- ASCE is a sponsor of a new documentary that aired on PBS on Sept. 11 entitled "America Rebuilds: Return to Ground Zero." ASCE also served as a technical advisor to the NOVA documentary, "Building on Ground Zero."
- Our 2006 annual conference "Surviving the Future," Oct. 19-21, will focus on the role civil engineers play in mitigating the natural, technical and socio-political hazards which challenge our civil infrastructure systems.
- One workshop at the conference, "Prepare, Respond and Recover: Engineers' Involvement with Local Disasters," will provide an overview of federal disaster response programs, local resources and key considerations during recovery and mitigation. Sponsored by the ASCE Committee on Critical Infrastructure (CCI), it will identify recovery issues for the engineering community and address ways to become involved locally and plan for future disasters.
- Four seminars are presented in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on "New Best Practices to Mitigate Progressive Collapse." NIST has worked with industry experts to prepare comprehensive guidelines for design professionals to help prevent progressive building collapse in the event of abnormal loading. Our Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) offers the sessions with NIST to share the information in the best practice guide.
- The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) has become a national leader promoting resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure against the adverse effects of natural and man-made disasters. TISP leads the way in helping government and the private sector address tomorrow's threats today. The TISP "Regional Disaster Resilience Guide" walks localities through steps needed to prepare for natural and man-made disasters. The partnership between the public and private sectors to secure our nation's critical infrastructure is necessary to our mission of improving the security of the built environment. ASCE is secretariat of TISP.
- New standards on wind tunnel testing and a set of drafted blast resistant design standards mark progress in guidance for building safer buildings. ASCE's technological institutes are working to define strategies to minimize the likelihood of potential collapse, and a joint industry coalition is developing intermediary code provisions on structural integrity.
- The Building Security Council (BSC) was created by the ASCE Architectural Engineering Institute and supported by building, design, management and ownership organizations. It is dedicated to enhancing public safety by promoting building security. The council administers and maintains a voluntary rating system that enables building owners to evaluate and improve the security of their facilities.
ASCE Since 9/11: Working To Protect America's Infrastructure
ASCE-Sponsored Ground Zero Documentary Aired September 11
In observance of the five-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, PBS aired a new documentary on Sept. 11 entitled, "America Rebuilds, Part II, Return to Ground Zero." ASCE is a sponsor of the show, which featured prominent ASCE members. ASCE also served as a technical advisor to the NOVA documentary, "Building on Ground Zero," , an updated version of the original Emmy Award-winning show, "Why the Towers Fell." ASCE served as a technical advisor to the program, which premiered on Sept. 5 and included ASCE member appearances. Check PBS listings for rebroadcast times.
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