Podcast Episode Highlighting Mental Health Wins Award
The Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) deals with the complex technical, regulatory, social and economic issues involved in developing and promulgating building earthquake risk mitigation provisions. Established in 1979, the council’s purpose is to enhance public safety by providing a national forum that fosters improved seismic planning, design, construction and regulation in the building community.
In 1977, Congress passed the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act to protect the lives of building occupants, during an earthquake and mitigate the impact of such disasters on the national economy. The law established the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). BSSC, under contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), develops and maintains a key resource — the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures. The Provisions are used as the primary resource for the professional design standard ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.
To evaluate research findings, practices, and fields investigations to aid in developing seismic safety provisions
To provide ongoing education for structural design professionals through training materials, webinars, workshops and colloquia; and provide education outreach on seismic design and construction to the non-technical building community and the general public
To promote the adoption of provisions by the national standards and model building codes, and advise government bodies on their programs of research, development and implementation.
BSSC's success with the Provisions is due to the efforts of its members and volunteer experts, including engineers, seismologists, architects, academics, researchers, code officials, manufacturers and suppliers.
Kent Yu, PhD, SE
Joann Browning, PhD, PE
Dr. Iris Tien
Roberto Leon, P.E., PhD
Bill Earl, SE, PE
National Structural Engineering Program Manager, GSA
Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD
President, American Institute of Steel Construction
James Cagley, PE, SE
Daniel Nichols
State of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Hyde Park, NY
Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan, PhD, PE, PMP
Chief Resilience Officer, National Institute of Building Sciences
The NEHRP Recommended Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures embodies the state–of–knowledge criteria for the design and construction of buildings subject to earthquake hazards. The techniques and technologies contained in this resource document are diffused into several national standards, including the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE–7 Design Standard for Minimum Loads that are referenced by the model building codes developed by the International Code Council (ICC).
The Provisions are developed by the Provisions Update Committee (PUC), a technical committee of seismic experts that identify and apply the most advanced seismic technology available. The committee is supported by expert Issue Teams (ITs) that address specific aspects of seismic design methodology and construction. These committee and team members ensure that lessons learned from the building performance during the earthquakes, as well as new research to improve earthquake resistance, are reflected in state–of–the–art seismic requirements. The ITs develop proposals for requirements that are balloted by the PUC according to BSSC's consensus process, and subsequently balloted by its Professional Organizations (POs).
Member | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
John Hooper (Chair) | Magnusson Klemencic Associates | Chair |
Robert Pekelnicky (Vice Chair) | Degenkolb Engineers | Vice Chair |
Kelly Cobeen | Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. | Voting Member |
Daniel Dolan | Washington State University | Voting Member |
S.K. Ghosh | S. K. Ghosh Associates LLC | Voting Member |
Emily Guglielmo | Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers | Voting Member |
James Harris | J. R. Harris & Company | Voting Member |
Jon Heintz | Applied Technology Council | Voting Member |
John Hochwalt | KPFF CONSULTING ENGINEERS | Voting Member |
Sandy Hohener | Degenkolb Engineers | Voting Member |
Gyimah Kasali | RUTHERFORD + CHEKENE | Voting Member |
Dominic Kelly | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. | Voting Member |
Ryan Kersting | BUEHLER | Voting Member |
Charlie Kircher | Kircher & Associates | Voting Member |
Abbie Liel | University of Colorado Boulder | Voting Member |
Philp Line | American Wood Council | Voting Member |
Bret Lizundia | RUTHERFORD + CHEKENE | Voting Member |
Jim Malley | Degenkolb Engineers | Voting Member |
Bonnie Manley | American Institute of Steel Construction | Voting Member |
Debra Murphy | Slate Geotechnical Consultants | Voting Member |
Farzad Naeim | FARZAD NAEIM, INC. | Voting Member |
Rafael Sabelli | Walter P Moore | Voting Member |
John Silva | Hilti North America | Voting Member |
Greg Soules | CB&I Storage Solutions | Voting Member |
Jonathan Stewart | University of California, Los Angeles | Voting Member |
Paul Summers | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. | Voting Member |
Amit Varma | Purdue University | Voting Member |
Reid Zimmerman | KPFF CONSULTING ENGINEERS | Voting Member |
Robert Hanson | Federal Emergency Management Agency | FEMA Technical Advisor |
Mai (Mike) Tong | Federal Emergency Management Agency | FEMA Project Officer and Liaison |
Christina Aronson | Federal Emergency Management Agency | FEMA Project Monitor and Liaison |
Nico Luco | U.S. Geological Survey | USGS Liaison |
Sanaz Rezaeian | U.S. Geological Survey | USGS Liaison |
Andrew Makdisi | U.S. Geological Survey | USGS Liaison |
Steven McCabe National | Institute of Standards and Technology | NIST Liaison |
John (Jay) Harris | National Institute of Standards and Technology | NIST Liaison |
Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan | National Institute of Building Sciences | BSSC Executive Director |
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Rahul Sharma | Hohbach-Lewin | Corresponding Member |
Zia Zafir | Kleinfelder | Corresponding Member |
Adam Phillips | WSU | Corresponding Member |
Seth Thomas | KPFF CONSULTING ENGINEERS | Corresponding Member |
Kevin Aswegan | Magnusson Klemencic Associates | Corresponding Member |
