Instructor Alexander Newman, P.E., F.ASCE Mr. Newman is a managing engineer in the Natick, Massachusetts, office of Exponent Failure Analysis Associates, a consulting firm investigating failures of an engineering or scientific nature, where he is responsible for building collapse and failure investigations. During nearly 30 years of professional practice, Mr. Newman has designed numerous projects around the country that involved wind and seismic building retrofit. His diverse engineering and managerial experience includes positions of principal structural engineer with a large A/E firm and project engineering and managerial positions with consulting engineering and contracting firms. Mr. Newman has authored many publications that appeared in the leading engineering magazines, including a number of award-winning articles. His authoritative reference book Structural Renovation of Buildings: Methods, Details, and Design Examples, was published by McGraw-Hill Book Company in 2001. He is author of another definitive book from McGraw-Hill,Metal Building Systems: Design and Specifications, now in its 2nd edition and translated into Chinese. Mr. Newman has conducted many educational seminars around the country for design professionals, building officials,owners and contractors. He has provided training for various organizations, professional groups, and government employees, including the U.S. State Department, U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the local chapters of the Construction Specification Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Society of American Military Engineers. Mr. Newman teaches Professional Engineering review courses at Northeastern University. Back to Top

Course Description When an addition, a major rearrangement of space, or even a change of an existing building occupancy is planned, the available capacity of the structure’s lateral-force-resisting system should be evaluated. Quite often, this capacity is insufficient, and the building needs strengthening. The building-code provisions for lateral-load retrofit are often unclear and contradictory. The literature on this subject tends to emphasize the theoretical aspects of the upgrade and typically focuses on improving resistance to seismic loads. Few publications discuss wind retrofit, and even fewer offer practical and easy-to-understand solutions for wind and seismic retrofit. This seminar fills the void by providing an overview of proven yet economical strategies and techniques for evaluation and strengthening buildings to resist lateral loads. A complete lateral-load retrofit of old buildings, whereby they are thoroughly strengthened to conform to the building-code provisions for new construction, sometimes proves neither economical nor practical. Indeed, the retrofit might cost more than building replacement! Many owners and architects have concluded that economic feasibility of their renovation projects often hinges on the structural engineer’s interpretation of the governing building code provisions relating to the extent of wind and seismic upgrade. Therefore, any successful project involving substantial building renovations should start with a careful code analysis – and this topic is among the first discussed in the seminar. The participants review typical code provisions for lateral-load retrofit and their common interpretations. The process of evaluating existing lateral-load resisting systems and investigating field conditions is discussed next. The participants explore the latest ASCE publications dealing with seismic evaluation (ASCE 31) and rehabilitation (ASCE 41) of existing buildings. The largest part of the seminar is devoted to specific methods of building upgrade for wind and seismic loads. Each major framing system -- steel, preengineered metal buildings, wood, concrete, and masonry – is addressed. The instructor explains how to reinforce building diaphragms of various types, how to incorporate new shear walls and braced frames into existing buildings, and how to strengthen walls, frames, and vertical bracing when needed. The proposed solutions include the traditional and proven approaches as well as new and emerging technologies. Several case studies illustrate the process of designing a program for lateral-load strengthening. The material will be particularly beneficial for those contemplating lateral-load retrofit in the areas of low and moderate seismicity, but the discussion covers building upgrade in all seismic regions. The opportunity to ask questions exists throughout the whole seminar as well as at the conclusion. Back to Top

Seminar Benefits Learn practical techniques for wind and seismic upgrade of buildings framed with steel,wood, concrete,and masonry Find out how to navigate difficult building code provisions dealing with retrofit for lateral loads and how to determine whether the building requires such a retrofit or not Explore the common areas of weakness in lateral-load resistance of existing building systems Discuss the cost-effective methods of repairing framing damaged by lateral loads Back to Top

Who should attend Structural and civil engineers and other design professionals seeking to broaden their knowledge of building upgrade for wind and seismic loading will benefit from attending this seminar. Despite the technical topic the instruction is kept enjoyable and easy to follow. Back to Top

Learning Objectives –Learn the “fine points” of code analysis for strengthening buildings to resist lateral loads Know the practical methods of strengthening floor and roof diaphragms made of various materials Become familiar with early practices of resisting wind and seismic loads. Discover when it is cost-effective to undertake a complete upgrade for lateral loads and when building replacement might be more economical Back to Top

Summary Outline Day One Why perform wind and seismic retrofit? Some basics of design for lateral loads Assessing building strength to resist hurricanes and earthquakes Typical retrofit procedures Retrofit of steel-framed buildings Retrofit of metal building systems Day Two Retrofit of wood-framed buildings Retrofit of concrete-framed buildings Retrofit of buildings with masonry walls Foundations work for wind and seismic retrofit Other lateral-load retrofit tasks Conclusions,Q&A Back to Top