David R. Ojala, P.E., LEED AP

Mr. Ojala specializes in the seismic design, analysis, and assessment of steel and concrete building structures, and also has experience in many areas of structural, civil, and geotechnical engineering including light-frame and masonry construction; bridge design and inspection; retaining wall, foundation and soil anchorage design; and cladding systems.

Mr. Ojala received his graduate and undergraduate degrees in civil engineering at Case Western Reserve University, focusing in structural dynamics and geotechnical engineering. His research experience includes dynamic finite element analysis of acoustic guitar soundboard bracing systems, and a NASA-funded project to perform computer modeling of lunar regolith excavation.

Prior to joining Exponent, Mr. Ojala worked in Chicago for a firm specializing in bridge engineering, assisting with the design and inspection of bridges, retaining walls, and drainage structures. Most recently, he worked at a San Francisco structural engineering firm, where he performed analysis, design, inspection, and construction administration of buildings in the United States and overseas. His design experience ranges from small-scale retrofits to high-rise buildings, masonry to steel, and structural designs to resist seismic and wind loadings.

In addition to his work experience, Mr. Ojala is heavily involved in structural disaster response and assessment activities. He is a trained Structures Specialist with FEMA Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 4 in Oakland, a member of the Structural Engineers Association of California's Earthquake Performance Evaluation Program, and is a trained Safety Assessment Program Evaluator for CalEMA. He also serves as past-chair of the Disaster Emergency Services committee of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California.

Ojala DR. Finite element modeling of lunar regolith excavation. Department of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, December 18, 2006.

Ojala DR. Dynamic, finite element analysis of an acoustic guitar soundboard. Department of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, May 9, 2006.

Presentations

Ojala DR. Building evaluation case study: Mills College, Fine Arts Annex. SEAONC SAP/ATC-20 Training, Oakland, CA, November 5, 2011.

Ojala DR. ATC-20 procedures for postearthquake safety evaluation of buildings: A brief history and overview. SEAONC December Mini-Seminar: International Case Studies for Post-Earthquake Building Evaluation Using ATC-20 Procedures, San Francisco, CA, December 8, 2010.

• American Society of Civil Engineers (member)
• American Welding Society (member)
• Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (member)
  • Past-Chair, Disaster Emergency Services Committee
  • Member, Seismology Committee, Ground Motions Subcommittee
  • Evaluator, Earthquake Performance Evaluation Program (SEAOC)