Daniel Gaspar | Degenkolb Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Gabriel Acero | AECOM | Corresponding Member |
Tali Feinstein | Exponent | Corresponding Member |
Matt Eatherton | Virginia Tech | Corresponding Member |
Ron LaPlante | CA Div. of State Arch. | Corresponding Member |
Erica Fischer | Oregon State University | Corresponding Member |
Masume Dana | Forell/Elsesser Engineers, Inc. | Corresponding Member |
Abby Enscoe | Tipping | Corresponding Member |
Juliette Peyroux | Magnusson Klemencic Associates | Corresponding Member |
Gary Ehrlich | NAHB | Corresponding Member |
Gloria Faraone | San Diego State University | Corresponding Member |
Bob Bachman | Consultant | Corresponding Member |
Issue team 1 will investigate several items related to soil-structure interaction and foundation design which have been broken into four primary categories. One, are there cases where it is unconservative to not model foundation flexibility and therefore should be required? Item 2, are the design forces being used to design foundations based on system ductility (i.e. R-factor) and reductions allowed in ASCE 7 12.13.4 producing the correct/conservative results. If not establish procedures for determining loads for foundation design. The third major item is to review design requirements for basement/hillside structures for design requirements such as seismic base, kinematic effects, soil pressures on walls and damping. The last item is to review the recommendations of the ATC 144 report and implement any of the recommendations not already incorporated.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Seth Thomas | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Chair |
Garrett Hagen | Degenkolb Engineers | Vice Chair |
Jonathan Stewart | UCLA | PUC Liaison |
Jason Bock | GRI | Voting Member |
Jakub Valigura | ARUP | Voting Member |
Ian McFarlane | MKA | Voting Member |
Robert Pekelnicky | Degenkolb Engineers | Voting Member |
Roy Lobo | HCAI | Voting Member |
Rahul Sharma | Hohbach-Lewin | Voting Member |
Gyimah Kasali | Rutherford + Chekene | Corresponding Member |
C.B. Crouse | AECOM | Corresponding Member |
Mahmoud Hachem | Earthquake Solutions | Corresponding Member |
Amit Kanvinde | UC Davis | Corresponding Member |
Silvia Mazzoni | UCLA | Corresponding Member |
Trevor Carey | University of British Columbia | Corresponding Member |
Amit Varma | Purdue University | Corresponding Member |
Ron LaPlante | CDSA | Corresponding Member |
Lachezar Handzhiyski | SGH | Corresponding Member |
Zia Zafir | Kleinfelder | Corresponding Member |
Koray Tureyen | WJE | Corresponding Member |
David Teague | ENGEO Inc | Corresponding Member |
Bryan Frank | CDSA | Corresponding Member |
Ben Mason | USGS | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Bob Hanson | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
This issue team will focus on the design of interfaces and connections between various structural elements. Seismic design provisions will be synthesized based on the latest research and findings with focus on:
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Amit Varma | Purdue University | Chair |
John Silva | Hilti | Vice Chair |
Jim Malley | Degenkolb | Voting Member |
Rafael Sabelli | Walter P. Moore | Voting Member |
Amit Kanvinde | U.C. Davis | Voting Member |
Akanshu Sharma | Purdue University | Corresponding Member |
Gloria Faraone | San Diego State Univ. | Corresponding Member |
Soheil Shafaei | Purdue | Corresponding Member |
Rahul Sharma | Hobach-Lewin | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Christina Aronson | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
Roberto Leon | Virginia Tech | BSSC Board Liaison |
This issue team (IT #3) will work on proposals related to ground motion and geotechnical issues, mainly influencing Chapters 21 on “Site-specific ground motion procedures for seismic design” and Chapter 22 on “Seismic ground motion and long-period transition maps” of the 2026 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions. The team has identified eight sub-issues, all of which must be coordinated with each other.
Ground motion sub-issues of IT#3 include: 1) Adoption of the 2023 USGS seismic hazard models for the conterminous U.S., Hawaii, and Alaska, which among many other updates will include new ground motion models in subduction zones, implementation of a new Earthquake Rupture Forecast (ERF) model in the western U.S., and improved basin amplifications; 2) Revision of the deterministic ground motion caps, considering probabilistic alternatives that result in specified collapse risk across the U.S., and potential removal or modification of the current deterministic lower limit (DLL) to a more appropriate calculation from a geological, seismological, and engineering standpoint; 3) a Part 3 resource paper on improving upon or replacing spectral response acceleration with other ground motion intensity measures such as the inelastic spectral displacement; 4) Improving vertical ground motions by either directly providing USGS-developed values or improving the vertical to horizontal, V/H, relation in Section 11.9 which is based on western U.S. data for central and eastern U.S. and subduction zones; and 5) Improving ground motions for damping ratios other than 5% by direct implementation of newly-developed, period-dependent damping scaling factors in the USGS hazard models or by improving upon the current factors in the NEHRP provision which are based on very limited and outdated data.
Geotechnical sub-issues include: 1) New design PGA values for liquefaction analysis, using well-established probabilistic liquefaction hazard methods, resulting in consistent, liquefaction hazard-targeted design levels across the U.S.; 2) When required in potentially liquefiable soils, establish criteria in terms of thickness and depth of the liquefiable material for a site to be classified as Site Class F; and 3) Re-write of Section 21.1 on site-specific response to reflect current knowledge on ergodic versus non-ergodic site response procedures, the derivation of reference motions, the analysis of site-specific site response, the impact of uncertainties, and how site-specific site response can be implemented in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis.
In addition, this IT expects to coordinate with several other ITs and the Functional Recovery Task Committee regarding ground motion and geotechnical topics that come up there.
