News of the Profession

L'Aquila earthquake manslaughter convictions overturned for six experts

Following 309 deaths from the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake in Italy, seven scientists and engineers were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison. On appeal, six of the seven experts were cleared of all charges. The conviction of Bernardo De Bernardinis, then deputy head of Italy's Civil Protection Department, was endorsed by the three judges on a connected charge, but his sentence was reduced to two years.

The six members of the National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks who were acquitted are Franco Barberi, volcanologist; Enzo Boschi, geophysicist; Giulio Lorenzo Selvaggi, seismologist; G. Michele Calvi, seismic engineer (M. EERI 1990); Claudio Eva, physicist; and Mauro Dolce, seismic engineer.

Read more about the trial and acquittals in Science Magazine.

RESIST Software for Preliminary Design of Wind and Seismic Load Resisting Structures

RESIST is software for preliminary structural designs of buildings for wind and earthquake loads. For use by architecture students, engineering students, architects and structural engineers, it's unique for its user-friendliness and the absence of hand calculations. RESIST is now freely downloadable from the New Zealand National Society for Earthquake Engineering website www.nzsee.org.nz/publications/other-publications/resist/. RESIST allows irregularly-shaped building plans and incorporates accurate torsion modelling.

Although RESIST is intended primarily as an educational tool it may also be useful during an actual building design. At conceptual or preliminary design stages, RESIST facilitates investigation of different structural options and their member sizes, and aids discussion between architects and structural engineers. 

A benefit of the program is that it enables users to quickly explore many different structural solutions before arriving at the one that best integrates structure with architectural requirements.

The developers of RESIST are Andrew Charleson, Victoria University of Wellington School of Architecture (M. EERI, 2008), and Peter Wood, Consultant (M. EERI, 2014).

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Job Opportunities

EERI: Post-Graduate Internship Opening

EERI has one internship position open for a recent college graduate who is interested in gaining valuable professional experience while supporting the Institute's mission to reduce the risks from earthquakes. The approximately six month internship offers engagement in a number of interesting EERI projects. The intern would focus primarily on the Concrete Coalition, the World Housing Encyclopedia, and the Confined Masonry Network projects. Applications should be submitted by November 30th. For further information, please visit https://www.eeri.org/about-eeri/post-graduate-internship-program/.

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Member Spotlight

Welcome New EERI Members

EERI would like to welcome the members who have recently joined the Institute. If you wish to connect with your fellow members, you can locate their contact information in the EERI online membership directory, which requires logging in to the Member Resources Area of the EERI website.

