I am attending the 2008 SEAOC (Structural Engineers Association of California) Convention.    It is being held September 23 – 27 on the Big Island, Hawaii.  I have been to the last 4 out of 5 SEAOC Conventions and certainly would not miss one being held in Hawaii!  Every year I attend I have come back to BJG energized about my profession.

Here are some of the sessions I plan on attending.

Report Cards for Building Seismic Safety: A Proposed Rating System for Earthqauke Performance of Buildings

This session is being giving by the SEAONC Existing Buildings Committee.  This is right inline with the training I took in 2006 to become a Safety Assessment Evaluator.  This training, put on by SEAONC and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is a 1 day course. From the SEAONC website:

When earthquake disaster strikes a community, there is an immediate need for damage inspections. The Structural Engineer’s Association of Northern California has teamed with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) to recruit, train, and maintain a group of licensed engineers who are ready to respond following a major earthquake to assess the safety of building structures. There are currently approximately 278 SEAONC members who are registered as Volunteer Safety Assessment Engineers. To activate such a large pool of volunteers, the SEAONC DES-ATC 20 Subcommittee has created a telephone and e-mail communication network in order to provide rapid response to the affected communities.

Best Design Practices for Seismic Evaluation and Preservation of Historic Buildings:  Distinct Structural Systems and Benefit Cost Analyses

This session is exciting to me because it takes the evaluation part and extends it to a value and cost dimension.  When is a certain structural system the most cost effective for the owner and occupants?  This session has the potential shed some light on this subject.

Structual Implications of Green Roofs, Terraces, and Walls

I have not designed a green roof as of yet, however, I have always wondered about their effects on the load bearing systems in a building.  What about water and rain retention?  How does these additional loads affect the lateral (shear walls, moment frames, etc.) systems?  This will be a very interesting session.

On a similar note, green is the hottest design item right now.  It is interesting to look back three or four years ago at the proceedings and not find a single paper or presentation researching the structural implications of green design.  However, you could find numerous papers (there seemed like there were entire afternoons devoted to the topic) on buckling restrained braced frames or unbonded braces.  Now, there afternoons devoted to green design and only one presentation on buckling restrained braced frames.

Numerous Local Flavor Topics

There are always a number local topics presented at each convention.  This is a neat way to become connected with the engineers in the area of the convention.  This year there are presentations on Microzoned Design Maps of Topographic Wind Effects and Exposure in the Building Codes of the State of Hawaii and Performance of the Kawaihae Harbor Port Facility Resulting from teh 2006 Earthquake.

Social Programs

On top of the technical sessions there are ample opportunities for socializing and networking.  There are themed welcome receptions and cocktail hours, younger member receptions, and the all important President’s Cup where the different sections (Northern, Central and Southern California as well as San Diego) compete against each other in mental and physical competitions.

I will report back after the conference to give everyone an update on the conference.  Stay tuned!  Additionally, if you will be in attendance, let me know in the comments what sessions you are looking forward to.