IT Voting Members: | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Sanaz Rezaeian | USGS | Chair |
Zia Zafir | Kleinfelder | Vice Chair |
Gyimah Kasali | R&C | PUC Liaison |
Nicolas Luco | USGS | Voting Member |
Andrew Makdisi | USGS | Voting Member |
Debra Murphy | Slate Geotech | Voting Member |
Jonathan Stewart | UCLA | Voting Member |
C.B. Crouse | AECOM | Voting Member |
Robert Pekelnicky | Degenkolb | Voting Member |
James Gregory Soules | CB&I | Voting Member |
Beatriz Arostegui | MKA | Voting Member |
Steve Kramer | Univ. of Washington | Corresponding Member |
Robert Bachman | Consultant | Corresponding Member |
Robert D Hanson | FEMA Technical Advisor | Corresponding Member |
Charlie Kircher | Kircher Association | Corresponding Member |
Hossein Mostafaei | FM Global | Corresponding Member |
Jon Heintz | ATC | Corresponding Member |
Mahmoud Hachem | mahmoud@eqsols.com | Corresponding Member |
Silvia Mazzoni | silviamazzoni@yahoo.com | Voting Member |
David Teague | dteague@engeo.com | Corresponding Member |
Alireza Haji-Soltani | Alireza.Haji-Soltani@cna.com | Corresponding Member |
Kari Klaboe | WJE | Corresponding Member |
Dustin Cook | NIST | Corresponding Member |
Jason Bock | jbock@gri.com | Corresponding Member |
Melanie Walling | mwalling@geoengineers.com | Corresponding Member |
Daniel Gasper | Degenkolb | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Mike Tong | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
Develop code change proposals, as appropriate, based on the findings and recommendations of the FEMA P-154 Project, which is currently investigating the seismic performance and increased collapse risk of buildings in very high-seismic hazard regions.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Charlie Kircher | Kircher & Associates | Chair, Voting Member |
Jim Harris | J.R. Harris & Co. | Vice Chair, Voting Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Liaison |
Emily Guglielmo | Martin/Martin | Voting Member |
Phil Line | AWC | Voting Member |
Bob Hanson | Michigan/FEMA | Voting Member |
Justin Moresco | ATC | Voting Member |
Jim Malley | Degenkolb | Voting Member |
Sandy Hohener | Degenkolb | Voting Member |
Ron LaPlante | CA DSA | Voting Member |
Bhatia Hussain | CA HCAI (OSHPD) | Voting Member |
Seth Thomas | KPFF | Corresponding Member |
Kari Klaboe | WJE | Corresponding Member |
Abbie Liel | University of Colorado | Corresponding Member |
Ngai-Chi Chung | Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Ins. | Corresponding Member |
Alireza-Haji Sultani | CNA Ins. | Corresponding Member |
Weichiang Pang | Clemson University | Corresponding Member |
Bibek Bhardwaj | Clemson University | Corresponding Member |
Jeff Berman | University of Washington | Corresponding Member |
Addie Lederman | University of Washington | Corresponding Member |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Mike Tong | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
Name | Affiliation | Role |
John Silva | Hilti North America | Voting members |
Rafael Sabelli | Walter P Moore | Voting members |
Larry Fahnenstock | University of of Illinois | Voting members |
Jon Heinz | ATC | Voting members |
John Hochwalt | KPFF | Voting members |
Dawn Lehman | University of Washington | Voting members |
Ian Tuttle | MKA | Voting members |
Kelly Cobeen | WJE | Voting members |
Emily Guglielmo | Martin/Martin | Voting members |
Abbie Liel | University of Colorado | Voting members |
Jim Malley | Degenkolb | Voting members |
Gloria Faerone | SDSU | Corresponding Member |
Marios Panagiotou | Nabih Youssef & Associates | Corresponding Member |
Ngai-Chi Chung | Berkshire Hathaway | Corresponding Member |
Mahmoud Hachem | Earthquake Solutions | Corresponding Member |
Curt Haselton | Haselton Baker Risk Group | Corresponding Member |
Bob Hanson | FEMA Technical Advisor | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Mai Tong | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
This objective of this issue team is to revisit, verify, and refresh as needed the ASCE/SEI 7 Section 12.2.3.2 two-stage analysis provisions to support ongoing use with wood and steel light-frame buildings over concrete podiums, as well as other structural systems and combinations of systems for which designers would look to use these provisions. It is anticipated that some numerical studies will be needed to guide and support recommended changes in provisions.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Kelly Cobeen | Wiss Janney Elstner | Chair – Voting Member |
Jim Harris | J. R. Harris & Co. | Vice Chair – Voting Member |
Kelly Cobeen, Jim Harris | PUC Liaison | |
Emily Guglielmo | Martin Martin | Voting Member |
Rupa Garai | SOM | Voting Member |
Hussain Bhatia | HCAI (OSHPD) | Voting Member |
Omar Amini | AWC | Voting Member |
Cody Furrow | MKA | Voting Member |
Nathalie Boeholt | City of Seattle | Corresponding Member |
Christina Aaronson | FEMA | Corresponding Member |
Silvia Mazzone | UCLA | Corresponding Member |
Alex Hu | Gold Land Architects and Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Kari Klaboe | Wiss Janney Elstner | Corresponding Member |
S. K. Ghosh | S.K. Ghosh Associates | Corresponding Member |
Nik Blanchette | ZFA | Corresponding Member |
Diogo Zignago | GEI | Corresponding Member |
Jeremy Atkinson | Kor Engineering | Corresponding Member |
Insung Kim | Degenkolb | Corresponding Member |
Koray Tureyen | Wiss Janney Elstner | Corresponding Member |
Brent Chancellor | Wiss Janney Elstner | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Bob Hanson | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
Mike Tong | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
JoAnn Browning | UTSA | BSSC Board Liaison |
The primary focus areas for Issue Team #7 will be to reduce the limitations and inefficiencies associated with the current nonlinear analysis code requirements. Our desire is to make the use of nonlinear procedures more widespread for the design of new structures. This will allow for more efficient structural designs and provide engineers with a better understanding of how buildings will respond to major seismic events. It is anticipated that this will include review of the current requirement that buildings first be designed using the Chapter 12 linear procedures to see if this requirement can be relaxed or removed to allow engineers more flexibility in the design process, while ensuring that the structure meets the reliability targets defined by the code. Other items such as the need for consideration of accidental torsion and the current conservative limits on damping will be studied to determine if they are warranted given that nonlinear models can explicitly capture the structural behavior related to the current restrictive requirements.
