Third National Seismic Conference and Workshop on Bridges and Highways

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DONALD GORALSKI
SEPTEMBER 27, 2001
716/645-3391, ext. 108
goralski@acsu.buffalo.edu

THIRD NATIONAL SEISMIC CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP
ON BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS ATTRACTS MORE THAN 120 ABSTRACTS
April 28 - May 1, 2002

Conference will focus on the latest advancements in engineering and technology

BUFFALO, NY … More than 120 abstracts from throughout the United States and around the world, have been submitted for The Third National Seismic Conference and Workshop on Bridges and Highways. The conference, scheduled for April 28 through May 1, 2002, in Portland, Oregon, is expected to attract worldwide participation from hundreds of bridge and highway engineers, design consultants, researchers, and federal, state and local transportation agency owners.

It will feature 50 to 60 formal presentations, and another 25 poster presentations. Session topics include:

Effects of near-field earthquakes on bridges
Displacement based design
Lessons learned from recent earthquakes (since 1998)
Design of major long span bridges in high or moderate seismicity areas
Design strategies for bridges subject to large ground motions
Seismic practices east of the Rockies
Emerging seismic design and retrofit technologies for bridges, tunnels, and other structures
Seismic response modification devices

The conference theme is "Advances in Engineering and Technology for the Seismic Safety of Bridges in the New Millennium." Presentations will focus on the latest advancements in earthquake design and retrofit, and on new and innovative technologies -- including the latest research and developments in earthquake engineering for bridges, highway systems, and components.

The conference will also include an International Forum comprising invited speakers from countries that have implemented advanced earthquake design and mitigation technologies and techniques.

A Technology Showcase featuring as many as 40 exhibitors of new and innovative earthquake engineering technologies, and the latest information and developments in research, is also being organized.

The conference will be held at the DoubleTree Columbia River Complex, Portland, Oregon. Lodging is $77 per night for conference participants.

Registration fee is $195 for local, state, and federal government employees, and $295 for all others. Registration includes: admission to all sessions, a copy of the proceedings, refreshment breaks, one luncheon, and one banquet. Registration for full-time students is $50. Tours & other activities are also planned. The conference exhibitor fee is $800 per 8 by 10-foot booth. Exhibit space will be assigned on a first come basis.

The program is sponsored by the

Federal Highway Administration
Oregon Department of Transportation
Washington State Department of Transportation.

It is organized by the

FHWA Western Resource Center
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Conference cosponsors include:

California Department of Transportation
Mid-America Earthquake Center
MCEER
Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center
The Transportation Research Board.

For more information or to be placed on a mailing list for registration and exhibitor information, contact:

Michael S. Higgins, P.E.,
Regional Manager,
Eastern Region,
Pure Technologies, US Inc.,
10015 Old Columbia Road,
Suite B-215,
Columbia, MD 21046;
Tel: 410-309-7050;
Fax: 410-309-7051;
Email: mike.higgins@soundprint.com,

visit the conference web site via the MCEER home page at http://mceer.buffalo.edu/meeting/3nsc/default.asp.