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Couldn’t Care Less: A Malpractice Primer for Structural Engineers, Part 1

Tort – the word is familiar (even in a non-pastry context), as are its menacing children: malpractice and negligence. They trigger visceral reactions in many a structural engineer (and lawyer). The word “tort” creeps in and out of the public consciousness, perhaps most often with its partner du jour: “reform.”

We hope to avoid torts. As structural engineers, however, we cannot ignore them, for tort law sets the standard that our professional engineering services are expected to meet or exceed. …

Jun, 2014 By Matthew R. Rechtien, P.E., Esq. In Articles, Legal Perspectives Comments 0

Strategic Planning at the Structural Engineering Institute

Among its many activities, the SEI Board of Governors (the Board) is engaged in long-term strategic planning. Over the past few years, as part of the planning, the Board has met, conducted surveys, and formed task committees to study specific initiatives. In October 2013, one of the task committees issued A Vision for the Future of Structural Engineers and Structural Engineering: A Case for Change, a Vision for the Future Report that focuses on leadership and innovation skills (www.asce/SEI). Based in part on that report, in April 2014 the Board advanced several initiatives. …

Jun, 2014 By Donald O. Dusenberry, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F. ASCE In Articles, Editorial Comments 0

For the Birds: Reimagining a Legacy

Dunn Associates, Inc. was an Outstanding Award Winner for the Tracy Aviary Visitors Center project in the 2013 NCSEA Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards program (Category – New Buildings under $10M). …

May, 2014 By Chris Olson, S.E. In Articles, Spotlight Comments 0

Structural Health Monitoring of America’s Infrastructure

When we think of bridge health evaluation, the traditional means and methods have been inspection by engineers in the field and ratings based on loading assumptions. Bridge inspectors are the original non-destructive evaluators, using observation and diligent records to establish how a bridge is performing during its life cycle. The term Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) has a greater implication, though; we are doing more than a visual evaluation. …

May, 2014 By Duncan Paterson, P.E., Ph.D. In Articles, InSights Comments 1

MasonrySystems.org (MSO)

A Resource for Structural Engineers

MasonrySystems.org is the brainchild of the Masonry Executives Council (MEC), a coalition of professionals from more than two dozen masonry associations. The goal of the website is to provide a unified source of inspiration and information about masonry design and construction. By working together, these associations are striving to make it easier for architects, engineers, developers, school boards, and city officials to choose to use masonry for their buildings. …

May, 2014 By Tim O’Toole In Articles, Guest Column Comments 0

Mentoring: It Makes Good Sense

As our careers have developed over time, most of us can think back to that special engineer or two that spearheaded our development as structural engineers. That special bond between mentor and mentee began in an informal fashion, and it wasn’t until later in our careers that the value of that relationship was recognized. At NCSEA, we believe relationships like these strengthen the careers of those involved and significantly increase the value of participating in our organization. …

May, 2014 By Thomas A. Grogan, Jr., P.E., S.E. and Heather Anesta, P.E., M.S., LEED AP In Articles, Editorial Comments 0

Rationality and Judgment Revisited

I have written previously about the shift in modern philosophy and culture away from practical judgment (phronesis) in favor of technical rationality (techne), primarily citing the work of Joseph Dunne (“Knowledge, Rationality, and Judgment,” July 2012; “The Rationality of Practice,” September 2012). Recently, I have encountered several other authors who have observed the same trend and called attention to its detrimental impacts on society. …

May, 2014 By Jon A. Schmidt, P.E., SECB In Articles, InFocus Comments 0

Flexural Masonry: Stress Design Works, Strength Design Fails?

Recent decades have seen major changes in methods of structural design and analysis. The allowable stress approach was applied to all materials for decades until, many years ago, the principles of strength design for reinforced concrete were introduced; they are now the norm for the design of such elements in the modern world. In more recent history, strength design methodologies have been developed and adopted for other common materials such as steel, masonry, and even wood. …

May, 2014 By Jerod G. Johnson, Ph.D., S.E. In Articles, Engineer's Notebook Comments 0

Bracing Masonry Walls under Construction Using Their Own Strength

Bracing of masonry walls under construction using the wall’s inherent strength rather than external bracing elements is a newer approach to bracing, and is known as Internal Bracing. It has been successfully applied in numerous projects with short to very tall walls. Bracing, in general, provides life safety for workers and other occupants on the job site, essentially keeping the wall up during construction and long enough to provide time for evacuation during a wind event. …

May, 2014 By Diane Throop, P.E. and Scott Walkowicz, P.E. In Articles, Construction Issues Comments 1

Training the Structural Engineer, Part 2

Unlike the students aspiring to enter many other professions, structural engineering students in most states are not permitted to take their licensing examinations immediately upon graduation. Rather, they must first serve an apprenticeship of three or four years. During this period, they typically have titles such as Engineer-In-Training (EIT), Engineering Intern, or Graduate Engineer. By state law, EITs are required to perform engineering work only under the direct supervision of licensed professional engineers. …

May, 2014 By Stan R. Caldwell, P.E., SECB, F. ASCE, F.SEI, F.AEI In Articles, Structural Forum Comments 0

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