Additional topics for study include review of the current drift requirements to see if they are in alignment with the code reliability targets, clarifications and guidance on nonlinear modeling of elements, and consideration of the valid range of modeling. Issue Team #7 will work closely with many other Issue Teams, specifically Issue Team #3 Ground Motions and Geotechnical to consider changes to the current requirements for number of motions, scaling of motions, and modifications to the spectral matching requirements.
We will also develop long-term study ideas that will likely span into the next cycle, including consideration of material and component strength variability in the analysis process, and expanded probabilistic approaches to meet the code reliability targets.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Russ Berkowitz | Forell | Elsesser Engineers | Chair |
Kevin Aswegan | Magnusson Klemencic Associates | Vice Chair |
Bob Pekelnicky | Degenkolb Engineers | PUC Liaison |
Wassim Ghannoum | University of Texas, San Antonio | Voting Member |
Silvia Mazzoni | UCLA | Voting Member |
Insung Kim | Degenkolb Engineers | Voting Member |
Andrew Sen | Marquette University | Voting Member |
Jordan Jarrett | Colorado State University | Voting Member |
Kristijan Kolozvari | California State Fullerton University | Voting Member |
Daniel Gaspar | Degenkolb Engineers | Voting Member |
Mahmoud Hachem | Earthquake Solutions | Voting Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Mike Tong | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
JoAnn Browning | UTSA | BSSC Board Liaison |
This Issue Team will bring to culmination work that was started in the 2015 NEHRP Provisions cycle and continued through the 2020 NEHRP Provisions cycle.
NAME | AFFILIATION | Role |
---|---|---|
S. K. Ghosh | S. K. Ghosh Associates LLC | Chair |
Kelly Cobeen | Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc | Vice Chair |
Nick Blanchette | ZFA Consulting | Voting Member |
Matthew Eatherton | Virginia Tech | Voting Member |
Ron LaPlante | Division of the State Architect | Voting Member |
John Lawson | Architectural Engineering Cal Poly | Voting Member |
David McCormick | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Voting Member |
Thomas Meyer | Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle | Voting Member |
Ben Schaeffer | Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD | Voting Member |
Christina Aronson | Federal Emergency Management Agency | Corresponding Member |
Pat Bodwell | Verco Deck | Corresponding Member |
Scott Breneman | WoodWorks – Wood Products Council | Corresponding Member |
Jared E. Brewe | Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute | Corresponding Member |
J. Daniel Dolan | Washington State University | Corresponding Member |
Ngai-Chi Chung | Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance | Corresponding Member |
Jeff Dragovich | DeSimone Consulting Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Erica C. Fischer | School of Civil and Construction Engineering Oregon State University |
Corresponding Member |
John M. Hochwalt | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Ihsan Keckin | Bogazici University | Corresponding Member |
Brian Kehoe Wiss | Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. | Corresponding Member |
Dominic J. Kelly | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Corresponding Member |
Dawn Lehman | University of Washington | Corresponding Member |
Philip Line | American Wood Council | Corresponding Member |
Mahsa Mahdavian | ASC Steel Deck | Corresponding Member |
Bonnie Manley | American Iron and Steel Institute | Corresponding Member |
Dion Marriott | Holmes Structures | Corresponding Member |
Andrew W. Taylor | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Mai (Mike) Tong | Federal Emergency Management Agency | Corresponding Member |
Shahab Torabian | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Corresponding Member |
Robert Tremblay | Corresponding Member | |
Alex W. Wilson, PE | Magnusson Klemencic Associates | awilson@mka.com |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Roberto Leon | Virginia Tech | BSSC Board Liaison |
Develop general guidance for design that is non-material dependent to harmonize the design approach to building utilizing rocking structural systems (walls and frames) to reduce seismic demand or increase resiliency. Provide guidance for the design of material specific structural and non-structural systems for designers and standard writing organizations to consider.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
J. Daniel Dolan | Washington State University | Chair |
Jim Malley | Degenkolb Engineers | Vice Chair |
Dan Dolan | Washington State University | PUC Liaison |
Mohammad ElGawady | Missouri S&T | Voting Member |
Brian Bogh | Nucore (Vulcraft/Verco Group) | Voting Member |
Constantin Christopoulos | University of Toronto | Voting Member |
Jeff Berman | University of Washington | Voting Member |
Jakub Valigura | ARUP | Corresponding Member |
Mike Montgomery | Kinetica | Corresponding Member |
Shiling Pie | Colorado School of Mines | Corresponding Member |
John Wallace | University of California- Los Angeles | Corresponding Member |
Reid Zimmerman | KPFF Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Matthew Speicher | NIST | Corresponding Member |
David Mar | Mar Structural Design | Corresponding Member |
Matthew Eatherton | Virginia Tech | Corresponding Member |
Tal Feinstein | Exponent | Corresponding Member |
Brent Chancellor | WJE | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Greg Deierlein | Stanford University | Voting Member |
Marcus Freeman | MKA | Corresponding Member |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Bob Hanson | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
Mike Tong | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
Tobias Smith | PTL Structural Consultants | Corresponding Member |
Develop provisions for engineers to use to design buried structures such as tunnels, buried tanks, or parking garages. This is currently missing in ASCE 7. (potential new sections in Ch 12 and Ch15). The IT chair is still working on the IT membership.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Bret Lizundia | R&C | Chair |
Sandy Hohener | Degenkolb Engineers | Vice Chair |
CB Crouse | AECOM | Voting Member |
Mahmoud Hachem | Earthquake Solutions | Voting Member |
Marty Hudson | Turner Construction / UCLA | Voting Member |
Gyimah Kasali | RUTHERFORD + CHEKENE | Voting Member |
Eric Lidquist | Brierley Associates | Voting Member |
Greg Soules | CB&I Storage Solutions | Voting Member |
Paul Summers | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. | Voting Member |
Jon Stewart | UCLA | Voting Member |
John Tehaney | Stantec | Voting Member |
Benan Naji Zahawi | Stantec | Voting Member |
Amit Varma | Purdue University | Voting Member |
Bob Bachman | Consultant | Corresponding Member |
Josh Gebelein | Parsons | Corresponding Member |
John Hochwalt | KPFF | Corresponding Member |
Ishan Keskin | Bogazici University | Corresponding Member |
Neal Simon Kwong | USGS | Corresponding Member |
Rahul Sharma | Hohbach-Lewin | Corresponding Member |
Prakash Singh | Univ. of British Columbia | Corresponding Member |
Seth Thomas | KPFF | IT1 Liaison |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Christina Aronson | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
The current ASCE 7-22 Chapter 17 provisions for seismically isolated structures have not been robustly benchmarked to the risk targets/probabilities of collapse contained in Chapter 1. Furthermore, as currently written, the ASCE 7-22 Chapter 17 provisions do not significantly distinguish between Risk Categories II, III and IV. Issue Team 11 will perform analytical studies and convene expert opinions to propose modifications, if appropriate, to the ASCE 7-22 Chapter 17 provisions to align the design of seismically isolated structures with the standard’s stated risk targets/probabilities of collapse. The results of this work will also inform recommendations for changes to ASCE 7-22 Chapter 18 provisions for structures with damping (potentially to be addressed in future cycles).
