Kenneth O’Dell, S.E., Vice President and partner at MHP Structural Engineers, was recently invited by the Business Continuity Managers Association of the Philippines (BCMAP) as an expert guest speaker on the topic of seismic risk, reducing the risks, and the steps to take to prepare for when your organization is affected by an earthquake. Mr. O’Dell presented his “Considerations for Business Continuity in Seismically Active Regions” discussion on February 12, 2008 for BCMAP at the headquarters of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Manila, Philippines.

He was honored to share the podium with Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and Mr. Wilson Sy, VP, Aromin & Sy Structural Engineers, Makati, Philippines.

MHP assisted CSULB by completing detailed seismic evaluations of four existing buildings at the Brooks College campus in Long Beach, CA. CSULB subsequently acquired the property for conversion to dormitories for their students. The original buildings were constructed in the 1960’s, and include three, three-story reinforced concrete classroom/residential buildings, and a two-story pre-cast concrete cafeteria building. MHP completed seismic strengthening designs for three of the four buildings, and construction commenced January 1, 2009. The fourth building is currently being demolished to provide additional parking. The seismic strengthening design involved detailed linear dynamic and nonlinear procedures outlined in ASCE 41-06, and met the dual criteria of Life Safety performance level for a 225 year return period earthquake, and Collapse Prevention performance level for a stronger 950 year return period earthquake. The renovated, strengthened facility is expected to be open for the Fall Quarter 2009.

MHP completed the structural design for the new Buena Park Police Station. The building design is approximately 60,000 square feet and consists of a two-story structure with public, administrative, crime lab, Emergency Operations Center, and holding cell functions. The design utilizes tilt-up concrete bearing and shear walls with concrete filled metal decks supported by structural steel beams and columns. Construction is currently underway with an expected completion date in mid-late 2009. Click here for live job site cameras.