National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee (NCSTAC)

Meeting Summary

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Gaithersburg, Maryland

(Public Meeting conducted via web conference)

November 8, 2021

Advisory Committee Members:

Reginald DesRoches, Chair Rice University

Ross Corotis, Vice Chair University of Colorado, Boulder

William Holmes Rutherford + Chekene

Jose Izquierdo-Encarnación PORTICUS

Gary Klein Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (recused from Champlain Towers 

Discussion)

Kimberly Shoaf Utah School of Medicine

Jeannette Sutton University at Albany, State University of New York

NIST Leadership:

James Olthoff Acting Director, NIST

Joannie Chin Acting Director, Engineering Laboratory

Jason Averill Chief, Materials & Structural Systems Division (MSSD)

Judith Mitrani-Reiser Associate Chief, MSSD and Champlain Towers South NCST Lead 

Investigator

NIST Staff (listed in alphabetical order):

Regina Avila Digital Services Librarian

Glenn Bell Structural Engineer and Champlain Towers South NCST Associate 

Lead Investigator

Tanya Brown-Giammanco Director, Disaster and Failure Studies

Benjamin Davis Designated Federal Officer, NCSTAC

Maria Dillard Social Scientist and Hurricane Maria NCST Associate Lead 

Investigator

Tina Faecke Management and Program Analyst

Peter Gale Administrative Office Assistant

David Goodwin Research Chemist, Infrastructure Materials Group

Kenneth Harrison Operations Research Analyst, Community Resilience Group

Emina Herovic Social Scientist, Materials and Structural Systems Division

Kathryn “Jo” Johnson Research Social Scientist, Earthquake Engineering Group

Vincent Lee Mechanical Engineer, Dimensional Metrology Group

Marc Levitan Research Engineer, Structures Group

Joseph Main Research Engineer, Structures Group and Hurricane Maria NCST 

Lead Investigator

Sissy Nikolaou Group Leader, Earthquake Engineering Group

Long Phan Group Leader, Structures Group

Fahim Sadek Research Structural Engineer, Structures Group
Kamel Saidi Acting Group Leader, Sensing & Perception Systems Group

Scott Weaver Director, National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program

Jonathan Weigand Research Structural Engineer, Structures Group

DongHun Yeo Research Engineer, Structures Group

Other Attendees:

David Rodan Self 

Sara Yerkes International Code Council
I. Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Mr. Benjamin Davis, serving as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO), called the meeting to 

order and took roll call for the Committee members. He introduced the NIST Acting Director, 

Dr. James Olthoff, who thanked the Committee for their engagement and serious participation 

and stated that the NCSTAC and its reports are very important to NIST. Dr. Olthoff noted that 

the Committee would receive an update on Hurricane Maria’s impacts on Puerto Rico and the 

Champlain Towers South partial collapse in Surfside, Florida. He also reminded the Committee 

of the impact their recommendations make as a result of NCST’s investigations for saving the 

lives of US citizens exposed to varying hazards, thanked the Committee members for their 

contributions, and encouraged them to continue to provide advice.

II. Meeting Goals and Agenda

Dr. Reginald DesRoches reviewed the meeting’s goals:

- Receive updates on the Disaster and Failure Studies (DFS) Program

- Review the status of the NCST Investigation of Hurricane Maria

- Review the status of the NCST Investigation of the partial collapse of Champlain Towers 

South in Surfside, Florida 

- Discuss and finalize the Committee’s draft annual report to Congress

III. Disaster and Failure Studies Program Updates

Dr. Tanya Brown-Giammanco delivered an update on scoring of events and enhancing the 

readiness of teams, focusing on three key thrust areas: statutory, procedures, and research. Her 

presentation can be found here: 

https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2021/11/05/01_BROWNGIAMMANCO_NCSTAC_Oct2021_DFSReadiness_Final.pdf

Discussion:

Regarding the automated event scoring, the Committee asked what type of building stock data 

will be used. NIST responded that building size, number of stories, and type of building would 

be useful data. The Committee asked about the mortality model for that data. NIST reminded the 

Committee that the mortality modeling was based on the social vulnerability index discussed 

during the June NCSTAC meeting; no changes were made. NIST recognizes the Committee’s 

concern regarding the vulnerability of an area as a storm approaches, and solicited additional 

input.

