been funded by the USGS, NSF, PG&E, and the Alaska DOT, and she has collaborated with international partners at the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, and the IFSTTAR in France. Dr. Cabas was selected as a 2021 NCSU Impact Scholar, 2021 New Faces in ASCE Geo-Institute, 2020 Fellow for the NSF Enabling the Next Generation of Hazards and Disasters Researchers Fellowship Program, and 2017 ASCE Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd) Fellow.

Samuel Yniesta (M.EERI 2015) is an assistant professor in the department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, at Polytechnique Montréal, Canada. He obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 2012 and 2016, respectively. His expertise lies within the field of geotechnical earthquake engineering and seismic hazard characterization. His research aims at better understanding, quantifying, and modeling seismic hazard, to make civil and mining engineering projects safer. Some of his research projects developed in collaboration with his industrial partners include the simulations of geotechnical systems, such as dams and tailings impoundments, to assess their seismic stability, the development of new constitutive models, and the integration of simulations into probabilistic hazard analysis. Recently, he started studying earthquakes induced by mining operations and their consequences. He is also a co-author of the seismic chapter of the new edition of the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual. 

To learn more, view the news post here.

EERI Receives Groundbreaking Gift from Clarence Allen

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is deeply grateful to announce a groundbreaking gift from the renowned geologist Clarence Allen (M.EERI 1966), who passed away on January 21, 2021. Allen, a longtime EERI member who served on the Board of Directors from 1985-1987, was recognized with four of EERI's highest awards and honors during his lifetime: the Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal (1993), the Distinguished Lectureship (1995), the George W. Housner Medal (2001), and an appointment as an Honorary Member (2005). He was also the subject of the tenth volume of Connections: The EERI Oral History Series. Allen’s generous contribution of $800,000, a bequest from his estate, is the largest individual gift in EERI’s history.

“We are honored to receive this profoundly generous gift from Clarence Allen, who also gave so much of his time and professional insight to EERI over the years,” said Executive Director Heidi Tremayne. “His gift means he will continue to support EERI’s mission to deepen the understanding of earthquake risk and increase earthquake resilience in communities worldwide for many years to come.”

The EERI Board of Directors has appointed a committee to explore avenues for how best to use the funds to support EERI activities and programs and contribute to the broader needs of the earthquake engineering community. “EERI is committed to ensuring the best possible use of this gift, in keeping with Clarence Allen’s commitment to interdisciplinary cooperation, and we look forward to sharing our plans for his gift with the membership in early 2022,” said Board President David Cocke.

To learn more about Clarence Allen’s life and career, read the news post on the EERI website here.

2022 Younger Member Awards

EERI is pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2022 Younger Member Award are Jack English and Maha Kenawy. The EERI Younger Member Award is awarded to recognize early-career members of the Institute who have made outstanding contributions to the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the pursuit of its objectives in the early stages of their career—especially contributions that have improved opportunities for and increased the impact of younger members within the Institute.

Jack English (M.EERI 2019) is a Structural Designer at Holmes. He grew up in San Francisco's Richmond District, gaining an early interest in service through school and Boy Scouts. He earned a dual bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and Political Science from Case Western Reserve University, and went on to earn a dual master's in Structural Engineering and Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2021. Internships with four members of Congress enabled him to see the positive impacts sound policies make on people's lives, and the importance of involving the STEM community in policy making.

As a member of EERI's Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, English helped build the Citizen Advocate Toolkit, empowering every EERI member to advocate for seismic policies with their Federal, State, and Local representatives. He lives in San Francisco.

Maha Kenawy (M.EERI 2015) is an associate at Exponent, where she works on performance assessment of buildings and other structures. Her expertise is in nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete structures, and assessment of earthquake risks to civil infrastructure. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California at Davis, and a M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Construction Engineering from the American University in Cairo, Egypt. She is the recipient of the ASCE O.H. Ammann Research Award in Structural Engineering and the NHERI Summer Institute Grant for early-career researchers in natural hazard risk reduction from NSF. Kenawy has several publications on advancing the analysis of engineering structures, and has held multiple leadership positions in the earthquake engineering community.

Kenawy served as a chair of the EERI Younger Members Committee, where she led several initiatives to support the professional development of early-career EERI members. She currently serves on the EERI Student Awards Committee and the 12NCEE technical program committee.

View the news post on the EERI website here.

12NCEE Update: Registration Opening Soon!

Registration for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering will open in mid-December! Check out the 12NCEE website for more information about registration categories and deadlines. Information about exciting tours—from the Geology of the Wasatch Fault to the Salt Lake Temple Base-Isolation Project—will also be coming soon.

This milestone conference will bring together professionals from the U.S. and international earthquake community, across a broad range of disciplines: architecture, civil and structural engineering, seismology, geology, geophysics, geotechnical engineering, business, public policy, the social sciences, regional planning, emergency response, and regulation. Approximately 600 technical presentations, including a wide range of special sessions, are already confirmed. The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   december-1-2021

Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP is one of the largest and most influential architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world. SOM is responsible for some of the world’s most technically and environmentally advanced buildings, and significant public spaces.

Nabih Youssef & Associates

Nabih Youssef & Associates provides specialized structural and earthquake engineering consulting. NYA has engineered high-rise buildings, medical centers, educational & athletic facilities, and has conducted seismic evaluations, historical preservations and strengthening of major landmark structures. It has offices in offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Irvine and South Carolina.

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Announcements   december-1-2021

Inaugural J.R. Choudhury Annual Memorial Lecture

On December 3, 2021, Lehigh University Professor Dan M. Frangopol will give the inaugural J. R. Choudhury (JRC) Annual Memorial Lecture, hosted virtually by the BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) Alumni Association of Bangladesh. Frangopol, the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lehigh, will discuss “Risk, Resilience and Sustainability of Civil Infrastructure under Lifetime Hazards including Climate Change.” The online event, which will be streamed via Facebook Live here, begins at 9 am EST (8 pm Bangladesh Standard Time).  

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News of the Profession   december-1-2021

Links to Recent News and Views

• Magnitude 7.5 earthquake rocks Peru, topples centuries-old church tower (USA Today)
• How Japan’s new 1,000km hiking trail through earthquake- and tsunami-stricken lands teaches you an inspirational lesson (South China Morning Post)
• Magnitude-5.1 earthquake shakes Turkey's Izmir, no casualties (Daily Sabah)
• Questions abound on earthquake insurance for energy firms (Journal-Record)
• A proposed research center would help Utah better prepare for big earthquakes (UPR)
  
  

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Webinars   december-1-2021

Quick Quake Briefing: California M6.0 Antelope Valley Earthquake of July 8, 2021

Thursday, December 9, 2021, 12:00-1:00 PM Pacific Time

REGISTER HERE

Learning from Earthquakes and the EERI Northern California Regional Chapter will host a FREE Quick Quake Briefing webinar on the M6.0 earthquake that struck Northern California on July 8, 2021. The earthquake was the largest to strike California since the M7.1 Ridgecrest earthquake in July of 2019. It was centered in Antelope Valley, California, close to Highway 395 about half-way between Lake Tahoe and Mono Lake. Strong shaking occurred in the epicentral area (MMI = VI) due the shallow source depth of 5 miles. Numerous rockslides caused the temporary closure of about 40 miles of California Highway 395. The earthquake was also felt as far away as the San Francisco Bay Area about 200 miles to the west (MMI = III). Fortunately, the built environment was mostly unscathed, thanks to the remote location. The webinar will be moderated by Donald Wells, Principal Engineering Geologist at Fugro. Speakers will include:

• Brian Olson, Engineering Geologist, California Geological Survey
• Austin Elliott, Research Geologist, United States Geological Survey
• Richard Koehler, Associate Professor, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada
• Richard Heninger, Senior Bridge Engineer, California Department of Transportation

The webinar will include time for participants to ask questions of the speakers.

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Regional Chapters   december-1-2021

Sacramento Regional Chapter Webinar

The Upper and Lower San Fernando Dams: 50 Years of Advances in Seismic Analysis of Dams Potentially Susceptible to Seismic Soil Liquefaction

Thursday, December 2, 2021, 12:00-1:30 PM, Pacific Time

JOIN HERE (via Microsoft Teams)

The well-documented field performance case histories of the Lower San Fernando Dam (LSFD) and the Upper San Fernando Dam (USFD) during the February 9, 1971 San Fernando earthquake (Mw = 6.61) have been foundational to the development of the field of modern seismic geotechnical dam engineering, and to the inception of the U.S. national seismic dam safety programs still ongoing today. The liquefaction-induced upstream flow failure of the LSFD, and the only small to moderate deformations that occurred for the similarly constructed USFD, provide an unusually valuable pair of case histories for back-analyses of the behaviors of embankment dams subject to soil liquefaction and strong near-field seismic loading. In this webinar, UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus Raymond Seed will present key elements of these two important case histories, discuss early geoforensic studies and back-analyses, and then look ahead fifty years later to still ongoing developments in current practice with regard to seismic analyses of dams potentially susceptible to soil liquefaction.

San Diego Regional Chapter Webinar

Punctuated Resilience

Friday, December 3, 2021, 12:00-2:00 PM Pacific Time

REGISTER HERE

Cornell Professor Emeritus Thomas O’Rourke and UC San Diego Professor Emeritus Christopher Wills will present on the concept of "punctuated resilience," building on the concept of punctuated equilibrium as a way to trace the evolution of key infrastructure policies. The speakers will introduce the concept of punctuated equilibrium as advanced by Stephen Jay Gould, and dicuss how infrastructure resilience is punctuated by its relationship to natural hazards and climate change. They will also discuss how punctuated resilience is an important mechanism for improving the engineering and management of critical facilities. The webinar will explore the agents of change that lead to improved policies and approaches, including the technical, institutional, and social challenges of introducing new technologies and engaging community support.

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News of the Institute   november-15-2021

EERI and NZSEE Publish Oral History of Nigel Priestley

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) are excited to jointly release the 30th volume of Connections: The EERI Oral History Series, featuring the late Dr. Nigel Priestley—a significant figure in the field of earthquake engineering in his native New Zealand, the United States, and globally. The interviews for this volume were conducted in the final year of his life, by Richard Sharpe, Life Member of NZSEE, and Nigel’s daughter Rebecca Priestley, a historian of science with the Centre for Science in Society at Victoria University of Wellington. 

After earning his PhD in 1966, Priestley spent a decade with the NZ Ministry of Works, leading extensive studies on bridges and buildings. As a faculty member at the University of Canterbury, he conducted research on the seismic behaviour of masonry structures in collaboration with Professor Tom Paulay, and served as the president of NZSEE from 1985-1986. He then spent over a decade on the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, before becoming Co-Director of the ROSE School, where he continued until 2007. Dr. Priestley published more than 450 papers, mainly on earthquake engineering, and received numerous awards for his research. He was the co-author of three seismic design books: Seismic Design of Concrete and Masonry Buildings, Seismic Design and Retrofit of Bridges, and Displacement-Based Seismic Design of Structures. 

As his daughter Rebecca, co-interviewer for this volume observes, he “also read and wrote poetry, played classical guitar and was an accomplished carpenter. I think it was this mixture of precision and creativity that led to his best work, which was marked by a fresh way of looking at engineering problems and demonstrated in his accounts of how to apply these new ideas to the design of structures, particularly buildings and bridges.” 

Download the pdf copy for free from EERI's Digital Library, or order a print-on-demand copy from Barnes and Noble for $19.95 plus shipping.

EERI 2022 Awards: Bruce Bolt Medal and William B. Joyner Lecture Award

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), the Consortium of Organizations for Strong Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS), and the Seismological Society of America (SSA) are pleased to announce that Dr. C.B. Crouse, Principal Engineer at AECOM, is the recipient of the 2022 Bruce Bolt Medal. The award will be presented at the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City, Utah, taking place from June 27-July 1 2022.

The Bruce Bolt Medal honors the legacy of Bruce Alan Bolt (1930-2005), a pioneer at the intersection of Earthquake Science and Earthquake Engineering. The medal is awarded jointly by EERI, COSMOS, and SSA to recognize individuals worldwide who work at the intersection of seismology and earthquake engineering, whose accomplishments involve the promotion and use of earthquake measurements, and whose leadership in the transfer of scientific and engineering knowledge into practice or policy has led to improved seismic safety.

C.B. Crouse has been a consultant in earthquake engineering and engineering seismology for 47 years. He currently works as Principal Engineer at AECOM in Seattle, Washington, where he primarily conducts seismic hazard and soil-structure interaction studies and develops earthquake ground motions (response spectra and time histories) for various types of projects throughout the world. To learn more about Dr. Crouse and this award, visit the news post on the EERI website here.

EERI and SSA are also pleased to announce that David J. Wald, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) in Golden, Colorado, is the 2021 recipient of the William B. Joyner Lecture Award. Wald will deliver the Joyner Lecture at the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering to be held June 27-July 1, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the 2022 SSA Annual Meeting to be held April 19-23, 2022 in Bellevue, Washington.

The lectureship is jointly awarded by EERI and SSA to those who have provided outstanding earth science contributions to the theory and practice of earthquake engineering or outstanding earthquake engineering contributions to the direction and focus of earth science research. The lecture honors the distinguished career of William B. Joyner at the U.S. Geological Survey and his abiding commitment to continuing communication and education at the interface between research findings of earthquake science and the practical realities of earthquake engineering.

Wald is involved in research, development, and operations of real-time information systems at the NEIC. He is responsible for developing and managing ShakeMap, which provides near-real-time maps of ground motion and shaking intensity following significant earthquakes, the citizen-science earthquake reporting system Did You Feel It?, and other systems for post-earthquake response and pre-earthquake mitigation. Along with his work at USGS, Wald is the Editor-in-Chief of EERI’s premier journal Earthquake Spectra, and is an adjunct professor in the geophysics department at the Colorado School of Mines. To learn more about Dr. Wald and this award, visit the news post on the EERI website here.

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Earthquake Spectra   november-15-2021

Don't Miss the November Issue of Spectra!

The November 2021 issue of Earthquake Spectra is now compiled and available online! Editor-in-Chief David Wald selected the paper "An exploration of the use of machine learning to predict lateral spreading," by Maria Giovanna Durante and Ellen M. Rathje, as the editor's choice for this issue. In Wald's words, "Giovanna and Rathje tackle the challenge of predicting the occurrence of lateral spreading as well as the classification of the severity of lateral displacements (0.3-0.5, 0.5-1, and > 1 m) with machine learning. In doing so, they identify the most influential parameters in these models, namely distance to the river, groundwater table depth, slope, elevation, and PGA (though CPT data is identified as relatively low priority in determining the occurrence of lateral spreading it slightly improved their model’s ability to predict its severity). The authors' descriptions of the machine learning approaches employed are clear and informative, as are their applications."

To view the rest of the November 2021 issue, visit the Earthquake Spectra website here.

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Learning From Earthquakes   november-15-2021

Third Anniversary of the 2018 Anchorage Earthquake: Resources

On November 30, 2018, a M7.1 earthquake occurred near Anchorage, Alaska. The earthquake affected southcentral Alaska and at the time, was the most impactful earthquake in the U.S. in many years. This event presented a major learning opportunity for the U.S. earthquake risk reduction community and over the past 3 years, new lessons and studies from the earthquake continue to be published. Highlights include:

EERI Earthquake Reconnaissance Report: M7.1 Anchorage Earthquake on November 30, 2018

A comprehensive report on earthquake impacts was published by EERI in July 2021. The report includes chapters on the following topics:

• Seismology, Ground Motions, and Aftershocks

• Geotechnical Impacts

• Structural Performance of Buildings

• Nonstructural and Equipment Damage in Buildings

• Performance of Schools

• Performance of Hospitals and Health Care Facilities

• Impact on Transportation System

• Lifelines and Utilities

• Risk Mitigation Recommendations


Papers published in Earthquake Spectra:

• Geotechnical lessons from the Mw 7.1 2018 Anchorage Alaska earthquake

• Impacts of the 2018 M7.1 Anchorage earthquake on schools

• Performance of externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer retrofits in the 2018 Cook Inlet Earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska

• Chimneys and mobile homes in 2018 Anchorage earthquake


Presentations from recent meetings and conferences

• Lessons from Post-Earthquake Inspections

• 2020 National Earthquake Conference Presentations

  • Findings from the Anchorage Earthquake Session Presentations Session Presentations
  • Presentations on response, business impacts, lifelines, and aftershocks
• One Year Later: Symposium on the 2018 M7.1 Anchorage Earthquake


These and many other resources are available on the 2018 Anchorage Earthquake Virtual Clearinghouse Website.

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Students   november-15-2021

SDC Interest Survey: Deadline Extended Through Today

The 2022 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place in June 2022 as part of the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Student Leadership Council is looking forward to welcoming teams back to an in-person competition next year! Teams interested in participating in the competition should complete the interest survey by November 15, 2021. Only one response per team is needed. The survey will be used to collect contact information for teams and help the SLC plan for next year’s competition. More information about the competition is available on the SLC Website. 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   november-15-2021

Gilsanz Murray Steficek

Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP provides structural engineering and building envelope consulting for construction and restoration projects. These projects include tall office and residential towers, theaters, housing, educational buildings, sports facilities, sculptures, landmarks, and special structures. Founded in 1991, GMS is headquartered in New York City, with offices in New Jersey and Los Angeles, California. 

Golder

Golder is an employee-owned, global organization that provides consulting, design, and construction services in the areas of earth, environment, and energy. With over 165 offices in more than 30 countries, Golder serves clients across the infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, manufacturing and power sectors.

