Dr. S. K. Ghosh is known internationally for his work in earthquake engineering. He specializes in analyzing and designing reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, including wind- and earthquake-resistant designs. He has influenced seismic design provisions in the United States for many years by serving on or chairing numerous committees and advisory panels. Dr. Ghosh is active on many national technical committees; he is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), and an Honorary Member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI). He is a member of ACI Committee 318 and an Emeritus member of the ASCE 7 Standard Committee.
Dr. Ghosh heads the consulting practice, S.K. Ghosh Associates LLC (SKGA), in Palatine, IL, and provides code-related, seismic, and specialized structural consulting services in the United States and abroad. SKGA is now a subsidiary of the International Code Council (ICC).
Why did you decide to enter the field of structural engineering?
I grew up in India, where a particular profession is favored during a particular period. In my father’s time, it was the law; in my time, it was engineering; shortly after that, it became medicine; now it is IT. My father was very influential in the decision process; he strongly suggested civil engineering. However, when it came time to determine which area to focus on, I decided on structural engineering.
What do you consider your most significant contribution to the engineering profession?
The aspect of my career that gives me the most satisfaction is the opportunity I’ve had to teach so many other engineers, especially young engineers. A primary focus of SKGA is education. I’ve had the opportunity to teach hundreds of seminars and, more recently, webinars all over the world. One example in the mid-1990s was an annual 2½-day seminar titled “Engineering and Economics of Reinforced Concrete Buildings” for structural engineering professors. I think being able to train the trainers is an excellent way to impart the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the years.
During my brief academic career at the University of Illinois at Chicago, I supervised seven Ph. D. and five M.S. candidates, all of whom successfully completed their degree requirements. I also taught seven different courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago, one of which I developed.
What are some highlights of your building codes and standards work?
I served many years as Director of Engineering Services, Codes, and Standards for the Portland Cement Association (PCA). I supervised a sizable staff and administered a significant annual budget in that role. We generated publications and computer programs for use by structural engineers engaged in analyzing and designing reinforced concrete structures.
I was long an official observer on the Seismology Committee of the Structural Engineers Association of California, starting in the mid-1980s. In that capacity, I played a significant role in developing and passing the 1994 and 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) design provisions for reinforced concrete shear walls in regions of high seismicity. Those eventually found their way into ACI 318.
More recently, I played a leading role in developing and approving new diaphragm design provisions in ASCE 7-16 (more details about that appear in a March 2016 Structure Magazine article). I was also intimately involved in developments that have led to the inclusion of coupled shear wall systems as distinct seismic force-resisting systems in ASCE 7-22 (read more about that in the September 2022 issue of Structure Magazine).
I’ve been a member of the Provisions Update Committees of the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) since 1989. I’ve been involved in ACI 318 committee and subcommittee work since 1990. I served on the Masonry Standards Joint Committee for many years and withdrew after completion of the 2013 standard. I’ve also been a long-standing member of ASCE 7.
What about all the books and technical publications you have authored or co-authored?
In 2007, PCI published the first edition of its manual, Seismic Design of Precast/Prestressed Concrete Structures, which I co-authored with Ned Cleland. The second edition was published in 2012. This manual is the only book regarding this subject and is widely used by designers in the United States.
The book, Seismic and Wind Design of Concrete Buildings: 2000 IBC, ASCE 7-98, ACI 318-99, which I co-authored, was the only book of its kind at the time and was widely used by those engaged in the seismic design of concrete structures. The book was updated to the 2003, 2006, and 2009 codes and referenced standards. A predecessor book, Design of Concrete Structures for Earthquake and Wind Forces, which I also co-authored, was published jointly by PCA and the International Conference of Building Officials and was also widely used.
The 2000 IBC Handbook: Structural Provisions, which I co-authored, found wide acceptance. An update of part of this book, Application Guide for the 2003 IBC Concrete Provisions, was also published. The entire handbook was updated to the 2006 IBC and published by the International Code Council (ICC). The 2009 IBC Handbook: Structural Provisions is the latest available edition of the publication. An Application Guide for the 2012 IBC Concrete Provisions has also been published.
What leadership roles have you held, and what would you tell other engineers about stepping into leadership?
I was, until recently, a member of the Board of Governors of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of ASCE. I served as a member of the Board of Direction of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC). I’ve also chaired various technical conferences and BSSC Issue Teams.
I would tell other engineers that leadership roles provide you with opportunities to advance your profession, and there is much satisfaction in that.
You’ve received dozens of awards. Which one or two are most meaningful to you and why?
I think the two most meaningful were: Titan of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Industry Award, 2004, because the list of other recipients, such as T. Y. Lin, made me wonder how anyone could think I belonged in that company and 2) Walter P. Moore Jr. Award, Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), because of its association with Walter Moore whom I truly admired and because it is for my codes and standards work, which has been so important to me.
What advice would you give to younger engineers regarding a successful career path?
Try to understand what you are doing beyond the computer output. Make sure you comprehend things at the most basic level. For example, load path is the most fundamental concept a structural engineer must always keep in mind in the design process.
Who was your mentor or who influenced you most as a young engineer?
Mark Fintel brought me to PCA and groomed me to be his successor. Mark produced some great work in collaboration with Fazlur Khan. Two things he said have stayed with me all these years. The first was: “You and I have a nationwide constituency.” In other words, we had to be aware of questions and problems facing structural engineers no matter where in the country they were located and had to try to provide solutions. The second was: “No project is ever completely done until it is published.”
Closing thoughts?
After five decades in the profession, I still enjoy what I do. I have found structural engineers, in general, to be remarkably honest. Ours is a noble profession because we build, as opposed to destroying, and rebuild after destruction, which is God’s work.■