From site assessments to recovery work, civil engineers play a crucial role in disaster response, ensuring that communities build back safer and more resilient.
Read the latest on disaster response
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Preparing for climate extremes
Civil engineers are devising ingenious solutions and resilient infrastructure.
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New computationally efficient model will ‘tame’ fire
Its ability to capture the likelihood of building damage in a wildfire...
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How civil engineers must adapt to the new risks of flooding
Relying on historical climate trends to predict future flooding is no longer...
![A first responder in full orange personal protective gear and thick goggles stands on a mound of collapsed structure.](/-/media/asce-images-and-files/publications-and-news/civil-engineering-magazine/images/2024/07-july-2024/cep-feature-engineers-share-critical-safety-tips-for-helping-at-natural-disaster-sites/72-disaster.jpg?cx=0.52&cy=0.5&cw=425&ch=300&hash=E422951A6B6E65E2DD9B6C52905AD3B1)
Engineers share critical safety tips for helping at natural disaster sites
Being an engineer at a disaster site is dangerous. Safety best practices...
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Engineers vs. hurricanes: How to protect people, mitigate damage
Storms cost the U.S. billions annually. How can resilience engineering help?
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Design a substation that satisfies future electric demands with updated ASCE manual of practice
A new second edition of Substation Structure Design Guide, Manual of Practice...
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Structural engineers are adapting earthquake technology
It can lead to more sustainable design outcomes.
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Technology: Climate tools map hazards into the future
National Climate Assessment shares two online tools and data for public use.
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Shock, heartbreak fill civil engineering community as tragedy strikes iconic Baltimore bridge
The civil engineering world awoke Tuesday morning to the terrible news of...
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The 1994 Northridge earthquake still offers lessons on pipeline resilience
Researchers measure seismic ground displacement and estimated pipe strain to learn how...
Ways to help / technical tools
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ASCE Foundation
ASCE Foundation Disaster Response Fund – Assists civil engineers in addressing disasters and empowers them to assist in the response and recovery efforts and to design resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding future disasters.
U.S. Domestic
American Red Cross – Initiatives include feeding stations, first aid, temporary shelter, hygiene kits, clothing, emergency transportation, home repairs, and medical supplies.
Maui Strong Fund – The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui.
The Salvation Army– Provides mass and mobile feeding, temporary shelter, counseling, search and rescue, medical assistance, and resource distribution.
Volunteers of America – Delivers initial response services to meet disaster victims' critical needs.
International
High Atlas Foundation – The Morocco-based U.S. nonprofit is providing food, water, and shelter to families displaced by the Sept. 8 earthquake, and will assist in long-term restoration and rebuilding.
International Medical Corps – These first responders are helping Libyans displaced by flooding with immediate needs such as shelter, water, mobile health services, and sanitation.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Donations support local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries. The world’s largest humanitarian network.
UNICEF – Provides emergency aid, including medicines and supplements for children and nursing mothers, temporary shelters for families, and longer-term support to enhance resilience.
Doctors Without Borders – Responds to medical emergencies around the world.
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Florida International University Pedestrian Bridge Collapse: Analysis of the NTSB Report
Performance-Based Structural Fire Design
Federal Emergency Management Agency – Coordinates and facilitates the U.S. government response to domestic disasters.
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance – Leads and coordinates the U.S. government’s official response to international disasters.
Explore publications
Tornado Collection
This special collection will help structural engineers understand the vulnerabilities of buildings,...
Turkey Earthquake Collection
The papers in the special collection will help structural engineers understand the...
Hurricane Collection
Hurricane season runs from June to November and can be a treacherous...
Continuing education
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