ASEP Through the Years: 1994-1996

1994-1995

• With its theme, "Structural Engineering: Bridging the Infrastructure Development Needs", the 6th International Structural Engineering Convention was held at the Manila Midtown Hotel on May 25-27, 1995 where papers relevant to structural engineering were presented and discussed by various speakers from the local and international scene. Additionally, a field trip was held on the last day where construction sites were visited.
  
  
• The ASEP Steel Handbook was launched on May 25, 1995 during the 6th International Convention which was made possible through its major sponsors namely, Philippine Institute of Steel Construction (PISC), National Steel Corporation (NSC), Engineering Equipment, Inc. (EEI), Pag-asa Steel Corporation, Capitol Steel Corporation, Philmetal Products, Inc. and Condeck International.
  
  
• ASEP has likewise sent two teams to visit/inspect sites, which were hit by earthquakes namely, Kobe, Japan on 17 January 1995 and Oriental Mindoro on 15 November 1994. Objectives of these missions of which is to inspect, assess and document structural damages and hope to identify the level of structural damages and be shared to fellow Filipino practitioners.
  
  
• On its November 8, 1994 regular board meeting, the ASEP Board of Directors approved the issuance of laminated ID cards to its members on a voluntary basis. Said card is valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance and likewise serve as their Library ID.
  
  
• On its October 11, 1994 Board Meeting, an amendment to Article VII Section I on the By-Laws on meeting was passed and approved by its members, as follows: "15% of the members but not less than 40 persons shall constitute a quorum", and the revision of the entrance fee and annual dues effective 1995, as follows:
  
  500.00 - Entrance Fee
  
  Annual Dues:
  200.00 - Associate
  400.00 - Regular
  600.00 - Fellow
  
  
• Other activities joined by ASEP are: ASEP President was invited by the Philippine Welding Society to be a resource speaker, and during the seminar portion, one of the panelists in one of the special events, the Welding Consultancy Clinic; and in response to DPWH's request to form a committee to study the "Peak Ground Acceleration Maps" designed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCX) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
  
  
• ASEP is now an organizational member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI).
  
  

1995-1996

• In cooperation with Universities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, ASEP initiates the Disaster Quick Reaction Survey Teams (DQRST) project to establish, operate and update a national reserve network of volunteer civil/structural engineers to be developed in the aftermath of an earthquake, or other disasters, for rapid and objective documentation and assessment of structural or geotechnical damage to buildings, bridges and other structures.
  
  
• Five (5) DQRST Seminar-Workshop were held at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City; University of San Carlos, Cebu City; Saint Louis University, Baguio City; and Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.
  
  
• Two (2) Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Seminars were held:
  
  
  1. A Seminar on Light Rail Transit System and;
  2. Analysis and Design of Special Civil Engineering Structures.
  
  
• ASEP Officers, Directors and Past Presidents attended the first public congressional hearing on the proposed revised Civil engineering Law on March 1996.
  
  
• The ASEP Forum Committee likewise held two (2) for a entitled "Metaldeck Floor Systems" with speakers from Condeck International and Philmetal Products Inc.; and the "Computer Software's for Structural Engineers" by CIM Technologies and Quality Computer Systems, Inc. (QCSI).
  
  
• The ASEP Newsletter has already released four issues for the fiscal year. This is published every two months and given to ASEP members.
  
  
• The First Bowling Tournament and The First ASEP Chess Tournament were held on December and February respectively.
  
  
• Letter of invitations for ASEP participation were received. These are: The International Committee on Concrete Model Code for Asia, and an AusAID funded project which shall investigate the feasibility and technical issued involved in Equavalencing and Harmonisation of Structural Loading Standards in APEC countries.
  
  
• During the ASEP General Membership Meeting on December 9, 1995, the USGS and PHILVOCS representatives first presented their paper entitled "Earthquake Recurrence on the Northern Part of the West Marikina Valley Fault, An Active Fault in the Metro Manila Area, Philippines.
  
  
• On July 5, 1995, ASEP has obtained the Copyright for the ASEP Steel Handbook from the National Library. Said copyright is for life.