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Passages

Local Professionals Respond Heroically to the
September 11 Terrorist Attacks
by David Schwegel

No one will forget the tragic September 11th terrorist attacks that resulted in widespread devastation and destruction, and claimed more American lives in one day than any other day in U.S. history. Our nation is very grateful for the many brave and heroic volunteers who responded with professional support and assistance in the rescue efforts. Among these heroes are three local civil engineers, John Magnusson, PE (Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire), Chuck Morris, PE (Richard Hudson and Associates), and Greg Varney, PE (KPFF Consulting Engineers). All three individuals are licensed both as civil engineers and structural engineers. The Seattle Section will honor these heroes at our December dinner meeting.

Chuck Morris and Greg Varney were both part of Washington Task Force #1, one of approximately 30 urban search and rescue teams assembled nationwide to respond to the World Trade Center destruction. Task Force #1 was a multi-agency group consisting of engineers as well as firefighters and police officers from Seattle, King County, and Pierce County. The 62-member task force with two planes and 60,000 pounds of rescue equipment was deployed out of McChord Air Force Base on Tuesday, September 19 for a one-week mission consisting of multiple back-to-back 14-hour workdays to help clean up the debris.

According to Mr. Morris, "it is difficult to convey the enormity of 14 acres of hills and valleys of debris." The rescue heroes were surrounded by burning fires and huge column sections with four-inch steel plates weighing approximately 3,000 pounds per linear foot. It felt like they were "in the twilight zone as the last people on earth." Nighttime posed an especially eerie feeling as the lights came on amidst the fire and smoke. The rescuers had to convince themselves that this is an actual graveyard of five thousand people.

Mr. Morris and Mr. Varney performed a structural analysis of the collapsed buildings in order to estimate the stabilities and loadings of the various massive members, which resembled "large pick up sticks." This was necessary to identify the dangerous areas and assess the safety impacts of moving those structural members necessary to rescue the victims. These two civil engineers were then able to guide the rescue workers safely through the debris and advise them accordingly as they performed their rescue and clean-up duties.

The World Trade Center towers were designed in Seattle in the 1960’s by Skilling Helle, Christensen, and Robertson which later became the firm currently known as Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire. Company owner John Magnusson played an advisory role in the incident’s aftermath where he described the structural system to the public. The innovative structural design concepts employed played a significant role in the number of lives that were saved. The exterior core design consisting of immense steel columns spaced three and one half feet on-center was sufficiently strong to keep the towers standing one hour after being struck by massive Boeing 767 jet planes traveling at full-speed. During this hour, approximately 25,000 individuals who otherwise would have been lost were able to escape the impacted structures. The structures finally collapsed by tumbling straight down onto their footprints without falling sideways or rolling, resulting in minimal damage to the several adjacent high-rise structures as well as the saving of numerous additional lives. Thanks to our strict and novel building codes, the damage was not nearly as staggering and devastating as it would have been in other parts of the world. On the other hand, this event provided an opportunity to assess how innovative European high-rise building code requirements such as separate firefighter/rescue worker stairways and exit windows at 15-20 story increments may have saved even more lives. Firefighters were also able to reevaluate concepts for combating fires in high-rise structures.

Our nation’s appreciation goes out to the civil and structural engineers whose innovation, analysis, and countless design hours saved numerous lives. Our appreciation also goes out to the firefighters and police officers that live in danger on a daily basis and are forced to make quick irreversible decisions that impact thousands of lives without extensive prior analysis. Finally our appreciation goes out to the numerous engineers worldwide who have offered their professional support and assistance in the search and rescue efforts.

ASCE Seattle Section Executive Board Meeting Minutes for November 14, 2001

Attendees: Board Members: Ron Borowski, Ron Leimkuhler, Ray Walton, James Wilhoit, Bob Boudinot, Linda DeBoldt, Arthur Fleming; Other Section Members: Don Northey, Mary Holland (designated YMF Board Rep for the meeting); Other ASCE Members: Jim Carlsen (District 12 Director).

