Advancing the Practice of Structural Engineering       March 2018
Aligning to Increase Timber Education
ACSE's recently published article, "Adding Value to the Education of Future Structural Engineers," features the work that NCSEA and NCSEA members are doing to address the lack of timber education within structural engineering curriculum. This "missing" course topic has been brought to light by the NCSEA Basic Education Committee's triennial Structural Engineering Curriculum survey . So what is being done to fill this educational void?
Last year, members of the NCSEA Basic Education Committee participated in an important discussion at the 2017 Structures Congress. The Committee partnered with the American Wood Council (AWC) and the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE ( ASCE/SEI) to address the lack of timber engineering in education. The group hosted a Wood Education Symposium to address the need of this type of education as well as why it was overlooked compared to other course topics. Backing the group on every front is Michelle Kam-Biron, American Wood Council Senior Director, ASCE/SEI Wood Education Committee Chair, and NCSEA Basic Education Committee member.
The Wood Education Symposium has proved successful as a driven partnership has been developed between the ASCE/SEI Wood Education Committee, the NCSEA Basic Education Committee, and AWC. The ultimate goal of this group is work together to develop a plan for increasing the offering of timber engineering courses at universities.
New On-Demand SE Refresher & Review Course
NCSEA's restructured SE Review Course is now completely on-demand. Review course materials and watch the recordings when it is convenient for YOU. PLUS…attendees have access to a virtual classroom to ask the instructors questions whenever they arise.  This NCEES SE Exam Prep Course allows you to study at your pace but with instant access to the material and instructors.
NCSEA's on-demand course is the most economical SE Exam Prep Course available. The course includes  30 hours of instruction:  9 Vertical Sessions and 11 Lateral Sessions. The course will give you exam preparation tips and problem-solving skills to pass the exam. All lectures are up-to-date on the most current codes. Handouts and quizzes are available.
Single Attendee & Group Rates are Available, Register Now!
Texas Floodplain Construction Training Webinar Presented by ICC
As Texas recovers and rebuilds from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, it is important to design and build stronger, both with new construction and when rebuilding non-FIRM compliant structures. This all starts with an understanding of the International Code Council’s Residential and Building Codes, the ASCE 24 Standard, FEMA Guidelines and best practice approaches seen during Hurricane Harvey. This webinar, which is designed to educate Architects, Builders, Code Officials, Engineers and Floodplain Managers, will cover the following:
  • Insight into the floodplain provisions of the International Residential Code & International Building Code.
  • Step by step guide to elevation for existing structures and new construction.
  • FEMA and Grant Requirements and how designs influence flood insurance rates for your residents and clients.
This course is available on 3 dates: March 19 · March 20 · March 21
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Welcome New NCSEA Affiliate Members:



Seismic Design of Bridges
March 16, 2018
Springfield, IL
SEAMass Geotechnical-Structural Interaction Seminar
March 22, 2018
Burlington, MA
Structural Design Topics in Wood Construction
April 16-18, 2018
Blacksburg, VA
SEAOI Midwest Bridge Symposium
April 26, 2018
Chicago, IL
NCSEA CalOES Safety Assessment Program
The  California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Safety Assessment Program (SAP) , hosted by NCSEA, is highly regarded as a standard throughout the country for engineer emergency responders. The training has been reviewed and approved by FEMA’s Office of Domestic Preparedness.
Based on ATC-20/45 methodologies and documentation, the SAP training course provides engineers, architects and code-enforcement professionals with the basic skills required to perform safety assessments of structures following disasters.
Licensed design professionals and certified building officials will be eligible for SAP Evaluator certification and credentials following completion of this program and submission of required documentation. 
In addition, NCSEA and the SEER Committee are working with fellow stakeholders within ASCE, AIA and APWA to provide training and develop a national response program for A/E responders. This program will facilitate more seamless deployments through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the interstate mutual aid agreement.
Friday, March 16, 2018, 2018 at 10 AM Central | Register
Call for 2018 Summit Abstracts
The 2018  NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit   Committee is seeking 60 minute presentations that deliver pertinent and useful information that is specific to the practicing structural engineer, in both technical and non-technical tracks.
In the 2017 post-Summit Survey, attendees expressed direct interest in the case studies, lessons learned, snow loads, ethics, communication and business practices, including accounting & client growth.
SEFW FilmWorks Initiative
The Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington (SEFW) is pleased to announce its second FilmWorks competition . The SEFW FilmWorks competition is for amateur filmmakers to create two minute movies about the structural engineering profession. Last year's video has caught the attention of several national organizations and is currently being used to promote structural engineering across the country. Be sure to check out " Imagine a Better World. " Interested parties are invited to submit their intent to admin@sefw.org by March 30, 2018. The competition features cash prizes.
NCSEA Communication Webinar: Resources for Starting & Maintaining an SEA Young Member Group
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 12 PM Central | Register
Presented by Seth Thomas, Jera Schlotthauer, James Newhall, Angelina Stasulis;
This webinar is an opportunity for NCSEA SEA Members, SEA Leadership, and Young Member Group (YMG) Leaders to learn about the NCSEA Young Member Group Support Committee (YMGSC) and the resources that are available to help establish, support, maintain and grow a YMG. The webinar will cover the benefits of a YMG, and how a YMG can benefit its SEA as well as the profession. The discussion will also highlight the challenges young engineers face today and how involvement within a YMG, SEA or NCSEA can address those challenges. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions before and during the webinar presentation.
Upcoming Webinars
All NCSEA live webinars, listed below, offer 1.5 hours of continuing education credits. Most NCSEA webinars are Diamond Reviewed and accepted for SE continuing education in all 50 states. Please review the webinar description to check the Diamond Review Status. To view other upcoming webinars, click here.

March 29, 2018
Michael O’Rourke, P.E., Ph.D.

April 3, 2018
Michael Tylk, S.E.

April 12, 2018
William Davidson

April 26, 2018
William Coulbourne, P.E.

Recorded Webinars can be purchased here.
NCSEA's  newly enhanced Yearly Webinar Subscription  is the most user- & wallet-friendly plan to date! This Live & Recorded Webinar Subscription offers all the same benefits as before, but now includes even more.

  • 20+ live webinars a year featuring high-quality speakers.
  • New! Receive an unlimited number of free CE certificates for each webinar–no more $30 fee–so multiple viewers at the same location can receive credit for every live webinar with no additional costs.
  • Unlimited 24/7/365 access to NCSEA's Recorded Webinar Library–more than 100 relevant & high-quality webinars.
  • New! A brand new and enhanced education website. NCSEA's Education Portal provides easy access to all of your education content, including:
  • Purchase history
  • Earned Certificates to track your PDHs with ease