Internationally recognized as an authority on structural load modeling and load combination analysis, structural reliability and risk analysis of engineered facilities, Ellingwood also is considered a leader in the technical development and implementation of probability based codified design standards for building structures. He served as administrator of the Secretariat of American National Standard Committee A58 on Minimum Design Loads from 1977 to 1984, directing the development of the general probability-based load criteria for limit states design that have appeared for nearly three decades in successive editions of “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures,” most recently ASCE Standard 7-05. These standards are found in all strength design standards—structural steel, concrete and wood construction—in the United States.

According to ASCE, Ellingwood is recognized primarily for his contributions of the last 30 years in implementing novel research concepts into engineering practice. In recent years, Ellingwood’s expertise in dealing with low-probability, high-consequence events in structural design and condition assessment has made him an authoritative and sought-after individual for the treatment of abnormal loads and progressive (disproportionate) collapse, structural engineering for fire conditions, and for probabilistic risk assessment of special structures.

According to Ellingwood, in the 158-year history of the ASCE, only 586 other engineers have been similarly named. “I was truly honored to be elected as a Distinguished Member of ASCE,” he said. “I have been a member of ASCE for over 35 years, and treasure my numerous professional associations and friendships with Society colleagues. My fellow Distinguished Members are at the top of the profession, and it is a privilege to be considered as worthy to be included in that group.”

Ellingwood’s career has spanned both academe and federal service. He joined the Civil and Environmental Engineering faculty in 2000, and was Chair of the School from 2000 to 2002. In 2001, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in the use of probability and statistics in the design of structures and in the development of new design criteria.