Section President Ron Borowski called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

October 10, 2001, Meeting minutes: Bob Boudinot corrected the spelling of his last name under Committee Reports. Minutes approved as corrected.

Treasurer’s Report: Report through October 2001 was passed out and reviewed. Some attendees expressed concerns with report format. Ron Borowski called for interested parties, including Secretary James Wilhoit, to meet and come up with possibilities for improvement. This group may also address some other issues raised, particularly tracking of "pass-through" items. Treasurer Arthur Fleming noted that he was researching original amounts and other information of the pass-through grants and other accounts, a formidable "work-in-progress". Jim Carlsen suggested contacting ASCE National’s Geographic (Sections/Branches) Services for advice/information on treasurer procedures and reporting formats. Possibility of Section hiring a bookkeeper in some capacity was also discussed. Treasurer’s report was approved. Arthur also advised that he was setting up telephone transfer capabilities with Washington Mutual and was getting various signature authority cards filled out.

Linda DeBoldt, Bob Boudinot, Mary Holland, and Don Northey presented status reports for the Standing Committees, Branches, YMF, and PSEC, respectively, with some other attendees reporting on specific committees.

Technical Committees: In Susan Chang’s absence, Ron Borowski handed out a matrix, which Susan had previously distributed by e-mail, with meeting times, key personnel, and other info for the Technical Committees.

Standing Committees: Public Relations (Dave Schwegel) has prepared an article about the Washington Task Force to New York following the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks, given to Board members for review, and is also coordinating with Mary Rutherford and Ron Leimkuhler to publicize the Infrastructure Report Card and Outstanding Awards Program respectively. Ron Borowski reported that the History & Heritage Committee’s area ASCE National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks posters series had been well received at National Convention in Houston in October. No report on its October 13th Iron Goat Trail work party. Professional Practices meetings may start up again, primarily to develop Section position on continuing education requirement for professional registration (noted that Land Surveyors Association of WA is promoting legislation for such a requirement for its profession). Ray Walton reported on University Advisory Committee—met Nov. 2nd, introduced new UW faculty advisor, Venky Shankar, and discussed Guest Lecturer, Mentoring and Student Recruitment Programs, and possible Seattle U field trips to Diablo Dam and Denny Way CSO site. Noted that SU will have mentor/student open house Nov. 15th (more on Mentoring Program under PSEC report), and that UAC awaits Past Presidents’ Committee guidelines to be issued for use of Student Section dues allocation. Next meeting scheduled for Dec. 7th at SU. Linda reported on upcoming Management in Engineering Committee workshop on public agency consultant rosters, to be held Nov. 28th at Rock Salt Steak House, 4 to 9 p.m. Fee before Nov. 15th $40, afterwards $50. For info, call Mohammed Kashani at 425-388-6493.

North and Kitsap Branches: Announced that John Nelson is now Vice President of Kitsap Branch, which had met the night before (Nov. 13th) program in Sequim. Will meet again in Poulsbo Dec. 11th. Kitsap Branch has contacted 13 schools about West Point (Military Academy)/ASCE Bridge Design contest, which lasts through February 2002 and offers a $1,500 prize (Gordon McDonald point of contact). North Branch will meet Dec. 5th for strictly social gathering (no technical program) at Cottontree Inn in Mt. Vernon, 6:30 p.m. Bob inquired if there were any spending guidelines for branches. Also, it was tentatively agreed that there would be a joint meeting with Kitsap Branch in Feb. or March 2002, location to be determined.

YMF: Mary Holland provided a schedule for the year’s activities, the soonest being Holiday Party/Social with the group in Portland/Vancouver— will attend an NBA basketball game in Portland, weekend of Saturday, Dec. 8th. Mary also advised that YMF was preparing application for SPAG grant for Media Training and the Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition, and discussed plans for "Rebuilding" event, Sat., April 27, 2002. Bob commented that some North Branch younger members had indicated an interest in participating in YMF activities, and Mary said that some in Alaska were also interested.

