Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar today (more details via Earthquake Engineering Research Institute's website). The scale of destruction is hard to comprehend. And yet, for those of us in this profession, it’s heartbreakingly familiar. As structural engineers, it is impossible for our minds to see only the rubble left in the aftermath of an earthquake and not see the buildings that once stood in their place. Some of the collapsed buildings visible in media coverage appear to share vulnerabilities we know well—buildings that resemble the soft or weak-story structures still present in California cities. Here at home, a growing number of jurisdictions have recognized the danger these buildings pose and have passed retrofit ordinances to address them. This earthquake is a stark reminder of why those efforts matter, and why they must continue. Our hearts are with the people of Myanmar. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and communities affected. The grief is real. The loss is immeasurable. This is also a moment for reflection—not just professionally, but personally. How prepared are we? What steps have we taken to reduce our own vulnerabilities—at home, at work, in our communities? Because this work we do—often invisible, often undervalued—is about protecting lives. If you are seeking more information about opportunities to support response and recovery efforts after natural disasters like this one or SEAONC’s perspective on seismic safety and structural vulnerabilities, please reach out to: Wayne Low, SEAONC Media Spokesperson and SEAONC Past President ?? [email protected] #MyanmarEarthquake #EarthquakeResponse #SeismicResilience #StructuralEngineering #EarthquakePreparedness #BuildingSafety #ResilientDesign #SEAONC #SeismicSafety

???????????? ???????????? ??????????????????: ?????????? ?????????????? For more than 35 years, Steve Tipping pushed the boundaries of structural engineering, reshaping the Bay Area’s built environment with courage, creativity, and technical brilliance. A pioneer in seismic retrofit design, Steve developed elegant, cost-effective solutions that balanced cutting-edge innovation with real-world constructability. From post-tensioned concrete walls to seismic isolation systems, Steve’s ideas were as bold as they were grounded. His vision transformed buildings like SFPUC HQ, Campbell Hall at UC Berkeley, and 680 Folsom—projects that stand as case studies in resilience and ingenuity. Under his leadership, Tipping won more than 40 awards, and Steve himself was twice named to ENR’s Top 25 Newsmakers. He also served SEAONC with distinction as President and Fellow, and was honored posthumously with the H.J. Brunnier Lifetime Achievement Award. Steve led with integrity and curiosity, always asking “what if?”—and then answering it through design. His legacy lives on in the buildings that stand stronger because of him, and in the engineers he mentored to always think a step ahead. #SEAONCLegend #StructuralEngineering #SeismicResilience #SteveTipping #EngineeringInnovation #TippingStructuralEngineers #BayAreaBuildings

?????????? ?????????????? ?????????????????????? ??????????????: ?????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ??????-?????????????? ???????????????? Join us for an in-depth discussion on Non-Ductile Concrete (NDC) buildings, exploring their historical development, the recognition of their seismic vulnerabilities, and ongoing efforts to address these challenges. The event will cover the rise of concrete design following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, lessons learned from the 1971 San Fernando earthquake, and the role of engineering and policy in mitigating NDC risks. Key Bay Area NDC programs, including San Francisco’s Concrete Building Safety Program, will be discussed, followed by an open forum for discussion. A panel of experts in engineering, preservation, and policy will provide valuable insights. Stay tuned for speaker announcements. ????????:?Tuesday, April 1, 2025 ??????????????:? 5:00 - 5:45 PM | Networking Connect with colleagues over refreshments before the meeting begins. 5:45 - 6:00 PM | Past-President Chat Series Featuring SEAONC Past President Peter L Lee. 6:00 - 7:30 PM | History and Future of Non-Ductile Concrete ????????????????:?Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) | Maritime Plaza, San Francisco ???? ????????????????: https://lnkd.in/gthk-Tim ?????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????? ????????????

