Structural Engineers Gather in New York City for Performance Based Design Seminar

On Friday, May 4th, structural engineers from as far away as the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland gathered on the campus of Columbia University in New York City for Performance Based Design Using Nonlinear Analysis, a day-long seminar hosted by Computers & Structures, Inc. The seminar was presented by Dr. Graham H. Powell, Professor Emeritus of Structural Engineering at UC Berkeley, who is recognized as the world’s most knowledgeable authority on practical nonlinear analysis.

In welcoming the attendees, CSI President Ashraf Habibullah said, “This technology represents a new frontier that is defining the future of structural engineering. The sophisticated analysis techniques of these tools not only allow designers to produce structures that will meet predefined performance levels during an earthquake, but also empower engineers to venture beyond the limits of traditional building code specifications. The result is better engineering, more rationally, more economically.”

The seminar, held at Arledge Cinema in Columbia University’s Lerner Hall, featured six hours of instruction presented in four parts. The day began with a comprehensive overview of performance based design, followed by two sessions that provided specific information and recommendations on nonlinear modeling and performance assessment for frame and shear wall structures. The seminar concluded with a session that reviewed the procedures and assumptions for nonlinear structural analysis, including both static push-over and step-by-step dynamic analysis.

CSI’s Perform-3D software, which is specifically intended for performance based design for earthquake resistance, not just nonlinear analysis. It provides unparalleled capabilities for building nonlinear models, specifying component strength and deformation capacities, calculating demand-capacity ratios, and presenting the results in compact form for decision making. It has been used for the earthquake resistant design of many buildings, in both retrofitting and new construction.

For more details about Perform-3D, please click here.

		“Performance Based Design Using Nonlinear Analysis”DVD-ROM
					Now Available: Performance Based Design Seminar DVD Set! Even if you were unable to attend the seminar, you can watch it in its entirety on a two-disc DVD set. Click here for details.