The Committee asked if the HAZUS dataset is appropriate for the information NIST needs. 

Wind is part of HAZUS and NIST is exploring the possibility of tapping into that data stream for 

the building damage information. The Committee noted that the only module in HAZUS that has 

casualties included is earthquakes; therefore, it would not be helpful for any of the other hazards 

from a mortality standpoint. The Committee noted the SimCenter, a Natural Hazards 

Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) facility at UC Berkeley, provides next-generation 
computational modeling and simulation software tools, including the building stock and the 

vulnerability of the building stock.

IV. Hurricane Maria NCST Investigation Updates

Prior to the presentation, the DFO asked if any members of the Committee had a conflict of 

interest, and if so, to recuse themselves. No Committee members recused themselves. Dr. Joseph 

Main reviewed the Hurricane Maria NCST Investigation’s goals and progress. His presentation 

can be found here: 

https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/noindex/2021/11/05/02_MAIN_NCSTAC_Nov202

1_HurricaneMariaUpdate_final.pdf

Discussion:

The Committee reported there are still millions of dollars in Puerto Rico not being used due to 

the disconnection between federal regulations of different agencies and state and local 

governments. Training for state and local governments on how to manage funds received 

following a disaster was suggested by the Committee. NIST reported that NCST is mainly 

focused on immediate impacts in terms of damage to buildings and recovery. At least two of the 

NCST recovery projects, one focused on small and medium-size businesses and the other 

focused on schools and hospitals, will try to document the timeline and the challenges for 

applications and receipt of other disaster assistance funding. In addition, there is a lack of 

systematically collected data showing the timeline and impacts for the lag of funds received for 

recovery. Once we are able to document the timeline and associated challenges, NIST will be in 

a better position to support recommendations on how to improve recovery.

The Committee asked for a prediction of when NIST can provide an update on the wind field 

data collection. NIST noted March 2023 is the last date for collecting wind measurement data; 

however, NIST plans to analyze other data as it arrives and will provide updates to the 

Committee.

The Committee asked about challenges NIST foresees in extrapolating the findings of specific 

events (wind, flood, and rainfall) toward broader lessons for improvements in codes and 

preparation for responding to future events. NIST is mindful of the broader concern in planning 

their work and is careful to facilitate broader recommendations rather than recommendations for 

a specific building. In addition, the Committee questioned how broad these lessons should be and 

stressed the importance of the effect of topography. NIST noted the recommendations received 

will be posted for public comment and broader perspectives.

The Committee inquired about whether NIST had access to rich datasets for understanding 

interdependencies (water, power, transportation) adequately. NIST reported that there is an entire 

project focused on the infrastructure aspects including interdependencies related to critical 

delays. Phase 1 evaluations are completed but didn’t contain interdependency information; 

however, Phase 2 of the facility (hospital) interviews includes questions regarding 

interdependencies. 

V. NCST Investigation on Partial Collapse of Champlain Towers South
Prior to the presentation, the DFO asked if any members of the Committee had a conflict of 

interest, and if so, to recuse themselves. Committee member Gary Klein recused himself. The 

lead investigator, Dr. Judith Mitrani-Reiser, provided an overview of NIST’s two-month 

deployment to Surfside, Florida. Her presentation can be found here:

https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/noindex/2021/11/05/03_MITRANIREISER_NCSTAC_Meeting_2021Nov08_Mitrani-Reiser_final.pdf

The Associate Lead Investigator, Mr. Glenn Bell, provided an overview of NIST’s activities 

post-deployment to Surfside. His presentation can be found here:

https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/noindex/2021/11/05/04_BELL_NCSTAC_Meeting

_2021_2021Nov8_Bell_final.pptx.pdf

Discussion:

Regarding Category four and five hurricanes, the Committee asked if NIST is investigating the 

water pressure from the sea and the wind and how that affects the building foundation on the 

shore. NIST reported that both the history and geotechnical projects are looking at the entire 

history of loading on the structure, including wind loads, in addition to anything else that had a 

lasting impact on the structure as well as the site and geological conditions.