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Announcements   november-15-2021

Registration Open for Lifelines 2021-2022 Conference

Registration is now open for the ASCE 2021-2022 Lifelines Conference! The ASCE-UCLA The San Fernando Earthquake Conference—50 years of Lifeline Engineering (Lifelines 2021-2022), focuses on “Understanding, Improving & Operationalizing Hazard Resilience for Lifeline Systems.” The February 9, 1971 San Fernando California Earthquake was a devastating yet seminal event which, for the first time, demonstrated the seismic threat to lifelines that fundamentally support our modern livelihoods. The conference will take place from January 31 to February 4, 2022, including pre- and post-conference workshops. Registration options include full registration for the in-person conference as well as a hybrid option to allow partial virtual attendance. To learn more about the conference and to register, visit the conference website here.

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Opportunities   november-15-2021

Job Opening: Department Head for the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (NC State)

North Carolina State University’s College of Engineering invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Head for the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE). The department is seeking an outstanding individual who will be expected to have a strong commitment to academic and research excellence commensurate with the expectations of a major research university. Candidates shall possess a doctoral degree in Civil, Construction, or Environmental Engineering, or a related field and credentials to be appointed at the rank of Professor with tenure in the department.

Confidential review of applications will begin in December 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. For more information on the search and how to apply, please visit the search page here.

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News of the Profession   november-15-2021

Links to Recent News and Views

• At Least 1 Dead After Quakes Strike Southern Iran (The New York Times)
• Kaikōura quake continues to help us learn about our highly seismic country (Stuff NZ)
• Too little, too late? The devastating consequences of natural disasters must inform building codes (The Conversation)
• Prepping for the Big One, California earthquake insurance agency looks to cut coverage (The Sacramento Bee)
• Risk of earthquakes caused by oil and gas operations in New Mexico rising (Carlsbad Current-Argus)

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Regional Chapters   november-15-2021

Sacramento Chapter Webinar on San Fernando Dam

The Upper and Lower San Fernando Dams: 50 Years of Advances in Seismic Analysis of Dams Potentially Susceptible to Seismic Soil Liquefaction

Thursday, December 2, 2021, 12:00-1:30 PM, Pacific Time

JOIN HERE (via Microsoft Teams)

The well-documented field performance case histories of the Lower San Fernando Dam (LSFD) and the Upper San Fernando Dam (USFD) during the February 9, 1971 San Fernando earthquake (Mw = 6.61) have been foundational to the development of the field of modern seismic geotechnical dam engineering, and to the inception of the U.S. national seismic dam safety programs still ongoing today. The liquefaction-induced upstream flow failure of the LSFD, and the only small to moderate deformations that occurred for the similarly constructed USFD, provide an unusually valuable pair of case histories for back-analyses of the behaviors of embankment dams subject to soil liquefaction and strong near-field seismic loading. In this webinar, UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus Raymond Seed will present key elements of these two important case histories, discuss early geoforensic studies and back-analyses, and then look ahead fifty years later to still ongoing developments in current practice with regard to seismic analyses of dams potentially susceptible to soil liquefaction.

Upcoming San Diego Chapter Webinars

The EERI San Diego Chapter is presenting two free webinar events in November and December 2021:

An Early Warning for Earthquake Hazard: A High School Student Approach

Thursday, November 18, 2021, 4:00-5:00 PM Pacific Time

REGISTER HERE

Earthquake early warning systems have been developed in recent years that can provide a helpful advanced warning for strong earthquake shaking. Kristen Chang, a member of the board of the EERI San Diego Regional Chapter board, will present a general overview of how the USGS ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning system works and its applications. In addition, we are excited to welcome Southern California high school student Vivien He to discuss her development of a low-cost seismometer that can be used for homes and businesses. Vivian He is currently a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates. She developed her seismometer during her time at home under COVID restrictions in 2020. 

Punctuated Resilience

Friday, December 3, 2021, 12:00-2:00 PM Pacific Time

REGISTER HERE

Cornell Professor Emeritus Thomas O’Rourke and UC San Diego Professor Emeritus Christopher Wills will present on the concept of "punctuated resilience," building on the concept of punctuated equilibrium as a way to trace the evolution of key infrastructure policies. The speakers will introduce the concept of punctuated equilibrium as advanced by Stephen Jay Gould, and dicuss how infrastructure resilience is punctuated by its relationship to natural hazards and climate change. They will also discuss how punctuated resilience is an important mechanism for improving the engineering and management of critical facilities. The webinar will explore the agents of change that lead to improved policies and approaches, including the technical, institutional, and social challenges of introducing new technologies and engaging community support.

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News of the Institute   november-1-2021

12NCEE Papers Due This Friday!

Have you submitted your paper for 12NCEE yet? The deadline for paper submissions is this Friday, November 5th, by 11:59 PM Pacific Time! Remember that there will be no preliminary abstract submission and review—the first and only submission will be a 4-page paper manuscript. Check out the Call for Papers on the 12NCEE website for more information. Authors will receive confirmation of acceptance of their papers, including the presentation type (traditional oral, lightning, or poster) and any review comments, by January 15, 2021.

EERI would like to thank Computers and Structures, Inc. and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their generous support funding registration grants helping students and early-career academics and professionals to attend 12NCEE.

EERI 2022 Awards: George W. Housner Medal and Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is pleased to announce that Mary C. Comerio (M.EERI 1988) an internationally recognized expert on disaster recovery, is the recipient of the 2022 George W. Housner Medal. The Housner Medal, EERI’s highest award, recognizes members of the Institute and others who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to public earthquake safety through the development and application of earthquake hazard reduction practices and policies.

A trailblazer in bringing together the fields of architecture and disaster recovery and a professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, Comerio has a long history of service to and leadership with EERI. She has served as president of EERI, as a member of the Board of Directors, Honors Committee, and the Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) committee, and as a Distinguished Lecturer. She was also a member of EERI’s post-earthquake reconnaissance teams to Umbria and L’Aquila, and leader of the team to Christchurch. In 2019, EERI honored Comerio with an honorary membership to the Institute. Comerio is also the first woman to be featured in Connections, EERI’s oral history collection.

To read more about Mary C. Comerio and this award, view the news post on the EERI website here.

EERI is also pleased to announce that the 2022 Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal has been awarded to engineer Barry H. Welliver (M. EERI 2002). The Alquist Medal is presented to an individual, company, or organization that has made substantial contributions to the field of seismic safety and earthquake risk reduction, having directly affected the seismic safety of the general population.

Welliver has served as vice president of the EERI Board of Directors and is the past chair of EERI’s School Earthquake Safety Initiative (SESI). He was invited in 2015 as the representative of SESI to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Second Safe Schools Leaders meeting in Tehran, Iran where he reported on SESI’s activities and learned about the international efforts for school hazard safety. He has also served as president of the Structural Engineers Association of Utah and the Utah Regional Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

To read more about Barry H. Welliver and this award, view the news post on the EERI website here.

 

EERI 2022 Awards: Honorary Members

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2022 Honorary Memberships are Robin K. McGuire (M.EERI 1975) and Jack P. Moehle (M. EERI, 1981). Honorary membership of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute is awarded to recognize members who have made sustained and outstanding contributions to the field of earthquake engineering and/or to EERI and the pursuit of its objectives.

Robin K. McGuire (M.EERI 1975) is a Professional Engineer and is currently is a Principal at Lettis Consultants International.

Dr McGuire received degrees in civil and structural engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (SB and PhD) and the University of California, Berkeley (MS). He started engineering work as a Commissioned Officer of the US Public Health Service, continued work in the Seismic Hazards Branch of the US Geological Survey, and also worked for several consulting engineering companies.

In 1984 he founded Risk Engineering, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in worldwide seismic hazard, risk, and loss analyses for constructed facilities. 

Dr. McGuire served as a Director of EERI (1990—1992) and authored the EERI monograph Seismic Hazard and Risk Analysis, published in 2004, which has been translated into the Persian language. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

Jack P. Moehle (M. EERI, 1981), is a Professor of the Graduate School in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. 

He received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and joined the U.C. Berkeley faculty in 1980. From 1991 to 2001, he was the director of the Earthquake Engineering Research Center at Berkeley, and from 1996 to 2008 he was director of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center.

He has played a leading role in the development of building codes and professional engineering guidelines for the design of new construction and the assessment and rehabilitation of seismically vulnerable existing construction.

His notable honors include election to the US National Academy of Engineering (2014), election as International Member of the Academy of Engineering of Mexico (2016), EERI Distinguished Lecturer (2005), and the EERI Housner Medal (2020).

To learn more about the Honorary Member awards, view the news post on the EERI website here.

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Learning From Earthquakes   november-1-2021

2021 Haiti Earthquake Reconnaissance Webinar Available for Viewing

The Learning From Earthquakes 2021 Haiti Earthquake Reconnaissance Briefing Webinar is now available for viewing on EERI’s YouTube account here.

The webinar, held live on October 13, 2021, provides a multi-disciplinary overview of preliminary observations from the M7.2 August 14, 2021 Haiti Earthquake, which caused widespread damage in the Nippes and Sud Departments, including the town of Les Cayes. This earthquake occurred 11 years after the deadly M7.0 2010 earthquake that hit closer to the capital city of Port-au-Prince. While the epicenter of the August earthquake was located more than 40 miles west of the densely populated capital area, casualties in the affected communities still numbered over 2,200 with more than 10,000 reported injured. Speakers in this webinar covered the earthquake seismology, the humanitarian response, and the scientific, engineering, social, and political impacts of the earthquake. One presentation was omitted from this video for permissions reasons.

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Webinars   november-1-2021

Distinguished Lecture Series: Lifeline Infrastructure System Functional Recovery and Operability

November 10, 2021
2:30-4:00 PM (Eastern), 11:30 AM-1:00 PM (Pacific)

REGISTER HERE

Join us for another in a series of free public webinars featuring Dr. Craig Davis and building on the themes of his 2021 EERI Distinguished Lecture! Note: if you already registered for the series, you are pre-registered for this event, so all you need to do is save the date.

Historically, seismic design and building codes have focused primarily on ensuring safety in the event of an earthquake, with less attention to the state of structures and infrastructure systems in the aftermath. However, an increasing focus on resiliency in recent years has brought new attention to the concept of designing for functional recovery: a post-earthquake state in which capacity is sufficiently maintained or swiftly restored to support pre-earthquake functionality. As detailed in the January 2021 FEMA/NIST report “Recommended Options for Improving the Built Environment for Post-Earthquake Reoccupancy and Functional Recovery Time,” this means considering not only safety and recovery time for buildings, but ensuring recovery-based design, upgrade, and maintenance of a lifeline infrastructure systems as well. In this webinar, co-hosted by the EERI New England Regional Chapter and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Student Chapter, EERI 2021 Distinguished Lecturer Craig Davis will present a short lecture on Lifeline Infrastructure System Functional Recovery and Operability, followed by a live panel with speakers from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. They will speak on the role, preparedness, and plans of their organizations to mitigate damage and restore service of critical lifeline systems after a disaster, and join Dr. Davis for a Q&A session with the webinar audience.

Panelists:

• Dr. Craig Davis
  EERI 2021 Distinguished Lecturer
• Dr. Stephen Potts
  Geologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Tirzah Shakespeare
  Public Utilities Engineer, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

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Students   november-1-2021

Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program: Apply By November 3!

Don’t miss your chance to apply for this year's Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program! The deadline has been extended to this Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Generously funded by the Friedman family, the program matches professionals with host universities for an in person workshop meant to be a part lecture and part informal discussion to foster better understanding and communications between earthquake practitioners and academics. Student Chapters can choose from a list of 18 expert EERI professionals who span disciplines including structural and geotechnical engineering, risk analysis, lifelines, industrial facilities, emergency management, and resilience.

To apply to the program, EERI Student Chapters must complete the 2021-2022 Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program application form. Applications are due by Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

Review of applications will begin after November 1. Universities will be notified of their match in mid November. Depending on funding availability, approximately 20-25 trips will be funded. Visits are anticipated to take place from February to June 2022.

For more information about the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals program, visit the website here.

Seismic Design Competition Interest Survey

The 2022 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place in June 2022 as part of the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Student Leadership Council is looking forward to welcoming teams back to an in-person competition next year! Teams interested in participating in the competition should complete the interest survey by November 12, 2022. Only one response per team is needed. The survey will be used to collect contact information for teams and help the SLC plan for next year’s competition. More information about the competition is available on the SLC Website.

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Regional Chapters   november-1-2021

San Diego Chapter Webinars

The EERI San Diego Chapter is presenting two free webinar events in November and December 2021:

An Early Warning for Earthquake Hazard: A High School Student Approach

Thursday, November 18, 2021, 4:00-5:00 PM Pacific Time

REGISTER HERE

Earthquake early warning systems have been developed in recent years that can provide a helpful advanced warning for strong earthquake shaking. Kristen Chang, a member of the board of the EERI San Diego Regional Chapter board, will present a general overview of how the USGS ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning system works and its applications. In addition, we are excited to welcome Southern California high school student Vivien He to discuss her development of a low-cost seismometer that can be used for homes and businesses. Vivian He is currently a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates. She developed her seismometer during her time at home under COVID restrictions in 2020. 

Punctuated Resilience

Friday, December 3, 2021, 12:00-2:00 PM Pacific Time

REGISTER HERE

Cornell Professor Emeritus Thomas O’Rourke and UC San Diego Professor Emeritus Christopher Wills will present on the concept of "punctuated resilience," building on the concept of punctuated equilibrium as a way to trace the evolution of key infrastructure policies. The speakers will introduce the concept of punctuated equilibrium as advanced by Stephen Jay Gould, and dicuss how infrastructure resilience is punctuated by its relationship to natural hazards and climate change. They will also discuss how punctuated resilience is an important mechanism for improving the engineering and management of critical facilities. The webinar will explore the agents of change that lead to improved policies and approaches, including the technical, institutional, and social challenges of introducing new technologies and engaging community support.

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Subscribing Member Spotlights   november-1-2021

Lettis Consultants International, Inc.

Lettis Consultants International, Inc. (LCI) is the world’s largest geohazards-focused earth science consultancy. LCI geologists, seismologists, and engineers have comprehensive worldwide experience providing earthquake hazard analyses, engineering geology and geotechnical services, water resources expertise, and licensing and regulatory strategy and compliance.

Kleinfelder

Kleinfelder is a multinational engineering, construction management, design and environmental professional services firm. Its staff includes engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure.

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Announcements   november-1-2021

ImageCat and Global Earthquake Model Webinar

ImageCat and Global Earthquake Model (GEM) are partnering to provide efficient access to GEM’s global seismic hazard and risk information through ImageCat’s multi-hazard risk management decision support platforms Inhance and FACFinder.

ImageCat’s Resurances venture is offering a free technical webinar on using GEM seismic hazard data with these platforms on November 4, 2021, at 8:00 AM PDT/ 11:00 AM EDT. Speakers include John Schneider, GEM Secretary-General; Marco Pagani, GEM Seismic Hazard Coordinator; and Vitor Silva, GEM Seismic Risk Coordinator. The speakers will present an overview of GEM's earthquake hazard and risk models, with a focus on the earthquake hazard and risk data that is being made available through Inhance.

Register for the webinar here.

Fall 2021 Fazlur Rahman Khan Distinguished Lecture

Richard Sause, Joseph T. Stuart Professor of Structural Engineering at Lehigh University, will present the Fall 2021 Fazlur Rahman Khan Distinguished Lecture on the topic "A Research Perspective on Seismic Performance of Steel Building Structures,” on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at 4:30 PM EST. Register here to watch the livestream.

NHERI Science Plan Podcast and Shake Table Launch

NHERI’s DesignSafe Radio podcast is currently showcasing a series of short episodes discussing the NHERI Science Plan. The NHERI Science Plan is a long-term, community-driven guide that addresses gaps in natural hazards engineering research, including earthquake engineering research. It covers many aspects of geotechnical engineering, including lifelines, mega-disasters, and will be soon be addressing needs in natural hazards simulation and social science integration. Learn more and keep track of updates here.

Also, the NHERI Lehigh facility has recently added a shake table and dedicated testbeds to its laboratory, which focuses on hybrid simulations (also known as cyber-physical simulations). More information is available here.

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News of the Profession   november-1-2021

Links to Recent News and Views

• World Tsunami Awareness Day 2021 (Times-Standard)
• Deepest earthquake ever detected struck 467 miles beneath Japan (National Geographic)
• What is The Great ShakeOut and why did 7 million people in California do it? (The Independent)
• Ministers warned confusing engineering guidelines 'indefensible' in big earthquake (NZ Herald)
• The state is offering cash for earthquake retrofits. Here’s how to apply (Los Angeles Times)

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News of the Institute   october-15-2021

Don't Forget to Vote: 2022 EERI Board of Directors Election

Don't forget to cast your vote for the 2022 EERI Board of Directors election! You can view the candidate bios and vision statements here. The election will close on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 11:59 pm PT. Please check your email for your secure ballot.

President-Elect

Janiele Maffei (M. EERI, 1992)
Chief Mitigation Officer, California Earthquake Authority 
Sacramento, California

Director A:

Emily So (M. EERI, 2011)
Reader in Architectural Engineering, University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Zahraa Saiyed (M. EERI, 2011)
CEO & Principal, Scyma Consulting, LLC 
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Director B:

Nicholas Gregor (M. EERI, 1992)
Consulting Seismologist
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Ramin Golesorkhi (M. EERI, 1986)
Principal/Vice President, Langan Engineering
San Francisco Bay Area, California

 

12NCEE: Papers Are Due November 5th!

