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Modeling of Historic Structures

Simulation-Based Structural Analysis of Fort Sumter Considering Foundation Settlement

With the invention of mid-19^th century naval weaponry, coastal fortifications in the United States were rendered obsolete as they lost their functional use of defense. More than 100 coastal forts, now over a century old, are considered national heritage structures to be preserved for future generations. Many of these brick masonry forts have incurred structural damage during bombardments, and further accumulated damage due to the harsh environments in which they were constructed. …

May, 2013 By Sez Atamturktur, Ph.D. and Saurabh Prabhu In Articles, Historic Structures Comments 0

Filling the Void

As structural engineers, we typically don’t pay much attention to insulation issues. But modern energy codes are getting much stricter regarding the thermal integrity of the exterior building enclosure. You are likely seeing architects adding insulation in places that they didn’t worry about before, such as between slabs and foundation walls, and on the outside of the exterior sheathing on steel stud walls. …

May, 2013 By Greg Schindler, S.E. In Articles, InSights Comments 0

Shrinkage Forces on Concrete and Stone

Definitions

Porous: Possessing or full of pores, permeable to liquids.

Porosity: The ratio of the volume of interstices of a material to the volume of its mass.

Volume of Permeable Voids: Volume of space where water or air can permeate.

(From Webster’s 7^th New Collegiate Dictionary, B4C Merriam Company, 1972.) …

May, 2013 By Garen B. Gregorian, P.E. In Articles, Building Blocks Comments 0

Harmonization of Allowable Stress Design and Strength Design of Masonry

This article is provided by Ed Huston as the 2011 recipient of The Masonry Society’s Haller Award. Named for Professor Paul Haller, the Haller Award recognizes an individual engineer or engineering firm that has enhanced the knowledge of masonry in practice. Ed has an extensive background in masonry design, research, and teaching that has resulted in advancements in masonry design practice and code development. …

May, 2013 By Edwin T. Huston, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Codes and Standards Comments 0

Masonry Façade Condition Assessment Tool

Question

For the critical examination or condition assessment of masonry façades, what is a good reference for practicing engineers to use? …

May, 2013 By Pamela Jergenson, CCS, CCCA In Articles, Just the FAQs Comments 0

The Moral Virtues of Engineering

According to Alasdair MacIntyre, applying virtue ethics to any practice is primarily a matter of recognizing the goods that are internal to it and the character traits that enable those who are involved in it to achieve them (“Rethinking Engineering Ethics,” November 2010; “Engineering Ethics as Virtue Ethics,” May 2011). David Miller argued that this is insufficient for practices that serve a wider social purpose (“The Proper Purpose of Engineering,” January 2013). When it comes to what constitutes a virtue in these cases, he wrote: …

May, 2013 By Jon A. Schmidt, P.E., SECB In Articles, InFocus Comments 1

Certifying the Practice of Structural Engineering

The Mission Statement for the Structural Engineers Certification Board (SECB) is as follows:

To determine the level of unique and additional education, examination, and experience necessary to perform the science and art of Structural Engineering.
To provide a common national process for structural engineers to become certified.
To provide the public and stakeholders with an identification instrument that distinguishes an engineer with those unique and additional qualities necessary to perform structural engineering. …

May, 2013 By Joseph J. Luke, P.E., SECB In Articles, Editorial Comments 0

Mechanical Anchor Strength in Stone Masonry

Mechanical anchor systems are commonly installed in historic masonry materials despite the lack of manufacturer-specified design values for this type of substrate. Scaffolding lateral supports, signage installations and telecommunication mounting systems all use these mechanical fasteners in natural stone materials. …

May, 2013 By Kelly Streeter, P.E. and Keith Luscinski In Articles, Structural Practices Comments 3

BIM for Masonry

What’s Coming for Structural Engineers

It’s been several years since the inception of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in our industry. Substantial progress has been made by the different software developers to provide us with the tools needed to tackle any type of project. As BIM use increases and progresses from design offices to construction trailers and fabrication shops, new needs emerge for the different professions and trades. …

May, 2013 By Tomas Amor, P.E. In Articles, Technology Comments 0

Space Structures Reach Siberia

A nine-story glass building, shaped like a flower bud, is being built in the young scientific and industrial center of Siberia, Novosibirsk (Figure 1).

In such a harsh weather environment – where during five cold days in January the temperature can drop down to -39 degrees (C), and the difference between the day and night temperatures in March can reach 30 degrees (C) (from -15degrees to +15 degrees (C)) – such a building may seem to be very risky and unexpected. …

Apr, 2013 By Denis Gerasimov In Articles, Outside the Box Comments 0

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Simulation-Based Structural Analysis of Fort Sumter Considering Foundation Settlement

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What’s Coming for Structural Engineers