ASCE Membership

[XR250]

Just curious what percent of forum participants are ASCE members? I let my membership lapse years ago and am trying to decide on a compelling reason join again. Seems like giving them more money will just result in more code changes :>

 

[mtu1972]

I've been a lifelong member but have rarely participated in the local chapter's activities. Two of my residences were too far from the chapter's location and when I worked in suburban Detroit, the job and my family left me with little time to spare.

I always joked that the main reason I remained a member was the cheap group life insurance, but I also enjoyed having access to the Civil Engineering and Structures magazines and getting some data from their Salary Survey.

My last move, 8 years ago, put me in a location where I have had more access and have been on one committee and taken part in some local activities.

I do feel that ASCE is more focused on academia than the typical practicing engineer's interests.

gjc

 

[JedClampett]

My company reimburses membership in ASCE. It's a bit pricey ($230 per year), but they definitely try to give value for your dues. I subscribe to their daily Email that links to articles on Civil related subjects. It's also nice to get the discount on Seminars and publications.
I’m not as comfortable with their lobbying efforts (basically any lobbying), but I guess it’s good that someone is there, pitching the advantages of Civil Projects, instead of just $300,000,000 fighter planes.

 

[fel3]

I have been an ASCE member continuously since I graduated from college in 1980 except for one year when my old company screwed up on bulk membership and left me out. I haven't attended a local meeting in about three years, although I did attend a field trip with the local group last November to a wastewater treatment plant I worked on years ago. I mostly maintain my membership to support our profession, because it looks good on proposals, and because I get the member's price when I buy the occasional book.

==========
"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill

 

[XR250]

I guess supporting our profession would be the only benefit to me. I may buy a book every few years so the discount is not worth it. I am also a sole proprietor and do not have time to go to meetings or otherwise participate. I guess if someone else was picking up the tab and giving me the time off, I would be all for it!

 

[AELLC]

Similar situation here.

I get mail from them all the time, but really do not need the discount on their publications.

I object to Code over-complications, they are not seeing the difference between:

1) Academia and "real world" design methods

2) PFMB may be designed to R=1.03 and have zero redundancy, but most over structures are in an entirely different "realm" - they don't seem to comprehend that. Also - difference between high-rise, low rise, and residential.



The definition of a structural engineer: overdesign by a factor of 1.999, instead of the usual 2.

 

[SAIL3]

I second AELLC's comments x 2

 

[AELLC]

Because of their end zone etc in wind design - ASCE 7-10 Loads on Structures I believe

I had an ordinary flat-roof house, trusses not more than 40' long

Truss at parallel exterior wall was shown to have about 1100 pounds wind uplift at each end - truss spaced at 2' oc.

Plans checker noticed because our std dtl calls for H2.5A tie, and we had to go over entire framing plan and every truss calc to provide special straps here and there - that is so ridiculous!

The definition of a structural engineer: overdesign by a factor of 1.999, instead of the usual 2.

 

[RockEngineer]

I joined ASCE just to get their liability insurance for my side work.

 

[OHIOMatt]

I will not send them a dime! They are a lobby organization with the sole intent to drive government money to select engineering firms. Every 4 years they publish their "Infrastructure Report Card" to scare the public and pressure lawmakers. The current US "grade point average" is a D+. The definition of a grade of D provided by ASCE is "The infrastructure is in poor to fair condition and mostly below standard, with many elements approaching the end of their service life. A large portion of the system exhibits significant deterioration. Condition and capacity are of significant concern with strong risk of failure."

According to this report, we need to spend $3.6 trillion to get to a grade of "B" (The infrastructure in the system or network is in good to excellent condition; some elements show signs of general deterioration that require attention. A few elements exhibit significant deficiencies. Safe and reliable with minimal capacity issues and minimal risk.) by 2020.

In my opinion, groups like these are what is wrong with politics in America. While, as an engineer, I may benefit personally from an influx of that amount of money into the system, the new debt created by this would further cripple our economy.

 

[SLTA]

I wavered for years and finally joined up about 4 years ago. Our local group is great; monthly meetings and cheap PDHs. I looked at the insurance but got a better local rate. For me, as a sole proprietor, it's also somewhat about showing prospective clients that I'm legit and not just fly-by-night (too expensive if I weren't serious!).

I really enjoyed this last national conference, and even got a great local connection from it.

OHIOMatt, I get that they want to fix infrastructure, and I get that they lobby for money to fix it. I guess I don't see it as such a horrible thing to fix roads and bridges. I have no interest in participating in the Fly-Ins, though. I'm about local residences, not national infrastructure.

 

[XR250]

I also joined for the insurance but found a better deal after a few years. My clients would not care either way if I was a member.

 

[OHIOMatt]

Slta, I have no problem fixing roads and bridges (that need fixed) either. What I do not like are "fear tactics" used and the misleading terms and facts. For example in the state by state grading program, the energy generated section lists only the capacity generated by renewable resources. That is hardly a representation of generation capacity in my home state. We are seeing a huge energy production boom and are generating electricity from natural gas at an ever increasing rate.

 

[Triangled]

I've been a member and currently maintain membership primarily for the literature discounts and pdh class discounts. I find many of their classes informative. I haven't been to meetings.
I'd be interested in other venues for pdh's.

 

[msquared48]

Just SEAW.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[Ron]

Long time member, mostly for Journals, SEA and resume fluff for testimony (it helps to be a member of national organizations when testifying). Not impressed with their code document production....agree with others on that one.

Not active in local chapter or state chapter, but have presented at both.