Structural Assessment and Retrofit Design of Old Unreinforced Masonry Buildings in the U.S.
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Course Highlights
This online engineering PDH course provides a comprehensive guide for the structural assessment and retrofit design of old, cracked unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings which is a critical issue in historic and seismic-prone regions across the United States.
This course integrates technical depth with practical applications, combining ASCE 41 performance evaluation, FEMA standards, ETABS-based modeling, and retrofit design techniques such as center core reinforcement. It emphasizes both safety and preservation, ensuring that engineers can strengthen URM buildings while respecting historical and architectural value.
Moreover, this course covers structural vulnerabilities, model URM behavior, and design effective retrofit solutions that improve in-plane shear strength, out-of-plane stability, and overall seismic performance. It includes case studies and ready-made field inspection checklists to provide hands-on tools for professional practice.
This 4 PDH online course is applicable to structural and civil engineers and others interested in learning about structural analysis and design pf unreinforced masonry buildings.
This course integrates technical depth with practical applications, combining ASCE 41 performance evaluation, FEMA standards, ETABS-based modeling, and retrofit design techniques such as center core reinforcement. It emphasizes both safety and preservation, ensuring that engineers can strengthen URM buildings while respecting historical and architectural value.
Moreover, this course covers structural vulnerabilities, model URM behavior, and design effective retrofit solutions that improve in-plane shear strength, out-of-plane stability, and overall seismic performance. It includes case studies and ready-made field inspection checklists to provide hands-on tools for professional practice.
This 4 PDH online course is applicable to structural and civil engineers and others interested in learning about structural analysis and design pf unreinforced masonry buildings.
Learning Objectives
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Understanding the structural behavior and vulnerabilities of old and cracked unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings commonly found across the U.S.
- Conducting thorough structural assessments using visual inspection, material testing, and analytical calculations in compliance with ASCE 41 and FEMA standards
- Familiarizing yourself with URM walls modelling in ETABS, including orthotropic shell behavior, nonlinear hinge definitions, and out-of-plane stability
- Evaluating a wide range of retrofit strategies, including traditional methods and modern approaches such as center core reinforcement
- Developing complete retrofit solutions that improve in-plane shear strength, out-of-plane flexural capacity, and overall seismic performance
- Applying engineering judgment in selecting and detailing appropriate interventions while maintaining historical and architectural value
- Knowing professional software tools to support assessment, design, documentation, and communication of retrofit solutions
- Learning from real-world case studies to gain confidence in applying these skills to active projects in the structural engineering industry
Course Document
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review the course document titled, “Structural Assessment and Retrofit Design of Old Unreinforced Masonry Buildings in the U.S.”, prepared by Ibrahim M. Metwally.
To view, print and study the course document, please click on the following link(s):
STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT AND RETROFIT DESIGN OF OLD UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDINGS IN THE U.S. (1.4 MB)Course Quiz
Once you complete your course review, you need to take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty (20) questions to earn 4 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document.
The minimum passing score is 70%. There is no time limit on the quiz, and you can take it multiple times until you pass at no additional cost.
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.
To buy the course and take the quiz, please click on: