Terrence F. Paret

Experience

Since joining WJE in 1986, Terry Paret has performed hundreds of engineering investigations in the United States and abroad, focusing on the evaluation of structures after earthquakes, the prediction of the probable performance of new and existing buildings in future earthquakes, and the design of repairs and rehabilitation to mitigate damage and improve earthquake resistance. He has investigated structures that have been damaged or have collapsed due to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods and has evaluated a multitude of fire-damaged structures as well as defective or deteriorated structural elements, systems, construction materials, and installations. These investigations also frequently involved assessment of the effects of thermal loading, wind, restraint-to-shrinkage, ground settlement, and dead and live loading.

Mr. Paret’s projects have involved high- and low-rise buildings; modern and historic buildings; commercial, residential, industrial, parking, medical, and institutional buildings; and structural systems consisting of steel, concrete, wood, and masonry. Prior to joining WJE, Mr. Paret was a designer of high-rise reinforced concrete buildings in New York City.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Earthquake Damage Investigation

• Washington Monument - Washington, D.C.
• University of Canterbury - Christchurch, New Zealand
• Seiyu Properties - Japan
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Big Island, HI
• Mission San Miguel - San Miguel, CA
• Los Angeles County Civic Center
• Buildings - CA
• Oviatt Library - Northridge, CA
• Trillium Complex - Woodland Hills, CA
• San Francisco Airport Hyatt Regency Hotel - Burlingame, CA

 

Structural Performance Evaluation

• McGuire Building - Seattle, WA
• Courthouse Square - Salem, OR
• Modesto Irrigation District - Modesto, CA
• Columbia Center - Seattle, WA

 

Failure Investigation

• I-35W Bridge Collapse - Minneapolis, MN
• Interstate 5 Tunnel Fire - Santa Clarita, CA
• San Quentin Seawall - San Quentin, CA
• MacArthur Maze I-580/880 Collapse - Oakland, CA
• Interstate 40 Bridges - CA

 

Seismic Risk Assessment

• Washington Monument - Washington, D.C.
• United Nations Secretariat - New York, NY
• Gressette Building - Columbia, SC: Assessment of state senate office building
• Critical Care Facility - San Francisco area
• Anchorage International Airport - AK
• U.S. Department of State: Assessment of buildings in Algeria, China, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey

 

Seismic Retrofit Design

• Hibernia Bank Building - San Francisco, CA: Performance-based seismic retrofit
• Sherith Israel - San Francisco, CA: Performance-based seismic retrofit
• State Bar Building - San Francisco, CA: Performance-based seismic retrofit
• Clorox Building - Oakland, CA: Performance-based seismic retrofit
• Bayshore Mall - Eureka, CA: Performance-based seismic retrofit

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of Steel Construction
American Society of Civil Engineers
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
Seismological Society of America
Structural Engineers Association of California
Structural Stability Research Council

Education

University of Vermont
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 1981

University of California, Berkeley
Master of Science, Structural Engineering, 1985