Comparative Seismic Design for New Buildings (by the 1997 Uniform Building Code, the 2000 International Building Code, and the 1991 NEHRP Provisions), project funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through a contract administered by the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC). A cast-in-place reinforced concrete office building, a cast-in-place reinforced concrete residential building, a cast-in-place reinforced concrete school building, a precast concrete parking structure and a second cast-in-place reinforced concrete residential building were designed for different combinations of seismicity and soil conditions at site (24 designs in all for each set of seismic regulations). A summary of the study is planned to be published by the BSSC.

IBC Structural Handbook (published by ICBO): Chapters 16 and 19. This publication provides an in depth discussion of the IBC structural chapters. Dr. Ghosh developed the discussion, examples and exhibits for Chapters 16 and 19. He provides an historical perspective explaining why provisions were incorporated into the code, what they mean and how they will affect structural designs.  <Click to Order> 

UBC-IBC Structural Provisions Comparison and Cross Reference (published by ICBO): Chapters 16 and 19. This publication provides a section-by-section discussion of how the IBC is different than the UBC and the resulting impact. Dr. Ghosh provides valuable insight into the new provisions of IBC Chapters 16 and 19, which assists the code user in making the transition from the UBC to the IBC.

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Comparison of the Seismic Provisions of Model Building Codes and Standards to the 1997 NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Building and Fire Research Laboratory. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not the seismic and material design provisions of the International Building Code (IBC) 2000 edition, the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings 2000 edition, and ASCE 7-98 Minimum Design Load for Buildings and Other Structures are substantially equivalent to, or exceed, the 1997 NEHRP Provisions. A report containing the findings will be published by the NIST.

Development of structural portion of the E-CODES “Architect’s Guide to the IBC” web page of Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc., Chicago, IL.

Simplified Design of Slender Reinforced Concrete columns for the Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL. Objective is to clarify and simplify existing provisions for design of slender reinforced concrete columns and submit proposed changes to ACI 318, CSA A23.3, and AASHTO.

Development of seismic design commentary for Chapter 16 (Structural Design Requirements) and for Chapter 18 (Soils and Foundations) of the International Building Code, for the International Code Council, Falls Church, VA. Project is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through a contract administered by the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC).

BSSC 2003 NEHRP Provisions Code Change Project. S. K. Ghosh Associates entered into an agreement with BSSC to develop code changes for the 2003 IBC to reflect the approved change proposals for the 2000 NEHRP Provisions. This continued the tradition of implementing NEHRP into the building code.

2000 IBC Structural Q & A - Application Guide (published by ICBO). Susan Dowty compiled a comprehensive set of questions and answers pertaining to the 2000 IBC structural provisions. These questions reflect those asked by building officials, designers and builders on a regular basis. This publication serves to promote uniformity in the application and use of the 2000 IBC. <Click to Order>

Development of Publication, “Impact of the Seismic Design Provisions of the International Building Code” for the Alliance of Concrete Codes and Standards, Skokie, IL. Published by the Structures and Codes Institute, Palatine, IL. <Click to Order>

Development of white paper, “Impact of Model Code Seismic Provisions on Cements for Masonry and Masonry” for the Cements for Masonry Subcommittee of the Product Standards and Technology Committee of the Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL.

Consultation on selection of a structural system for Cisco Systems Site 7 Phase A Parking Structure 56, San Jose, CA for Watry Design Group, Redwood City, CA.

Development of paper, “Anchorage of Concrete or Masonry Walls to Diaphragms Providing Lateral Support.” for the Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL.

Comparison of the Seismic Provisions of the Building Code of the City of New York to the 1997 NEHRP Provisions; Comparison of the Wind Provisions of the Building Code of the City of New York to the ASCE 7-98 Standard: Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures for Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.

Comparison of the Seismic Provisions of the 1997 Uniform Building Code to the 1997 NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.

Comparison of the Seismic Provisions of Model Building Codes and Standards to the 1997 NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. The objective of the study was to determine whether or not the seismic and material design provisions of the 2000 edition of the International Building Code, the 2000 edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, and ASCE 7-98 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures were substantially equivalent to or exceeded, the 1997 NEHRP Provisions.

Comparative Impact of the 2000 IBC Structural Provisions on Concrete and Steel Structures for Concrete and Masonry Related Associations (CAMRA). The same parking garaged sited in Charleston, SC, was designed considering seismic as well as wind forces in cast-in-place (post-tensioned) concrete, precast (prestressed) concrete, and structural steel by the provisions in the 1997 Standard Building Code (SBC) and by the 2000 IBC.

Comparison of the Structural Provisions of the 2000 Edition of the International Building Code and the 2003 Edition of the NFPA Building Construction and Safety Code with the June 2002 Edition of H-18-8 Seismic Design Requirements issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (under a subcontract from Leo A. Daly, Omaha, NE).

World Trade Center Investigation Project #1, Analysis of Building and Fire Codes and Practices, for Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. Specific tasks included:

1. Document the design and construction of structural systems for World Trade Center Buildings 1,2, and 7.
2. Document the design and construction of fire protection systems for WTC Buildings 1, 2, and 7.
3. Document the fuel system for emergency power in WTC Building 7.
4. Compare building regulatory and code requirements.
5. Document the maintenance and modifications to structural, fire protection and egress systems.
   

The project was done in collaboration with Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc, New York, NY, and Rosenwasser/Grossman Consulting Engineers, P.C., New York, NY.

Peer Review of:

Seismic rehabilitation design for the McKay Building, Anchorage, Alaska for the Municipality of Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska.

Seismic retrofit of a parking structure under construction on the campus of California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo for Watry Design Group, Redwood City, CA.

Structural design for Alaska International Airport, Concourse C for the Municipality of Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska.

Structural design of a parking structure on the campus of the University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska for the Municipality of Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska.