WELCOME to
Learn, Innovate, Excel! The entire team from SE Solutions would like to wish you a Happy
New Year!
Our goal with this newsletter is to provide useful information and tips that will help you save time, be more productive, and also reduce risk. This information complements our SE University program, by introducing you to tips on a wide variety of topics affecting structural engineers.
If you have any tips you would like to share as part of a future
Learn, Innovate, Excel newsletter, please email
Lisa Willard or
Brian Quinn.
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 UPDATES TO CHAPTER 11 SEISMIC PROVISIONS IN ASCE 7-16
Have you reviewed the newest changes to the seismic provisions in ASCE 7-16? Even for engineers who do not typically practice in high seismic areas, the changes may affect your site class, geotechnical requirements, and analysis procedure.
 In December 2018, John Hooper, PE, SE, from Magnusson Klemencic Associates, gave a presentation on
Updates to the Seismic Provisions in ASCE 7-16. John covered the technical changes to the seismic provisions and explained the basis for these changes. Changes were made throughout the provisions, however the updates within Chapter 11 may affect the most engineers nationwide.
Since the the last update in 1994, thousands of new seismic data points were added which have resulted in new, more accurate site amplification factors. These factors range from 80%-120% of the previous Fa and Fv factors depending on location. Since the Fa factors have changed, Site Class D is no longer the default site class. Now, the default site class is a blend of Site Class C and D. This could be a significant change depending on your region.
Also, new site specific ground motion requirements have been included in Chapter 11.4.8. These additional requirements help prevent potentially unconservative results in sites with high seismic activity and softer soils. The following slide shows which circumstances require the new site specific spectra...
read the full article on our SE University blog.
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GCp AND ROOF ZONE CHANGES IN ASCE 7-16
While most structural engineers have noticed the obvious changes to the wind speed maps included in ASCE 7-16, many may not be familiar with other changes within the document. One of the most significant changes in the new ASCE 7-16 wind provisions is changes to the roof pressure coefficients and roof zones.
In November 2018, Don Scott, SE, from PCS Structural Solutions, presented
ASCE 7-16 Wind Provisions - Changes Affecting the Design Provisions. Don covered the changes to the new wind speed maps and explained how to determine the design wind speed. He also presented the significant changes to the roof pressure coefficients, and explained the effects of the new Elevation Factor.
In the past, the roof pressure coefficients included in ASCE7 were determined from wind tunnel studies dating back to the 1970s. Since that time, there have been tremendous strides made in the study of aerodynamics of low-rise buildings and validation of wind tunnel studies using full scale models. Using new studies from NIST and TTU, the previous roof pressure coefficients and roof zones were shown to be unconservative. Thus, the new coefficients and roof zones shown in ASCE 7-16 more accurately represent the actual roof pressures found in recent studies, and the roof zones are mostly dependent on the height of the building rather than the plan dimensions. This can be a significant change to future roof designs, depending on your specific location...
read the full article on our SE University blog.
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SEU SPEAKER INSPIRES ORGANIZATIONS:
SEI FUTURES FUND AND PROVIDENCE GENERAL FOUNDATION
SE University began the
SEU Speaker Inspires
program in 2015 as a way to "pay it forward," enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world. To learn more about the organizations that SE University speakers have chosen, please read our
SEU Speaker Inspires Blog Posts
.
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Don Scott, SE PCS Structural Solutions |
In November 2018, SE University welcomed Don Scott, SE, from PCS Structural Solutions, to present ASCE 7-16 Wind Provisions - Changes Affecting the Design Provisions. Don designated the SEI Futures Fund (https://www.ascefoundation.org/ways-to-give/sei-futures-fund/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Don chose this organization because, "The resources of this fund are used to promote the many needs of the Structural Engineering profession and in particular to provide resources for young engineers entering the profession to become involved."