We’re looking forward to seeing you next summer in Salt Lake City for 12NCEE! This milestone conference is an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to share the latest knowledge and techniques to better understand and mitigate the damaging effects of earthquakes and tsunamis. Professionals from the full spectrum of the earthquake community will gather to discuss and debate new research, advancements in practice, and emerging issues related to seismic hazard, risk, mitigation and public policy—including timely and relevant lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are seeking papers from a broad range of disciplines, covering topic areas ranging from earth science and engineering research to planning, practice, and public policy. Learn more about the program topic areas and how to submit your paper at the 12NCEE website here. Please note that there will be no preliminary abstract submission and review—the first and only submission will be a 4-page paper manuscript. Papers are due by Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:59 PT! Read the full Call for Papers here.

Last Chance! Application for PPA Committee Co-Chairs due October 20

EERI is seeking applications for two new Chairs of the Public Policy & Advocacy (PPA) Committee. The PPA Co-Chairs provide oversight and leadership for EERI’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. The application deadline is October 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Click here to apply!

The position of PPA Co-Chair is a volunteer position. Applicants must be EERI members in good standing. Chairs must have the availability to be in regular communication with EERI staff, lead regular committee meetings, attend EERI annual meetings, and engage in actively conducting work and determining strategies to position PPA as a lead advocate for policies to enhance community resilience to earthquakes. Read details about the position, the application process, and how to apply on the EERI website here.

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Students   october-15-2021

Student Chapters: Apply for the 2021-2022 Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program!

Is your student chapter interested in hosting an expert professional on campus this academic year? Apply to the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program today!

EERI is pleased to announce the return to in person visits for the 2021-2022 Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program. Generously funded by the Friedman family, the program matches professionals with host universities for a workshop meant to be a part lecture and part informal discussion to foster better understanding and communications between earthquake practitioners and academics.

This year, the program will include a total of 18 professionals. EERI Student Chapters must complete the application form here to request a visit from a Friedman Family Visiting Professional. The application deadline is Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. All chapters are encouraged to apply!

Review of applications will begin after November 1, and universities will be notified of their match in mid-November. Depending on funding availability, the program expects to grant approximately 20-25 trips. Visits are anticipated to take place from February to June 2022.

For more information about the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals program, click here.

NHERI Launches Graduate Student Council

The Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) is launch ing a NHERI Graduate Student Council to support graduate students interested in multidisciplinary research on natural hazards. Council meetings will support graduate students in building a network of support in the natural hazards field. The council will connect graduate students to natural hazard leaders, schedule workshops on careers, research, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and provide leadership, service, and funding opportunities.

NHERI Graduate Student Council membership is open to all graduate students interested in natural hazards research. This includes those graduate students who focus on engineering, as well as those who focus on social science or medicine related to natural hazards disasters. Under-represented minorities, women, and veterans who are graduate students are encouraged to register as a member of the GS Council. The first meeting will take place via Zoom on October 18th, 2021, from 12:00-1:00 pm Central Time. Please register here to to attend the meeting.

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Webinars   october-15-2021

New England Chapter Webinar: Determination of Undrained Strength for Contractive Coal Combustion Residuals for Seismic Assessment

Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 1:00–2:00 PM, Eastern Time

REGISTER HERE

Cost: Free

The EERI New England Chapter invites you to a free webinar on the evaluation of slope stability for Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) impoundments. Such evaluation is becoming increasingly important as multiple failures involving undrained behavior of granular materials have recently occurred. Seismic loading is a load case where undrained behavior can be triggered that causes a rapid increase in mobilized shear stress or a rapid decrease in effective stress if contractive saturated materials are present. This rapid loading can trigger liquefaction within a CCR layer which would require considering the residual shear strength for the CCR material. The speakers will summarize a study to improve understanding of the shear strength of CCR materials, discussing the approaches used to apply best applicable practices to make a reliable determination of peak and residual undrained shear strength of CCR materials, and provide recommendations on improving available methods to determine undrained shear strength of contractive materials.

Speakers:

• Dr. Seda Gokyer Erbis is a Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for Geocomp Corporation—Massachusetts Consulting Group.
• Ryan Lavorati is a Project Engineer at Geocomp Corporation—Massachusetts Consulting Group.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   october-15-2021

Shannon & Wilson, Inc.

Established in 1954, Shannon & Wilson Inc. is an employee-owned consulting firm headquartered in Seattle. S&W provides integrated geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, environmental, and natural resource services for clients worldwide.

Rutherford + Chekene

Established in 1960, Rutherford + Chekene provides new design, advanced structural analysis, seismic evaluations and retrofits, peer review and plan review, and full geotechnical services. R+C provides services in multiple sectors, including healthcare, higher education, corporate, research and development, art and education, and technology.

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Announcements   october-15-2021

Optimum Seismic Webinar: Earthquake Threats in California

Optimum Seismic’s next The Resilience Advantage webinar focuses on "Earthquake Threats in California"—from San Diego to Eureka and from the Pacific to the eastern border. The webinar will feature Christine Goulet, Executive Director of Applied Science at the Southern California Earthquake Center, Laurie Schoeman, Affordable Housing/Resiliency Expert at Enterprise Community Partners, and Roderick Scott, CFM, Board Chair, Flood Mitigation Industry Association, and Ross Stein, CEO and co-founder of Temblor, Inc. discussing the risks facing all Californians and ways to become more resilient before the next major quake strikes.

The webinar will take place on October 20, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Pacific Time. Register here to participate.

HayWired Volume 3 Rollout on International Shakeout Day

On October 21, 2021, the anniversary of the 1868 Hayward Fault Earthquake and International ShakeOut Day, the multi-hazard, multi-year, multi-volume USGS HayWired Scenario Project (which anticipates the impacts of a hypothetical but scientifically plausible magnitude-7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault) will release its third and final volume.

After the ShakeOut drill, Joint Venture Silicon Valley will host an online HayWired Volume 3 launch event featuring highlights and reflections on the Volume 3 chapters, lightning presentations by graduate students researching the Hayward fault earthquakes, and discussions on diversifying communication of the HayWired scenario. USGS partners the Earthquake Country Alliance and California Resilience Alliance will also present The HayWired Exercise Toolkit, which provides business, nonprofit, and local government users with the opportunity to use the scenario for their own exercises, and a virtual networking event will follow.

Register here for the event, which runs from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM PT on October 21.

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News of the Profession   october-15-2021

Links to Recent News and Views

• Pakistan Earthquake Kills at Least 20 (The New York Times)
• Greek Island of Crete Rocked by Second Earthquake in Two Weeks (The Guardian)
• Tokyo Area Quake Reignites Concerns Over Capital's Seismic Vulnerability (The Japan Times)
• Is Your Kid's School Safe in a Quake? This Retired WA Lawmaker is Sounding the Alarm (KUOW)
• Older SLC Buildings and Homes at Risk of Major Earthquake Damage, Experts Say (ABC4, SLC, mentions EERI Utah 2015 scenario report)

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News of the Institute   october-1-2021

Cast Your Vote: 2022 EERI Board of Directors Election

EERI is pleased to announce the opening of the 2022 Board of Directors Election. You can view the candidates' biographical and vision statements here.

We sent an email to eligible voters today with a link to access your secure ballot and cast your vote. The election will close on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 11:59 pm PT.

President-Elect
Janiele Maffei (M. EERI, 1992)
Chief Mitigation Officer, California Earthquake Authority
Sacramento, California

Director A:
Emily So (M. EERI, 2011)
Reader in Architectural Engineering, University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Zahraa Saiyed (M. EERI, 2011)
CEO & Principal, Scyma Consulting, LLC
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Director B:
Nicholas Gregor (M. EERI, 1992)
Consulting Seismologist
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Ramin Golesorkhi (M. EERI, 1986)
Principal/Vice President, Langan Engineering
San Francisco Bay Area, California

EERI thanks the Nominating Committee: Danielle Mieler (Chair), Judith Mitrani-Reiser, David Wald, Anne Wein, Barry Welliver, David Cocke (ex-officio), and Heidi Tremayne (ex-officio).

Paper Deadline for 12NCEE Extended to November 5!

We’ve heard from members that some of you need more time to prepare your papers for 12NCEE—so we’ve extended the deadline to November 5, 2021 at 11:59 PT!

This milestone conference is an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to share the latest knowledge and techniques to better understand and mitigate the damaging effects of earthquakes and tsunamis. Professionals from the full spectrum of the earthquake community will gather to discuss and debate new research, advancements in practice, and emerging issues related to seismic hazard, risk, mitigation and public policy—including timely and relevant lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are seeking papers from a broad range of disciplines, covering topic areas ranging from earth science and engineering research to planning, practice, and public policy. Learn more about the program topic areas and how to submit your paper at the 12NCEE website here. Please note that there will be no preliminary abstract submission and review—the first and only submission will be a 4-page paper manuscript.

Don’t Forget! Apply to be a Public Policy and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair

EERI is accepting applications for two new Co-Chairs of the Public Policy & Advocacy (PPA) Committee. The PPA Co-Chairs provide oversight and leadership for the committee. The application deadline is October 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Apply via this form today!

A selection committee will review applications and finalists may be invited to an informal interview. The committee will select two applicants to serve as Co-Chairs of the committee. The position of PPA Co-Chair is a volunteer position. Applicants must be EERI members in good standing. Chairs must have the availability to be in regular communication with EERI staff, lead regular committee meetings, attend EERI annual meetings, and engage in actively conducting work and determining strategies to position PPA as a lead advocate for policies to enhance community resilience to earthquakes. Read more here about the position, the application process, and how to apply.

If you are interested in being involved with the Public Policy & Advocacy Committee and engaging with the broader seismic safety and public policy community, you are welcome to subscribe to the EERI Policy Network mailing list.

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Learning from Earthquakes   october-1-2021

EERI, AEES, and NZSEE Launch Virtual Clearinghouse for Australia Earthquake

In partnership with the Australian Earthquake Engineering Society (AEES) and the New Zealand Society Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE), EERI's Learning From Earthquakes program has created a Virtual Clearinghouse for the M5.9 Woods Point Earthquake that struck Australia on September 22, 2021 AEST (September 21, 2021 AT 23:15:53 UTC). The clearinghouse includes a data map, links to resources, and a forthcoming reconnaissance photo gallery. Ken Elwood (M.EERI 1994), Quincy Ma, Trevor Allen, and Adam Pascale have volunteered to assist with the clearinghouse. If you are interested in contributing, please contact eeri@eeri.org.

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Webinars   october-1-2021

2021 Haiti Earthquake Reconnaissance Briefing Webinar

October 13, 2021, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM, Pacific Time
REGISTER HERE
Cost: Free

EERI's Learning from Earthquakes program invites you to a free webinar bringing together speakers to provide a multi-disciplinary overview of preliminary observations from the M7.2 August 14, 2021 Haiti Earthquake. The earthquake caused widespread damage in the Nippes and Sud Departments, including the Port town of Les Cayes. This earthquake occurred 11 years after the deadly M7.0 2010 earthquake that hit closer to the capital city of Port-au-Prince. While the epicenter of the August earthquake was located more than 40 miles west of the densely populated capital area, casualties in the affected communities still numbered over 2,200 with more than 10,000 reported injured. The area also faced the additional challenge of Tropical Depression Grace which made landfall two days after the earthquake, with strong winds and heavy rains that hampered response and recovery efforts. Speakers in this webinar will cover the earthquake seismology, the humanitarian response, and the scientific, engineering, social, and political impacts of the earthquake.

Speakers include:

• Maggie Ortiz-Millan, Senior Program Manager, EERI
• Sue Hough, Geophysicist, USGS
• Lindsey Davis, Earthquake Disaster Assistance Team (EDAT) Manager,
USGS and USAID Earthquake Disaster Assistance Team
• Kate Allstadt, Research Geophysicist, USGS
• Shideh Dashti, Associate Professor of Geotechnical Engineering and Geomechanics, University of Colorado, Boulder; GEER
• Joanne Pérodin, Doctoral Student, Florida International University
• Gefthé Dévilmé, Field Officer, GeoHazards International
• Tracy Kijewski-Correa, Linbeck Collegiate Chair and Associate Professor,
University of Notre Dame; Director, StEER Network

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Students   october-1-2021

Student Leadership Council Holds Virtual Annual Retreat and Elections

The EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC) held its annual retreat virtually on September 15-16, 2021. EERI SLC outgoing Co-Presidents Preetish Kakoty, University of British Columbia, and Michael Morano, UC San Diego, led meetings. During the retreat, the Council reviewed the past year’s activities, including the successes and challenges of hosting the first ever virtual EERI Seismic Design Competition, held elections, and kicked-off planning for the 2022 Seismic Design Competition.

The SLC elected its new members for the 2021-2022 academic year and the election results are

• Co-Presidents: Ahmad Hassan, UC Davis, and Khalid Saifullah, University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
• Secretary: Kayla Sorenson, Portland State University;
• Treasurer: Pouria Khourehpaz, University of British Columbia;
• SDC Chairs: Nick Slavin, UC Davis (Lead); Michael Morano, UC San Diego; Alaaeldin Soliman, Oklahoma State University; Charlie Zhang, UC San Diego; Michael Weyant, UCLA; and Anita Zhang, Princeton University;
• Outreach Chairs: Gah-Kai Leung, University of Warwick, and Mostafa Amin, Helwan University;
• PERW Chair: Ahmed Gamal, Politecnico di Milano;
• SESI Chairs: Jessi Thangjitham, North Carolina State University, and Nancy Ingabire Abayo, North Carolina State University;
• Webmasters: Casey Rodgers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, and Mohsen Akhani, University of Memphis; and
• General Members: Hana Bashady, Cairo University, and Christian Diaz, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Peru.

Applications Open for the 2021-2022 Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program!

EERI is pleased to announce the return to in-person visits for the 2021-2022 Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program! Generously funded by the Friedman family, the program matches professionals with host universities for a workshop meant to be part lecture and part informal discussion, to foster better understanding and communications between earthquake practitioners and academics.

This year, the program will include a total of 18 professionals. EERI Student Chapters must complete the application form here to request a visit from a Friedman Family Visiting Professional. The application deadline is Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. All chapters are encouraged to apply!

Review of applications will begin after November 1, and universities will be notified of their match in mid-November. Depending on funding availability, approximately 20-25 campus visits will be funded. Visits are expected take place between February and June 2022.

For more information about the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals program, read here.

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Announcements   october-1-2021

Lifelines Webinar on FEMA/NIST Report: Post-Earthquake Reoccupancy and Functional Recovery

As part of the Lifelines 2021-22 conference event series, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is hosting a webinar focusing on post-earthquake reoccupancy and functional recovery. This event will include four speakers giving an overview of the congressional mandate to address reoccupancy and functional recovery, what this potentially means to the design and operation of buildings and lifeline infrastructure systems, and societal planning, education, and financing. This webinar will present recommendations for (1) design and construction practices to improve the performance of lifeline infrastructure systems and buildings, and for (2) the planning and education activities and financial resources needed to implement these design and construction practices. These recommendations are described in the recently published FEMA P-2090, NIST SP-1254 report. The webinar speakers served as primary authors of the report.

The webinar will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Pacific Time. Register here to participate via Zoom. For more information on the webinar and the 2021-22 Lifelines conference, visit the website here.

New Fault Displacement Hazard Initiative Database and Report Published by UCLA

A comprehensive community-based database and report on the Fault Displacement Hazard Initiative Database have been published by the Natural Hazards Risk and Resiliency Research Center (NHR3) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The database contains metadata and geospatially-controlled surface rupture and fault displacement data from 66 global historical earthquakes of M 5.0 to 8.0 and all styles of faulting. The report can be downloaded free of charge here. 

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Opportunities   october-1-2021

OSU Faculty Position in Geotechnical Engineering

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering (CEGE) at The Ohio State University (OSU) invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured position in the field of Geotechnical Engineering. Areas of interest broadly include, but are not limited to smart sustainable geo-systems; geo-hazard sensing and modeling; risk and resilience of geo-systems; energy foundations; ground improvement; geosynthetics; geoenvironmental engineering; coastal geotechnics; biogeotechnics; and areas at the intersection of geotechnical engineering and infrastructure equity. The faculty position is full time (9-month) and starts in August 2022.

Applications can be submitted via Academic Jobs Online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/19362 (Open Rank) or https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/19361 (Assistant Professor). For questions regarding this position, contact Dr. Abdollah Shafieezadeh, shafieezadeh.1@osu.edu. Review of applications will begin on Nov. 1, 2021 and continue until the position has been filled.

Job Openings at California Department of Water Resources

The California Department of Water Resources is hiring for several positions in the Division of Safety of Dams, which is responsible for evaluating the performance of existing jurisdictional dams, and reviewing and approving applications for the construction of new dams, as well as the alteration, enlargement, repair, and abatement of existing jurisdictional dams in California. Applications are due October 5, 2021:

Position title: Senior Engineer, Water Resources
Location: Sacramento County

Position title: Design Engineer, Water Resources
Location: Sacramento County
 
Position title: Field Engineer, Water Resources
Location: Sacramento County
 
Position title: Senior Dam Safety Engineer, Water Resources
Location: Sacramento County

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   october-1-2021

Structural Focus

Structural Focus is a structural engineering consulting company specializing in the design of complex and innovative buildings. Since its founding in 2001, the firm has designed several million square feet of new structures and rehabilitated hundreds of existing buildings, including numerous historic projects, dozens of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Forell/Elsesser Engineers

Forell/Elsesser Engineers is an award-winning San Francisco-based structural and earthquake engineering firm. The firm brings substantial experience in the design of new and rehabilitated facilities of various types of construction, with expertise on all aspects of structural engineering and seismic design, including cost-effective and innovative design solutions.

