Professional Biography
David Webster is a Senior Managing Engineer at YA Group with more than 30 years of experience as a structural engineer. In his role, he provides technical leadership and engineering expertise across new design, structural retrofits, field testing, and advanced analytical and mathematical modeling, supporting complex projects and delivering practical solutions for clients.
David has extensive experience working with a wide range of construction materials, methods, building codes, design standards, and analytical techniques. He is adept at developing solutions from first principles and has applied diverse problem‑solving strategies, including statistical methods and experimental design, to address complex engineering challenges. Over the past two decades, he has completed dozens of structural vibration evaluations and has instrumented buildings to collect and analyze noise and vibration data.
David’s additional industry experience includes a strong focus on delivering cost‑effective, implementable solutions that meet or exceed client expectations. His specialized expertise in structural vibration analysis and performance evaluation, combined with his broad technical background, enables him to provide practical, data‑driven recommendations across a wide range of project types and conditions.
Credentials & Certifications
- PhD
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Structural Engineer (SE)
Professional Experience
- Senior Managing Engineer | YA Group | 2006 - Current
- Principal Engineer | Jensen Hughes | 2020 - 2026
- Senior Associate II | Thornton Tomasetti | 2014 - 2020
- Senior Engineer | Sargent & Lundy | 2013 - 2014
- Research Assistant | Univ. of WA | 2009 - 2013
- Structural Engineer | KPFF | 2001 - 2010
- Student | Univ. of MN | 2000 - 2001
- Structural Engineer (contract) | Sinclair Knight Merz, Sydney, AUS | 1999 - 2000
- Structural Engineer | Price & Myers, London, UK | 1998 - 1999
- Structural Engineer | Connell Wagner, Sydney, AUS | 1997 - 1998
- Structural Engineer | Price & Myers, London, UK | 1996 - 1997
- Structural Engineer | Atelier One, London, UK | 19995 - 1996
- Engineer | Neil McKenzie & Associates, Brisbane, AUS | 1994 - 1995
Practices & Skillsets
- Structural Analysis
Publications and Presentations
- Webster, D., J. “Lessons Learned from a Former Design Engineer”, Oral Presentation, Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association, Seattle WA, January 2025.
- Webster, D., J. “Forensic Structural Engineering – An Introduction”, Oral Presentation, Construction Lawyers Society of America, Los Angeles CA, July 2024.
- Webster, D., J. “Dynamics in Earthquake Engineering”, Oral Presentation, George Mason University, Fairfax County VA; 2021.
- Designed and instructed class in Advanced Steel Design (CESG-524) at the University of Washington in winter quarter; Seattle WA, 2019-2020.
- Webster D., J., Berman J., W. & Lowes L., N. “Experimental Investigation of SPSW Web Plate Stress Field Development and Vertical Boundary Element Demand,” Journal of Structural Engineering, 2014 140(6).
- Webster D., J. “The Inelastic Seismic Response of Steel Plate Shear Wall Web Plates and Their Interaction with the Vertical Boundary Members,” Ph.D. Dissertation, 2013.
- Webster, D., J. “Alternative SPSW Web Plate Model Through Analytical and Experimental Investigations,” Oral Presentation, 44th Annual Structures Congress, Pittsburgh PA, March 2013.
- Webster, D., J. “The Elastic and Inelastic Post-Buckling Behavior of Steel Plate Shear Wall Web Plates and Their Interaction with Vertical Boundary Elements,” Oral Presentation, Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference, Grapevine TX, April 2012.
- Webster, D., J. “Design of Multi-tuned Mass Damper for Ridgefield Footbridge,” Oral Presentation, 43rd Annual Structures Congress, Chicago, IL, March 2012.
- Webster, D., J. “Overview of Design, Analysis and Control of Building & Footbridge Vibration”, Oral Presentation, University of Washington. May 2010.
- Webster, D. J., "Managing Shrinkage Cracks in HCA-Waterproofed Concrete Structures", Waterproof Magazine, December 2025. (2025)
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Structural Engineering, Univ. of Washington, Washington
- Master of Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Univ. of Minnesota, Minnesota
- Bachelor of Engineering, (Civil), Structural Engineering, Queensland Univ. of Technology, Brisbane
Affiliations
- ASCE Professional Member
- Affiliate Assistant Professor - Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Washington.
Professional Licenses
- Structural Engineer (SE) - Washington - License #38848
- Structural Engineer (SE) - Oregon - License #96260SE
- Structural Engineer (SE) - Utah - License #11737691-2203
- Structural Engineer (SE) - Hawaii - License #PE-19325
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Colorado - License #61028
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Idaho - License #19339
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Montana - License #PEL-PE-LIC-63227