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John Hooper, PE, Magnusson, Klemencic Associates |
In December 2018, SE University welcomed John Hooper, PE, SE, from Magnusson Klemencic Associates, to present Updates to the Seismic Provisions in ASCE 7-16. John designated the Providence General Foundation in Everett, Washington (https://washington.providence.org/donate/providence-general-foundation) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
John shared that he chose this organization because "It's a healthcare-related foundation I've been involved with for nearly 20 years. The healthcare they provide the region is unparalleled as I experienced firsthand when my son was born 6 weeks prematurely in 1999."
The Providence General Foundation was established in 1994 to help support the mission and work of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. The Foundation raises funds on behalf of Providence Regional to help ensure that all individuals in the Northern Puget Sound Region have access to the most compassionate and advanced health care available, regardless of their ability to pay. This work is only possible through the support of employees, physicians, community leaders, volunteers, and generous donors-who give so freely of their time, treasure, and talent to help further the mission of Providence in our region.
Thank you, Don and John, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designations of SEI Futures Fund and Providence General Foundation as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organizations of the Month!
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STATES WITH UPCOMING LICENSE RENEWALS
As we begin the new year, there are a number of states with license renewals due by April 30th. If additional hours are needed, please contact
Lisa Willard to discuss how we can help you.
In the following states, ALL engineers should renew their license by the specified date
:
| Connecticut (January 31st)* |
Utah (March 31st) |
| Florida (February 28th) |
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In the following states, some engineers should renew their license by the specified date:
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Louisiana (March 31st)
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Kansas (April 30)
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*These states do not have continuing education requirements.
+Florida requires that engineers use approved providers for continuing education. SE University is an approved provider to help meet both the Area of Practice and Ethics requirements.
In addition to the states listed above, there are other states that may require renewal based on your initial date of licensure or other rules for that state. Please check your license information to confirm your renewal dates.
For more information about license renewal, please visit our Continuing Education Requirements by State page, where you can click on states in which you are licensed to see the license renewal date, as well as the continuing education requirements for that state. If you would like a complete summary of all 50 states, a PDF file is available for download below the map. This option can also be selected if you are viewing the page from a mobile device.
We hope that you find this information beneficial. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Willard.
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COMING NEXT TO SE UNIVERSITY:
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING ETHICS
On February 13, Matthew Rechtien PE, Esq., will present a Structural Engineering Ethics Session
for SE University
. This session will be held from 12:30 - 1:30 pm EST.
Handouts and registration emails for this session will be sent to SE University companies on Friday, February 8th.
AVOIDING VIBRATION ISSUES IN YOUR STRUCTURE
On March 13, Ravi Ozarker, PE, from Hexagon Safety and Infrastructure, will present
Avoiding Vibration Issues in Your Structure
for SE University
. This session will be held from 12:30 - 2:00 pm EST.
Handouts and registration emails for this session will be sent to SE University companies on Friday, March 8th.
To learn more about subscribing to SE University, please contact either Lisa Willard at (805) 482-8436 (
[email protected]) or Brian Quinn at (616) 546-9420 (
[email protected]).
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Thank you for reading our
Learn, Innovate, Excel Newsletter - we hope you found this information useful. If there are any questions we can answer, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email.
Additionally, if you would be willing to help other structural engineers by sharing tips that you have, please email your tip to
[email protected]. If we choose your tip to publish, you will have your choice of a $50 Amazon gift card or a $50 donation sent to the Structural Engineering Association of your choice.
Regards,
Your SE University Team
Brian Quinn, P.E. [email protected]
Lisa Willard, P.E.
[email protected]
Jenny Schultz, P.E.
[email protected]
Cathleen Jacinto, S.E., P.E.
[email protected]
Linda Benson
[email protected] |
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Would you like to read previous Learn, Innovate, Excel Newsletters? Visit our
Newsletter Archives
to select from previous topics.
Coming Soon to SE University
ALL SESSIONS 1.5 HOURS (1.5 PDHs) UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE
Topic: Structural Engineering Ethics
Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq.
Avoiding Vibration Issues in Your Structure
Ravi Ozarker, PE
Hexagon Safety and Infrastructure
SE University Core Session
Topic: Cold-Formed Steel
Roger A. LaBoube, PhD, PE
For updated session descriptions and schedules, visit the SCHEDULE page.
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