Experience
Gwenyth Searer works on projects involving various structural materials, including steel, concrete, timber, masonry, and aluminum. She specializes in building code development and has significant experience evaluating facade access issues and existing claddings, as well as peer review of new claddings.
Ms. Searer also has particular expertise in earthquake engineering. Her experience includes the investigation of earthquake-damaged structures after several major earthquakes, including Loma Prieta, Northridge, Turkey, Nisqually (Seattle), Tōhoku (Japan), and Napa. She has performed linear and nonlinear seismic analyses of concrete shear wall buildings, concrete and steel moment-frame buildings, steel braced frame buildings, unreinforced masonry structures, and wood structures.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Earthquake Engineering
- Aloha Stadium - Honolulu, HI: Seismic, wind, and gravity-load strengthening of steel-framed stadium structure
- Investigation of damage from several major earthquakes, including Loma Prieta, Northridge, Nisqually (Seattle), Tōhoku (Japan), and Napa
- U.S. Department of State: Seismic assessments of more than 350 structures worldwide
- Yosemite Rangers’ Club - Yosemite, CA: Seismic strengthening of a National Historic Landmark
Facade Access
- One World Trade Center - New York, NY: Investigation of alleged design defects in three building maintenance units
- Phillip Burton Federal Building - San Francisco, CA: Design and testing of new facade access system
- Santa Ana Federal Building - CA: Design and testing of new facade access system
- One Bush Street - San Francisco, CA: Assessment of existing facade access system and design/testing of new system
- Mahana Towers - Lahaina, Maui, HI: Design and testing of new facade access system
- 600 California - San Francisco, CA: Design of improvements to existing facade access system
- 50 Fremont Street - San Francisco, CA: Investigation of distressed building maintenance unit
Facade Assessment
- One America Plaza - San Diego, CA: Structural and architectural reclad design for “crown” of building
- 10th Street Garage - Olympia, WA: Investigation of glass cladding distress
- 888 O’Farrell - San Francisco, CA: Aluminum panel rain screen reclad design for twin fourteen-story towers
Failure and Damage Investigation
- Superbay Aircraft Hangar - San Francisco, CA: Investigation of failure in horizontal lifeline
- Clancy Hotel - San Francisco, CA: Investigation of tile cladding failure
- Solus Facility - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA: Investigation of structural damage from explosion
- Water Reclamation Plant - Palmdale, CA: Investigation of fracturing reinforcing steel
Fire Damage Investigation
- I-5 Tunnel - Los Angeles, CA: Assessment of fire damage to a concrete tunnel
- I-710/SR-91 Interchange - Los Angeles, CA: Assessment of fire damage to concrete overpass
- 760 South Vail Avenue - Montebello, CA: Investigation of fire damage to precast concrete walls
Peer Review
- Spring Condominiums - Austin, TX: Structural design review of forty-two-story, concrete high-rise tower
- Temple Lofts - Long Beach, CA: Structural design review of two five-story concrete residential towers
Structural Analysis
- Alexander Dam - Kauai, HI: Design of replacement spillway
- Harmon Tower - Las Vegas, NV: Assessment of structural design
- Prince Kuhio Parking Garage - Honolulu, HI: Design of new vehicle barriers
Professional Affiliations
American Institute of Steel Construction
American Society of Civil Engineers
Structural Engineers Association of California
Structural Engineers Association of Northern California
Registrations
Civil Engineer in CA, NV, OR, and WA
Professional Engineer in NY
Structural Engineer in AZ, CA, HI, NV, OR, and WA
Education
University of Delaware
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 1992
Cornell University
Master of Science, Civil Engineering, 1994
RELATED INFORMATION
-
Reconsidering seismic strengthening costs in areas of lower seismicity MORE >Articles | The Economics of Seismic Strengthening
-
Facade access equipment plays a critical role in facilitating safe and efficient... MORE >Articles | Design and Load Testing of Facade Access Equipment
-
This article shares the advantages and disadvantages of using rope access techniques to access... MORE >Articles | A WJE Advisory: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Rope Access Techniques
-
Webinar summarizing new OSHA rule that will have significant ramifications for many buildings MORE >Webinars | Prepare Your Building for Compliance with New OSHA Rules
-
Insight into OSHA requirements and how to ensure structurally adequate supports MORE >Webinars | Facade Access Equipment: Is Your Building OSHA Compliant?
-
Stabilization and Historic Preservation Services MORE >Projects | Antelope Valley Indian Museum
-
Leakage Investigation MORE >Projects | Ortega Reservoir
-
Our professionals are experts in seismic performance evaluations that go beyond standard... MORE >Services | Seismic Engineering