About the author ⁄ Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE

Donald Dusenberry is Chair of the ASCE 59 Committee (donalddusenberry@gmail.com).

Blast Protection of Buildings

Revisions to ASCE/SEI 59

The events of 9/11 changed many owners’ perceptions of the risk to their facilities. Their fear of malicious threats thrust practicing structural engineers into an unfamiliar role. As a result, structural engineers needed to learn how to quantify and analyze for blast effects as they assisted their private clients with the evaluation of threats to their facilities and the means to provide prudent, reasonable, and effective resistance. In response, the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) developed a new standard, ASCE/SEI 59 Blast Protection of Buildings (ASCE 2011), describing how engineers could design blast resistance into structures.

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Oct, 2022 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Structural Performance Comments 0

9/11 in the Conversation about Disproportionate Collapse

On this month’s anniversary of the attack on 9/11, we remember the lives lost on that day and in the subsequent years while addressing the aftermath. We remember the shock and anger we felt when our world changed. We grapple with our role in preventing tragedies like that.

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Sep, 2021 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Editorial Comments 0

Performance-Based Design is the Future

We, as structural engineers, often find ourselves confined by a situation we created for ourselves. We operate in a design environment with easy access to information, have the ability to collect and analyze extensive data, and have access to robust and reliable analysis and design software. Nevertheless, prescriptive codes and standards we have developed prevent us from fully leveraging these capabilities. As we face multiple goals for our designs – safety, economy, serviceability, sustainability, and robustness – we can be constrained to follow a prescriptive path to a solution that often does not optimally satisfy any of them. …

Feb, 2019 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In InSights Comments 1

Strategic Planning at the Structural Engineering Institute

Among its many activities, the SEI Board of Governors (the Board) is engaged in long-term strategic planning. Over the past few years, as part of the planning, the Board has met, conducted surveys, and formed task committees to study specific initiatives. In October 2013, one of the task committees issued A Vision for the Future of Structural Engineers and Structural Engineering: A Case for Change, a Vision for the Future Report that focuses on leadership and innovation skills (www.asce/SEI). Based in part on that report, in April 2014 the Board advanced several initiatives. …

Jun, 2014 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Articles, Editorial Comments 0

Highlighting Significant Changes in ASCE 7-10

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Jun, 2012 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Articles, Editorial Comments 0

Affordable Construction to Resist Extreme Events

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Sep, 2011 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Articles, Editorial

Solutions to Structural Distress in the South Tower of the Milwaukee City Hall

Part 2

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Jan, 2011 By Mark D. Webster, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, Gunjeet Juneja, P.E. and Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Feature

Investigation of Distress in the South Tower of the Milwaukee City Hall

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Nov, 2010 By Steven DelloRusso, P.E., Brent Gabby, P.E. and Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Feature

World Trade Center 5 Failure Analysis

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Feb, 2008 By Kevin J. LaMalva P.E., Jonathan R. Barnett, Ph.D. and Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Articles, Structural Forensics

Status Report on the New Standard for Blast Protection of Buildings

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Nov, 2005 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Articles, Noteworthy

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