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Andrew Whittaker | SUNY Buffalo | Chair |
Reid Zimmerman | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Vice Chair, PUC Liaison |
Ian Aiken | SIE Inc. | Voting Member |
Charlie Kircher | Kircher and Associates | Voting Member |
Robert Pekelnicky | Degenkolb | Voting Member |
Robert Bachman | Robert Bachman Consulting | Corresponding Member |
Tracy Becker | University of California Berkeley | Corresponding Member |
Geoff Bomba | Forell Elsesser Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Nico Luco | USGS | Corresponding Member |
Keri Ryan | University of Nevada Reno | Corresponding Member |
Andrew Taylor | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Aaron Yung | SGH | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Bob Hanson | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
There are scenarios where it would be beneficial to have a seismic design pathway that employs only strength requirements and does not include ductile detailing and capacity design requirements. Such a design pathway would aim to provide reliable earthquake performance through elastic structural response. This issue team will examine structural design for strength vs. ductility and evaluate the potential for implementing an elastic design pathway. Considerations include: lateral systems and structure types where elastic design could be used, appropriate design strength level, uncertainty in seismic hazard, proportioning of diaphragms and collectors, and implications for nonstructural components. Prior research and current practice that are pertinent to this topic will be studied and used to develop a code change proposal or a background document describing additional research needed to support a future code change proposal.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Larry Fahnestock | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Chair |
Rupa Garai | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill | Vice-Chair |
Robert Bachman | Bachman Consulting | Voting Member |
Irfan Baig | LeMessurier. | Voting Member |
Timothy Cullen | Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute | Voting Member |
Jeff Dragovich | DeSimone Consulting Engineers | Voting Member |
Josh Gebelein | Parsons | Voting Member |
Thomas Heausler | Heausler Structural | Voting Member |
John Hochwalt | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Voting Member, PUC Liaison |
Brian Kehoe | Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates | Voting Member |
Roberto Leon | Virginia Tech | Voting Member |
Silvia Mazzoni | University of California, Los Angeles | Voting Member |
Matthew Speicher | National Institute of Standards and Technology | Voting Member |
Andrew Stark | Uzun + Case | Voting Member |
Seth Thomas | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Voting Member |
Gloria Faraone | San Diego State University | Corresponding Member |
Emily Guglielmo | Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers | Corresponding Member |
Bob Hanson | Federal Emergency Management Agency | Corresponding Member, FEMA Liaison |
Jim Harris | J.R. Harris & Company | Corresponding Member |
Bonnie Manley | American Iron and Steel Institute | Corresponding Member |
Rafael Sabelli | Walter P Moore | Corresponding Member |
Robert Tremblay | Polytechnique Montreal | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Mai Tong | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
JoAnn Browning | UTSA | BSSC Board Liaison |
There are some who argue that despite the large number of systems currently defined in the building code, there are still too many limitations on what a responsible structural engineer can do. From this point of view, one just has moment frames, braced frames, and shear walls, each of which comes with many prescriptive requirements. How can we encourage creativity and maintain safety, but not trigger a full alternative means of compliance and peer review when something a bit different is desired?
