ABSTRACT

Frequent occurrence of major earthquakes during recent years have heightened the awareness of seismic risk and the importance of seismic risk mitigation in the world. Canada, with seismically active regions in the West, as well as in the East, has been one of the leading countries in developing seismic analysis and design methodologies. The Canadian Structural Engineering profession plays a major role on earthquake hazard reduction by developing and implementing improved analysis and design techniques, as well as retrofit methodologies for existing structures, which are often based on the principles of engineering mechanics.

The presentation will include a pictorial discussion of the lessons learned from recent major earthquakes with explanations of possible causes for observed damage on buildings, bridges and other infrastructure. Current structural analysis and design techniques will be introduced for use in practice. The emphasis will be placed on design and detailing requirements for reinforced concrete structures. A set of recommendations will be made for improved design of structures, starting with the preliminary and architectural designs, extending into the details of formation of plastic hinges and requirements for ductility. The details of the current CSA Standard on Design of Concrete Structures, as well as the National Building Code of Canada will be discussed. Some of the currently used seismic retrofit strategies will be presented. The presentation will be of interest to engineers practicing in all sub-disciplines of Civil Engineering, as well as the students and researchers.

Dr. Murat Saatcioglu is a Professor of Civil Engineering and Vice Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa. He received his PhD from Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois, and M.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto. He worked for the Portland Cement Association in U.S.A. and Canada as a Senior Structural Engineer prior to joining the academia in 1981

Dr. Saatcioglu’s research expertise includes analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures, with particular emphasis on seismic resistant design of buildings and bridges. He is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute and the recipient of numerous research and teaching awards, including the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2000 Raymond Reese Research Prize, the 1996 University of Ottawa Award for Excellence in Teaching, the 1993 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Teaching Excellence, the 1992 Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) Teaching Award and the 1992 John V. Marsh Award for Excellence in Teaching. He held the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s (NSERC) University Research Fellowship for a complete eligible term of 10 years between 1980 and 1990.

Professor Saatcioglu is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario and an active member of professional societies and their technical committees. Currently he is a member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). He is one of the Directors of the Canadian Association for Earthquake Engineering, and the Associate Director of the Ottawa-Carleton Earthquake Engineering Research Center. Dr. Saatcioglu chairs the ACI Committee 340 on Design Aids for ACI Building Code and is a member of the Canadian National Committee on Earthquake Engineering (CANCEE), ACI-ASCE joint Committee 441on Concrete Columns, ACI Committee 374 on Performance-Based Seismic Design of Concrete Buildings, and the CSA Committee S806 on FRP Structural Components and Materials for Use in Buildings.

Further details on this workshop will be posted as they become available.

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Last Updated Friday, October 26, 2001 1:41:30 AM