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March 15, 2014
Announcements
DFI Seminar: Practical Deep Foundation Design and Construction for Seismic and Lateral Loads
The Deep Foundation Institute's Seismic and Lateral Loads Technical Committee will host this one-day seminar on April 22, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The event will present state-of-the-practice in analysis, design, construction, and testing of deep foundations subject to seismic and lateral loads.
Industry leaders will overview the design approaches and challenges of seismic and lateral load design, address performance-based design for foundations in liquefiable and non-liquefiable soils, discuss practical soil-structure interaction solutions, and present case histories that highlight the use of conventional software packages and emphasize constructability issues for deep foundations subject to lateral and seismic loads.
For seminar details and information on how to register, visit the DFI event webpage 
.
Call for Abstracts: 3rd International Conference on Urban Disaster Reduction
The 3rd International Conference on Urban Disaster Reduction (3ICUDR) will be held September 28 – October 1, 2014 in Boulder, Colorado. The conference builds on an established practice of international collaboration and knowledge-sharing after disaster events in Japan, U.S., and Taiwan. In this third conference, New Zealand joins the three collaborating countries. The mission for this conference is to develop, integrate, and promote new knowledge and best practices in sustainable disaster recovery, with a particular emphasis on urban environments.
Abstracts that take bold steps in describing new strategies and ways of thinking to significantly reduce potential casualties, damage, and disruption from future disasters, and create safe, resilient, and adaptive communities, regions, and nations are being solicited. Young scholars are encouraged to present emerging research. Papers that bridge the knowledge gaps between research and practice are particularly welcomed. For more information and suggested topic areas, view the Call for Abstracts at http://3icudr.org/call-for-abstracts/. The deadline for submission is May 1, 2014.
The conference is being organized by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute in collaboration with colleagues from the following partner organizations: (1) the Natural Hazards Center, Boulder, Colorado; (2) the Research Center for Disaster Reductions Systems (DRS), Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kyoto, and the Risk Management Office/Research Center for Natural Hazard & Disaster Recovery, Niigata University, Niigata, in coordination with the Institute of Social Safety Science; (3) the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR) and the Disaster Management Society of Taiwan; and (4) the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) and GNS Science, New Zealand. For more information about the conference, visit: www.3icudr.org.
Opportunities for Students
Doctoral Positions at the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre, University of Iceland
The Earthquake Engineering Research Centre at the University of Iceland is seeking three qualified doctoral students in the field of earthquake engineering and engineering seismology to work on a three-year research project in Iceland.
There are three doctoral projects simultaneously available that center on: (1) earthquake strong-motion simulation, earthquake source models, earthquake hazard and near-fault effects; (2) strong-motion arrays, data analysis, spatial variability of ground motion, and localized site effects; (3) CGPS and accelerometric data analysis, structural dynamics, seismic risk, earthquake fault and structure monitoring systems.
Qualifications
The doctoral projects are multidisciplinary by nature and are suited for students of engineering, geophysics, physics, mathematics, and computer science. Applicants must have completed studies at the Master’s level (before the project starts). It is preferred that they have experience in structural and/or soil dynamics, time series analysis, seismology, and programming.
Additionally, applicants need to be able to work independently and be active in shaping the project as it progresses in cooperation with the principal investigators, supervisors, and the international research team. Good communication skills and an ability to work in a team are therefore required. A good command of English is required.
Application Process
The application deadline is April 4, 2014. For more details, visit the University of Iceland website for the full job advertisement.
Doctoral Programs in Europe
The following Ph.D. degree programs in earthquake engineering and engineering seismology, risk and emergency management, and weather related risk in Europe are seeking applicants in early April. Take a look at the program descriptions, which also note scholarships or tuition waivers for the highest-ranking applicants.
Ph.D. in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (ROSE)
The 2014/2015 edition of the Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (ROSE) curriculum of the Ph.D. Programme in Understanding and Managing Extremes (UME) is being offered by the UME Graduate School of the IUSS Pavia.
The Ph.D. courses aim to provide students the highest quality training with a unique scientific and professional expertise and advanced knowledge of the cultural, technical and managerial characteristics of earthquake engineering and engineering seismology. The syllabus offers a comprehensive set of subjects covering applied mechanics, structural engineering, earthquake engineering, engineering seismology and soil dynamics, with emphasis on both theoretical background and design considerations. The fundamental fields of instruction include aspects of seismology, geology, geotechnics, behavior of materials and structures, structural analysis, design of new structures, and upgrading of existing structures.
