Welcome back! Please join us for lunch and a technical presentation on
Engineering in Earthquake Country - Engineers Playing Catchup
Abstract: While much of the Contiguous United States have experienced regular updates to seismic hazard models utilized in the Building Code, Alaska has had to wait since 2007 for an update. As many are aware, the 2023 Alaska Seismic Hazard Model has major implications to future engineering and infrastructure projects. This presentation will provide some background on the seismicity in southcentral Alaska, significant changes to the seismic hazards that have driven the increases in seismic hazard in Anchorage, and some thoughts on what that may mean for future building code and civil engineering. Attention will also be given to some substantial changes in the way ASCE 7-22 and future building standards and codes characterize site class. Several examples will be provided outlining how changes in future will impact the way we design moving forward. Lastly, a little something on moving from life safety to resilience.
Presenter:
John Thornley, PhD, PE, BC.GE is a Vice President and Technical Fellow at WSP in Anchorage. He has over 20 years of geotechnical and earthquake engineering experience. John is currently the chair of the Municipality of Anchorage Geotechnical Advisory Commission and is active in several organizations including ASCE, EERI, and SSA. John was a co-lead for the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Reconnaissance effort for the November 30, 2018, M7.1 Anchorage, Alaska Earthquake. He has served as field manager of geotechnical studies and prepared recommendations for a variety of infrastructure projects including buildings, roads and airports, large liquefied natural gas and water storage tanks, pipelines, wind and cellular towers, and utilities. As part of John’s work, he has been involved in seismic hazard studies, seismic site response analyses, studies for large infrastructure buildouts, and cold regions and permafrost engineering. His design work includes ground improvement in liquefiable soils, deep and shallow foundations, slope stabilization, retaining structures, and embankments. John was a member of the Expert Review Panel responsible for the review of the USGS update to the 2023 Alaska Seismic Hazard Maps.
Event Info:
When: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 12PM-1PM
Where: CRW, 3940 Arctic Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503
Cost: $20 per person - QR code, cash, check, credit card (Students and Lifetime Members are free)
Lunch: Salads and Sandwiches (Sweet Caribou)
Eventbrite Link to Register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/september-2025-asce-anchorage-branch-luncheon-tickets-1685826986899?aff=oddtdtcreator
If Eventbrite says we are sold out, please email me at jmckee@hdlalaska.com.