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News of the Profession   october-1-2021

Links to Recent News and Views

Strong earthquake rocks Crete, Greece’s biggest island, killing at least one person (Washington Post)

Why are there earthquakes in Australia? (Cosmos Magazine)

Earthquakes don’t kill people; buildings do. And those lovely decorative bits are the first to fall (The Conversation)

California Geological Survey Releases New Maps Of Fault Line In San Diego (KBPS)

When a Natural Disaster Hits, Structural Engineers Learn From the Destruction (Smithsonian Magazine/Hakai)

When the earth shakes in South LA, the results can be toxic (Grist)

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News of the Institute   september-15-2021

12NCEE: Special Sessions Proposal Deadline Extended!

Are you interested in proposing a special session for 12NCEE? Good news: the deadline has been extended to September 24, 2021! The program committee is particularly interested in special session proposals at the intersection of earthquake engineering with social justice, sustainability, or climate change adaptation, as well as proposals that address the complexity of response and recovery from simultaneous disasters; lessons learned from COVID for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We also seek special session proposals that focus on earthquake engineering in Utah and the surrounding region. However, special sessions can be proposed on topic related to the 12NCEE program areas, including:

• Earth Science and Ground Motions

• Geotechnical Engineering
• 
Risk/Loss Modeling, Planning, and Response
• 
Social Science, Public Health, and Public Policy

• Structural Engineering Practice

• Structural Engineering Research
• 
Transportation and Lifelines

• Other and Cross-Cutting Topics


Special session proposals will be reviewed for content and completeness of session details. Proposals should include a session title, the session format, a description of the session, and the session speakers. Learn more at the Call for Papers on the 12NCEE website. Special session proposers will be notified of acceptance by October 8, 2021.

2020-2021 Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program

Since 1996, EERI has matched practicing professionals with host universities across the United States and nearby countries through the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program, launched in 2001 with a generous gift from David Friedman (M.EERI 1988) and his family. The 2020-2021 program was a unique year in the program's history, with all visits taking place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-one visits took place between January and July 2021, featuring nineteen different professionals. 

Due to the virtual format, the program reached more students than ever before. Nearly 800 students from universities across the United States, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru were able to attend. On average, professionals spent 2 to 4 hours on Zoom for each chapter they visited virtually, providing more than 100 contact hours with expert professionals. They offered lectures, career Q&As, mock interviews, research presentations, and social hours. Lecture topics covered multiple disciplines, including structural and geotechnical engineering, risk analysis, lifelines, industrial facilities, emergency management, urban planning, and resilience. EERI has now made the lecture recordings available to watch on EERI’s Youtube channel: 2021 Friedman Family Visiting Professional Lectures. 

We would like to thank all professionals, Student Leadership Council moderators, and EERI Student Chapters who participated in this program. We appreciate your flexibility and creativity to make a virtual visit engaging, informative, and fun! We look forward to matching a new group of student chapters with our visiting professionals this academic year. Student members should look out for the application opening this October!

Apply today to be a Public Policy and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair

EERI is seeking applications for two new Chairs of the Public Policy & Advocacy (PPA) Committee. The PPA Co-Chairs provide oversight and leadership for EERI’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. The application deadline is October 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Apply here today!

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and finalists may be invited to an informal interview with the selection committee. The committee will select two applicants to serve as Co-Chairs of the committee. The final selection of the Co-Chairs is expected in mid November and after 6 weeks of transition, the role begins on January 1, 2022. The term of Co-Chair is two consecutive two-year terms, automatically renewed upon mutual agreement between the Chair and EERI Board.

The position of PPA Co-Chair is a volunteer position. Applicants must be EERI members in good standing. Chairs must have the availability to be in regular communication with EERI staff, lead regular committee meetings, attend EERI annual meetings, and engage in actively conducting work and determining strategies to position PPA as a lead advocate for policies to enhance community resilience to earthquakes.

The selection committee is particularly interested in applicants who:

• Have strong public policy and advocacy experience; current or past involvement with EERI's PPA or its legislative subcommittees is heavily considered in the selection process.

• Have an understanding of and/or strong interest in advancing seismic safety legislation through the political process at the local, regional, state, and/ or federal levels.

• Have demonstrated leadership ability.

• Have a proven ability to link PPA with other EERI committees, programs, and efforts.

• Understand and value the multidisciplinary nature of the PPA Committee.

• Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Show ability to behave in a professional, member-focused, and service-oriented manner. 

• Can co-lead the committee in strategic discussions to determine future directions for the committee.

• Have experience collaborating with the broad spectrum of PPA partners including academics, practitioners, policymakers, aligned organizations/associations, and federal agencies.


More details about the position, the application process, and how to apply are available here.

June 2021 Board Meeting Summary

The EERI Board of Directors held their June 2021 Board meeting in two parts on Tuesday, June 22 and Wednesday, June 23, via video conference due to the ongoing pandemic. The meeting was chaired by President David Cocke. 

The Board approved various meeting minutes, a Regional Chapter Citizen Advocate Toolkit prepared by the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, and the EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship awardees. The Board confirmed their positions on several pieces of legislation in California, including support for AB1329, opposition to AB1464 unless amended, and support for AB1569. 

The Board accepted the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program annual report summarizing activities for the 2020-2021 academic year. The program provided 31 virtual visits to EERI Student Chapters by 19 professionals from late January to early July 2021. Chapter officers reported over 750 individuals attending these professional lectures.

Sissy Nikolaou (M. EERI 2004) was appointed as a new Co-Chair to the School Earthquake Safety Initiative, to join Guillermo Díaz-Fañas (M. EERI 2015). Laurie Johnson (M. EERI 1990) was appointed as a new Co-Chair to the Oral History Committee, to join Ayse Hortacsu (M.EERI 2000).

The Board reviewed and approved financial statements as of March 31, 2021, and discussed a mid-year revision and update to the 2020 operating budget. In preparation for the 12NCEE Call For Papers, the Board approved the paper submission fee.

The meeting concluded with the Board discussing progress on the five 2021-2015 strategic goals, and reviewing an updated draft of a member Ethics Code being considered for future adoption. The next Board Meeting is scheduled in late September 2021.

Vision Statements: 2022 EERI Board of Directors Election

EERI is pleased to announce the candidates for President-Elect and Director for the 2022 Board of Directors Election. You can view the candidates' bios and vision statements here. All eligible voting members will receive an email with a link to access your secure online ballot and cast your vote on Friday, October 1. The election will close on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 11:59 pm PT.

President-Elect:
Janiele Maffei (M. EERI, 1992)
Chief Mitigation Officer
California Earthquake Authority
Sacramento, California

Director A: 
Emily So (M. EERI, 2011)
Reader in Architectural Engineering
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Zahraa Saiyed (M. EERI, 2011)
CEO & Principal
Scyma Consulting, LLC 
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Director B:
Nicholas Gregor (M. EERI, 1992)
Consulting Seismologist
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Ramin Golesorkhi (M. EERI, 1986)
Principal/Vice President
Langan Engineering
San Francisco Bay Area, California

EERI thanks the Nominating Committee: Danielle Mieler (Chair), Judith Mitrani-Reiser, David Wald, Anne Wein, Barry Welliver, David Cocke (ex-officio), and Heidi Tremayne (ex-officio).

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Webinars   september-15-2021

Quick Quake Briefing: Alaska M8.2 Offshore Earthquake of July 28, 2021

Join us next week on September 23 from 12:00-1:00 PM PT for another Quick Quake Briefing! Register here.

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter and the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Program are co-hosting this FREE webinar on the M8.2 earthquake that struck on July 28, 2021 (local date) offshore Alaska. The very strong quake was one of the largest to strike Alaska in recent history. It was located about 70 miles east southeast of Perryville, Alaska (about 500 miles southwest of Anchorage). The quake was a result of thrust faulting at a depth of 22 miles on the subduction zone between the Pacific plate and North American plate where the Pacific plate begins diving under Alaska. Fortunately, Alaska was mostly unscathed, thanks to the remote location and depth of the epicenter. Tsunami alerts were issued shortly after the earthquake and several coastal communities were evacuated. Only small tsunami waves measuring under a foot above tide level were observed initially, and tsunami alerts were called off under two hours after the quake. The Quick Quake Briefing will feature two speakers from Alaska: Dr. Michael West, the State Seismologist, and Dr. Summer Ohlendorf, a Science Officer at the National Tsunami Warning Center.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   september-15-2021

Walter P Moore

Founded in 1931, Walter P Moore is an international company of engineers, architects, innovators, and creative people who solve some of the world’s most complex structural and infrastructure challenges. Providing structural, diagnostics, civil, traffic, parking, transportation, enclosure, and construction engineering services, Walter P Moore designs solutions that are cost- and resource-efficient, forward-thinking, and help support and shape communities worldwide.

Safehub

Safehub helps corporations manage catastrophe risk through physics-based technology, enhanced by sensors and AI. The Safehub Global Platform presents building-specific data in real-time to provide critical risk information, enabling corporations to quickly refine and evaluate insurance and risk reduction programs, and expedite emergency response and recovery.

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Announcements   september-15-2021

Reminder: CEA Fifth Annual Research Forum Next Week

The California Earthquke Authority (CEA) invites you to “Equitable Residential Earthquake Resilience in California,” the Fifth Annual CEA Research Forum, which will take place in webinar form on September 20 and 21, 2021 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM PT. 

The keynote speaker, CEA’s Laurie Johnson, will focus on the importance of community resilience. For more information and to register for the Zoom meeting, click here.

NIBS Building Innovation Virtual Edition: September 27-29

The National Institute of Building Sciences is holding its second virtual edition of Building Innovation this month! Building Innovation 2021 takes place from September 27-29, 2021. BI2021 allows everyone who impacts the built environment to discuss challenges and find solutions. The conference includes three tracks: resilience, technology, and the workplace.
 
Keynote speakers include Jessica Matthews, Founder & CEO, Uncharted; Renee Cheng, Dean, University of Washington College of Built Environments; Edward Mazria, FAIA, Founder & CEO, Architecture 2030; Daniel Kaniewski, Managing Director, Public Sector, Marsh McLennan Advantage; Jamie Gentoso, P.E., MBA, Global Head of Solutions & Products Business Unit, Holcim; and Thomas W. Smith, III, ENV SP, CAE, F.ASCE, Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers.
 
BI2021 conference registration includes access to all keynotes and educational programming. For more information, visit the website here.

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News of the Profession   september-15-2021

Links to recent news and views

Hundreds of Washington schools have failing grade for earthquake safety (KUOW)

What prevents the Academy Museum from falling in a quake? The answer is hidden in plain view (LA Times)

Metrolink, Caltrans, USGS pilot earthquake early warning system to enhance rail safety (Mass Transit)

Utah may be due for major earthquake event, experts warn (ABC4, Salt Lake City)

Mexican earthquake’s proximity to Guerrero seismic gap causes alarm (El País)

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News of the Institute   september-1-2021

EERI Leadership Communique

As EERI promised in our message to members in June 2020 and again with the release of our 2021-2025 strategic plan in March 2021, we remain committed to enhancing the diversity of EERI and improving our inclusivity and equity.  

The following is a brief summary of steps taken to improve our current operations and procedures over the last year to enhance transparency and the availability of opportunities for our underrepresented members. EERI has:

1. Established a set of Core Values that include an explicit statement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that will guide our decisions and actions into the future. To show how we put these values into action, we also established the following core principles:

• 1. EERI respects and promotes diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise.
  2. EERI recognizes and appreciates its members’ diverse identities as they relate to race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sex, sexual orientation, social/economic status, age, disability, religion, and more.
  3. EERI engages and values the contributions of its members at all stages of their careers, from students to young professionals, from mid-career to retired professionals.
  4. EERI creates an inclusive environment where all members experience a genuine sense of belonging and feel welcome and safe to connect, learn, mentor, and lead.
  5. EERI emphasizes equity and inclusion in its decision-making.

While these words won’t create change immediately, they serve as a permanent reminder of our intention and commitment to prioritize DEI.

2. Solicited open calls for applicants to fill EERI leadership positions. Since last year, we have held open calls for Chairs for the Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) Program and School Earthquake Safety Initiative (SESI), volunteers to support our 12NCEE organizing committee, and new Earthquake Spectra reviewers, in addition to developing an improved process to solicit a diverse set of Board candidates. We will continue improving our processes to solicit applicants for critical roles, creating more transparency and more opportunity for visibility and leadership for everyone in our community—especially members of color.

3. Hosted a 2021 Annual Meeting Plenary Session titled “Centering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Our Disaster Resilience Work.” This session addressed DEI within the disaster science profession, in regards to both who is employed, and the importance of technological solutions deployed to support all communities amid disasters. As one of the three plenary sessions, it highlighted the importance of the topic to EERI’s membership. Panelists Marccus Hendricks, Jenniffer Marie Santos-Hernandez, Yumei Wang, Terri Norton, and Erica Fischer, along with organizers Monique Head, Sharyl Rabinovici, and Zahraa Saiyed, discussed how we, as the EERI community, can better support the communities that we serve, and what it means to support all communities in disaster research. The panelists made a call to action for researchers and practitioners to rise to the challenge to find sustainable and inclusive solutions to disaster mitigation and risk reduction. We encourage all members who missed this enlightening session to watch the recording here.

4. Created a 2021-2025 Strategic Plan with Goal #2 that aims to ensure principles of DEI drive all Institute decisions. A Board working group has begun work on additional activities to pursue this aim. We expect these to include training activities for leaders within EERI and other actions in the years ahead.

5. Announced the Call For Papers and Special Sessions for 12NCEE, which includes a specific request for session proposals on DEI. Please consider suggesting a session or considering these topics in your paper submission.

We welcome continued feedback and suggestions from members on how to improve our efforts in these areas. While more work remains to be done, we hope that these steps continue to make EERI a welcoming place for you to connect, learn, and lead.

David Cocke 
Heidi Tremayne

12NCEE: Special Session Proposal Deadline is Coming Up

Interested in proposing a special session for 12NCEE? The deadline is coming up fast! Special session proposals are due via the paper submission portal by September 10, 2021. Special session proposals can be on any relevant topic! The program committee is particularly interested in special session proposals at the intersection of earthquake engineering with social justice, sustainability, or climate change adaptation, as well as proposals that address the complexity of response and recovery from simultaneous disasters; lessons learned from COVID-19 for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We also seek special session proposals that focus on earthquake engineering in Utah and the surrounding region. 

Special session proposals will be reviewed for content and completeness of session details. Proposals should include a session title, the session format, a description of the session, and the session speakers. Learn more at the Call for Papers and the 12NCEE website. Special session proposers will be notified of acceptance by October 1, 2021.

EERI Members Named to NIST Investigation Team

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently announced the members of the expert team it has commissioned for the technical investigation of the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, and several EERI members are among their number.

The team will be co-led by Judith Mitrani-Reiser (M.EERI 2001), associate chief of the Materials and Structural Systems Division and the current Vice President of the EERI Board, and Glenn Bell (M.EERI 2020), past president of the Structural Engineering Institute of the ASCE. Youssef Hashash (M.EERI 1999) will co-lead the investigation’s geotechnical engineering project with Sissy Nikolaou (M.EERI 2004), a former EERI Board Director. Jack Moehle (M.EERI 1981) will co-lead the structural engineering project with Chris Segura (M.EERI 2004), and James Harris (M.EERI 1978) will co-lead the building and code history project.

Read the NIST announcement for more information.

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Webinars   september-1-2021

Quick Quake Briefing: Alaska M8.2 Offshore Earthquake of July 28, 2021

Save the date for the next Quick Quake Briefing on September 23 from 12:00-1:00 PM PT! Registration information will be available soon.

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter and the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Program are co-hosting this FREE webinar on the M8.2 earthquake that struck on July 28, 2021 (local date) offshore Alaska. The very strong quake was one of the largest to strike Alaska in recent history. It was located about 70 miles east southeast of Perryville, Alaska (about 500 miles southwest of Anchorage). The quake was a result of thrust faulting at a depth of 22 miles on the subduction zone between the Pacific plate and North American plate where the Pacific plate begins diving under Alaska. Fortunately, Alaska was mostly unscathed, thanks to the remote location and depth of the epicenter. Tsunami alerts were issued shortly after the earthquake and several coastal communities were evacuated. Only small tsunami waves measuring under a foot above tide level were observed initially, and tsunami alerts were called off under two hours after the quake. The Quick Quake Briefing will feature two speakers from Alaska: Dr. Michael West, the State Seismologist, and Dr. Summer Ohlendorf, a Science Officer at the National Tsunami Warning Center.

2021 Distinguished Lecture Series With Craig Davis

Join us for a series of free public webinars featuring Dr. Craig Davis and building on the themes of his 2021 EERI Distinguished Lecture! Register here for all events in the series.

Operationalizing Lifeline Infrastructure System Resilience to Earthquakes
September 1, 2021, 1:00-2:00 PM PT

To launch this fall’s Distinguished Lecture Webinar Series, EERI is rebroadcasting Dr. Craig Davis’s Distinguished Lecture from the 2021 Annual Meeting. The lecture explores how lifeline infrastructure system resilience is intimately linked to and supports community resilience through the services they provide. Lifelines are interdependent socio-technical systems vital in the day-to-day operations of our communities, and their basic services essential for community recovery after earthquakes. They include water, wastewater, stormwater control, electric power, gas and liquid fuel, telecommunication, solid waste, and multi-modal transportation systems. This lecture identifies features making lifeline systems resilient and provides examples on putting resilience into practice.