Student Members

Norah Jamaly, San Jose State University, Structural
Erik Jensen, University of Notre Dame, Structural
Jiqing Jiang, Georgia Institute of Technology, Structural
Yiyang Jiao, Stanford University, Civil
Andrew Jouben, University of Texas - Austin, Geotechnical
Daniel Judge, California State University Fullerton, Geotechnical
Kenan Karakus, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Semih Karatas, Cankaya University, Civil
Iha Karki, California State University Long Beach, Civil
Ryan Keiper, UC Berkeley, Geotechnical
Elif Nur Keles, Cankaya University, Civil
Ryan Kelly, University of Minnesota, Civil
Anna Kelting, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Jack Kennedy, SUNY Buffalo
Kenneth Knight, Brigham Young University, Civil
Cuiyan Kong, North Carolina State University, Structural
Dorian Krausz, UCLA, Structural
Arpita Kurdekar, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Adam Lane, Northeastern University, Civil
Theodore Lawrence, Stanford University, Structural
Keun Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology, Civil
David Leechuy, Purdue University, Structural
Dan Li, Georgia Institute of Technology, Structural
Yusung Lim, UC Berkeley, Geotechnical
Charis Lin, Cornell University, Mechanical
Xi Liu, Georgia Institute of Technology, Structural
Elisa Livingston, UC Berkeley, Structural
Sergio Lobo-Aguilar, University of Connecticut, Structural
Lucas Lombardi, Stanford University, Structural
Christophe Loth, Stanford University, Structural
Sam Magers, Purdue University, Structural
Mohsen Maniat, University of Memphis, Structural
Nasser Marafi, University of Washington, Structural
Travis Marcilla, University of Colorado, Civil
Lyla Marsh, San Francisco State University, Civil
Maria Martinez, Stanford University, Civil
Mustafa Mashal, University of Canterbury, Structural
Heba Masri, San Jose State University
Thomas Matarazzo, Lehigh University
Harry McElroy, University of Colorado, Structural
Carlos McEniry, Cal Poly Pomona, Civil
James McKeehan, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Selamawit Mehary, Portland State University, Structural
Masoud Mehrraoufi, University of Connecticut, Structural
Goran Milutinovic, Purdue University, Structural
Peyman Moghimi-Osgooei, McMaster University, Structural
Melissa Monjaras, Brigham Young University, Geotechnical
Sarah Mouakkad, California State University Long Beach, Civil
Diane Moug, University of California Davis, Geotechnical
Sifat Muin, UC Berkeley, Civil
Kelvin Munar, Stanford University
Lafa Nassruldin, California State University Fullerton, Civil
Damien Ng, Rice University, Civil
Larry Ngo, California State University Long Beach, Civil
George Nguyen, California State University Fullerton, Structural
Mary T. Nguyen, San Jose State University, Civil
Priscilla Nguyen, Stanford University, Structural
Danielle Nixon, Brigham Young University, Civil
Nathaniel Oberhaus, SUNY Buffalo, Structural
Ahmet Ozcelik, University of Texas - Austin, Structural
Dursun Ozelci, Cankaya University, Civil
Leary Pakiding, Lehigh University, Structural
Nicole Paul, Stanford University, Structural
Samuel Perez, California State University Los Angeles, Civil
Chase Perry, Purdue University, Structural
Sean Pezeshk, University of Memphis, Structural
Ryan Proud, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Aishwarya Puranam, Purdue University, Civil
Basit Qayyum, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Jingchen Qian, Georgia Institute of Technology, Structural
Xin Qian, University of Alabama, Civil
Stacie Quoi, California State University Long Beach, Civil
Filippo Ranalli, Stanford University, Civil
Ben Rather, University of Colorado, Civil
Joshua Reichordt, SUNY Buffalo
Bethanie Rider, Purdue University, Structural
Allen Rios, San Jose State University, Civil
Alonso Rivera, California State University Fullerton, Structural
Daniel Rivera, California State University Fullerton, Civil
Will Ross, Purdue University, Civil
Ajay Singh Saini, Georgia Institute of Technology, Civil
Reihaneh Sarraf-Shirazi, University of Nevada-Reno, Civil
Curtis Scott, SUNY Buffalo, Structural
Farhad Sedaghati, University of Memphis, Civil
Christopher Segura, UCLA, Civil
Ahmad Shah, Antalya International University, Civil
EunJin Shin, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Yutian Sun, Purdue University, Civil
Emrah Tasdemir, North Carolina State University, Civil
Orlando Teran, California State University Long Beach, Civil
Robert Tew, University of Illilnois, Civil
Travis Thonstad, University of Washington, Structural
Yi Tyan Tsai, UCLA, Geotechnical
David Tse, Stanford University, Structural
Dorian Tung, University of British Columbia, Structural
Kristin Ulmer, Brigham Young University, Geotechnical
Alper Ulusan, Karadeniz Teknik Universitesi, Civil
Edward Valdovinos, California State University Los Angeles, Civil
Wouter Van Der Linde, Stanford University, Structural
Charlie Vermace, University of Minnesota, Structural
Kevin Vicente, San Jose State University, Civil
Tea Visnjic, UC Berkeley, Structural
Theodora Vovou, UCLA, Geotechnical
Bruce Wainwright, Brigham Young University, Structural
Andrew Wiese, Purdue University, Civil
Ben Wolfling, SUNY Buffalo, Civil
Gorkem Yigitkaya, Karadeniz Teknik Universitesi, Civil
Benchen Zhang, University of Texas - Austin, Geotechnical
Mingjie Zhang, San Jose State University, Civil

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News of the Institute

Honoring Marjorie Greene, Special Projects Manager, who will retire in December

Marjorie Greene, Special Projects Manager, is retiring from EERI after an exemplary forty-year career of natural hazard mitigation work in which she focused on developing earthquake hazard mitigation, preparedness, and learning from earthquake programs in the U.S. and abroad. Among her many exceptional professional activities, Marjorie has been the managing editor of the World Housing Encyclopedia since its inception, consulted for the World Bank and the Government of India, advised several countries about their earthquake rebuilding programs, and coordinated over 50 reconnaissance missions by EERI members to investigate damage and glean lessons from major earthquakes around the world.

