On-demand Webinar

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This webinar was co-sponsored by ASCE's Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) and ASCE Continuing Education

Instructor:  Alexander Newman, P.E., F.ASCE

Course Length: 1.5 Hours

Purpose and Background

As existing concrete buildings are increasingly renovated and adapted for new uses, rather than being demolished, their load capacities need to be assessed. If necessary, the buildings must be strengthened or repaired. This webinar focuses on the issues of strengthening concrete buildings when the concrete is generally sound.

The webinar provides a broad overview of practical strengthening techniques used in modern concrete rehabilitation. The bulk of the presentation is devoted to effective yet economical methods of upgrading loadcarrying capacities of buildings. The topic of strengthening gravity-load systems dominates the discussion, but the challenges involved in strengthening lateral-load-resisting systems are examined as well. Some related practical questions, such as how to evaluate concrete structural capacity, where are the best places to cut openings in concrete slabs, how the load tests are conducted, and how to strengthen sagging slab cantilevers, are also discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify contemporary methods of strengthening concrete buildings
  • Discover which decade produced many concrete beams with inadequate shear capacities
  • Discuss practical methods of reinforcing slabs and sagging cantilevers
  • Determine when load testing may be appropriate and when it might not be
  • Avoid pitfalls when strengthening concrete columns

Learning Outcomes/Benefits

  • Identify contemporary methods of strengthening concrete buildings
  • Discover which decade produced many concrete beams with inadequate shear capacities
  • Discuss practical methods of reinforcing slabs and sagging cantilevers
  • Determine when load testing may be appropriate and when it might not be
  • Avoid pitfalls when strengthening concrete columns

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Intended Audience

Structural and civil engineers, architects, facility managers, and building officials seeking to broaden their knowledge of strengthening concrete buildings will benefit from this webinar. There are no calculations involved, and those who are not engineers will not be overwhelmed because the instruction is kept enjoyable, practical, and easy to follow.

Webinar Outline

  • Why and when to strengthen concrete buildings
  • How to evaluate structural condition of buildings
  • Practical uses of load testing in concrete structures
  • Properties of early concrete and reinforcing steel
  • Methods of strengthening flexural members
    • Adding structure
    • Shortening span
    • Enlarging section
    • Adding plates of steel and fiberreinforced plastics
    • External prestressing
    • Replacement
    • Strengthening beams for shear
  • Reinforcing slabs and sagging cantilevers
  • Strengthening concrete columns
  • Making openings in elevated slabs
  • Strengthening for wind and seismic loads

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]