Seismic Resilient Lifeline Networks
September 8, 2021, 1:00-2:30 PM PT

This live webinar, hosted by EERI's Southern California chapter, will focus on the concepts of resilience and functional recovery as they apply to critical lifelines. True resilience against the earthquake threat must incorporate all functioning systems of the community. We must not only design buildings to withstand a large event, but also design the complex systems that support those buildings with resilience in mind. Experts in infrastructure for water, power, natural gas, and sanitation will detail recent gains and future strategies made by those utilities in enhancing the resilience of their lifeline systems. The webinar will begin with a brief presentation by Craig Davis, who will then be joined by John Shamma of the Metropolitan Water District, Jennifer Pearce of Southern California Edison, Mehrshad Ketabdar of SoCal Gas, and Donald Cutler of Orange County Sanitation, who will present and discuss the concepts of functional recovery and resilience within their respective lifeline systems, followed by an open floor for audience questions and discussion.

Additional webinars hosted by EERI Regional Chapters will take place later this fall.

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Earthquake Spectra   september-1-2021

Don't Miss the August Issue

Don't miss the the August issue of Earthquake Spectra! Editor-in-Chief David Wald has selected the following paper from this issue to feature in the editor’s choice collection:

Exposure forecasting for seismic risk estimation: Application to Costa Rica | Authors: Alejandro Calderón and Vitor Silva

RECOMMENDATION: "Authors Alejandro Calderón and Vitor Silva present a methodology for forecasting future risks in developing countries where the number of people and structures in urban areas is growing rapidly due to population growth and the migration to cities. Their research proposes a framework to forecast the spatial distribution of population and residential buildings for an assessment of future disaster risk. Their strategy—demonstrated at the urban scale using an earthquake scenario for the conurbation of San Jose, Costa Rica—considers the time-dependent number, location, and characteristics of growing assets as well as their aleatory and epistemic uncertainty as a function of time into the future. The value of the methodology is the ability to allow communities to envision alternative futures by forecasting mean earthquake loss trajectories with and without long-time enforcement of urban planning and seismic regulations."

 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   september-1-2021

WSP USA

WSP USA is one of the world's leading engineering professional services firms, providing management and consultancy services to the built and natural environment. It designs solutions for its clients in the Property & Buildings, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and Power & Energy sectors. Its experts include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals.

Gannett Fleming

Gannett Fleming is a global infrastructure firm that provides planning, design, technology, and construction management services for a diverse range of markets and disciplines. Founded in 1915, Gannett Fleming embraces sustainability and innovation in its projects and internal activities, achieving results while being responsible stewards of our environment. With a century of experience and offices worldwide, Gannett Fleming is part of the fabric of local communities around the globe.

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Announcements   september-1-2021

SMIP21 Seminar: October 21, 2021

 The California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (CSMIP) of the California Geological Survey holds annual seminars to transfer recent research findings on strong-motion data to practicing seismic design professionals, earth scientists and earthquake response personnel.  CSMIP will hold the SMIP21 Seminar virtually on Thursday, October 21, 2021. The seminar program and online registration form are available at the SMIP21 Seminar website. Registration fees will be waived for this year’s seminar.

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News of the Profession   september-1-2021

Links to Recent News and Views

Haiti News: Search for Survivors After Quake Kills Nearly 1,300 (New York Times)

Haitians Heartbroken As Deadly Quake Heaps Misery on Crisis-hit Nation (The Guardian)

Why Earthquakes in Haiti Are So Catastrophic (National Public Radio)

‘There Will Always Be Earthquakes.’ Haiti Town on Fault Line Wants to Rebuild Differently (Miami Herald)

Op-Ed: After a Quake, Crawling Out Alive Won't Be Enough (Dr. Lucy Jones on AB1329 in the Los Angeles Times)

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News of the Institute   august-15-2021

EERI Response to August 14, 2021 M7.2 Earthquake in Haiti

On August 14, 2021, a M7.2 earthquake struck Nippes, Haiti. The EERI community extends its sympathy to the victims as rescue and relief work continues.

EERI is currently monitoring the situation from media reports and notes from colleagues in the impacted region as part of its Learning from Earthquakes Program, and is considering an EERI response. More information about EERI’s plans will be shared here as they develop.

The virtual clearinghouse for the January 2010 M 7.0 Haiti earthquake is archived at the Learning from Earthquakes website here.

Visit the USGS website for more information and the PAGER report on the recent earthquake. 

12NCEE: The Call for Papers is Here!

Last week EERI launched the conference website and Call for Papers for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering. Join us for this milestone conference—and the concurrent 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition—in Salt Lake City next summer! We are seeking papers from a wide range of program topic areas:

• Earth Science and Ground Motions
• Geotechnical Engineering
• 
Risk/Loss Modeling, Planning, and Response
• 
Social Science, Public Health, and Public Policy

• Structural Engineering Practice

• Structural Engineering Research

• Transportation and Lifelines
• 
Other and Cross-Cutting Topics


Check out the full Call for Papers for more information and instructions on how to submit a paper! Please note that there will be no preliminary abstract submission and review—the first and only submission will be a 4-page paper manuscript, due October 15, 2021. We also welcome proposals for special sessions, which are due September 10, 2021.

2022 EERI Board of Directors Election Nominees

The following candidates have been nominated for the 2022 EERI Board of Directors Election:

President-Elect

Janiele Maffei (M. EERI, 1992)
Chief Mitigation Officer, California Earthquake Authority
Sacramento, California

Director A:
Emily So (M. EERI, 2011)
Reader in Architectural Engineering, University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Zahraa Saiyed (M. EERI, 2011)
CEO & Principal, Scyma Consulting, LLC
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Director B:
Nicholas Gregor (M. EERI, 1992)
Consulting Seismologist
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Ramin Golesorkhi (M. EERI, 1986)
Principal/Vice President, Langan Engineering
San Francisco Bay Area, California

EERI members will vote for candidates during the upcoming election period from October 1 to November 1, 2021. Additional nominations may be made by the membership in accordance with Article VII of the EERI Bylaws (Section 5), upon submission of a petition with signatures of at least 25 voting members for each elected Director's office. See the Bylaws for full details. Petitions must be received before September 15, 2021. Biographies of the candidates and short vision statements will be published in a future issue of the Pulse and posted on the EERI website.

EERI thanks the Nominating Committee: Danielle Mieler (Chair), Judith Mitrani-Reiser, David Wald, Anne Wein, Barry Welliver, David Cocke (ex-officio), and Heidi Tremayne (ex-officio).

Registration Grants Available for the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering

If you are a graduate student or early-career academic/professional in need of financial support to attend the 2022 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Salt Lake City, Utah, consider applying for one of our registration grants. Generously funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), these awards are currently limited to graduate students, early-career academics and professionals who reside in the U.S., attend a U.S. university, or teach at a U.S. university as of October 31, 2021. However, grants for international attendees may be available in the future and those residing outside of the U.S. who meet the selection criteria and submit their application by the application deadline will be considered for a grant should funding become available.

The deadline to submit your application is October 31, 2021. We will notify award recipients by Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Grant recipients must agree to volunteer for four hours during the conference. Click here to apply.

The selection committee will judge applicants based on the following:

• Active participation in the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (e.g., invited speaker or moderator, paper submitted for the conference, conference committee volunteer work, etc.)

• While EERI membership is not required, the committee will take EERI membership, active participation with national EERI or a local EERI Student or Regional Chapter (if a local chapter exists) into consideration.

Additional information about registration grants can be found on the 12NCEE website.

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Learning from Earthquakes   august-15-2021

EERI Reconnaissance Report on 2018 Anchorage Earthquake Now Available

EERI has published the EERI Earthquake Reconnaissance Report: M7.1 Anchorage Earthquake on November 30, 2018, by Wael Hassan, John Thornley, Janise Rodgers, and Chris Motter, with contributions from Cara Shonsey, Amanda Siok, and Michael Mieler.

This comprehensive report documents reconnaissance observations from the M7.1 November 30, 2018 Anchorage, Alaska Earthquake. The report is based on a year-long investigation and covers seismology and tectonics, geotechnical impacts on buildings and infrastructures, building codes and their impact on the earthquake damage, structural impacts on buildings, nonstructural damage, performance of instrumented buildings, impacts on schools and hospitals, performance of bridges, and damage to lifelines and utilities. The report also includes risk mitigation recommendations based on post-event findings, discussions, and meetings among state, federal, and local stakeholders as well as an overview of a pilot business resilience survey deployment by EERI's LFE Business Resilience Survey Working Group.

The report, along with many more resources, is available on the Anchorage, Alaska Earthquake Virtual Clearinghouse site. This report was published as a part of EERI’s Learning from Earthquakes program with funding from FEMA. Photo credit: Joey Yang.

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Earthquake Spectra   august-15-2021

Don't Miss the August Issue of Spectra!

The August issue of Earthquake Spectra is now compiled and available online. Editor-in-Chief David Wald has selected the following paper from this issue to feature in the editor’s choice collection:

Exposure forecasting for seismic risk estimation: Application to Costa Rica | Authors: Alejandro Calderón and Vitor Silva

RECOMMENDATION: "Authors Alejandro Calderón and Vitor Silva present a methodology for forecasting future risks in developing countries where the number of people and structures in urban areas is growing rapidly due to population growth and the migration to cities. Their research proposes a framework to forecast the spatial distribution of population and residential buildings for an assessment of future disaster risk. Their strategy—demonstrated at the urban scale using an earthquake scenario for the conurbation of San Jose, Costa Rica—considers the time-dependent number, location, and characteristics of growing assets as well as their aleatory and epistemic uncertainty as a function of time into the future. The value of the methodology is the ability to allow communities to envision alternative futures by forecasting mean earthquake loss trajectories with and without long-time enforcement of urban planning and seismic regulations."

 

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Webinars   august-15-2021

Quick Quake Briefing: 2020 M7.0 Samos Island (Offshore Greece and Turkey) Earthquake

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter and the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Program are co-hosting a FREE webinar on August 24, 10:00-11:20 AM PT, on the Samos-Izmir M7.0 earthquake that struck on October 30, 2020 in the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece.

The quake caused significant damage and left many dead in Turkey from collapsed buildings. The worst effects were in western Turkey, particularly in the city of Izmir, where over 4 million people live some 40 miles from the epicenter. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami that flooded coastal areas in Turkey and Samos Island.  The epicenter was located at the sea border between Turkey and Greece, and faults in that area were not well explored. In the aftermath of the earthquake, leaders of both countries expressed the need for future cooperation—”whatever our differences, these are times when our people need to stand together.” The briefing will also discuss joint Greece/Turkey research. The Quick Quake Briefing will feature five speakers from Turkey and Greece:

• Dr. Basil Margaris, engineering seismologist, EPPO-ITSAK Institute of Engineering Seismology & Earthquake Engineering, Thessaloniki, Greece. 
• Dr. Özkan Kale, associate professor, Department of Civil Engineering, TED University, Ankara, Turkey.  
• Dr. Kemal Önder Çetin, professor of civil engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. 
• Musa Alphan Bahar, Civil Eng. MSc, project manager, Turkish Natural Catastrophe Insurance Pool (DASK), Istanbul, Turkey.  
• Dr. Neslihan Ocakoğlu, professor, Department of Geophysical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey. 

For more information on speakers and to sign up for the webinar, go to the registration page here.

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In Memoriam   august-15-2021

In Memoriam: J. Carl Stepp, 1932—2021

Contributors: Robin McGuire, Ivan Wong, Gabriel Toro, William Lettis, Robert Kassawara

Carl Stepp was born in Loco, Oklahoma at the family farm on July 5, 1932. After working as a surveyor in the oil industry and with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Korea, he received degrees in geology from Oklahoma State University and geophysics from the University of Utah and Pennsylvania State University, where he was awarded a Ph.D. in 1973. Carl worked in both the public and private sectors before founding his own consulting company, Earthquake Hazards Solutions. Throughout his career, Carl supported seismology, geology, geophysics, and engineering studies that promoted better decisions regarding seismic design and analysis to improve safety from earthquake risk. He helped develop the Consortium of Organizations for Strong Motion Observation (COSMOS) and served as initial COSMOS interim Executive Director. Carl also directed development of a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of the Yucca Mountain, Nevada, high-level nuclear waste site, the largest assessment of its kind and the basis for a 2001 paper that won the Outstanding Earthquake Spectra Award. A member of EERI since 1973, he served as a Board Director from 1982-84, as President from 1991-92, and was elected an honorary member in 2004.

The frequent phrase expressed by Carl’s colleagues was that he was a “real gentleman,” with a big heart and a great sense of humor. Those traits were undoubtedly a result of his country upbringing. His genuine interest in everyone he met resulted in tremendous respect from all those who interacted with him. Carl enjoyed telling stories about his many life experiences, such as his adventures leading an oil exploration crew along the Magdalena River valley in Colombia, and when he innocently tried to bring a few fine Cuban cigars into the US after a work trip to Cuba. During his career, Carl mentored and assisted many aspiring seismologists and geologists in the field of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and risk assessment. He provided invaluable insights and “common sense” recommendations in assessing the seismic hazards of a wide range of critical and important infrastructure. His genuine, non-confrontational approach to reaching technical solutions will be sorely missed. Carl passed away on July 30, 2021, in Kerrville, Texas, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Paulette, son Mark Stepp, son Derrill Stepp and wife Mary, and daughter Laura Stepp.

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Announcements   august-15-2021

CEA Fifth Annual Research Forum

The California Earthquke Authority (CEA) invites you to “Equitable Residential Earthquake Resilience in California,” the Fifth Annual CEA Research Forum, which will take place in webinar form on September 20 and 21, 2021 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM PT. 

The keynote speaker, CEA’s Laurie Johnson, will focus on the importance of community resilience. For more information on other speakers and the agenda, click this link or contact Research@calquake.com
 

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   august-15-2021

Concrete West Construction

Concrete West Construction, Inc. is a specialty contractor for existing buildings based in Southern California. CCW specializes in all aspects of structural construction and seismic retrofit, including concrete (sawcut, break/demo, excavation, rebar and pour), shotcrete, steel, rough carpentry, micropiles, and CFR.

Arup

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s built environment. From 85 offices in 35 countries, Arup’s 12,000 planners, designers, engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world with creativity and passion.

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News of the Profession   august-15-2021

News of the Profession

• A new approach to preventing human-induced earthquakes, MIT News
• Alaska’s cellphone emergency alert system malfunctioned during the last earthquake, and experts still don’t know why, Anchorage Daily News
• There’s an Earthquake Coming, The New Yorker (Earthquake Spectra article by David Wald M. EERI 1988, quoted)
• 10-Year Anniversary of US’s Most Widely Felt Earthquake, USGS
• Fukushima struggles on 10 years after devastating earthquake and tsunami, CBC
• Virginia riverbanks tell the story of past large earthquakes, Temblor

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News of the Institute   august-1-2021

12NCEE: Call for Papers Coming Soon!

Save the date—the 12NCEE website and Call for Papers will be launching next week! 

12NCEE is the upcoming U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, hosted by EERI every 4 years in conjunction with federal and local partners. This milestone conference brings together professionals from a broad range of disciplines: architecture, civil and structural engineering, seismology, geology, geophysics, geotechnical engineering, business, public policy, the social sciences, regional planning, emergency response, and regulation. The 2022 EERI Annual Meeting and EERI’s Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition will take place concurrently.

12NCEE will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah from June 27-July 1, 2022. More information will be available on the EERI and 12NCEE websites soon.

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Awards   august-1-2021

Meet the 2021-2022 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellows in Earthquake Hazard Reduction

We’re excited to announce the 2021-2022 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellows, Patrick Bassal (M.EERI, 2015) and Alan Poulos (M.EERI, 2020)! 

Supported by funds from FEMA, the one-year fellowship seeks to foster the participation of those working toward goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. We look forward to highlighting the fellows' research at 12NCEE next year. Learn more about the EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship on our website here.

Patrick Bassal 
Ph.D. Candidate in Geotechnical Engineering, University of California, Davis

Patrick C. Bassal is a Ph.D. candidate in geotechnical engineering at the University of California, Davis. His doctoral research focuses on using advanced numerical and geostatistical methods to understand the key mechanisms and factors contributing to the magnitude and spatial extent of liquefaction effects at sites with interlayered soil deposits. This research has involved in-depth analyses of post-earthquake case studies and seeks to provide practical insights for both simplified and numerical liquefaction evaluations. Patrick holds a B.S. in civil engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and an M.S. in Geoengineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He has worked as a geotechnical engineering consultant for four years and is a registered civil engineer in California. Patrick was introduced to EERI as a post-graduate intern in 2013, and later served as a board member and webmaster for the EERI-NYNE Regional Chapter and the Younger Members Committee. More recently, he has contributed to developing new multidisciplinary tasks for the undergraduate Student Design Competition through the Student Leadership Council, and is currently co-president of the EERI at UC Davis Student Chapter.

Alan Poulos 
Ph.D. Candidate in Structural Engineering, Stanford University

Alan Poulos is currently a Ph.D. candidate in structural engineering at Stanford University, working with Professor Eduardo Miranda. His current research focuses on ground motion directionality and its effects on earthquake-resistant design and regional risk assessment. These effects, which are usually ignored, are being studied to improve current civil infrastructure design and management practices. Alan holds a master’s degree in structural engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he worked with Professors Juan Carlos de la Llera and Judith Mitrani-Reiser on modeling earthquake-induced building evacuations. He has previously worked in research and development at a structural engineering firm and a disaster risk management research center, both in Chile.