All who have worked with Marjorie during her career agree that she is generous with her time, insightful with her comments, and discerning in her thinking. She has been an inspiration and model to fellow professionals in the earthquake hazard field, displaying a thoughtful, determined, results-oriented approach to her work. Many of EERI's active young and early career members can trace their involvement with EERI to interactions and encouragement from Marjorie, who created opportunities for them to engage and participate in EERI activities.

In a fitting tribute to her career, Marjorie has been honored by the EERI Northern California chapter as the 2014 recipient of the chapter award for Innovation and Exemplary Practice in Earthquake Risk Reduction.

All EERI members are invited to celebrate with Marjorie at the Northern California chapter holiday and awards party on Wednesday, December 10, from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at the ARUP San Francisco office. Please RSVP to chapterinfo@eerinc.org by Monday, December 8th, to expedite your entry through building security. More information about the event is available on the Northern California Chapter website.

EERI owes a debt of gratitude to Marjorie for her years of dedicated service to the organization and its members. Please feel free to contact Marjorie directly (mgreene@eeri.org) to express your thanks and best wishes for her retirement after her 20 years of service to EERI.

2015 EERI Annual Meeting

Rick BerkEERI's 2015 annual meeting will take place March 31 through April 3, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The EERI New England Regional Chapter is serving as the Local Organizing Committee. Session topics will include:

     -  Seismic Hazard in Central and Eastern North America
     -  Strategic Emergency Management
     -  Seismic Response and Vulnerability of Older Structures
     -  EERI School Seismic Safety Initiative

The meeting will also feature:

     -  EERI Distinguished Lecture by Rob Olshansky
     -  William B. Joyner Lecture by Paul Somerville
     -  Undergraduate seismic design competition

Mark your calendars now and be sure to attend this great opportunity to engage with other earthquake professionals. Registration will open on December 15, 2014.

Robert Olshansky Named 2015 EERI Distinguished Lecturer

Robert Olshansky (M. EERI, 1987), Professor and Head at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been selected as EERI's 2015 Distinguished Lecturer. He will present his lecture at the 2015 EERI Annual Meeting and offer insights on how to improve earthquake mitigation and recovery efforts over time. The EERI Distinguished Lecture Award is given to members of the Institute to recognize and encourage communication of outstanding professional contributions of major importance for earthquake hazard mitigation.

Olshansky's research and 25 years of teaching cover land use and environmental planning, with an emphasis on planning for natural hazards. Professor Olshansky has studied recovery planning and management after several major disasters. For over a decade, he and colleagues researched the recovery process following the Kobe, Japan earthquake of 1995, and he spent the 2004-05 and 2012-13 academic years as a Visiting Professor at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute at Kyoto University. His co-authored research report, Opportunity in Chaos: Rebuilding after the 1994 Northridge and 1995 Kobe Earthquakes, is available online.

Currently, Olshansky's work focuses on developing theory and researching the processes of recovery following catastrophic disasters. He researched and advised the post-Katrina planning process in New Orleans, and his book, Clear as Mud: Planning for the Rebuilding of New Orleans, co-authored with Laurie Johnson, was published by APA Press in April 2010. He and collaborators have researched disaster recovery in Sichuan Province, China; Tamil Nadu, India; Indonesia; and Niigata Prefecture and Tohoku, Japan. In March 2010 he participated in EERI's post-earthquake reconnaissance following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. He is currently working on a variety of publications to synthesize common lessons and themes of community-scale recovery following large disasters around the world. He has also published on landslide policy, hillside development planning, seismic hazard mitigation policy, and environmental impact assessment.

A member of EERI for over 26 years, he has previously served as Chair of the Public Policy Committee as well as other service roles. He is currently a member of the Learning from Earthquakes Committee and co-chair of the Resilience Panel.