The IT membership is to be updated.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
David Mar | Mar Structure Design | Chair |
Rafael Sabelli | Walter P. Moore | Vice Chair, PUC Liaison |
Greg Deierlein | Stanford | Voting Member |
Rupa Garai | SOM | Voting Member |
Greg Luth | GPLSE | Voting Member |
James Malley | Degenkolb | Voting Member |
Justin Marshall | Durafuse | Voting Member |
Laura Rendos | MKA | Voting Member |
Geoff Bomba | Forell Elsesser | Corresponding Member |
Larry Fahnestock | UoI | Corresponding Member |
Daniel Gaspar | Degenkolb | Corresponding Member |
Charlie Kircher | Kircher Associates | Corresponding Member |
Dawn Lehman | UW | Corresponding Member |
Bonnie Manley | AISI | Corresponding Member |
Sean McGowan | FEMA | Corresponding Member |
Adam Phillips | WSA | Corresponding Member |
Barbara Simpson | Stanford | Corresponding Member |
Jakub Valigura | Arup | Corresponding Member |
Amit Varma | Purdue | Corresponding Member |
Jordan Jarrett | Colorado State University | Corresponding Member |
Jose Restrepo | UC San Diego | Corresponding Member |
John Hooper | MKA | PUC Chair |
Jiqiu Yuan | NIBS | BSSC Executive Director |
Christina Aronson | FEMA | FEMA Liaison |
The Functional Recovery Task Committee is charged with developing technical proposals and other resources regarding design of new buildings to meet post-earthquake functional recovery performance objectives within the context of the 2026 NEHRP Provisions. These technical proposals and other resources will also serve as source material for proposals for possible adoption and use in other codes and standards for new buildings such as ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures and the International Building Code. The Functional Recovery Task Committee oversees Topic Subcommittees (TS) established to study particular topic areas, including at least the five topic subcommittees described below, which will each develop proposals and other resources relevant the given topic area and its relationship to functional recovery objectives.
The Functional Recovery Task Committee and its Topic Subcommittees consist of members selected to create a depth of expertise in the subject matter and a breadth of experience across the industry stakeholder groups, including practicing engineers, researchers, architects, owners, planners, business continuity experts, public policy advocates, those active in development of applicable codes and standards. Members also include liaisons to other related federal activities or agencies including BSSC, NIBS, PUC, FEMA, NIST, and USGS, and members involved in the efforts of other organizations including, but not limited to, ASCE/SEI, ATC, EERI, and SEAOC.
A Steering Committee provides support to subcommittee leadership, assists with coordinating activities of the subcommittees, and facilitates collaboration among the subcommittees. The Steering Committee consists of the chair and vice-chair of the FR TC, the chair and vice-chair of each TS, a liaison from the PUC, and a liaison from the ATC-138 project team.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Ryan Kersting | Buehler Engineering | Chair |
Abbie Liel | Univ. of Colorado - Boulder | Vice Chair |
Bob Pekelnicky | Degenkolb Engineers | PUC Liaison |
Lucy Arendt | St. Norbert's College - School of Business | Voting Member |
David Bonowitz | Private Consulting | Voting Member |
Jonathan Buckalew | Nabih Youssef Structural Engineers | Voting Member |
Phil Caldwell | Schneider Electric (ret.) | Voting Member |
Dustin Cook | NIST | Voting Member |
Emily Guglielmo | Martin/Martin | Voting Member |
Ron Hamburger | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Voting Member |
Curt Haselton | CSU-Chico & Haselton Baker Risk Group | Voting Member |
Jon Heintz | Applied Technology Council | Voting Member |
Carlos Molina Hutt | Univ. of British Columbia - Vancouver | Voting Member |
Anna Lang | Zylient | Voting Member |
Bret Lizundia | Rutherford + Chekene | Voting Member |
Kevin Moore | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Voting Member |
Jon Siu | Private Consulting (ret. building official) | Voting Member |
Jeff Soulages | Intel | Voting Member |
Greg Soules | CB&I | Voting Member |
Jakub Valigura | Arup | Voting Member |
Steve Winkel | The Preview Group | Voting Member |
Daniel Zepeda | Degenkolb Engineers | Voting Member |
Reid Zimmerman | KPFF Consulting Engineers | Voting Member |
Christina Aronson | FEMA | Voting Member (FEMA) |
Siamak Sattar | NIST | Voting Member (NIST) |
Nico Luco | USGS | Voting Member (USGS) |
Tamika Bassman | Arup | Corresponding Member |
Karyn Beebe | International Code Council | Corresponding Member |
Alice Chang-Richards | University of Auckland, New Zealand | Corresponding Member |
Jon-Paul Cardin | American Iron and Steel Institute | Corresponding Member |
Gary Ehrlich | National Association of Home Builders | Corresponding Member |
Erica Fischer | Oregon State University | Corresponding Member |
Julie Furr | Smith Seckman Reid | Corresponding Member |
SK Ghosh | SK Ghosh & Associates | Corresponding Member |
Nathan Gould | ABS Consulting | Corresponding Member |
Jennifer Goupil | ASCE/SEI | Corresponding Member |
Laurie Johnson | Private Consulting | Corresponding Member |
Maha Kenawy | Oklahoma State University | Corresponding Member |
Charlie Kircher | Private Consulting | Corresponding Member |
Ron Larsen | U.S. General Services Administration | Corresponding Member |
Jay Larson | American Iron and Steel Institute | Corresponding Member |
Mike Mahoney | Private Consulting | Corresponding Member |
Bonnie Manley | American Institute of Steel Construction | Corresponding Member |
Therese "Terri" McAllister | NIST | Corresponding Member |
Keith Porter | Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction | Corresponding Member |
Don Scott | Private Consulting | Corresponding Member |
Tommy Sidebottom | ZFA Structural Engineers | Corresponding Member |
John Van de Lindt | Colorado State University | Corresponding Member |
Kent Yu | SEFT Consulting | Corresponding Member |
Bob Hanson | FEMA | FEMA Technical Advisor |
Mai Tong | FEMA | FEMA Project Officer and Liaison |
John Hooper | Magnusson Klemencic Associates | PUC Ex Officio |
JQ Yuan | NIBS / BSSC | PUC Ex Officio |
This Topic Subcommittee will begin with the definition of Functional Recovery provided in FEMA P-2090 / NIST SP-1254 and will continue to define key terms and concepts in order to develop and implement functional recovery provisions for the design of new buildings and other structures. This effort will also leverage work currently being conducted under the ATC-138 project to identify requirements and pre-requisites for achieving re-occupancy and for achieving functional recovery, including consideration of what is considered basic intended function for various building occupancy types; what amount of damage is acceptable to still occupy or be able to reoccupy a building and to maintain or restore basic intended function; and when and what types of temporary repairs and other alternatives may be appropriate in order to achieve functional recovery more quickly.