Honorable Mentions: Tyler Oathes and Hailey-Rae Rose

EERI’s Student Awards Committee also awarded honorable mentions to candidates Tyler Oathes (M.EERI, 2018) of the University of California, Davis, and Hailey-Rae Rose (M.EERI, 2020) of the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Announcements   august-1-2021

Lifelines 2021-2022 Conference Change of Date

The Lifelines 2021-2022 conference at UCLA, commemorating the 50-year anniversary of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, has been moved earlier by one week to avoid conflicting with the revised scheduling of the National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl hosted in Los Angeles. The dates were changed to make costs, accommodation options and air travel planning easier for attendees.

The conference timetable is now:

• January 31, 2022: Pre-conference workshops
• February 1-3, 2022: Main Conference Program
• February 4, 2022: Post-conference workshops and tours

Please mark your calendars for January 31, 2022 to February 4, 2022 to attend the Lifelines 2021-22 conference at the UCLA Campus in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit the conference website.

PEER Blind Prediction Competition and Researchers' Workshop

The Pacific Earthquake Engineering Center has launched the 2021 Blind Prediction Competition, open to everyone in the global structural engineering community. This year's Blind Prediction Contest, "Quasi-Static Cyclic Test of a Reinforced Concrete Column," is developed by the structural engineering community including Maffei Structural Engineering, Simpson Strong-Tie, Tipping Structural Engineers, Tuchscher Engineering Group, and California State University Long Beach.  This year's contest focuses on the response of a reinforced concrete columvn subjected to lateral deformation. This survey is based on an experimental test of a concrete column conducted in 2020, the results of which have not yet been published. The test column is representative of gravity columns common in concrete buildings designed prior to the 1990s. The deadline for questions is August 19, and predictions are due by September 9. The results will be announced in September 2021.

PEER is also holding its Researchers’ Workshop online on August 16-17 (registration deadline August 11). This workshop features presentations from all active PEER-funded projects from TSRP and PEER-Bridge Programs. The goal of the workshop is to disseminate information about research that is currently ongoing in the Center and to develop interaction between projects across disciplines. Learn more at the PEER website here.

PBD-IV Abstract Deadline Extended

 The 4th International Conference on Performance-Based Design in Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering (PBD-IV), to be held in July 2022 in Beijing, China, has announced an extension for abstract submissions. Due to the increased interest and the considering the influence of COVID-19, the Scientific Committee have decided to extend the abstract submission deadline until August 10, 2021. Learn more at the PBD-IV website here.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   august-1-2021

Haselton Baker Risk Group

Haselton Baker Risk Group provides methods and software to enable cutting-edge resilient design and risk assessment using advanced building-specific risk assessment technologies, enabling engineers to quickly implement advanced design and assessment methods into practice. Haselton Baker Risk Group's Seismic Performance Prediction Program (SP3) implements the FEMA P-58 (ATC-58) analysis method, distilling years of research into a user-friendly tool enabling performance-based design methods (and advanced building-specific risk assessments). SP3 supports both new design and advanced building-specific risk assessments.

Nanometrics

Nanometrics is an award-winning company providing monitoring solutions and equipment for studying man-made and natural seismicity. Nanometrics delivers solutions to customers across the globe through real-time and portable seismic systems utilized by the world’s leading scientific institutions, universities and major corporations. Nanometrics specializes in collecting and analyzing critical real time data for global, regional and local seismic networks. Nanometrics is dedicated to providing an open and honest scientific approach to seismic monitoring that has been honed by over 30 years of experience developing innovative seismic technology. 

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News of the Profession   august-1-2021

News of the Profession

• Largest US Quake in Half-Century Causes Alaska Little Damage
• Tsunami Warning Canceled After 8.2 Offshore Earthquake Sent People in Many Alaska Coastal Communities to Higher Ground
• Interview: OSU's Armin Stuedlein (M.EERI 2011) Talks Earthquake Preparedness
• Commentary: Seismic-safety Mandates and Deadlines for Hospitals Need to Stay in Place
• Older Concrete Buildings in San Francisco Raise Earthquake Concerns

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Opportunities   august-1-2021

Job Opening: Director, USGS Earthquake Science Center

Job applications are now being accepted for Director, USGS Earthquake Science Center, Moffett Field, CA. The position is posted on USAJOBS.gov here, and is open to all U.S. Citizens. Applications will be accepted through August 16, 2021.

The Director of the Earthquake Science Center (ESC) manages the research, monitoring, personnel, and financial aspects of the Center to fulfill the mission of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earthquake Hazards Program and meet the needs of other USGS Programs and external partners. The ESC Director is supervised by the Director of the USGS Southwest Region, and the ESC Center Director has close working relationships with the Directors of the other nine Centers within the Region. The Center Director also works closely with the Directors of the Northwest-Pacific Islands and Alaska Regions to inform and coordinate understanding of earthquake hazards along the U.S. Pacific coast. The Center Director oversees a vibrant group of staff to collect a wide range of data on earthquakes, faults, and crustal deformation; conduct research to increase our understanding of earthquake source processes, occurrence, and effects; and synthesize this knowledge into probabilistic seismic hazard assessments, aftershock forecasts, and ground-shaking scenarios for anticipated major earthquakes. ESC also leads the National Strong Motion Project and the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system; houses renowned rock mechanics laboratories and deep borehole geophysics facilities; conducts extensive geophysical, geologic, and paleoseismic investigations along active faults; and conducts scientific investigations following significant earthquakes, both in the U.S. and internationally. With partners, ESC operates the California Integrated Seismic Network and Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, as well as seismic networks at sites of induced seismicity, and operates geodetic networks through the western United States.

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News of the Institute   july-15-2021

Anil Chopra Oral History: Last Chance to Order a Free Print Copy

Would you like a complimentary print copy of the Anil K. Chopra volume of the EERI Oral History Series? The deadline to request one has been extended to Saturday, July 31st! Regular, retired, honorary, and young professional EERI members may request one complimentary copy of the volume, with free shipping to addresses in the United States. Request your copy here.

Why should you read this oral history? As Gregory Fenves (President of Emory University and graduate student to Chopra from 1980-1984) wrote in his personal introduction, in this volume “you will encounter Anil’s graciousness, his clarity of thought, his dedication to students, and his reflections on earthquake engineering as a member of 'the founding generation' in the field to which he has contributed so much.” 

Learn more about the EERI Oral History Series and access all its volumes in digital form on our website here.

The EERI Student Leadership Council is Recruiting New Members

Are you a graduate student interested in earthquake safety? Do you like working in a fun team environment with other engaged graduate students? We are recruiting our EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC) for 2021-2022, and we are looking for you! As a member of the Student Leadership Council, you will have the opportunity to build your leadership skills while planning and running the annual EERI Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition. You can learn more about the SLC on their website.

If you are interested in joining the SLC, please complete this form by July 23, 2021 at 11:59 PT. Please share the link with other interested graduate students!

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Awards   july-15-2021

Joyner Memorial Lecture Nominations Due July 31st

Nominations are open for the William B. Joyner Memorial Lecture Award! Established by SSA in cooperation with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), the William B. Joyner Memorial Lectures honor William Joyner’s distinguished career at the U.S. Geological Survey and his abiding commitment to the exchange of information at the interface of earthquake science and earthquake engineering.

Nominations for the Joyner Lecturer can be made by any current SSA or EERI member. Nominations must: 

• Document the nominee’s accomplishments in fostering and enhancing communication at the earthquake-science/earthquake-engineering interface.
• Explain why that person’s work makes a difference.
• Include a brief summary of the candidate’s professional history. This may include honors, awards, professional affiliations, lectures and publications, and professional service and experience that address the intent of the Joyner Award.

Nominations should be submitted to awards@seismosoc.org by July 31, 2021. Learn more on the website.

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Earthquake Spectra   july-15-2021

EERI releases special issue on Seismic Hazard in Central and Eastern North America (CENA) 

We’re very excited to announce the release of the July special issue of Earthquake Spectra! This issue showcases new developments in earthquake hazard and risk assessments relevant to Central and Eastern North America (CENA). This unique collection of papers marks a significant advancement in the documentation and understanding of the hazard and risk of this stable continental region with rare but significant seismicity.  

Guest editors for this issue are Yousef Bozorgnia of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Christine Goulet of Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), University of Southern California (USC). 

Why you should read this

• A substantial portion of the special issue features a selection of papers from the multi-year and multi-disciplinary Next Generation Attenuation Relationships for Central & Eastern North-America (NGA-East) Project, coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. These papers describe different aspects and products of the NGA-East Project and summarize the new ground motion characterization model for the CENA region. The products of this research will influence the design and construction of countless facilities, from transportation and nuclear power infrastructure to commercial and residential buildings, for the next several decades as the models are adopted into building codes and design provisions.

• Several CENA-relevant research projects and activities have taken place in addition to NGA-East. Thus, this special issue also contains papers related to the analysis, modeling, and implementation of seismic ground motions and hazards in CENA.

Support for this special issue was provided in part by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) External Grant Award # G20AP00081 and a gift from Lettis Consultants International, Inc. These contributions are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.  

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Learning from Earthquakes   july-15-2021

Virtual clearinghouse established for Antelope Valley, CA earthquake

The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) has established a virtual earthquake clearinghouse website for the July 8, 2021 M6.0 earthquake that struck near the California/Nevada border. The clearinghouse website contains an overview of the earthquake, datasets, a photo gallery, and links to other resources.

Due to the remote location of the earthquake, the California Earthquake Clearinghouse was not activated for this earthquake.

Photo: Large Boulder Fall. Credit: Seth Dee, NBMG

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   july-15-2021

American Institute of Steel Construction

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), headquartered in Chicago, is a non-partisan, not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC's mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, market development, and advocacy.

 

ABS Group

ABS Group provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions and technical services that help clients confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of critical assets and operations. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors.

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News of the Profession   july-15-2021

Links to recent news and views

• Researchers help prepare Portland International Airport for when 'The Big One' hits
• Seismic risks in Wellington's largest office building: Inland Revenue sends 1000 staff home
• It’s not the San Andreas, but fault system that produced 6.0 quake poses big dangers
• Op-Ed:  Earthquakes pose a hazard to much of California’s fresh water
• Downtown S.F., North Beach included in new Bay Area tsunami hazard zones

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News of the institute   july-1-2021

Due Tomorrow! Applications for the EERI Board of Directors

This is your last chance to submit an application for the positions of President-Elect and Director to be reviewed and considered by the Nominating Committee. Selected applicants will participate in the 2022 Board of Directors Election, which takes place in October 2021. Elected candidates will begin serving on the EERI Board in 2022.

To apply to be on the Board:

• Read this overview to learn more about the application process.
• Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document.
• Submit the application form!

Applications are due July 2, 2021 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications must include a written statement (about 750 words total) and a cv or resume. Read this overview for details on what should be included in the written statement.

Questions about the application process should be sent to silvana@eeri.org.

2021's Virtual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition

Over 350 undergraduate students participated in the 18th annual Seismic Design Competition (SDC). This year’s SDC, the first-ever virtual event, featured teams from across the United States and around the world. While participants were not able to build and test their traditional balsa wood models, they spent many hours designing and analyzing a scenario hospital building in Seattle. The SDC teams were judged on their structure’s architecture, a poster, and a presentation. The posters submitted by this year’s teams can be viewed on the Student Leadership Council website.

The 2021 SDC champions were the University of British Columbia in first place, followed by the University of California, Berkeley in second place, and the University of Toronto in third place. Many teams also received recognition in the special awards category, including the Best Architecture Award to Ain Shams University, the Egor Popov Award for Structural Innovation to the University of California, Los Angeles, the Communication Award to the University of British Columbia, and the Charles Richter Spirit of the Competition to IIT Bombay.

Many thanks to the Student Leadership Council members who worked tirelessly to make this year’s competition a success: Co-Presidents Mike Morano and Preetish Kakoty; Secretary Claudia Deveaux; Treasurer Laura Hernandez-Bassal; Lead SDC Chair Ahmad Hassan; SDC Chairs Khalid Saifullah, Sandy Ashraf, Pouria Kourehpaz, Kayla Sorenson, and Nicholas Slavin; Shake Table Operator Patrick Bassal; PERW Chairs Kaleigh Yost and Ahmed Salem; SESI Chairs Jessi Thangjitham and Chris Jackson; Outreach Chairs Maria Camila Lopez, Nancy Ingabire Abayo, and Megan Vandervort; and Webmasters Casey Rodgers and Mohsen Akhani.

EERI also offers special thanks to the 2021 SDC sponsors: FEMA, Computers and Structures, Inc., Degenkolb Engineers, the California Earthquake Authority, Kinemetrics, and the UC Davis Center for Geotechnical Modeling.

March 2021 Board Meeting Summary

The EERI Board of Directors held their March 2021 Board meeting in two parts on Wednesday, March 3 and Friday, March 12, via video conference due to the ongoing pandemic. The meeting was chaired by President David Cocke, assuming duties as EERI’s new president for a two-year term. The Board welcomed two new Board Members, Carlien Bou-Chedid and Ayse Hortacsu, for their first meeting as elected directors. Board Member Judith Mitrani-Reiser was appointed by the Board for a one-year term as EERI Vice President. Lucy Arendt was appointed as EERI Secretary/Treasurer for 2021, her fourth year serving in this role. 

The Board reviewed the EERI Conflict of Interest Policy, approved various meeting minutes, approved two new student chapters, and accepted all submitted Committee and Chapter annual reports summarizing 2020 activities. The Board also assigned Board liaisons to each of EERI’s committees. The Board reviewed and approved financial statements as of December 31, 2020, and discussed plans for the annual financial audit. The Board approved the establishment of a new Fundraising Committee, and discussed an new LFE Endowment donor match challenge campaign to be held during the Annual Meeting.  

Board Members heard a status update for the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting and discussed their role and attendance in various activities taking place during the virtual event. They approved the final draft of the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan to be shared with members during the Presidential Address during the opening plenary session of the Annual Meeting, also serving as the 2021 EERI Annual Business Meeting. The Board discussed a draft of a new member Ethics Code to align with the new guiding principle in the Strategic Plan, namely that “EERI operates with high ethical standards, transparency, and professionalism” under the new core value “Integrity and Stewardship.” 

The Board discussed some potential changes to the elections process to increase the equity and diversity of the Board, approved some changes to nominating committee member criteria, and approved Danielle Mieler as Chair of the 2021 Nominating Committee. The Board also approved a new open application process that will allow any eligible member to submit an application to the nominating committee expressing the member’s interest in serving on the Board of Directors. This new open application process will be used for the 2021 Board Election.

The Chairs of EERI’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee joined the Board to discuss a draft of a new policy position statement focused on promoting comprehensive, safe, and resilient health care systems.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for June 2021.

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Awards   july-1-2021

Nominations open for the William B. Joyner Memorial Lecture Award

Nominations are open for the William B. Joyner Memorial Lecture Award. Established by SSA in cooperation with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), the William B. Joyner Memorial Lectures honor William Joyner’s distinguished career at the U.S. Geological Survey and his abiding commitment to the exchange of information at the interface of earthquake science and earthquake engineering.

Nominations for the Joyner Lecturer can be made by any current SSA or EERI member. Nominations must: 

• Document the nominee’s accomplishments in fostering and enhancing communication at the earthquake-science/earthquake-engineering interface.
• Explain why that person’s work makes a difference.
• Include a brief summary of the candidate’s professional history. This may include honors, awards, professional affiliations, lectures and publications, and professional service and experience that address the intent of the Joyner Award.

Nominations should be submitted to awards@seismosoc.org by July 31, 2021. Learn more on the website.

Shah Family Innovation Prize—Deadline Extended

Did you miss the deadline to nominate a deserving colleague for the Shah Family Innovation Prize? It has been extended! Applications are now due Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Follow this link to learn more about the nomination package and access the nomination form.

The intent of the prize is to stimulate further creativity and leadership in the earthquake risk mitigation community and EERI. The selection process recognizes a combination of past accomplishments and future potential, emphasizing creative and innovative thinkers who have demonstrated at early stages in their careers the potential to make major contributions.

The winner of this prize will be recognized during the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering and the 2022 EERI Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, from June 27 to July 1, 2022.

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Learning from earthquakes   july-1-2021

New Reports on April 10, 2021 East Java, Indonesia Earthquake

Two new reports from Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) on the April 10, 2021 East Java Earthquake are now available in the EERI Learning from Earthquakes archive.

Preliminary Engineering Seismology Report From Strong Motion Records For Malang Earthquake-East Java, Indonesia 10th, April 2021

This report presents ground motion records and strong motion data captured by the Indonesia National Strong Motion Network. More than 50 sensors within 1000 km of the epicenter detected the earthquake.

Preliminary Report: The 10 April 2021 (Mw 6.1) South of East Java Destructive Earthquake, Indonesia

This report documents observations and conclusions from a BMKG field survey conducted from April 11-15, 2021. The report includes photos of housing damage in the impacted areas and also provides a historical context of past destructive earthquakes south of Java.

These reports and several others on recent earthquakes in Indonesia are available in the EERI LFE Earthquake Archive.