Olshansky has a BS degree in geology from Caltech, and MCP and PhD degrees in city planning and environmental planning from UC Berkeley. Prior to his academic career, he managed a geotechnical engineering firm in the San Francisco Bay area, and he worked with an environmental research institute in Anchorage, Alaska.

2015 Membership Renewal

Please don't forget to renew your EERI membership for 2015. Check for the customized renewal email sent to you on October 23rd or visit the website to renew. Renew by December 31, 2014, and your name will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate.

Launch of Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program

EERI is pleased to announce the launch of the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals Program for the 2014-2015 academic year. With generous support from the Friedman Family, the endowed program helps students better understand and consider professional careers in the fields of earthquake engineering and earthquake risk reduction by linking them with visiting professionals who represent the breadth and depth of the EERI membership. During a university visit, the professionals deliver a lecture and engage in informal discussion with faculty and students. 

For this year's launch, five new professionals were added to the program, bringing the total number of visiting professionals to 16.  The newly added professionals are:

• Janiele Maffei (M. EERI, 1992), California Earthquake Authority
• Jorge Meneses (M. EERI, 2006), Group Delta Consultants, Inc.
• Patrick Otellini, City and County of San Francisco
• Maryann Phipps (M. EERI, 1989), Estructure
• Ivan G. Wong (M. EERI, 1978), URS Corporation

EERI Student Chapters are encouraged to complete the application form to request a visit from a Friedman Family Visiting Professional. Review of Student Chapter requests will begin on December 11, 2014 and occur on a rolling basis until all travel funds are awarded. All chapters are encouraged to apply before this date for the best chance of being selected for the program. Depending on funding availability, approximately 6 – 10 visits will be completed between January and June 2015.

For more information and to see a list of all professionals participating, visit the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals program website.

2015 EERI Board Elections: Meet the Candidates

The following candidates were nominated for Director positions on the 2015 EERI Board. EERI members will vote in the election that runs from November 19 to December 31, 2014.  

      

Director A:
David Cocke, President, Structural Focus, California (M. EERI, 1992)
Edward Kavazanjian, Jr., Professor, Arizona State University (M. EERI, 1989)

Director B:
Lucy Arendt, Professor, University of Wisconsin (M. EERI, 2008)
Lori Dengler, Professor, Humboldt State University, California (M. EERI, 1998)

The candidates’ biographies and vision statements are available on the EERI website. EERI members will be notified via email with voting instructions, including a unique link to an online ballot.

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Publications

Earthquake Spectra: Preprint Manuscripts

Thus far in November, four preprint manuscripts have been posted on the Earthquake Spectra website prior to their formal publication. The papers to be published are listed below.

• Validation of attenuation models for ground motion applications in central and eastern North America by Michael Pasyanos (M. EERI, 2014)
  
  
• Spectrum Compatible Earthquake Records and its Influence on the Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Structures by Ramon L. Gascot (M. EERI, 2012) and Luis A. Montejo (M. EERI, 2003)
  
  
• Collapse Risk of Buildings in the Pacific Northwest Region due to Subduction Earthquakes by Meera Raghunandan (M. EERI, 2011), Abbie B. Liel (M. EERI, 2009), and Nicolas Luco (M. EERI, 2001)
  
  
• Substructured Dynamic Testing of Substation Disconnect Switches by Mohamed A. Moustafa (M. EERI, 2012) and Khalid M. Mosalam
  

To read the preprint manuscripts or browse all articles posted since August 2013, visit Earthquake Spectra preprints.

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Announcements

MEEES Openings: Master in Earthquake Engineering and/or Engineering Seismology

Applications for MEEES, approved and financially supported by the European Commission under the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, have opened, with a deadline of February 2, 2015. MEEES is organized by a consortium of European university and research institutions, led by IUSS Pavia's UME School (www.umeschool.it) and featuring the participation of the University of Patras (Greece), the University of Grenoble Joseph Fourier (France), the Middle East Technical University (Turkey). Scholarships are available to applicants from all nationalities. For details and the online application procedure, visit www.meees.org. Moreover, there is the chance to apply for a Master in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology without mobility - ROSE Programme; for details please visit the following link www.roseschool.it.

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