The Committee requested clarification on whether existing elements in the laboratory will be 

tested or if specimens will be built to represent those elements. NIST responded that subsamples 

extracted from specimens will be tested, but the larger scale testing is visioned around mockups 

created.

The Committee asked if the Congressional funding and timescales are consistent with the early 

planning objectives and goals. NIST responded they have a lot to accomplish in two years and 

are currently in the process of assembling individual project teams and developing a timeline that 

will identify interdependencies. Due to the complexity of the investigation, it is likely the NIST’s 

work will extend beyond two years. NIST added that their timeline and vision of financial 

resources are consistent with what needs to be achieved. The supplemental funds are greatly 

appreciated and enable NIST to maintain the momentum and assemble the teams quickly.

The Committee inquired whether there is any intention to look at where fatalities occurred and 

then map those in regards to evacuation. NIST responded that it is currently not included in the 

project plans, but the plans are still developing. Fatalities are something NIST is looking at 

closely and the data have already been collected by others.

The Committee requested additional details on the interview population related to the history of 

the buildings and codes. NIST reported interviews are being conducted by every project. NIST 

teams do not currently include a project leader in the social sciences area but that is a key 

component that will be needed. NIST will share more information regarding the interview 

methods during the next NCSTAC meeting.

The Committee asked for clarification, in terms of the structural modeling, and on how NIST is 

managing the correlation between the original plans and what was actually built. NIST reported 

the evidence collected and contacts they plan to draw upon, including: 
- original construction records; 

- people with general knowledge of construction techniques; 

- specimens of the structure including the location; 

- remote sensing documentation of the search and rescue information; and 

- characterization of the building materials.

The Committee inquired how NIST will use uncertainty as part of the processes for the collapse. 

NIST reported uncertainty will be considered on every aspect of the project. In addition, the 

NIST Statistical Engineering Division will be engaged as well as contractors to track the 

uncertainty quantification work across all projects.

VI. Summary Remarks 

Dr. Joannie Chin thanked the NCSTAC members for their continued support and dedication. She 

assured them the NIST team members will continue to work tirelessly conducting each 

investigation, utilizing the best and brightest internal and external experts. Equally important is 

ensuring that NIST investigations result in necessary recommendations to codes, standards, and 

practices in addition to following through to ensure those recommendations are implemented to 

prevent similar events from occurring in the future. She asked members of the public with 

relevant information, knowledge, or hypothesis to submit them through the data portal. Dr. Chin 

thanked the Committee for their engagement and noted that she looks forward to receiving their 

annual report to Congress.

VII. Public Comment Period

The public comment period included three speakers: a representative (Sara Yerkes) from the 

International Code Council (ICC) describing their recent activities related to the Champlain 

Towers South collapse and announcement of an upcoming webinar on Dec 7; a family member 

(David Rodan) spoke about their frustration with the lack of NIST findings to date and also 

raised various concerns (e.g., design errors, vibrations from neighboring structure construction, 

and proximity of adjacent building construction) that he would like NIST to explore in their 

investigation; and an anonymous speaker submitted their concerns about the lack of trust they 

have in the condo associations and local building officials and structural concerns they have with 

their own building (Champlain Towers East).

VIII. NCSTAC Preparation of Annual Report to Congress 

The Committee reviewed the early draft report and writing assignments from the June meeting 

and discussed additional topics to include in their annual report to Congress. Dr. DesRoches led 

the discussion and asked each member to insert any additional edits directly in the shared Google 

document by November 19. Dr. DesRoches will circulate a final draft report in early December

for review and final comments.

IX. Adjournment

Mr. Davis stated that a poll will be distributed to the Committee to schedule a two-day virtual 

meeting in June 2022. The meeting was adjourned at 3:46 pm ET by Mr. Davis.