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Webinars   july-1-2021

Quick Quake Briefing: Recent M7.1 & M7.0 Aftershocks of the 2011 M9.1 Great Tōhoku Japan Earthquake

Thursday, July 8 at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET | REGISTER HERE
Cost: Free

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter and the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Program are co-hosting a FREE webinar on two recent earthquakes that struck offshore Japan. The earthquakes are especially noteworthy because they are aftershocks occurring 10 years after the great 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. The February 13, 2021 Fukushima-ken Oki earthquake (M7.1) was a powerful and deadly quake that struck offshore west of Japan. The earthquake left one person dead, and at least 186 injured. It also inflicted modest damage across the Tōhoku and Kanto regions. The March 20, 2021 Miyagi quake (M7.0) also struck offshore. Power outages and some damage occurred in Miyagi prefecture. Sendai, the capital of Miyagi prefecture, suffered extensive damage from the great 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The Quick Quake Briefing will feature two speakers from the Building Research Institute, National Research and Development Agency, Japan. The webinar will include time for participants to ask questions of the speakers.

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Oral History   july-1-2021

Anil K. Chopra volume release: last chance for print order

Want a print copy of the Anil K. Chopra Volume Release of the EERI Oral History Series? The deadline to request a print copy is July 2. Fill out the order form now. If you want to read it today, the PDF version is available online.

Why should you read this Oral History? As stated by Gregory Fenves (President of Emory University and graduate student to Chopra from 1980-1984) in his personal introduction, by reading this volume “you will encounter Anil’s graciousness, his clarity of thought, his dedication to students, and his reflections on earthquake engineering as a member of “the founding generation” in the field to which he has contributed so much.”  

Professor Chopra served on the faculty of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley for 47 years, retiring in 2016. Following the footsteps of his mentors Ray Clough and Joe Penzien, he dedicated much of his career and research to the study of structural dynamics. 

Notably, he chaired the structural analysis committee of the project producing the influential ATC-3, Tentative Provisions for the Development of Seismic Regulations for Buildings. In this Oral History, you will learn about this project and associated methodologies that fundamentally changed earthquake engineering. 

His expertise in structural dynamics resulted in his being asked to write the EERI monograph on structural dynamics, Dynamics of Structures: A Primer, and later led to his very widely used university textbook, Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Application to Earthquake Engineering, now in its fifth edition. 

Professor Chopra is known by his students both for kindness and his rigor. He’d ask them about their day, their families, and their lives. Then, he'd tell them to enroll in an English class and he’d be right there next to them. As an advisor and mentor, he had an “uncompromising sense of high-quality writing,” marking up first drafts with a lot of red pen and demanding strong outlines of any paper. “First the skeleton, then the flesh,” he says. A lover of hiking, travel, and Urdu poetry, Professor Chopra has a life, career, and a story that begs to be shared.

Download the EERI Oral History featuring Anil K. Chopra.

EERI gratefully acknowledges production support provided by FEMA/U.S. Department of Homeland Security under grant EMW-2020-CA-00029, and University of California, Berkeley, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Read more about the EERI Oral History Series and access all its volumes on the EERI website here. 

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Earthquake Spectra   july-1-2021

June 2021 Earthquake Spectra highlights

 The Earthquake Spectra editorial team recommends the following recently released OnlineFirst articles:

• A procedure for matching the near-fault ground motions based on spectral accelerations and instantaneous power | Authors: Esra Zengin and Norman A Abrahamson
• Geotechnical lessons from the Mw 7.1 2018 Anchorage Alaska earthquake | Authors: Ashly Cabas, Christine Beyzaei, Armin Stuedlein, Kevin W Franke, Richard Koehler, Paolo Zimmaro, Clinton Wood, Samuel Christie, Zhaohui Yang, and Cristina Lorenzo-Velazquez
• Book review: Seismic Hazard and Risk Analysis | Author: Steven L Kramer
• The total costs of seismic retrofits: State of the art | Authors: Juan F Fung, Siamak Sattar, David T Butry, and Steven L McCabe
• Challenges in the definition of input motions for forensic ground-response analysis in the near-source region | Authors: Nikolaos Ntritsos, Misko Cubrinovski, and Brendon A Bradley

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Announcements   july-1-2021

New Book on California Earthquake Safety Legislation

Robert A. Olson (M.EERI,1973) has published a new book, When Good Science Won (but it Wasn't Easy): California's Rise to Earthquake Safety Leadership.

Drawing on his extensive experience with crafting, advocating, and implementing many of California's earthquake safety laws, Olson explores the process of creating and enacting earthquake safety legislation from the aftermath of the 1933 Long Beach earthquake to the present.

The book is as much about historic earthquakes as it is about legislative politics: the process that every proposed California law undergoes from idea to law (or rejection). In it, Olson defines four "waves" that characterize California's earthquake safety evolution. Wave One addresses the early disasters and the two laws stemming from the Long Beach earthquake. Wave Two focuses only on the legislative consequences of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. For Waves Three and Four Olson summarizes legislative efforts following the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes.

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News of the Profession   july-1-2021

Links to recent news and views

• Sharon Wood (M.EERI, 1986) Named Provost at The University of Texas at Austin
• An Earthquake in Japan Speaks to a Sea Wall in San Francisco
• Machine Learning Aids Earthquake Risk Prediction
• Opinion: How fiber-optic seismometers are revolutionizing the way earthquakes are measured
• Shoalwater Bay Tribe Builds Evacuation Tower to Provide Tsunami Safety for Community

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Subscribing member spotlight   july-1-2021

Simpson Strong-Tie

Simpson Strong-Tie is is one of the world's largest suppliers of structural building products. The company is recognized as the genuine connector brand in the residential construction industry and for its offering of shearwalls, moment frames, and fasteners. The company also offers products in infrastructure, commercial and industrial construction, including mechanical anchors and adhesives that repair, protect and strengthen concrete and masonry. 

RMS

For over 30 years, Risk Management Solutions, Inc. (RMS) has led the way in transforming the catastrophe risk industry, helping organizations make better decisions to improve human and environmental outcomes with 1,200 employees across 13 offices and products and models covering six continents. By combining proven modeling science with powerful advances in technology, RMS offers models and solutions to help insurers, financial markets, corporations, and public agencies evaluate and manage global risk throughout the world. 

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News of the institute   june-15-2021

You’re Invited: 2021 Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition Awards Ceremony on June 18

This year, EERI’s Student Leadership Council (SLC) designed the first ever virtual seismic design competition. Despite the challenges, the SLC hosted a fun and challenging competition for over 350 students around the world. Competition teams reported on site conditions, completed a structural analysis, developed a retrofit strategy, and designed an architectural facade for a scenario hospital building in Seattle, Washington.

All EERI members are invited to attend the SDC Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 18 at 11 am PT to congratulate the teams on their great work. Register today to attend the awards ceremony.

Apply to be on the EERI Board of Directors!

New this year, EERI is accepting applications from members for the positions of President-Elect and Director to serve on the EERI Board of Directors beginning in 2022. The 2021 Nominating Committee will review applications. The committee will then select one applicant for President-Elect and four applicants for the two open Director positions to be candidates in the 2022 Board of Directors Election, which takes place in October 2021. This new application process has been designed to enhance transparency and facilitate member access to EERI leadership roles.

Any eligible EERI member who is interested is encouraged to apply. The Nominating Committee is particularly interested in applicants who:

• Are located in the Central US or Midwest (including Utah)
• Represent a non-engineering discipline, especially the Earth Sciences (e.g., Seismology and Geology), Architecture, Planning, Social Science, Public Health, Risk Analysis, Lifelines, and/or Public Policy.
• Work in government (State, Regional, or Local)
• Would enhance the racial diversity of the Board
• Would enhance the Board’s perspective on international issues
• Lives in the Americas

To apply to be on the Board:

1. Learn more about the application process. 
   
2. Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document.
   
3. Submit the application form.
   

Applications are due July 2, 2021, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applications must include a written statement (about 750 words total) and a cv or resume. Read about what should be included in the written statement. Send any questions about the application process to silvana@eeri.org. 

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Awards   june-15-2021

Due tomorrow! Nominations for the 2021 Shah Family Innovation Prize

Do you know a young academic or professional making a difference in reducing global earthquake risk? This is your last chance to nominate someone for the 2021 Shah Family Innovation Prize!

Nominate someone before June 16 at 11:59 pm PT

The intent of the prize is to stimulate further creativity and leadership in the earthquake risk mitigation community and EERI. The selection process recognizes a combination of past accomplishments and future potential, emphasizing creative and innovative thinkers who have demonstrated at early stages in their careers the potential to make major contributions. 

Read more information about the required nomination package, including selection criteria. 

Last Chance! Nominations for the 2022 Bruce Bolt Medal are due June 30

The Bruce A. Bolt Medal is a distinguished honor awarded jointly by COSMOS, EERI, and SSA to recognize individuals worldwide whose accomplishments involve the promotion and use of strong-motion earthquake data and whose leadership in the transfer of scientific and engineering knowledge into practice or policy has led to improved seismic safety.

Nominate someone before June 30, 2021, at 11:59 pm PT 

COSMOS, EERI, and SSA members are encouraged to nominate a colleague or peer for this prestigious honor. Please carefully review the nomination and selection process. Complete nomination packages should be submitted using this form. Please note, the nomination form requires a google account to submit. If you do not have a google account, you can submit your materials by sending them in an email to boltmedal@eeri.org.

Any questions regarding this award should be sent to boltmedal@eeri.org.

Nominations open for the William B. Joyner Memorial Lecture Award

Nominations are open for the William B. Joyner Memorial Lecture Award. Established by SSA, in cooperation with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), the William B. Joyner Memorial Lectures honor William Joyner’s distinguished career at the U.S. Geological Survey and his abiding commitment to the exchange of information at the interface of earthquake science and earthquake engineering.

Nominations for the Joyner Lecturer man be made by any current SSA or EERI member. Nominations must: 

• Document the nominee’s accomplishments in fostering and enhancing communication at the earthquake-science/earthquake-engineering interface.
• Explain why that person’s work makes a difference. 
• Include a brief summary of the candidate’s professional history. This may include honors, awards, professional affiliations, lectures and publications, and professional service and experience that address the intent of the Joyner Award.

Nominations should be submitted to awards@seismosoc.org by July 31, 2021. Learn more on the website.

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Webinars   june-15-2021

Quick Quake Briefing: Recent M7.1 & M7.0 Aftershocks of the 2011 M9.1 Great Tōhoku Japan Earthquake

Thursday, July 8 at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET | REGISTER HERE

Cost: Free

The EERI Northern California Regional Chapter and the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Program are co-hosting a FREE webinar on two recent earthquakes that struck offshore Japan. The earthquakes are especially noteworthy because they are aftershocks occurring 10 years after the great 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. The February 13, 2021, Fukushima-ken Oki earthquake (M7.1) was a powerful and deadly quake that struck offshore west of Japan. The earthquake left one person dead and at least 186 injured.  It also inflicted modest damage across the Tōhoku and Kanto regions. The March 20, 2021, Miyagi quake (M7.0) also struck offshore. Power outages and some damage occurred in Miyagi prefecture. Sendai, the capital of Miyagi prefecture, suffered extensive damage from the great 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. This Quick Quake Briefing will feature two speakers from the Building Research Institute, National Research and Development Agency, Japan. The webinar will include time for participants to ask questions of the speakers.

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Opportunities   june-15-2021

California Geological Survey CSMIP Data Interpretation Project - Request for Proposals

The California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (CSMIP) of the California Geological Survey requires the services of a contractor to interpret and analyze strong-motion data. There are three different projects, each focusing on either buildings, lifelines, or ground response:

• RFP on buildings
• RFP on lifelines
• RFP on ground response

The proposals are due by June 30, 2021, at 5:00 PM PT.

Job openings at ARUP

There are two exciting positions open right now at ARUP: 

• Senior Risk and Resilience Consultant (San Francisco, CA): Apply today
• Risk and Resilience Consultant (San Francisco, CA): Apply today

These positions will be with the Advanced Technology and Research (AT+R) team in San Francisco in the area of risk and resilience. The AT+R team is a leader for technical innovation at Arup, creating new services and digital tools from cutting-edge technologies and methods to advance Arup into new markets, which usher in a safer, healthier, sustainable, and resilient future. The AT+R team is multi-disciplinary with deep technical expertise, applying engineering principles and leveraging digital expertise to address every client’s burning questions and develop inventive, creative, and practical solutions. In addition, the team can virtually simulate almost anything in the built environment to predict performance impacts and implications for an organization, communities, and their people, gaining important insights and provide strategic advice of the highest technical caliber for confident decision-making.

As a risk and resilience consultant, you will support our mission to help shape a better world and simulate clients’ resilient futures. Through your work, you will help advance and implement cutting-edge methods that keep Arup at the forefront of our industry. 

 

 

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Member spotlight   june-15-2021

Dave Wald wins The Eugene M. Shoemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Communications

The Eugene M. Shoemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Communications is presented annually to a scientist who creates excitement and enthusiasm for science among non-scientists by using effective communication skills. Each year, a broad-based committee that includes past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients reviews the nominees and selects the winner. David Wald (M.EERI,1988), a seismologist at the Geologic Hazards Science Center, has been selected as a recipient of the 2020 Shoemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Communications.  

David has excellent communication skills and is a vocal advocate for the importance of data sharing for the advancement of science, giving over 100 talks to the academic, civil, museum, and public audiences. David has mentored many students and post-docs who have themselves gone on to impactful positions in their fields, and he continues to energetically engage with scientists and non-scientists alike, both domestically and internationally, to promote understanding of earthquake hazard, impact, and risk reduction. His achievements are recognized through a variety of major awards throughout his career, including a 1997 USGS Special Act Service Award for Outreach; in 2000, the Southern California Emergency Services Association’s Diamond Award; the 2004 Distinguished Lecturer for the Seismological Society of America (SSA) and the Incorporated Institutions for Seismology; the 2015 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Distinguished Lecturer; a USGS Exceptional Service Award in 2008; a DOI Superior Service Award in 2010 and again in 2014; and a DOI Meritorious Service Award in 2016.  

The USGS and the Nation have profoundly benefited from David's lifelong commitment to science and unparalleled ability to effectively communicate to a range of audiences, reinforcing the relevance and importance of USGS science for years to come. 

Congrats, David! We're so grateful to have you as part of our community and as the Editor-in-Chief of the Earthquake Spectra. 

Sissy Nikolaou Appointed as Leader of the NIST Earthquake Engineering Group

Dr. Sissy Nikolaou (M.EERI,2004) has been appointed Leader of the Earthquake Engineering Group of the Materials and Structural Systems Division of the Engineering Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Earthquake Engineering Group (EEG) is one of four research groups in the Division, which serves as a world-class resource for developing, advancing, and deploying measurement science for reducing the risks to buildings and infrastructure lifelines from earthquake hazards. Nikolaou will provide leadership for EEG to support the global competitiveness of U.S. industry through innovations in building materials and construction technology and enhance the security, safety, and sustainability of the built environment across the nation. Her group also supports the National Construction Safety Team (NCST), and National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).

Nikolaou will work with stakeholders (e.g., government agencies, industry practitioners, standards development organizations, and academia) to identify major measurements science needs for the reduction of earthquake losses. Additionally, she will work with organizational leadership and collaborators, both internal and external to NIST, to develop robust, insightful technical programs and projects that deliver accurate, objective, and impactful results. Nikolaou is also excited to identify and develop present and future technical capabilities among the group while promoting a proactive and positive work environment and safety culture. She has been a consulting engineer for over 25 years with global projects involving critical facilities, infrastructure projects, and high-rise buildings. Her consulting work is comprised of performance and resilience-based design, soil-structure interaction, seismic and geo-hazard analysis, multi-hazard risk assessments, and the development of emergency and action preparedness plans. 

One of her passions is to support and inspire the new generation of engineers, and she is meaningfully involved with organizations that enhance the inclusion and equity of women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and other underrepresented groups in the engineering community. Nikolaou’s experience has highlighted the need to emphasize quality of life in developing solutions to earthquake, climate, and other human-induced problems. Her future-oriented approach connects research and practice to innovate and improve standards that help communities bounce forward, rather than simply bouncing back, after an earthquake or other extreme events. 

Congrats, Sissy! We're looking forward to seeing you in this new role. 

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Subscribing member spotlight   june-15-2021

GeoSIG Ltd

GeoSIG Ltd provides earthquake, seismic, structural, dynamic and static monitoring and measuring solutions. Founded in 1992, GeoSIG is a world leader in design and manufacture of a diverse range of high quality, precision instruments for vibration and earthquake monitoring. Check out this video of GeoSIG's latest products.

Air Worldwide

AIR Worldwide provides risk modeling solutions that make individuals, businesses, and society more resilient to extreme events with nine offices around the globe. More than 400 organizations rely on AIR’s models, software, and services to manage their risk from natural catastrophes, terrorism, cyber-attacks, to pandemics. Register today for Air's 3-day virtual conference dedicated to the latest insights and most innovative extreme event modelling practices for the Asia-Pacific region

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Subscribing member events   june-15-2021

Upcoming Kinemetrics webinars

The Value Of SHM To Manage Seismic Emergency

Wednesday, June 16 at 9 am PT / 12 pm ET | REGISTER HERE

The management of civil infrastructures in the aftermath of a seismic event is a concern for decision-makers, which have to choose quickly among alternative actions with limited knowledge on the actual structural conditions. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) information can support these decisions. However, information comes with a cost, and the relevant benefit must be assessed before the acquisition of the SHM system is decided.

In this session, Professor Maria Pina Limongelli will introduce us to the Value of Information (VoI) analysis, which is a powerful tool to estimate such benefits and to optimize the design of the SHM system for each specific application. This informative webinar + Q&A presents a number of applications of VoI in the field of civil engineering. 

