In this presentation, Ashraf shares his passion and enthusiasm for structural engineering, a profession whose grandeur and splendor are worth celebrating! Indeed, it is because of structural engineering that ancient monuments reflecting the glory of humanity are still standing and why awe-inspiring and breathtaking buildings, bridges, and other architectural wonders can exist today.

Ashraf illustrates how this noble profession constantly makes life better for all of humanity every day. And how this profession protects us from the ravages of natural hazards such as earthquakes and windstorms – literally saving millions of lives, preserving progress, and protecting property. A profession that retrofits the past, builds the future, and is the fundamental reason why we even have an economic infrastructure. If structural engineers stopped working, progress of all of humanity would come to a screeching halt!

Ashraf also presents a compelling case for why engineering students should be exposed to the arts, public speaking, and human psychology so that they can start their professional life well-equipped to lead, to influence and to inspire a changing world.

This is a nontechnical presentation intended for structural engineers, students, and general audiences alike. You will leave with a renewed appreciation for the ways in which structural engineers bring progress and prosperity to human existence, making the world a better place for all of us today and for all future generations to come!

2021 IBC and IEBC Significant Structural Changes reviews and analyzes selected structural changes to the 2021 edition of the International Building Code and International Existing Building Code. This presentation examines revisions to the structural provisions, including loads, materials, and special inspection. It assists engineers in identifying pertinent code changes and understanding the reasoning behind the changes. This program is based on the ICC publication Significant Changes to the International Building Code, 2021 Edition.

Join NSPE leaders in a discussion about the future of engineering and how our changing world will impact the profession . Engineers will play a vital role in the development and implementation of emerging technologies and tackling complex issues like climate change and resiliency. All these issues, challenges, and opportunities will have an impact on the workforce, licensure system and the specialization of our profession. As we enter an extremely exciting and unknown future, we hope to draw all engineers into the conversation.

The presentation provides eight forensic soil-structure interaction case studies showing the effects of not understanding the inter-disciplinary nature of structural, geotechnical and civil engineering and their effects on structural success or failure. Also, the presentation will touch upon other causes of structural failure including value engineering and compromising engineering judgment by not informing the client and others stakeholders of risks identified during the engineering analysis phase.

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We’ve all heard of tricks of the eye before, but what about tricks of the mind? As much as we would like to believe that we are rational thinkers and base our decisions on evidence alone, the reality is far more complicated.

This presentation will explore the tricks of the mind that affect all of us and lead us astray on a daily basis. Whether it is being overly optimistic about a project’s success, dismissing the chances of failure, or making poor choices to avoid a small loss, our most important decisions are often shaped by completely unrelated factors (including how long it has been since we last ate). And while the effects may be minor in many circumstances, they can also lead to serious ethical lapses. At worst, they can potentially lead to catastrophic results such as the pedestrian bridge collapse at the Florida International University or the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion.

Together, we will explore some mental shortcuts and illusions that engineers commonly encounter. And more importantly, we’ll explore how to combat their impact in the workplace. My hope is you will never again think the same way about how you think.

Successful project delivery is the lifeblood of the modern engineering firm. Without successful projects, none of an organization’s strategic aims are possible. So how come the business of the project is so often an afterthought? After all, is a project truly successful if it does not further the business’s aims of perpetuation, profit generation, and growth? Regardless of size, scope, or segment, all enterprises begin the same way. A small group gets together around a shared idea for solving a problem in a novel way. Whether solving an old problem in a new way or an entirely new one, identifying the problem is only the beginning. Problem identification gives way to planning, which leads to execution and (hopefully) a successful outcome. Starting a new venture sounds a lot like running a project, yet so many of the core tenets that are staples in the business community have not made their way into the business of running a project. That ends now. In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn how to develop and implement The Project Business Plan. This simple technique helps organizations design the business goals of projects into their Project Management function and keep the project’s focus on linking project outcomes to the organization’s business goals. The Project Business Plan clarifies the unique elements of every project, links those elements to your business goals, identifies project team accountabilities, and designs resilient business tenets into the project process so that the project’s core focus remains front and center. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how to bring The Project Business Plan to their organizations to achieve more successful project outcomes.