News & Upcoming Events
One-Week Course in Costa Rica will cover the Fundamentals of Bridge Design
As a result of a new cooperative effort between the University of Costa Rica and the University at Buffalo, a short course in bridge design is being offered this June at Costa Rica’s National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LANAMME).
Introduction to Bridge Design will be instructed in English by Paul Fossier, Jr., a professional engineer with more than 32 years of experience in bridge design. Mr. Fossier will draw from his education and practical experience to explain the fundamentals of steel and concrete bridge design, providing specific examples of design calculations and contract drawings. Course instruction will take place on June 18-22, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily at LANAMME in San José, Costa Rica. Attendees are eligible to receive 40 hours professional development credit. This course is a special presentation of the Bridge Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series, which is organized by the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering and MCEER. Learn more.
FHWA Project Advisory Panel Meets in Buffalo to Review Progress on Multiple-Hazard Design Principles for Highway Bridges
See the full review for a list of participants in the FHWA Project Advisory Panel meeting hosted by MCEER on April 20, 2012.
MCEER hosted an Advisory Panel meeting for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded project entitled “Development of Multiple-Hazard Design Principles for Highway Bridges” on April 20, 2012 in Buffalo, NY. The research team is investigating the feasibility of establishing a uniform, reliability-based framework to address multiple extreme events in a design guideline that could eventually be incorporated into the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification. The $3 million project includes several other related research tasks, as well as a major educational component. Read More
In Memoriam - Helmut Krawinkler
A photo from 2007 shows Helmut Krawinkler and three students in UB's Structural Earthquake and Engineering Simulation Laboratory. At the time, Krawinkler was serving as a PI on a NEES project at UB, collaborating with UB co-PI Andrew Whittaker.
Helmut Krawinkler, John A. Blume Professor Emeritus of Engineering, Stanford University, passed away on April 16, 2012 at his Los Altos, CA home at the age of 72. Krawinkler is remembered for his research in performance-based seismic design of steel and reinforced concrete structures. In February, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional honors in engineering. Most recently, he received the 2012 George W. Housner Medal from the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute for his contributions to earthquake safety through the development of hazard reduction practices and policies. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law. A memorial service is being planned for later this spring.
Bridge Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series: Robert Dennison III
Monday April 23, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time | Baldy Hall, 2nd Floor, Room 200G, University at Buffalo North Campus
Robert Dennison
Robert Dennison III, P.E., VHB Engineers, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, will discuss “There is More to Closing a Bridge than Doing the Math” as part of the Bridge Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series. Dennison will discuss how to manage and survive a major bridge closure. Using the Lake Champlain Bridge closure as a case study and including other examples, the role of the bridge engineer in risk assessment, decision-making, and implementation of an emergency closure will be discussed.
Mr. Dennison, former New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Chief Engineer, leads VHB’s transportation planning and design engineering services in New York. Throughout his 35+ year career, Dennison has held positions of responsibility in Town, County and State governments and understands the internal operations of government.
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