Description
NCSEA and the CAC Existing Buildings – Building Assessment Group is proud to present a new webinar series to provide guidance and resources for structural engineers who perform building assessments. Building assessments are complex tasks that require specialized skills and knowledge in various aspects of structural engineering and related disciplines. This webinar series will consist of six, 1.5-hour presentations that will feature subject matter experts from different fields and organizations across the nation.
This introductory course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the field for licensed structural engineers on building assessments and investigations. It covers key areas such as the importance and levels of building assessments, various investigation techniques, structural analysis and evaluation, and effective communication strategies including report writing. The course also delves into the nuances of balancing definitive conclusions with covering uncertainties in reports. It emphasizes the formulation of clear, practical, and actionable takeaways for clients. The inclusion of case studies and a discussion on ethical considerations further enrich the learning experience, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct thorough evaluations of structural integrity and communicate their findings effectively.
The registration fee for the Seminar is $495 for members ($895 for nonmembers), which includes all 9 hours of education. Each individual webinar can be purchased separately for $150 for members ($250 for nonmembers). HOLIDAY SALE PRICING – $299 for Members and $399 for Nonmembers
- Purchase all 6 webinars in the Seminar and have access to the recordings for 1 Year.
- Each seminar purchase is per office location. If your firm is operating remotely, please review the Webinar FAQ’s on how to accommodate multiple users from the same location.
Please note: These webinars are not included in the NCSEA Webinar Subscription.
Schedule of Events
August 20 – Building Investigations and Assessments 101, Presented by Stanley Stoll, M.Eng., P.E., DFE – RECORDING AVAILABLE
The importance of building assessments in the United States has been underscored by recent events, highlighting the necessity for rigorous safety and performance evaluations of existing structures. In response, various states have implemented or revised laws mandating regular inspections and assessments. This inaugural session of the six-part NCSEA webinar series, developed out of the Building Assessment Committee (BAC), aims to equip structural engineers with the essential knowledge and tools for conducting thorough building assessments. Attendees will gain insights into the current landscape of the building assessment industry, including advancements in technology, best practices, and the latest developments in building assessment guides and standards.
August 27 – Legal Aspects of Building Assessment Reports, Presented by Serena L. Hendon, Esq., P.E., and Julie Furr, P.E., M.ASCE – RECORDING AVAILABLE
Building assessment reports not only aid in determining the status of a building, they may also become crucial documents in either starting litigation, or explaining the issues in litigation. The course emphasizes the importance of thorough and accurate assessments to avoid legal pitfalls, including ensuring that the scope of the assessment is clear. Additionally, the course covers the risks of compromising engineering judgment to satisfy clients. Of importance, if licensed professionals are conducting the building assessment, such action and resulting reports are governed by the individual state’s standard of care. By keeping these risk factors in mind, the authors will be better equipped to write effective and compliant building assessment reports.
September 3 – Building Envelope Assessments, Presented by Steven D. Hall, P.E., Danielle DiDomizio, P.E., and Austin D. Friday, M.S., P.E. – RECORDING AVAILABLE
This class is a deep dive into the role of building envelopes, discussing common failure points and the resulting impacts on structural integrity and material longevity. After providing an overview of the components of common building envelope systems, jurisdiction-specific inspection requirements adopted in major municipalities will be explored, focusing on façade and parapet assessments. Additionally, this seminar will cover common inspection techniques and testing for multiple façade and cladding systems—from glass, stone and masonry to brick veneers—and equip attendees with practical techniques to evaluate those systems. Repair of common damage to underlying structural systems will also be discussed and provide attendees with an understanding of how building envelope failures affect longevity and safety of new construction. The course includes a variety of case studies that illustrate the principles discussed, providing real-world examples to help participants understand how the concepts apply in practice.
September 10 – Assessing Concrete and Parking Structures – RECORDING AVAILABLE
Part 1 – Assessing Concrete Structures, Presented by Craig Racey, P.E.
This class is a deep dive into the critical role of concrete as a building material and the potential deterioration mechanisms and the consequential effects on the structural integrity of buildings. By the end of this class, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how to identify and assess common deterioration and failure mechanisms that can occur, and their impact on the structural integrity and lifespan of a building.
Part 2 –Assessing Parking Structures, Presented by Andrea Shear, P.E.
This class will provide a history of parking structure construction, the unique conditions that make them susceptible to deterioration and failures, considerations for the assessment of parking structures as well as an overview of the current inspection requirements. By the end of this class, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of parking structure construction, the common failures that can occur, and methods for investigation and repair.
September 17 – Assessing Wood Structures, Decks and Balconies – RECORDING AVAILABLE
Part 1 – Assessing Wood Structures, Presented by Kelly Cobeen, S.E
Wood structures of all ages make up the large majority of the U.S. building stock. As a result, opportunities to assess and evaluate wood structures come up on a regular basis, whether due to planned changes in how the structure will be used, or because damage is discovered or suspected. The expectations that an engineer should have when embarking on assessment and later evaluation of wood structures is very different than might apply to concrete or steel structures. This presentation will set the stage for expectations when approaching assessment and later evaluation of existing wood structures and end by sharing examples of assessments for changed use and for damaged structures.
Part 2 – Assessing Balconies and Decks, Presented by Kevin Moore, P.E., S.E.
Legislation passed in California has created an uptick in external elevated element (EEE) investigation and repair. As balconies tend to be the most common EEE, the webinar will focus on wood framed balconies and their various components. We will identify where we find the greatest risk in a typical balcony framing system and how best to spot potential hazards and issues during a visual inspection. You will learn about wood structural element deterioration, what causes it and how it can be minimized or mitigated.
September 24 – Condition Assessment of Existing Steel Structures and Masonry Buildings – RECORDING AVAILABLE
Part 1 – Condition Assessment of Existing Steel Structures, Presented by Christopher M. Hewitt, S.E., P.E.
This presentation will discuss approaches to structural steel condition assessment and repair. We’ll discuss the assessment scope and framework, including the basis for assessments and compliance with building code requirements. Detailed methodologies for both preliminary and comprehensive condition assessments will be presented, highlighting common observations, loading conditions, and field investigation techniques. Nondestructive and destructive testing methods to determine material properties and corrosion assessment will be discussed and special topics such as the effects of fire damage, fracture potential, and fatigue damage are introduced. We’ll then discuss repair and maintenance planning, emphasizing repair implementation plans and corrosion management.
Part 2 – Assessing Masonry Buildings, Presented by Donald Harvey, P.E.
“There’s a crack in my masonry!” This is perhaps one of the most common phrases I hear at the beginning of an existing masonry structure evaluation. But, of course, all masonry cracks are not created equal, and the causes range from differential foundation movement to deflection to restraint and well beyond the typical “structural” realm. Volumetric movement, corrosion, or bed joint reinforcing placement could lead to some mysterious crack patterns. This presentation will discuss not only common crack patterns in masonry and their most common causes, but we will also evaluate other common distress conditions in masonry walls structures as leaning, bulging, voids, and deterioration. Additionally, we will discuss some of the basic structural engineering tasks associated with masonry structure investigations such as shear wall conditions, bearing at point loads, and diaphragm connections.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