In completing these tasks, the subcommittee is expected to leverage work already completed by other groups that has been documented in available publications, including the FEMA-NIST report, FEMA P-2055, RP-1 from Part 3 of 2020 NEHRP Provisions, the ATC-138 project, a paper in the 2020 SEAOC Convention Proceedings by Buckalew and Lang, and other publications. Significant interaction, and some iteration, is expected to be necessary between all subcommittees as TS #1 develops defines the terms, describes these concepts, and establishes related criteria. Additional subject matter experts will be engaged for discussion of specific topics.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Jon Heintz | Applied Technology Council | TS Chair |
Jonathan Buckalew | Nabih Youssef Structural Engineers | TS Vice Chair |
David Bonowitz | Private Consulting | Primary Member |
Susan Dowty | International Code Council | Primary Member |
Ron Hamburger | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Primary Member |
Curt Haselton | CSU-Chico & Haselton Baker Risk Group | Primary Member |
Mike Mahoney | Private Consulting | Primary Member |
Therese "Terri" McAllister | NIST | Primary Member |
Kevin Moore | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Primary Member |
Don Scott | Private Consulting | Primary Member |
Jon Siu | Private Consulting (ret. building official) | Primary Member |
Jeff Soulages | Intel | Primary Member |
Steve Winkel | The Preview Group | Primary Member |
This Topic Subcommittee will further explore the concept and use of Functional Recovery Categories discussed in FEMA P-2090 / NIST SP-1254 as a tool for identifying groups of occupancies or services with similar functional recovery time objectives for the purpose of implementing appropriate design provisions. This effort will specifically focus on developing a proposal for an appropriate number of categories and an appropriate range of performance metrics for each category. The performance metrics could consider multiple parameters that define performance. For example, one metric might be the type and amount of damage that can be allowed relative to a certain targeted functional recovery time. While TS #2 will propose the number of categories and associated performance metrics, the assignment of certain occupancies/services to those categories will be the focus of TS #3 based on understanding the implication of the performance metric on a particular occupancy or service. The results from the ATC-138 project will inform this work in terms of providing an understanding of the level of accuracy and precision that is available in the current methodology for determining expected functional recovery time of a particular building (thus, also relating to the scope of TS #4 regarding development of design provisions to meet functional recovery objectives for each category).
In completing these tasks, the subcommittee is expected to leverage work already completed by other groups that has been documented in available publications, including the FEMA-NIST report, FEMA P-2055, RP-1 from Part 3 of 2020 NEHRP Provisions, the ATC-138 project, the NIST CRPG, efforts by SPUR, current NIST projects, and other publications. Collaboration, and some degree of iteration, is expected to be needed between TS #2, TS #3, and TS #4 regarding these concepts. Additional subject matter experts will be engaged for discussion of specific topics.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Jakub Valigura | Arup | TS Chair |
Siamak Sattar | NIST | TS Vice Chair |
Tamika Bassman | Arup | Primary Member |
David Bonowitz | Private Consulting | Primary Member |
Curt Haselton | CSU-Chico & Haselton Baker Risk Group | Primary Member |
Kevin Moore | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Primary Member |
Keith Porter | Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction | Primary Member |
Tommy Sidebottom | ZFA | Primary Member |
Daniel Zepeda | Degenkolb Engineers | Primary Member |
This Topic Subcommittee will be focused on exploring and assigning the functional recovery time objectives based on types of occupancies and services. This effort will build from the public workshops held for the FEMA P-2090 / NIST SP-1254 report development, including the additional detailed results reported in NIST SP-1269, and will leverage additional work conducted by NIST and others on the topic of acceptable functional recovery times. Understanding that these topics are less about the engineering side of performance and more about the impacts of performance on the basic needs and services within a community, the members of TS #3 will need to have expertise in a breadth of topics like community planning, economics, business continuity, emergency management, and other social sciences. This subcommittee will assign occupancies and services to the functional recovery categories developed by TS #2 based on the target functional recovery time assigned to each category and when a community needs that occupancy or service to be available after an earthquake. TS #3 is also expected to collaborate with TS #1 and TS #2 on other metrics and terms being used to describe performance, particularly for the way those metrics and terms will be communicated to the general public so that they can understand the performance that should be expected from buildings designed for functional recovery performance. This subcommittee will also provide input to TS #2 as it develops definitions of key terms and concepts, particularly regarding basic intended functions of various occupancy types, and the related design provisions developed by TS #4 that considers the impact of component behavior on being able to provide basic intended function. Another important role for TS #3 is to discuss whether the target functional recovery time would be consistent or might vary depending on the different hazard levels being considered by TS #5.
In completing these tasks, the subcommittee is expected to leverage work already completed by other groups that has been documented in available publications, including the FEMA-NIST report, FEMA P-2055, NIST SP-1269, the ATC-138 project, the NIST CRPG, efforts by SPUR, current NIST projects, and other publications. Significant interaction, and some iteration, is expected to be necessary between all subcommittees as TS #3 develops target functional recovery times for various occupancies and services. Additional subject matter experts will be engaged for discussion of specific topics.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Anna Lang | Zylient | TS Chair |
Lucy Arendt | St. Norbert's College - School of Business | TS Vice Chair |
Meg Ackerson | Arup | Primary Member |
David Bonowitz | Private Consulting | Primary Member |
Mary Comerio | University of California, Berkeley | Primary Member |
Julie Furr | Rimkus Consulting Group | Primary Member |
Laurie Johnson | Private Consulting | Primary Member |
Siamak Sattar | NIST | Primary Member |
Jon Siu | Private Consulting (ret. building official) | Primary Member |
Brian Strong | City of San Francisco | Primary Member |
Steve Winkel | The Preview Group | Primary Member |
This Topic Subcommittee will work to develop design provisions for new buildings to meet the functional recovery time objective assigned to each functional recovery category and will therefore be in close coordination with TS #2 and TS #3 in particular. This effort will use the functional recovery time methodology developed by the ATC-138 project to quantify functional recovery time expectations for various buildings designed to current code provisions and then explore ways to revise those provisions, when/if needed, to improve functional recovery time for certain buildings to meet the intended objectives. This group will also consider design approaches already implemented voluntarily by certain designers, owners, and jurisdictions, as well as strategies identified in other work including FEMA P-2090 / NIST SP-1254, current NIST projects, and the “Resilience-based Design” Resource Paper from the 2020 NEHRP Provisions. TS #4 will also work closely with TS #5 regarding setting performance objectives relative to hazard level, as discussed in more detail below.