Applications are currently open, with a deadline of April 11, 2014, and eight scholarships are available for the highest ranking applicants. Full details of the program, as well as the application procedure and scholarship opportunities, can be found at www.roseschool.it/page/252/application-procedure.html .
Ph.D. in Risk and Emergency Management (REM)
The 2014/2015 edition of the Risk and Emergency Management (REM) curriculum of the Ph.D. Program in Understanding and Managing Extremes (UME) is being offered by the UME Graduate School of the IUSS Pavia to train graduates and professionals in the assessment, mitigation, and management of extreme events, with a particular focus on those arising from natural hazards.
The unique characteristics of the program include the broad, interdisciplinary curriculum that includes topics of statistics and probability, law, economics, resource management, natural hazards and risk, finance, insurance, sociology, communication, psychology, public health and medicine, and the innovative teaching structure, which allows renowned lecturers from around the world to make up the teaching body.
Applications are currently open, with a deadline of April 11, 2014, and eight scholarships are available for the highest ranking applicants. Full details of the program, as well as the application procedure and scholarship opportunities, can be found at www.umeschool.it/rem/applications/ .
Ph.D. in Weather Related Risk (WRR)
The 2014/2015 edition of the Weather-Related Risk (WRR) curriculum of the Ph.D. Program in Understanding and Managing Extremes (UME) is being offered by the UME Graduate School of the IUSS Pavia. The WRR Program covers the domain of risks linked to hydro-meteorological extremes.
The objective of the Program is to examine the physics of the processes related to extreme hydro-meteorological events and the impact of climate change on their occurrence rate and on their intensity. Another objective is the investigation of techniques for devising meaningful damage and risk scenarios, and for identifying efficient risk mitigation strategies. The “soil/atmosphere” specialization area intends to form experts in the sector of flood, landslide, drought, and forest fire risk, while the “ocean/atmosphere” specialization area has its main focus on the assessment and mitigation of risk posed by the effects of hurricanes and extra-tropical cyclones, such as wind, rain, and storm surges.
Applications are currently open, with a deadline of April 11, 2014, and eight scholarships are available for the highest ranking applicants. Full details of the program, as well as the application procedure and scholarship opportunities, can be found at www.umeschool.it/wrr/applications .
Chapter Spotlight
EERI Utah Chapter Short Course: Evaluation and Mitigation of Liquefaction Hazard for Engineering Practice
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Presenter: W.D. Liam Finn, Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering, University of British Colombia
The purpose of the EERI Utah Chapter short course is to improve engineering practice in Utah through thorough review and discussion of state-of-the-art procedures applied by engineers to evaluate and mitigate liquefaction hazard. Emphasis will be on urban infrastructure, including bridges, buildings, and planned development.
EERI Honorary member W.D. Liam Finn (M. EERI, 1976), University of British Colombia, is an expert in geotechnical earthquake engineering with particular interest in liquefaction, seismic response of sites and earth structures, seismic safety evaluation of dams, seismic response of pile foundations, and seismic risk.
Additional presentations will be made by local experts: Loren Anderson, Utah State University; Steve Bartlett, University of Utah; Kyle Rollins (M. EERI, 1988), Brigham Young University; Kevin Franke (M. EERI, 2008), Brigham Young University; and EERI Honorary member Les Youd (M. EERI, 1974), Brigham Young University.
Who Should Attend
Geotechnical and structural engineers, building and transportation officials, and risk managers.
Registration
For more information and to register for the course, visit the EERI Utah Chapter website .
Program Updates
David Friedman Visits University at Buffalo’s EERI Student Chapter
As part of the Friedman Family Visiting Professional Program, the EERI Student Chapter at the University at Buffalo (UB-EERI) hosted David A. Friedman (M. EERI, 1988), Structural Engineer, Chair of the Board of Directors and Senior Principal at Forell/Elsesser Engineers Inc.
