Lehigh University

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JAMES R. HARRIS

Principal
J. R. Harris & Company

The Evolution of Building Design to Earthquake Resistance
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Friday, February 21st, 2014– 4:30 pm

Location: Sinclair Lab Auditorium, Lehigh University, 7 Asa Drive, Bethlehem, PA

Overview:

Much of the history of the development of design approaches and building code provisions for seismic resistance in the United States is in direct response to damaging earthquakes.  The early work was largely empirical.  The fundamentals of an analytical mechanics approach were created in the middle of the 20th century, and over the past half century there has been a considerable amount of theoretical development and laboratory validation.  The economic and social impact of large earthquakes is very consequential, and the technical aspects of the problem are challenging.  Modern computing power coupled with new analytical techniques and better characterization of the demand from ground shaking are making possible much more realistic approaches to achieving the desired performance in future earthquakes.

MORE DETAILS available on Harris's presentation. (PDF)

 

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JON D. MAGNUSSON

Senior Principal
Magnusson Klemencic Associates

Observations on AASHTO Bridge Design
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Friday, March 21st, 2014– 4:30 pm

Location: Sinclair Lab Auditorium, Lehigh University, 7 Asa Drive, Bethlehem, PA

Overview:

Architects are exploring forms and aesthetics that were impossible to realize as recently as ten years ago.  Today almost anything appears possible. 

This presentation will explore how many “impossible dreams” were conceptualized, designed, and built.  From the swoopy curves of Frank Gehry’s Experience Music Project to the crisp angularity of the Rem Koolhaus Seattle Central Library…architects are truly exploring the boundaries of the possible. Each of these projects succeeded by creating a different set of engineering solutions ranging from inventing new structural systems to advanced construction methodology to seismic isolation.  The presentation will finish with a look to the future with another generation of exotic architecture pushing technology forward.

MORE DETAILS availalable on Magnusson's presentation. (PDF)

 

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CHARLES H. THORNTON

Chairman
Charles H. Thornton & Company, LLC

Renaissance, Rebirth and Disruptive Innovation
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Friday, April 11th, 2014– 4:30 pm

Location: Sinclair Lab Auditorium, Lehigh University, 7 Asa Drive, Bethlehem, PA

Overview:

After 50 years with Thornton Tomasetti and its prior companies, Dr. Thornton reinvented himself by getting into new technologies, disruptive innovations and  new challenges. Starting in 2005, when  he stepped  down as Chairman, stockholder and founding principal of Thornton Tomasetti, he formed  four new companies – a management and engineering firm called, Charles H Thornton and Company LLC, a  technology and structural health monitoring company called STRAAM LTD, and TTG, an industrialized,  prefabricated construction entity which can build mid- to high-rise buildings in one half the time with a savings of approximately 20 to 30% in cost, and finally  AECOS LTD, a systems integration company which is presently working on many projects utilizing the TTG system and an automated parking system. Dr. Thornton will present information about all four of these companies.

Furthermore he has written a memoir entitled “Charles H Thornton: a Life of Elegant Solutions.” This book will be published in the fall of 2013 and will be available on April 11, 2014. All proceeds from book sales generally go to the Ace Mentor Program of America which was founded by Charles H Thornton. Any books sold on April 11 will be at a discounted price  with the proceeds going 50% to ACE and 50% to the Fazlur R. Khan Endowment Fund.

MORE DETAILS available on Thornton's presentation. (PDF)

 

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2014 Fazlur R. Khan Distinguished Lecture Series Announcement Flyer (PDF)