Academy of Distinguished Alumni
Rafael Sabelli M.S., P.E., S.E.
Inducted to the Academy of Distinguished Alumni on
Rafael Sabelli received his Bachelor of Arts degree (1989) from the University of Chicago, followed by a Master of Architecture (1992) and a Master of Civil Engineering (1993) from the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Sabelli began his career in structural engineering, focusing on seismic design solutions for high-risk earthquake zones, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. He served as the Director of Technical Development at DASSE Design, where he played a pivotal role in developing seismic systems. Later, Mr. Sabelli joined Walter P. Moore as the Director of Seismic Design, where he continues to lead the firm's seismic design efforts for high-profile projects.
Mr. Sabelli is widely recognized as a preeminent leader in seismic design, particularly known for his groundbreaking work in developing and adopting buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs) in seismic engineering. His notable projects include the seismic design of SoFi Stadium, which earned over 12 national and international awards, and the SFIA Air Traffic Control Tower, which won the ACEC National Engineering Excellence Grand Conceptor Award. Mr. Sabelli has published numerous technical papers and is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences. He is co-author of “Ductile Design of Steel Structures,” the definitive textbook on the subject.
Mr. Sabelli’s professional contributions have been recognized through various prestigious awards, including the AISC Lifetime Achievement Award (2021), the T.R. Higgins Lectureship (2008), and the AISC Special Achievement Award (2013). His leadership roles within professional organizations include the past president of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) and the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC).
Mr. Sabelli remains deeply engaged with Berkeley CEE, contributing as an invited lecturer, mentor in the SEMM Mentorship Program, and collaborator on seismic design research. His ongoing involvement includes working closely with faculty on advancing seismic safety in structural engineering and supporting initiatives that prepare the next generation of engineers. Over the years, he has taught steel design to both undergraduates and graduate students at CAL.