On October 17, 2013, University at Buffalo (UB) Professor Andrew E. Whittaker (M. EERI, 1998) was there to welcome Friedman to the university’s campus. Friedman received a tour of the NEES site and the Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) at UB by site operations manager Thomas Albrechcinski. Past and present UB-EERI presidents Maria Koliou (M. EERI, 2009) and Aikaterini Stefanaki (M.EERI, 2011) joined the tour.
Friedman’s Presentation
After the tour, Friedman gave his “Retrofit of California Memorial Stadium: Protecting and Strengthening a Landmark on an Active Earthquake Fault” presentation to a captive audience of EERI student chapter members, UB graduate students, and UB engineering department faculty.
UC Berkeley’s California Memorial Stadium, constructed in 1923, sits directly over the northern segment of the active Hayward Fault with the eastern half of the stadium literally carved into the hillside. The non-ductile concrete frame stadium bowl was retrofitted and modernized with new seating bowl framing and a new 375-foot long steel press box structure. Given, among others, the predicted 6 feet of horizontal fault rupture displacement and 2 feet of vertical fault rupture displacement, the presentation will cover the unique features of the retrofit design of this landmark.
With a specialty in designated historic structures, David A. Friedman has creatively solved numerous engineering challenges. Principle examples of his solutions, which received numerous design awards, include the base isolation retrofits for both the San Francisco City Hall and Asian Art Museum, the adaptive reuse and retrofit for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the seismic safety corrections and remodel of UC Berkeley’s California Memorial Stadium.
About the Friedman Family Visiting Professional Program
During the 2013–2014 academic year, visiting professionals will be hosted by 11 EERI student chapters; they will connect with students and present their work. More information about the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program can be found on the EERI website at www.eeri.org/projects/friedman-family-visiting-professionals-program/.
Opportunity to Serve on EERI Oral History Committee
The EERI Oral History Committee is looking for one or two new members to help with the workload of the Connections series. Committee members take on tasks involving background research, interviewing, editing, and reviewing drafts, and prioritizing and managing the Committee's plans.
Past issues of Connections: The EERI Oral History Series have featured:
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Henry J. Degenkolb (1994) |
Joseph Penzien (2004) |
Committee Members
Members of the EERI Oral History Committee include: chair Robert Reitherman (M. EERI, 1979), CUREE; Thalia Anagnos (M. EERI, 1982), SJSU; EERI Honorary Member Roger Borcherdt (M. EERI, 1973), USGS; Gregg Brandow (M. EERI, 1973), Brandow & Nastar; Ricardo Dobry (M. EERI, 1974), RPI; EERI Honorary Member Robert Hanson (M. EERI, 1968), Univ. of Michigan & FEMA; and EERI Honorary Member Loring Wyllie (M. EERI, 1973), Degenkolb Engineers.
Express Your Interest
Interested individuals should email the committee chair Bob Reitherman at reitherman@curee.org and Maggie Ortiz (M. EERI, 2012) at maggie@eeri.org with a brief statement of their interest and qualifications.
California Earthquake Clearinghouse Workshop for First Responder Agencies
The California Earthquake Clearinghouse and its partners are hosting a one-day workshop for local first responder agencies on April 17, 2014 in Oakland, CA. The workshop offers a hands-on technology interchange opportunity. The goal of the workshop is to introduce local (city/county) First Responder agencies to tools for sharing spatial incident response information using the technologies that have been demonstrated in our Clearinghouse exercises.
The morning will include introductions to and demonstrations of a suite of data collections and sharing tools, and the afternoon will provide attendees the opportunity to use the tools to view and share data-related relevant use cases, e.g., major earthquakes. The workshop will be followed by a networking reception. There is no cost to attend the meeting and the workshop will also be broadcast online for those unable to attend in person.
To register for the workshop, visit: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=nplxpbdab&oeidk=a07e8zsvay7320eb6bf.
Back to top >Member Spotlight
Thomas O’Rourke Receives the 2014 ASCE Le Val Lund Award
EERI Past President and Honorary Member Thomas D. O'Rourke (M. EERI, 1980), the Thomas R. Briggs Professor of Engineering at Cornell University, receives the 2014 ASCE Le Val Lund Award for Practicing Lifeline Risk Reduction.
The Le Val Lund Award recognizes an ASCE member for exemplary professional conduct, personal leadership, and an understanding of the inter-relationship between engineering and social, economic, and political factors in lifeline risk reduction. Le Val Lund, Jr., was a recognized expert on protecting urban lifelines from natural and manmade disasters and an active member of EERI for many years.