???????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? I think Structural Engineering has never been stronger than in my 40-year career with tools like Revit, non-linear response history analysis, and numerous computer programs and tools.? The level of structural engineering being performed just keeps expanding.? Aside from engineering, the amount of potential construction systems and products is at an all-time high.????????????????? Jon Kiland, PE, SE, F.SEAONC, F.SEAOC, SEAONC President, 2001

???????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????? ???????????? - ?????????????????? ?????????? ??????! SEAONC is proud to celebrate our past presidents and inspire the next generation of structural engineers. Join us next month as we welcome Peter L Lee, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), SEAONC President in 2011, for an insightful conversation about leadership, lessons learned, and the evolution of structural engineering. ???????????? ????????????????????: ? Engage with a SEAONC past president ? Gain valuable industry insights ? Connect with fellow engineers Don’t miss this chance to spend an evening with one of SEAONC’s legends! ???? ????????????????: https://lnkd.in/gthk-Tim #SEAONC #StructuralEngineering #Leadership #PastPresidentChat

???????????????? ?????????????????? ??????????????????????: ???????????????? ???????? ????????????’?? ???????????? ?????????? At this month’s SEAONC Association Meeting, we explored the future of earthquake resilience with industry leaders Janiele Maffei (California Earthquake Authority), kelly cobeen (Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.), and Kate Stillwell (FireBreak Risk). Their work is shaping how we protect homes, strengthen policies, and integrate technology to reduce disaster risk. ?? Janiele Maffei highlighted CEA’s seismic retrofit program, which has grown from $25M to $84M with FEMA grants, retrofitting 30,000 homes and offering grants up to $10K to homeowners in high-risk areas. Continued funding is essential to keep communities resilient. ?? Kelly Cobeen discussed the evolution of seismic building codes for wood-frame structures following major earthquakes, leading to targeted retrofits for cripple walls, soft-story buildings, and hillside homes—reducing displacement and enhancing safety. ?? Kate Stillwell showcased AI-driven risk assessment tools that empower homeowners and insurers to strengthen properties against fire and earthquake damage. She also emphasized the role of community-based insurance models in supporting vulnerable neighborhoods. Resilience requires engineering expertise, policy innovation, and proactive investment. A huge thanks to these leaders for pushing our profession forward and a huge thank you to everyone who came to the meeting. #SeismicResilience #StructuralEngineering #EarthquakePreparedness #BuildingSafety #SEAONC #CommunityResilience #FEMAGrants #InnovationInEngineering

?????????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ????????! SEAOC invites all interested students (in at least their third year with structural emphasis) and early career professionals (first three years of practice), especially individuals belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in the profession, to apply to join the 2025 SE Pathways Cohort at the 2025 SEAOC Convention in San Diego, CA, September 3-5. Applications are due March 30th! Learn more about the SE Pathways Program and Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/gyyFCJ6q #structuralengineering #pathways #mentorship #engineering #seaocconvention2025

???????? ?????????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ?????? ?????? ????????! The Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) SE Pathways Program was created to advance the practice of structural engineering in California by enhancing the pathway into and through the profession. This initiative focuses on the recruitment and retention of individuals belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in the SE profession including, but not limited to, first-generation college students, women, Black/African American, Native/Indigenous American, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander, Asian, other people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities. Structural engineering students and early-career professionals are able to participate in the Fourth SE Pathways Cohort kicking off at the 2025 SEAOC Convention in San Diego, CA, September 3-5. With activities during the convention and throughout the following year, the Pathways Program provides opportunities for aspiring or new engineers to network with colleagues and practicing professionals throughout the state of California; learn key issues impacting the SE profession, including the need to improve workforce equity and diversity; and meet trade representatives who may assist in future practice. Most importantly, cohort members will help shape the future of Structural Engineering in California. To learn more about the benefits of being part of the 2025 SE Pathways Cohort, visit https://buff.ly/48TZ4Uq https://lnkd.in/gyyFCJ6q. Applications are due by March 30th. #structuralengineering #pathways #mentorship #engineering #seaocconvention2025

?????? ????????????????: ???????????????????? ?? ???????????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????????????????????? ???? ?? ??????-???? ?????????????? SEAONC SE3 invites you to this online event about how to succeed in a career in structural engineering as a non-US citizen, and how to best support these employees and coworkers. Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Time: 6 pm to 7 pm pst Location:? Online Register Now: https://lnkd.in/g5VeZvpP

?? ????????????'?? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????? ???? ????????!? ???? Get ready for an evening of friendly competition, brain-teasing questions, and plenty of laughs. This year's event features: ?? Four rounds of trivia ??? A building competition ? A lightning round! Form a team with your colleagues or sign up solo—we’ll place you on a team! Teams are capped at 8 people. Bring your A-game for a chance to win bragging rights and cash prizes ??. Plus, enjoy food and drinks throughout the night! ?? ????????:? Thursday, April 10, 2025 ?? ????????????????????????: https://lnkd.in/gQZ9EfK6