STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS FOUNDATION
The Structural Engineers Foundations is an independent, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to one goal: the advancement of structural engineering. To attain this goal, and thus prepare for tomorrow's horizons, the SEF has committed itself to sponsoring and funding scholarships, lectures, awards, publications and research - all aimed at improving structural engineers and structural engineering.

Physical and Mailing Address:
134 North LaSalle Street
Suite 1910
Chicago, IL 60602
P 312.726.4165
F 312.726.4166

Board Members 

President

 

Carol Drucker

Vice President

 

John Hillman

Secretary

 

James Pawlikowski

Treasurer

 

Christopher Rockey

Director

 

Salvatore DiBernardo

David Fanella

 

 

Gregory Lakota

 

 

Gene Mojekwu

 

 

Carl Peterson

 

 

Farhad Rezai

 

 

Brian Volpe

 

 

 

 

SEF Spring Lecture- April 6, 2010

Beyond Failure: Forensic Case Studies for Structural Engineers with Norb Delatte, Ph.D.

Careful study of failures provides valuable lessons for practicing engineers. Is there a need, however, for engineers to have a basic understanding of critical, historical failure cases – a failure literacy? What are some common causes of failures? Patterns of repeated failures are particularly worrisome. What are the mechanisms for learning and disseminating lessons from failures, and how well have they worked?

It is important to consider history and failure analysis in the context of design. Design can be viewed very simply as a two-step process: figuring out everything that can possibly go wrong, and then making sure that everything that can possibly go wrong doesn’t happen.

From this standpoint, designers must be failure literate in order to know what can go wrong.  Another way to put it is that structural engineering is simply failure prevention.  This talk will cover some of the key failures that have helped shape structural engineering. 

Norbert Delatte, P.E., Ph.D., F.ACI, is a professor at Cleveland State University.  Dr. Delatte obtained his BSCE from the Citadel in 1984, his Master’s from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1986, and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1996.  He served for eleven years on active duty as an officer in the United States Army corps of Engineers.  He is a past chair of the Executive Committee of the ASCE Technical Council on Forensic Engineering.  Dr. Delatte is the author of the recently published ASCE Press book, Beyond Failure: Forensic Case Studies for Civil Engineers, ASCE Press, 2009.

 

     
Speaker:

Norb Delatte, Ph.D.

Date: 04.06.10
Location Cliff Dwellers Club
200 S. Michigan Avenue
22nd Floor
Chicago, IL
Reception: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Program: 6:30pm
Cost: Free, but there will be a $20 charge for Continuing Education Certificates
RSVP: (Advance reservations required) Contact Donna Childs at 312.726.4165 x200 or office@seaoi.org

 
 





 
Scholarships
The Foundation strongly believes that the future of structural engineering depends on today's students. Without them and their vision, there literally is no future for our profession. The Structural Engineers Foundation is privileged to provide merit tuition scholarships to encourage undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in structural engineering programs.
Download the 2010-2011 application here
Download the 2010-2011 Scholarship Letter here
Sponsored Lectures
The Structural Engineers Foundation sponsors lectures designed to broaden the mind and heighten awareness of excellence in structural engineering. Foundation -sponsored lectures by prominent leaders in the field of structural engineering keep everyone on the pinnacle of vital, cutting-edge topics and the information.
Awards
SEF bestows awards and honors to recognize outstanding achievements. The John Parmer Award is presented annually by SEF and SEAOI. This award, in recognition of lifelong contributions in the field of structural engineering, is presented to an individual whose distinguished career is acknowledged by his or her peers to be an example of excellence.
Publications
Another way to disseminate knowledge and thus promote excellence is through publications. By publishing books, papers, and reports, SEF hopes to give engineering professionals a chance to share their expertise with a vast audience.
Research
SEF understands the importance of research, knowing that it advances our profession by broadening its horizons and expanding our knowledge base. The Foundation is embarking on a revolutionary program that will identify specific practice-oriented research needs, and then located or develop funding sources to support the research.
   
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The Structural Engineers Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the IRS; and any contribution you make is tax-deductible within the limits prescribed by the applicable provisions of the tax law. Then you donate to the Foundation, we suggest the following options:
Cash
Any contribution is appreciated and is tax-deductible
Stock Gifts
If you own stock with more capital gain than you like to recognize for tax purposes, please consider a stock donation to SEF
Endowments
Perhaps you wish to contribute to the Foundation but have a definite purpose in mind. Maybe you want to provide a fund for a scholarship in honor of someone. Then an endowment might be the best choice for you.
Bequests
To ensure your interested and values are carried on, you might want to make a charitable bequest to SEF through your will. This opportunity appeals to many people, because it allows them to help shape the future of a profession and is at the same time free of federal estate taxes. If you would like to name the Structural Engineers Foundation in your will, we can work with you to ensure that your philanthropist bequest reflects your wishes.
Thank You Sustaining Members
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Thank You Executive Members
Drucker Zajdel Structural Engineers, Inc.
Klein & Hoffman, Inc.
Thornton Tomasetti
Thank You Affiliate Members
American Concrete Institute
Associated Steel Erectors
Clyde Baker
Halvorson and Partners
Johnson Wilbur Adams, Inc.

Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Rubinos & Mesia Engineers, Inc
Stan Korista
Thank You Contributing Members
Alta Engineering
DMJM+Harris, Inc.
Ciorba Group

Eskenazi Farrell & Fodor, P.C.
Kellermeyer Godfrydt Hart PC
Quality Restorations
Tefft Bridge & Iron

Thank You Individual Members
Steven Elver
Fred Haas
Rockey Structures LLC
Stein, Ray & Harris LLP
TY Lin International


SEF deeply appreciates the support of its members and all the SEAOI members who support it