Professor O'Rourke's teaching and research spans a wide spectrum including geotechnical earthquake engineering, underground construction technology, earth retention systems, and the protection of large, geographically distributed systems such as water supplies, gas and liquid fuel networks, and transportation facilities.
O'Rourke is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He authored or co-authored over 350 publications and received many awards for his pioneering research. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1975, where he taught before going to Cornell. O'Rourke was also honored as EERI's 2012 Distinguished Lecturer.
Professor O'Rourke will speak at the Athenaeum at the Caltech campus on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Pasadena, California. For more details about this event, visit the ASCE website at www.ascemlab.org/pdf/levallund2014_2.pdf .
News of the Institute
David Boore Will Deliver the 2014 Joyner Lecture at SSA Annual Meeting
U.S. Geological Survey Research Geophysicist David Boore will deliver the 2014 William B. Joyner Lecture at the Seismological Society of America (SSA) Annual Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, on May 1, 2014.
The William B. Joyner Lecture is awarded by the SSA, in cooperation with EERI, 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 lectures honor 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.
David Boore’s professional experience includes: USGS postdoctoral fellow, Stanford University visiting assistant professor and assistant professor, and USGS geophysicist. Boore has published over 230 papers, mostly dealing with various aspects of the problem of estimating the ground shaking from large earthquakes. The topics covered in these publications range from the seismic source to site response, with stops in between.
The U.S. Department of the Interior awarded Dr. Boore the Meritorious Service Award in 1993 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2005 in recognition of his research in many different areas of engineering seismology. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and an honorary life member of the Seismological Society of America. In 2010, he was awarded the COSMOS/EERI/SSA Bruce A. Bolt medal.
For more information about the Joyner Lecture Award, visit the EERI website at www.eeri.org/about-eeri/honors-awards/william-b-joyner-lecture-award/.
Note: See the full list of 2014 EERI Award Recipients at http://bit.ly/1c3HttF. In the next issue of The Pulse, we will feature the Bruce A. Bolt Medalist.
Register Today for 10NCEE: Papers, 2014 EERI Annual Meeting Activities, Sponsors, and Exhibitors
Register now for the Tenth U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (10NCEE) in Anchorage, Alaska, July 21–25, 2014. Information about Travel and Lodging, Pre-Conference Events, and Thursday Evening at the Alaska Native Heritage Center is available at www.10ncee.org. The following is the latest information about Papers, the 2014 EERI Annual Meeting Activities, New Sponsors, and Exhibitors:
Papers
Final revised papers will be due March 17, 2104. Final submission of the paper must be accompanied by payment of the full conference registration fee for the presenting author. For details, visit: www.10ncee.org/authors-speakers.
2014 EERI Annual Meeting Activities
EERI’s 66th Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the 10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering. Annual Meeting events and awards are included as part of the 10NCEE program:
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
The Tuesday Lunch will honor: the 2014 Housner Medalist Masayoshi Nakashima (M. EERI, 1988), Kyoto University; the 2014 Alquist Medalist Laurence Kornfield (M. EERI, 1999), City & County of San Francisco; and David Wald (M. EERI, 1988), U.S. Geological Survey, who will deliver the 2014 EERI Distinguished Lecture.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
The Wednesday Lunch will pay tribute to EERI Honorary Members William A. Anderson (M. EERI, 2001) and Bill Iwan (M. EERI, 1989), California Institute of Technology. The Lunch event will also include EERI’s Business Meeting where attendees will learn about the Institute’s programs, members, and accomplishments, as well as finances. EERI President Ian Buckle (M. EERI, 1989) and Secretary/Treasurer Janiele Maffei (M. EERI, 2011) will present on the State of the Institute.