PSEC: Don Northey reported that SU’s Oct. 25th Mentor Night had been successful, and that UW’s upcoming Nov. 27th event would be at 5:30 p.m. (students to come at 6 p.m.) at the HUB Ballroom (Dave Crippen point of contact). 50 mentors have signed up, including Section members Greg Guyon, Larry Kyle, Susan Chang, Ann Epler, and possibly Mary Holland, a few more still needed. It was also confirmed by Ron Leimkuhler that the Section is supposed to pay dues to PSEC but that the amount is based on membership size, and an accurate count is being sought. Also noted that PSEC needs to fill chairperson position.

OLD BUSINESS:

From September Board Meeting: First Professional Degree: Ron Borowski reported that the position supporting requirement of a masters as the first professional degree, which the Seattle Section Board had officially opposed, had been approved by the National Board.

ASCE Proposed Governance Changes: Ron Borowski reported that the proposal from ASCE’s Committee on Strategic Initiatives for a significant change in the Society’s governance had been defeated by the National Board at the National Convention in Houston. It instead was setting up a task force to make recommendations in structure to better address the Society’s needs.

From October Board Meeting: Past Presidents Committee Meeting: No follow-up report on developments in establishment of Student Activity Fund disbursement criteria/ guidelines or other student chapter initiatives.

Section Duties and Procedures Manual: Not discussed.

Outstanding Section and Branch Award: Not discussed.

Annual Report (for October 1, 2000- September 30, 2001): Stan Boyle and Treasurer finalizing, together will get signed out and submitted ASAP.

Larry Wade Memorial Scholarship Fund: Clarified that the $50,000 endowment goal is the threshold level required for the University to administer it, though it can be held in an account until it reaches that level. Ron Leimkuhler reported that $4,500 had been raised so far. Board voted to match donations from Section funds up to $2,000.

State Public Affairs (SPAG) Grants: Deadline for YMF grants in preparation is Dec. 3rd. Ron Borowski asked Past President Ron Leimkuhler to review them prior to submission. Also noted that there is a national fund which would be tapped to sponsor a legislative reception in Olympia, amount not determined. Leimkuhler suggested the event be combined with the AELC Construction Industry Day on the Hill in February 2002.

ASCE 150th Anniversary Celebration: Jim Carlsen reported that although Nov. 5, 2002, is election day, ASCE National will stick with that date for the 150th Anniversary (to be called National Civil Engineers Day). However, WA State will observe Nov. 12th instead, and Jim will be meeting with Governor Locke on plans for the observance statewide. Section coordinator is Chuck Wheeling, reporting in this capacity to President-Elect Ray Walton. Pros and cons of Section contributing to ASCE National Foundation for commemoration of the event at the National Headquarters (clarified that it was not just for sculpture as indicated at previous meeting) were further discussed.

Contribution to Rebuilding Efforts in New York City: Linda distributed a memo she had written on ideas for Section/ civil engineers to make positive contributions, and invited comments, feedback, and input. Bob commented that in light of recent allegations of possible misallocation of Red Cross donations to these efforts, Section should research very carefully any organization it contributes funds to as part of this initiative. To be discussed at December meeting.

Dues Increase for Associate Members: To be addressed after an accurate count of Associate Members is obtained.

Newsletter Section on "Passages": Ray suggested that obituary-type notices be put in Newsletter for Section members who have passed away, and said that Ron Neece had volunteered to write the articles. All agreed this was a good idea.

ASCE Policy on mailing lists for non-committee activities: Ray noted that some committee personnel had utilized Section or committee e-mail lists to send out job announcements, in violation of Section policy. Announcement to be made clarifying that this practice is prohibited.

Newsletter Cost-cutting: Committee to be formed, including Ray, Linda and Ron Borowski, to recommend cost reductions, such as greater use of e-mail, for the Newsletter, which consumes about one-third of the Section budget.

Webpage Accuracy: Problems noted, primarily due to delays and/or inconsistencies in updating. To be referred to the webmaster.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:08 p.m.

Meeting minutes prepared by James Wilhoit.