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Is Lightweight Concrete All Wet?

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Lightweight Concrete in Building Construction

Recently, lightweight concrete has been implicated as the primary culprit in moisture-related failures of adhered flooring systems. Although fast-track construction techniques and government-mandated changes in flooring adhesives also have contributed to these problems, some critics suggest that the consequences of a finish floor failure outweigh the benefits that lightweight concrete can bring to a project. In light of this controversy, it is worth evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of lightweight concrete, considering not only its interactions with flooring systems but also how it affects building aspects such as steel tonnage, foundations, and slab fire ratings. Despite the moisture-related challenges that lightweight concrete poses, properly designed and constructed lightweight concrete floor slabs offer a number of efficiencies over normal-weight concrete slabs that project teams should consider. …

Jan, 2013 By David P. Martin, P.E., Alec S. Zimmer, P.E., Michael J. Bolduc, P.E. and Emily R. Hopps, P.E. In Articles, Building Blocks Comments 19

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Proton Therapy Vault | New Brunswick, NJ

O’Donnell & Naccarato, Inc. was an Outstanding Award winner for the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital project in the 2012 NCSEA Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards program (Category – New Buildings under $10 Million).

Proton Therapy utilizes complex machines that deliver positively charged atomic particles focused precisely on small cancerous growths, without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. Embracing this promising technology, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital has built a 4,900 square foot Proton Therapy building that houses two Proton Therapy treatment machines. …

Jan, 2013 By Michael Herrmann, P.E. In Articles, Spotlight Comments 0

Design of Slender Concrete Columns

When designing a column, structural engineers must evaluate the impact of second order or P-∆ effects to determine if loads applied to a structure in its deformed position significantly increase internal forces (i.e. by more than 5%). Typically, second order effects of this magnitude occur when a column is slender; that is, when its height-to-width ratio is greater than approximately 10. …

Jan, 2013 By Tanner Wytroval and Robin Tuchscherer, Ph.D., P.E. In Articles, Codes and Standards Comments 0

How to Have a Happy and Prosperous 2013

If the title of this editorial didn’t catch your eye, you must have skipped a few pages.

Truthfully, I wish for all structural engineering firms to have a Culture that exudes harmony and happiness for owners and staff, as well as their clients. Probably one of the most important traits of a firm’s culture is the way in which staff communicates with one another and with clients. …

Jan, 2013 By John A. Mercer, P.E., SECB In Articles, Editorial Comments 0

Bayes’ Rule for the Practicing Structural Engineer

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he will end in certainties.
– Francis Bacon

Practicing structural engineers must make decisions on safety, cost and utility even when “hard information” is not available. “Bayes’ Rule” is a mathematical tool for using experience and judgment to calculate the probabilities that could guide these decisions. The engineer assembles data such as test results, develops a hypothesis relating the data to underlying causes, and uses Bayes’ Rule to calculate the probability that the hypothesis is correct. …

Jan, 2013 By James Lefter, P.E. In Articles, Engineer's Notebook Comments 0

Challenging Traditional Design with BIM

Once in a while, every engineer encounters a project that presents new opportunities for innovation and advancement. Almost seven years ago, it was a small chiller plant that tempted me to dabble with a new software called Revit, which was slowly making its way into our industry. Today, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a household name in the A/E community where interoperability between documentation, analysis, design, and fabrication models can be achieved. But how close are we really from taking the architectural massing model from concept to fabrication in an efficient manner? I recently had the opportunity to address that question in the design of a 36-foot tall monumental exposed steel tower structure. Once the team decided to step away from traditional design methods and embraced the new technologies, the answers I found were surprising. …

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

Addressing Punching Failure

Considerations to Prevent Premature Concentric Punching Shear Failure in Reinforced Concrete (RC) Two-way Slabs

Two-way slabs are unique to Reinforced Concrete (RC) construction. The most common type, due to its ease of forming and speed of construction, is the flat plate, a slab of uniform thickness supported by columns without beams, drop panels or capitals. Flat plates are common in building construction, and can also be found as deck components in waterfront piers and wharves. …

Jan, 2013 By Carlos E. Ospina, Ph.D., P.E. and Neil M. Hawkins, Ph.D. Dist. M. ASCE, Hon. M. ACI In Articles, Structural Design Comments 0

Global Patented Innovation in Structural Engineering

Analyzing the economic strength, patent systems, and structural engineering traditions of nations offers one way to evaluate major players in patented structural engineering innovation. In general, the leading nations for patented structural engineering innovation possess relatively strong economies, rich civil engineering traditions, and strong patent systems. The United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, China, Italy, Canada, and Australia rank atop the list of patenting nations for civil and structural engineering innovation. …

Jan, 2013 By Stephen L. Keefe, P.E., Esq. In Articles, Legal Perspectives Comments 0

Developing the Next Generation of Structural Engineers – Part 4

Industry Reform/Conclusions …

Dec, 2012 By Glenn R. Bell, P.E., S.E., C.Eng, FIStructE, F.SEI, F.ASCE In Articles, Structural Forum Comments 0

Don’t Get Burned

Emerging Technology Simplifies Fire-Rated Floor/Ceiling Assemblies in Wood-Framed Buildings …

Dec, 2012 By Glen Robak, P.E., SECB In Articles, InSights Comments 0

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Lightweight Concrete in Building Construction

Proton Therapy Vault | New Brunswick, NJ

Considerations to Prevent Premature Concentric Punching Shear Failure in Reinforced Concrete (RC) Two-way Slabs

Industry Reform/Conclusions …

Emerging Technology Simplifies Fire-Rated Floor/Ceiling Assemblies in Wood-Framed Buildings …