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Steel Stud Bearing Walls

An Alternative to Traditional Podium Levels

Developers are always looking for new and innovative ways to make buildings more profitable and financially efficient. Traditionally, a multi-story bearing wall building over one to two levels of steel or concrete, also known as a podium structure, has filled this need by offering high-density residential units at the upper levels and parking or retail spaces at the lowest floors. For multi-story residential buildings, wood construction is generally considered the most cost-efficient form of construction, followed by cold-formed steel (CFS) bearing walls and then heavy steel or concrete framing. Because of this, developers have sought to maximize the number of wood-framed floors over the podium level before switching to more costly materials.

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Nov, 2022 By Humberto L. Coelho, P.E., Kevin Quan, P.E. and Micah Milner, P.E. In Structural Systems Comments 1

Circular Construction

Implementing Circular Economy Principles in Structural Engineering Practice

Last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated: “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land… Observed warming is driven by emissions from human activities. The scale of recent changes across the climate system as a whole are unprecedented over many centuries to many thousands of years.” Of course, these emissions are a product of global society as a whole. However, the building construction industry has been a significant emissions contributor and material user; approximately 40% of global material extraction is for housing, construction, and infrastructure. As structural engineers, we have a fantastic opportunity to be impactful leaders in reducing material use and emissions.

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Nov, 2022 By Dan Bergsagel, C.Eng., MICE In Structural Sustainability Comments 0

Excavation Shoring Design Guide

Temporary and permanent shoring is often a necessary factor when designing/constructing new building structures in urban areas. The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations’ (NCSEA) Excavation Shoring Design Guide was created and published to aid structural engineers by providing a single source document. The Guide incorporates all the available codes from the federal government and state agencies so engineers can adequately guide the design team and owners to have the most economical project.

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Nov, 2022 By Bryan G. Cortnik, MS, P.E., S.E. In Construction Issues Comments 1

Design for Combined Shear and Uplift from Wind

System Description

Using wood structural panels that are required to resist lateral loads and normal wind load requirements of the IBC Section 1609.6.4.4.1, Chapter 30 of ASCE-7, or IRC Section R301.2.1, additional wind uplift resistance from the panel can be achieved by providing additional nails to the shear nailing at the top and bottom of the panel. These additional nails are used to transfer the uplift forces from the top plate to the panel, from panel to panel at splice locations (if present), and from panel to sill plate at the foundation, effectively eliminating the need for uplift straps at these locations. Uplift straps may still be required around window and door openings in exterior walls to transfer the wind uplift loads acting on the header to the foundation below.

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Nov, 2022 By Borjen (“B.J.”) Yeh, P.E. In Guest Column Comments 0

Ethics: Issues When Replacing/Superseding a Consulting Engineer

In consulting engineering practice, structural engineers face new ethical issues from time to time. One such occurrence happened recently when our firm was asked to take over a project started by another engineer. Unfortunately, taking over a project started by another engineer has legal and ethical implications, and my research found little written material on the subject.

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Nov, 2022 By Neil Wexler, Ph.D., P.E. In Business Practices Comments 0

A Clear Trend in Roofing Technology

Over the past few years, a clear trend has emerged in major sports facility designs in the form of lightweight, transparent, and translucent materials for roofing and façade applications.

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Nov, 2022 By Bart Miller, P.E. In InSights Comments 0

National Initiative to Advance Building Codes

FEMA Says Expanded Use of International Codes Will Help Prevent Loss of Life

On June 1, 2022, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell announced a National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, a new government-wide effort to boost national resiliency and reduce energy costs. Under the initiative, U.S. federal departments and agencies will review federal funding and financing of building construction to ensure projects follow updated model codes and provide incentives and support for communities to adopt modern building codes. In addition, members of the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group (MitFLG) will review their infrastructure grantmaking processes to ensure that they align with and support the adoption and use of current editions of the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC). FEMA chairs the MitFLG, which consists of another 13 federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

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Nov, 2022 By Gabriel Maser, Esq. In Professional Issues Comments 0

A Case for Flexible Work

I believe that embracing flexible work environments can benefit the SE industry, firms, and employees – if the industry is willing to put in the effort to incorporate the change. It is time to create a new normal. I urge SE leaders to embrace the disruption caused by the pandemic and to grow and adapt instead of trying to “return to normal.” STRUCTURE’s April 2022 Editorial suggested that it was not possible to replicate one-on-one mentoring through an internet connection. I beg to differ.

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Nov, 2022 By Jordan A. Jarrett, Ph.D., P.E. In Structural Forum Comments 0

Big Changes in SE Exam are a Big Concern

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) intends to transition the SE Exam to a computer-based test (CBT). NCEES began the process of transitioning its licensing exams to a CBT format in 2011, and the SE exam is the last to undergo the change. Starting in 2024, the current two-section, 16-hour Structural Exam will be replaced with the new computer-based test. But here’s the rub: the new exam will be expanded to four sections and a length of 21 hours.

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Oct, 2022 By CASE Executive Committee In Editorial Comments 4

Structural Thermal Breaks

Components That Insulate Concrete and Steel Penetrations

Structural thermal breaks prevent condensation and mold, reduce heat loss through envelope penetrations, lower energy costs and carbon emissions, and reduce owner liability – while meeting increasingly stringent building energy codes.

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Oct, 2022 By Alyson Hallander In Structural Components Comments 0

Current Issue	Resource Guide

Review Category : Articles

An Alternative to Traditional Podium Levels

Implementing Circular Economy Principles in Structural Engineering Practice

System Description

FEMA Says Expanded Use of International Codes Will Help Prevent Loss of Life

Components That Insulate Concrete and Steel Penetrations