NEWS RELEASE (May 28, 2003) ATC-57

	Applied Technology Council A Nonprofit Corporation Advancing Engineering Applications for Hazard Mitigation California - Washington, DC Area

NEWS RELEASE
May 28, 2003

For More Information, Contact:
Bernadette Mosby, 650/595-1542
E-mail: atc@atcouncil.org

ATC Announces Availability of ATC-57 Report:
The Missing Piece: Improving Seismic Design and Construction Practices

The Applied Technology Council (ATC) is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the ATC-57 Report, The Missing Piece: Improving Seismic Design and Construction Practices. Funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the result of an industry collaborative effort, this 102-page report defines a much-expanded problem-focused knowledge development, synthesis and transfer program to improve seismic design and construction practices. The report was developed to provide a framework for eliminating the technology transfer gap that has emerged within the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) that limits the adaptation of basic research knowledge into practice. This gap was identified during the NEHRP strategic planning process undertaken by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from 1998 to 2001.

The problem-focused research and development program defined in the ATC-57 report emphasizes two subject areas, with a total of five Program Elements proposed:

Systematic support of the seismic code development process.
- Program Element 1 Provide technical support for the seismic practice and code development process.
- Program Element 2 Develop the technical basis for performance-based seismic engineering by supporting problem-focused, user-directed research and development.
Improve seismic design and construction productivity.
- Program Element 3 Support the development of technical resources (e.g., guidelines and manuals) to improve seismic engineering practice.
- Program Element 4 Make evaluated technology available to practicing professionals in the design and construction communities.
- Program Element 5 Develop tools to enhance the productivity, economy and effectiveness of the earthquake resistant design and construction process.

The report also contains six issue papers commissioned to develop initial recommendations and needed background information, including a discussion on how technology transfer works in this industry and a history of the decline in engineering and construction productivity in the United States. Also included is a list of industry representatives who participated in a workshop in July 2002 to define the needed problem-focused knowledge development, synthesis and transfer program.

Copies of the ATC-57 report can be obtained from the Applied Technology Council, 201 Redwood Shores Parkway, Suite 240, Redwood City, California 94065 (phone, 650/595-1542; fax, 650/593-2320; e-mail, ATC@ATCouncil.org; web & online store, www.ATCouncil.org).

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NEWS RELEASE May 28, 2003 For More Information, Contact: Bernadette Mosby, 650/595-1542 E-mail: atc@atcouncil.org

ATC Announces Availability of ATC-57 Report: The Missing Piece: Improving Seismic Design and Construction Practices

NEWS RELEASE
May 28, 2003

For More Information, Contact:
Bernadette Mosby, 650/595-1542
E-mail: atc@atcouncil.org

ATC Announces Availability of ATC-57 Report:
The Missing Piece: Improving Seismic Design and Construction Practices