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INSTRUCTORS: 
George McCluskey, M.S., P.E., S.E.
Charles Hammond, P.E., S.E.
Anirudh Goel, P.E.
Paul Parfitt, P.E.
Travis Green, P.E., S.E.
Luciana Balsamo, Ph.D
Boris Weinstein, P.E.

Course Length: 2 hours

Sponsored by ASCE's Forensic Engineering Division

These presentations were recorded at the 2024 Forensic Engineering Congress.

Purpose and Background

Complexities in Building Repair After Urban Wildfires (26 minutes)

This presentation delves into the challenges of addressing building repairs after urban wildfires. Topics include the complexities of accessing burn zones due to multi-agency involvement, environmental hazards, and logistical constraints. The presenter highlights the need for thorough site assessments, balancing destructive and non-destructive testing methods, and adhering to jurisdiction-specific building codes. Case studies like the Lahaina wildfire are used to illustrate debris containment, structural safety, and cultural sensitivity considerations during reconstruction efforts.

Ashes to Answers: Understanding Fire-Related Structural Damage (21 minutes)

Focused on fire-related damage to structural materials, this presentation outlines methods for assessing the safety and repair needs of fire-impacted buildings. Emphasis is placed on analyzing temperature impacts on concrete and steel, using petrographic testing, and identifying critical damage zones like spalling or compromised reinforcement. The speakers present case studies, including vehicle fires in parking structures, showcasing repair techniques like core sampling, structural shoring, and targeted patch repairs to ensure safety and durability.

Post-Tensioning Deterioration in Buildings: Investigation and Repair Techniques (32 minutes)

This session explores the history, investigation, and repair of post-tensioned building systems, focusing on addressing durability issues such as corrosion and construction damage. It details methods for identifying strand deterioration, testing structural components, and designing effective repair strategies. Key considerations include balancing engineering judgment with testing data, ensuring proper strand placement, and addressing clearance challenges. Examples like the Watergate West project highlight practical approaches to repairing post-tensioned systems in existing structures.

Rehabilitation of the Bollinger Canopy of Peace at the National WWII Museum (27 minutes)

This presentation describes the rehabilitation of the Bollinger Canopy of Peace, a prominent architectural feature at the National WWII Museum. It focuses on the structural and logistical challenges of refurbishing this iconic structure. Topics include ensuring stability during repairs, addressing weather-related stressors, and employing advanced construction techniques. The discussion emphasizes the collaboration between engineers and contractors to preserve the canopy's integrity while enhancing its resilience.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of these sessions, you will be able to:

• Explain the logistical, environmental, and cultural challenges involved in assessing and repairing structures damaged by urban wildfires.
• Identify fire-related damage patterns in structural materials and analyze their implications for safety and repair strategies.
• Describe the investigation process for post-tensioning deterioration and list key repair techniques to address common issues.
• Define the structural challenges of rehabilitating large-scale architectural features and describe the methods used to enhance their durability.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are assessed and achieved through passing a 10 multiple choice question post-test with at least a 70%.

Who Should Attend?

• Architects
• Construction Engineers
• Forensic engineers
• Geotechnical engineers
• Structural engineers
• Transportation engineers

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

This course is worth 0.2 CEUs/2 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]