This webinar will be rebroadcast on Wednesday, June 23 at 6 am GMT for our colleagues around the world. REGISTER HERE

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A New Way Of Maximum Magnitude Estimate for Induced Seismicity - Chaos

Wednesday, June 30 at 9 am PT / 12 pm ET | REGISTER HERE

Traffic Light Systems (TLS) for induced seismicity by underground injections traditionally rely on magnitude thresholds. The choice of these thresholds is debated and found inappropriate, with the most recent 2020 fashion proposing very low thresholds based on empirical observations. In this session, Dr. Leo Eisner will demonstrate that these observations can be explained as order of statistics and show how this theory can be used for TLS.

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News of the profession   june-15-2021

Links to recent news and views

• A small earthquake could pose a big risk to a US city
• These are some of the major earthquake risks facing California
• World’s largest earthquake simulator upgraded to improve tall structure safety
• Lucy Jones says this is the most important thing you can do to prepare for a quake
• A New Approach to Calculate Earthquake Slip Distributions

 

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News of the institute   june-1-2021

Apply to be on the EERI Board of Directors!

New this year, EERI is accepting applications from members for the positions of President-Elect and Director to serve on the EERI Board of Directors beginning in 2022. The 2021 Nominating Committee will review applications. The committee will then select one applicant for President-Elect and four applicants for the two open Director positions to be candidates in the 2022 Board of Directors Election, which takes place in October 2021. This new application process has been designed to enhance transparency and facilitate member access to EERI leadership roles.

Any eligible EERI member who is interested is encouraged to apply. The Nominating Committee is particularly interested in applicants who:

• Are located in the Central US or Midwest (including Utah)
• Represent a non-engineering discipline, especially the Earth Sciences (e.g., Seismology and Geology), Architecture, Planning, Social Science, Public Health, Risk Analysis, Lifelines, and/or Public Policy.
• Work in government (State, Regional, or Local)
• Would enhance the racial diversity of the Board
• Would enhance the Board’s perspective on international issues
• Lives in the Americas

To apply to be on the Board:

1. Learn more about the application process. 
   
2. Carefully read the EERI Board Member Roles and Responsibilities document.
   
3. Submit the application form.
   

Applications are due July 2, 2021, at 11:59 pm PT. Applications must include a written statement (about 750 words total) and a cv or resume. Read about what should be included in the written statement.

Send any questions about the application process to silvana@eeri.org. 

EERI Awards: Apply or nominate a colleague today!

Take a moment right now to look at all these prestigious Awards seeking your applications and nominations! 

Applications are due 6, 2021: 

• Younger Members Award

Please review the award description and criteria and submit an application form. 

Nominations are due June 6, 2021: 

• George W. Housner Medal 
• Alfred E. Alquist Special Recognition Medal
• 2022 Distinguished Lecture Award
• EERI Honorary Membership

Please review the award description and criteria and submit the nomination form. 

Nominations are due June 16, 2021: 

• Shah Family Innovation Prize

Please review the nomination and selection criteria and submit the nomination form. 

Nominations are due June 30, 2021. 

• Bruce Bolt Medal 

Please review the nomination and selection process and submit the nomination form.

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Oral History   june-1-2021

Don’t miss the latest Oral History on Anil K. Chopra, expert in structural dynamics

Don’t miss the 29th volume of Connections: The EERI Oral History Series, featuring Anil K. Chopra (M.EERI,1973). He is an expert structural engineering professor well known for his preeminent textbook Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Application to Earthquake Engineering, and his expertise in the seismic analysis and design of concrete dams.

Professor Chopra served on the faculty of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley for 47 years, retiring in 2016. Following the footsteps of his mentors Ray Clough and Joe Penzien, he dedicated much of his career and research to the study of structural dynamics. 

Why should you read this Oral History? As stated by Gregory Fenves (President of Emory University and graduate student to Chopra from 1980-1984) in his personal introduction, by reading this volume “you will encounter Anil’s graciousness, his clarity of thought, his dedication to students, and his reflections on earthquake engineering as a member of “the founding generation” in the field to which he has contributed so much.”  

Notably, he chaired the structural analysis committee of the project producing the influential ATC-3, Tentative Provisions for the Development of Seismic Regulations for Buildings. In this Oral History, you will learn about this project and associated methodologies that fundamentally changed earthquake engineering. 

His expertise in structural dynamics resulted in his being asked to write the EERI monograph on structural dynamics, Dynamics of Structures: A Primer, and later led to his very widely used university textbook, Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Application to Earthquake Engineering, now in its fifth edition. 

Professor Chopra is known by his students both for kindness and his rigor. He’d ask them about their day, their families, and their lives. Then, he'd tell them to enroll in an English class and he’d be right there next to them. As an advisor and mentor, he had an “uncompromising sense of high-quality writing” marking up first drafts with a lot of red pen and demanding strong outlines of any paper. “First the skeleton, then the flesh,” he says. A lover of hiking, travel, and Urdu poetry, Professor Chopra has a life, career, and a story that begs to be shared.

Download the EERI Oral History featuring Anil K. Chopra.

EERI gratefully acknowledges production support provided by FEMA/U.S. Department of Homeland Security under grant EMW-2020-CA-00029, and the University of California, Berkeley, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

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Subscribing Member Spotlight   june-1-2021

Keller

Keller is the world’s largest geotechnical specialist contractors with 10,000 employees and operations across six continents. Keller's techniques solve a wide range of challenges across the entire construction sector – from industrial, commercial, and housing projects to infrastructure construction for dams, tunnels, transportation and water treatment, as well as projects to address environmental challenges.

CSI

Computer and Structures, Inc. is EERI’s inaugural Visionary-Level Subscribing Member and a generous sponsor of this year’s National Earthquake Conference and the 17th Annual Undergraduate Seismic Design Competition! CSI has been a longtime supporter of the Institute and our student activities, including the Student Leadership Council. Founded in 1975 by company president and CEO Ashraf Habibullah (M.EERI,1999), CSI is recognized globally as the pioneering leader in software tools for structural and earthquake engineering. Software from CSI is used by thousands of engineering firms in over 160 countries for the design of major projects, including the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan, One World Trade Center in New York, the 2008 Olympics Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing and the cable-stayed Centenario Bridge over the Panama Canal.

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Announcements   june-1-2021

ASCE Lifelines 2021-22 Panel Discussion on Transportation Sector Resilience

Lifelines Transportation Panel

Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET | REGISTER HERE

As part of the Lifelines 2021-22 conference event series, the ASCE Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch is organizing an online panel discussion focusing on the Transportation Sector to address how these systems incorporate hazard resilience into their planning, design, and operations. This effort includes the challenges faced and overcome by transportation systems following the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake. The main themes of discussion will be lessons learned and implemented since the 1971 earthquake and other hazard events over the past 50 years, and the plans and policies to make the transportation sector lifeline systems with their multi-modal interactions more resilient to hazards from future events. We invited managers from Caltrans, LA METRO, Port of Long Beach, and High-Speed Rail to be members of the panel discussion. During the session, the moderators will ask questions to panel members and allow time for response. The questions will be pre-defined by the moderators and taken from the audience. 

Read more in the Lifelines2021-2022 May Newsletter! 

Call for Proposals for Structures Congress 2022

The SEI Structures Congress National Technical Program Committee (NTPC) invites abstracts and sessions on topics of interest to structural engineers at every level of their career. Emphasis is on presentations that support advancing the structural engineering profession including leadership development, innovation and novel project solutions, emerging technologies, resilience, sustainability, functional recovery, global climate change, and innovative research with practical applications. Implementation of these topics to the full life-cycle of structures including design, analysis, fabrications, construction, testing, and maintenance welcomed. NTPC welcomes submissions from architects, owner's representatives, construction engineers, attorneys, and more.

Submit a proposal or abstract before 11 pm ET on June 15, 2021.

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Member spotlight   june-1-2021

Izuru Takewaki publishes book on nonlinear resonance under impulsive and long-duration motions

Congratulations to Izuru Takewaki (M.EERI,1989) on the recent publication of his book, An impulse and earthquake energy balance approach in nonlinear structural dynamics. Izuru Takewaki is a professor of building structures at Kyoto University and president of the Architectural Institute of Japan.

About the book

Problems in nonlinear structural dynamics and critical excitation with elastic-plastic structures are typically addressed using time-history response analysis, which requires multiple repetitions and advanced computing. This alternative approach transforms ground motion into impulses and takes an energy balance approach. This book is based on the energy balance law and the concepts of kinetic and strain energies, and it can be used by practitioners for building and structural design. This presentation starts with simple models that explain the essential features and extends in a step-by-step manner to more complicated models and phenomena.

Yousef Bozorgnia wins V. M. Watanabe Excellence in Research Award

Every year, the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science recognizes outstanding achievements by a number of its alumni, faculty members and students who have excelled in various fields. This year, Yousef Bozorgnia (M.EERI,1986), won the V. M. Watanabe Excellence in Research Award!

Yousef Bozorgnia is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UCLA, and director of the multidisciplinary Natural Hazards Risk and Resiliency Research Center (NHR3). Bozorgnia’s expertise includes earthquake engineering and seismic ground-motion hazard. His highly impactful research papers on seismic hazard analysis and structural earthquake engineering have been extensively published in peer-reviewed journals. Bozorgnia has been the principal investigator of the Next-Generation Attenuation (NGA) projects, a set of large multi-researcher and multi-institution projects with worldwide impacts on seismic hazard analysis and design. In addition, he is the principal investigator of numerous large multidisciplinary research projects at UCLA, including seismic risk analyses of natural gas and water infrastructure, seismic geohazard analysis of lifelines, earthquake analysis of smart cities and probabilistic fault-displacement hazard initiative. Bozorgnia received his B.S. degree from Sharif University of Technology, Iran, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from UC Berkeley. He has been a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers since 1998. In 2019, three U.S. scientific organizations — EERI, COSMOS and SSA — jointly awarded Bozorgnia with the prestigious Bruce Bolt Medal for his extensive contributions to seismic hazard analysis and earthquake engineering.

Congratulations, Yousef!

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News of the profession   june-1-2021

Links to recent news and views

• California’s next climate challenge: Replacing its last nuclear power plant
• UCLA Samueli Announces 2021 Awards
• Engineering Futures: set yourself up for tomorrow at our three virtual event weeks
• The Longest Known Earthquake Lasted 32 Years
• ‘Slow Slip’ Earthquakes’ Hidden Mechanics Revealed
• World’s Most Comprehensive Global Earthquake Risk Map Online

 

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In Memoriam   june-1-2021

Remembering Sigmund (Sig) A. Freeman

Sigmund (Sig) A. Freeman (M.EERI,1974), an internationally recognized expert in seismic engineering, passed away in San Francisco, California, on April 10, 2021.

Sig earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and first worked for the California Division of Highways (Caltrans). In 1959 he joined John Blume Associates, where he developed criteria for predicting damage to buildings due to ground motions caused by both underground nuclear explosions and earthquakes. He conducted investigations on existing buildings, full-scale model structures in the field, and building components in the laboratory. He performed earthquake damage assessment investigations to buildings following the Alaska (1964) and San Fernando (1971) earthquakes.

Sig joined WJE in 1981 and served as branch manager of the San Francisco office from 1983 to 1993. At WJE, he worked on a variety of seismic design projects, including high- and low-rise structures and structural systems of steel, reinforced concrete, and reinforced masonry.

Throughout his career, he was deeply involved in the development of seismic design provisions for both structural and nonstructural systems. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was responsible for revising and updating the Department of the Army, Navy, and Air Force manuals on Seismic Design for Buildings, Seismic Design Guidelines for Essential Buildings, and Seismic Design Guidelines for Upgrading Existing Buildings. He also taught courses for the Army Corps of Engineers on seismic design using these manuals.

Sig was most notably responsible for the development of the Capacity Spectrum Method as an analytical tool for approximating the inelastic behavior of structures subjected to strong-motion earthquakes, a technique which he initially developed for the U.S. Naval Facilities Command. He introduced the Acceleration Displacement Response Spectrum (ADRS) format of plotting response spectra. Throughout his distinguished career, he participated in the development of earthquake design provisions for building codes through active participation in ATC, SEAOC, SEAONC, ACI, ASCE, and EERI. He chaired the editorial committee for the SEAOC Blue Book in the early 1980s and on the ATC Board of Directors from 1986 through 1989. He was an ACI Fellow, a Life Member of ASCE, and was appointed as a commissioner to the City of San Francisco Building Inspection Commission.

Sig was a brilliant structural engineer who was firmly grounded in the fundamentals of seismic behavior, seismology, and seismic risk. He had an unparalleled ability to explain complex ideas to clients and colleagues alike, and he was a generous mentor. Despite his superior knowledge, Sig was always one to seek out the opinions of others and loved to explore new ideas with his fellow associates, collaborating on many technical papers. Sig had an insatiable curiosity and delighted in clever solutions. Outspoken when necessary, he held himself (and others) to high technical standards and was incredibly dedicated to improving the profession.

Sig will be greatly missed. EERI sends its condolences to Sig's family, friends, and colleagues at WJE. 

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Subscribing Member Events   june-1-2021

Upcoming Kinemetrics webinars

The Importance of Force Balance Accelerometers to Constrain Future and Near Real-Time Ground Motion Scenarios

Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at 9 am PT / 12 PM ET | REGISTER HERE

Never before have so many strong motion instruments been deployed in the vicinity of active tectonic margins, which has enabled us to understand underlying physical processes of rupture that take place in the event of an earthquake. With the advancement of numerical and empirical techniques to simulate strong ground motion scenarios, with physics-based rupture models, the new objective is to constrain these models with ground motions recorded by force balance accelerometers, by dissecting the underlying physical processes related to the seismic source, path wave propagations, and site effects.

In this session, Dr. Jorge Crempien will show several approaches to invert these data to constrain kinematic rupture models on faults, for both scientific and near real-time purposes, such as spatial ground motion intensities and cascading tsunami inundation estimations on coastal areas. He will also demonstrate numerical and empirical approaches aimed at constraining ground motion scenarios for regions with little recorded data.

This informative webinar + Q&A places particular focus on numerical methods to simulate ground motion stemming from crustal earthquakes, and the use of small earthquakes to simulate mega-earthquake ground motions on subduction zones, using the Empirical Green’s Function approach.

This webinar will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, June 9, 2021, at 6 AM GMT for our colleagues around the world. Register here for the rebroadcast. See you all there!

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Opportunities   june-1-2021

Ground Motion Modeler at RMS

Risk Management Solutions (RMS) is the world's leading provider of solutions for understanding the risks of natural catastrophes. Our Model Development group builds the models and data at the heart of these solutions, quantifying the potential impacts from earthquakes, tropical cyclones, floods, and other natural and man-made perils.  Our clients include several hundred insurance and reinsurance companies as well as brokers, banks, asset managers, hedge funds, regional and local governments, and multilateral agencies around the world. 

RMS has a current opening for a Catastrophe Risk Modeler to join the Earthquake Hazards Team in the Newark, California, office. The focus of this role is on the development of earthquake hazard and risk models with emphasis on understanding, developing, and implementing state of the art science and practices. Responsibilities include keeping pace with and contributing to research on the ground motion and site response modeling as part of earthquake hazard models. Technical support both internally within RMS as well as for our clients will be required. You would join a highly skilled, motivated, and collaborative team of earthquake scientists that is passionate about developing and using science to build resilient societies around the world and educating our clients (mostly from insurance and financial industry) about earthquake science and risk. 

Apply today!

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News of the Institute   may-15-2021

Apply to be the School Earthquake Safety Initiative Co-Chair

Apply today to be the Co-Chair of the School Earthquake Safety Initiative (SESI). The new SESI Co-Chair will work with current Co-Chair, Guillermo Diaz-Fanas (M.EERI,2015), to provide oversight and leadership for EERI’s SESI program that promotes safe buildings for school children. The application deadline is May 17, 2021, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Apply!

The SESI Co-Chair is a volunteer position. Applicants must be EERI members in good standing. Chairs must have the availability to be in regular communication with EERI staff, lead regular committee meetings, attend EERI annual meetings, and engage actively in determining strategies to position SESI at the forefront of earthquake school safety in the US and around the world. More details about the position, the application process, and how to apply are available here.

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Awards   may-15-2021

Nominations open for the 2021 Shah Family Innovation Prize

Do you know a young academic or professional making a difference in reducing global earthquake risk? EERI members are encouraged to nominate candidates from government, private firms, academia, and the international community for the 2021 Shah Family Innovation Prize. 

Nominate someone before June 16, 2021! 

Nomination Process

• Review the award description and required nomination materials.
• Submit the nomination form before June 16, 2021, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

Selection Process

• The selection process recognizes a combination of past accomplishments and future potential, emphasizing creative and innovative thinkers who have demonstrated at early stages in their careers the potential to make major contributions.

Thank you to the Haresh C. Shah family of Stanford, California, who provided a substantial gift to the EERI Endowment Fund to establish the Shah Family Innovation Prize. We also extend our appreciation to the Shah Family Innovation Prize Selection Committee.

Apply today for the EERI Younger Member Award

The Annual EERI Younger Member Award application is open! The award recognizes early-career EERI members who have made outstanding contributions to EERI and the pursuit of its objectives – especially contributions that have improved opportunities for and increased the impact of younger members within the Institute. Read more about this award.

Apply before June 6, 2021! 

The recipient of this prestigious award will be announced in fall 2021. They will also be recognized during the 12th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering and the 2022 EERI Annual Meeting.