In completing these tasks, the subcommittee is expected to leverage work already completed by other groups that has been documented in available publications, including the FEMA-NIST report, the ATC-138 project, RP-1 from Part 3 of 2020 NEHRP Provisions, current NIST projects, and other publications. Significant interaction, and some iteration, is expected to be necessary between all subcommittees as TS #4 develops design provisions for each Functional Recovery Category. Additional subject matter experts will be engaged for discussion of specific topics.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Reid Zimmerman | KPFF Consulting Engineers | TS Chair |
Carlos Molina Hutt | Univ. of British Columbia - Vancouver | TS Vice Chair |
Ibbi Almufti | Arup | Primary Member |
Dustin Cook | NIST | Primary Member |
Tim Hart | Berkeley Lab | Primary Member |
Curt Haselton | CSU-Chico & Haselton Baker Risk Group | Primary Member |
Tara Hutchinson | University of California, San Diego | Primary Member |
Bret Lizundia | Rutherford + Chekene | Primary Member |
Roy Lobo | CA HCAI (formerly OSHPD) | Primary Member |
This Topic Subcommittee will explore the hazard level(s) applicable for functional recovery performance objectives. The FEMA P-2090 / NIST SP-1254 report includes a discussion about hazard level for functional recovery and mentioned three options: a uniform-hazard approach, a risk-based approach similar to the approach used for safety-based objectives in current codes, or a scenario-based approach for regions with well-defined risk on a known fault. These options were explored further during FEMA’s Functional Recovery Workshop in August, 2022. The participants in the workshop were interested in exploring a risk-based approach for functional recovery with the understanding that a singular design hazard could be used and that additional discussion may be needed to understand what functional recovery times are provided at certain hazard levels by a risk-based approach. On these topics, TS #5 will need to work closely with TS #3 and TS #4. The collaboration with TS #3 will be focused on understanding whether a risk-based approach needs to explicitly address risk associated with meeting or exceeding specific functional recovery time targets at different hazard levels, or whether a risk-based approach could instead address risk of meeting or exceeding a functional recovery time target over the life of the building given the probabilities of being subjected to different earthquake ground motion intensities, whether or not that still, but implicitly, provides specific functional recovery times at different hazard levels. Once the risk-based performance targets are understood, TS #5 will likely be iterating with TS #4 regarding the selection of a singular design ground motion parameter that will result in an acceptable level of risk when used in combination with other design criteria being established by TS #4.
In completing these tasks, the subcommittee is expected to leverage work already completed by other groups that has been documented in available publications, including the FEMA-NIST report, the ATC-138 project, current NIST projects, USGS expertise, and other publications. Significant collaboration, and some degree of iteration, is expected to be needed between TS #5, TS #4, and TS #3 regarding these concepts. Additional subject matter experts will be engaged for discussion of specific topics.
Name | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|
Dustin Cook | NIST | TS Chair |
Nico Luco | USGS | TS Vice Chair |
Jack Baker | Stanford University & Haselton Baker Risk Group | Primary Member |
Phil Caldwell | Schneider Electric (ret.) | Primary Member |
Emily Guglielmo | Martin/Martin | Primary Member |
Ron Hamburger | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Primary Member |
Omar Issa | Stanford University - Blume EERC | Primary Member |
Charlie Kircher | Private Consulting | Primary Member |
Ron Larsen | U.S. General Services Administration | Primary Member |
Yolanda Lin | University of New Mexico | Primary Member |
Greg Soules | CB&I | Primary Member |
Introduction to 2024 Edition of the IRC/IBC Seismic Design Category Maps and FEMA’s Building Code Strategy Implementation to Advance National Building Code Adoption
Seismic design maps illustrate the varying earthquake demands considered in the design of buildings and other structures across the U.S. and territories. These maps also provide general earthquake hazard information and informing earthquake risk reduction projects. Learn more
FEMA/BSSC 2020 NEHRP Provisions Design Examples Webinar Series
The webinar series is organized by the eight chapters in the 2020 NEHRP Recommended Provisions: Design Examples, and serves as part the FEMA NEHRP/BSSC outreach and education effort. Registration for the webinar series is free (space is limited). CEUs (for AIA and ICC) and certificates of attendance for PDHs and will be provided to those who attend the live webinars. Learn more
BSSC COUNCIL MEETING AND SYMPOSIUM ON 2020 NEHRP PROVISIONS
Developed by the National Institute of Building Sciences Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) Provisions Update Committee (PUC) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures (NEHRP Provisions) help translate new knowledge and recent research results for improving national standards and codes. The Provisions are a state-of-art resource and reference document for design professionals and standard and code-development organizations. Learn more
Should you have any additional questions about the Building Seismic Safety Council or would like to know more about the council's activities, please contact:
Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan, PhD, PE, PMP
Chief Resilience Officer
National Institute of Building Sciences