Wednesday–Thursday, July 23–24, 2014
Wednesday and Thursday will feature EERI’s 2014 and 11th Annual Undergraduate Student Seismic Design Competition (SDC) at 10NCEE. Teams from thirty-eight universities pre-registered for the SDC, including international competitors from as far away as Vietnam, India, and Romania. Wednesday is presentation day when each team presents their model to a panel and is judged on the structural system concept, the analysis method, the clarity and organization of the presentation, and their communication skills. Thursday is dedicated to shake table testing of the complex tall building models made from balsa wood and weighing no more than 7 pounds. Learn more about the competition at http://slc.eeri.org/.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Friday’s Closing Plenary will honor the Outstanding Spectra Paper by EERI members Abbie B. Liel (M. EERI, 2009), University of Colorado, and Gregory G. Deierlein (M. EERI, 1989), Stanford University. We will also honor the 2014 Shah Prize Awardee Curt Haselton (M. EERI, 2014), California State University, Chico. The plenary will also recognize the Outstanding Student Papers by Virginia Tech graduate student Brett Maurer and Virginia Tech undergraduate student Mark Tilashalski. In addition, the EERI Student Leadership Council (SLC) will announce the winners of the 2014 Seismic Design Competition and honor university teams for innovation, communication, and spirit.
More Information
For details about the 2014 Annual Meeting Activities at 10NCEE, visit the 10NCEE website at http://10ncee.org/program/eeri-annual-meeting-activities.
New Sponsors
Lettis Consultants International, Inc. (Lettis) is a new Bronze Sponsor of 10NCEE. Lettis is an earth science company formed in 2011 by a group of the industry's leading geologists, seismologists and engineers specializing in engineering geology, and seismic and natural hazard investigations. Lettis professionals bring the methods, technical expertise and focus on quality developed from decades of consulting experience to meet client objectives.
For more information, visit the Lettis website at www.lettisci.com/ .
R&M Consultants (R&M) is a new Friend of 10NCEE. R&M is an established, employee-owned multi-discipline Alaskan professional services firm. Since 1969, R&M has participated in some of Alaska’s most significant and technically challenging infrastructure projects. R&M’s Materials Engineering Laboratory is a leading provider of materials testing services throughout Alaska. The firm serves a variety of clients in the public and private sectors.
For more information, visit the R&M Consultants website at www.rmconsult.com/ .
Exhibitors
The following companies and organizations will be exhibiting at 10NCEE in Anchorage:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (Major Financial Sponsor)
Computers and Structures, Inc. (Diamond Sponsor)
State of Alaska, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (Gold Sponsor)
Golder Associates (Silver Sponsor)
Hayward Baker, Inc. (Silver Sponsor)
Kinemetrics Open Systems and Services (Silver Sponsor)
MTS Systems Corporation (Silver Sponsor)
Shannon & Wilson, Inc. (Silver Sponsor)
Applied Technology Council (Bronze Sponsor)
GEI Consultants, Inc. (Bronze Sponsor)
AMEC
Base Isolation of Alaska
City & County of San Francisco, ESIP
Core Brace, LLC
Consortium of Organizations for Strong Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS)
Dynamic Isolation Systems (DIS)
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)
ETC Building & Design, Inc.
GeoSIG
Gilsanz Murray Steficek
ITT Enidine
Kleinfelder
Lettis Consultants International, Inc.
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES)
Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER)
R.J. Watson, Inc.
REF TEK, a division of Trimble
Skyline Steel
Taylor Devices, Inc.
University of Alaska, Anchorage
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
For the most up-to-date information about 10NCEE Exhibitors, visit the webpage at http://10ncee.org/exhibitors.
2014-2015 EERI/FEMA Graduate Fellowship in Earthquake Hazard Reduction
EERI is pleased to announce the availability of a Graduate Fellowship for the 2014-2015 academic year to support one full-time student in a discipline contributing to the science and practice of earthquake hazard mitigation.
The one-year fellowship, underwritten with funds provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency , is designed to foster the participation of capable individuals in working toward goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
Award
The EERI/FEMA NEHRP fellowship provides a nine-month stipend of $12,000 with an additional $8,000 for tuition, fees, and research expenses.
Criteria
Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate degree program at an accredited U.S. college or university and must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. All applications must include an academic transcript and a statement of educational and career goals.
All application materials must be submitted electronically to EERI, including a letter of nomination from a faculty sponsor at the student’s institution and two additional reference letters. Letters should evaluate the applicant’s recent academic performance, document the applicant's research accomplishments, and assess the candidate’s potential to contribute to the field.
Application
Candidates may apply online at https://eeri.org/cohost/registration/fema-grad-fellowship. Deadline for submission of all application materials is May 12, 2014. Announcement of the award will be made on June 16, 2014.