Structural Engineering Across the Pacific Ocean...

This year’s webinar will feature four rapid-fire presentations from emerging structural engineers highlighting complex projects from New Zealand and Northern California. Hosted in collaboration between the SESOC ESE and SEAONC YMF committees, the event offers insight into how structural engineering is practiced on each side of the Pacific, with shared challenges like seismic design and distinct regional approaches.

SEAONC YMF Speaker 1:

Speaker Bio
Charlie Kerby is a Structural Engineer at Wiss Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. (WJE) in San Francisco. He received his B.S. and M.S. from Purdue University, United States, and his PhD from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. During his PhD he specialized in the seismic design and assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) wall buildings.

Presentation Abstract
While the first principles of structural engineering are borderless, their implementation in RC design and assessment standards varies by locality.  In this talk, differences in the implementation of first principles in RC standards in the United States and in New Zealand will be discussed. Emphasis will placed on (a) how young engineers can interpret unfamiliar standards and (b) the technical and political experiences the presenter had while working on revisions to RC standards in both countries (ACI 369 in the USA, C5 in NZ).

SEAONC YMF Speaker 2:

Speaker Bio
Mary Kretschmar is a Senior Consulting Engineer at SGH with 10 years of experience. Her career spans across the United States and New Zealand through her previous firm, Holmes Consulting. She has a passion for solving unique problems, which has driven her involvement in a wide range of project types from new high-end residential construction to non-ductile concrete retrofits. Her time in New Zealand provided opportunities to implement novel mass timber analysis and design methodologies that differ from US code-based design approaches.

Presentation Abstract
Mass timber construction has gained visibility in the United States and New Zealand over the last decade. Analysis, design, and construction methodologies for seismic design are still being actively developed and refined to achieve architectural visions. This presentation will discuss a case study project and explore two aspects of mass timber design and detailing. The approaches used for mass timber seismic design can vary in small and large ways between the United States and New Zealand, also underscoring the differences in these industries.

SESOC ESE Speaker 1:

Speaker Bio
Matt Lindsay is a Structural Engineer in the Christchurch Office of WSP New Zealand. He graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2023 with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, First Class Honours, and a Minor in Structural Engineering. Over the last two years working as a Structural Engineer, Matt has gained experience in a wide range of areas including large-scale reinforced concrete design, steel seismic design, and seismic analysis of existing buildings. He has a keen interest in using emerging technology to optimize engineering designs and processes.

Presentation Abstract
Project Ganymede was the full multi-disciplinary reconfiguration of two mid-construction 12,000m2 data centers in South-east Asia to allow for an improved hardware architecture. Matt will present on his experience working as a structural engineer on the project team, as well as some lessons learned about engineering on a large scale in a tight timeframe.

SESOC ESE Speaker 2:

Speaker Bio
Tara Govind is a structural Engineer at Beca in the Wellington Office. After graduating she worked for six years in the Auckland office before making the shift to Wellington two years ago. Over this time, Tara has been involved in a variety of industrial projects from concept through to construction, focusing largely on the power and water/wastewater sectors.

Presentation Abstract
Wellington Sludge Minimisation Facility/Te Whare Wai Para Nuku is an upgrade to the existing Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and is a world-class facility, the first of its type in New Zealand. It will reduce the amount of sewage sludge created through our wastewater treatment process and turn it into a safe, reusable product. This will allow us to reduce our carbon emissions and waste to landfill. Tara, who has been involved with the design of the main process building since 2022, and construction monitoring for the past two years, will talk through the various challenges and complexities we’ve faced throughout this process.