Component and cladding (C&C) roof pressures changed significantly in ASCE 7-16, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. For flat roofs, the corner zones changed to an ‘L’ shape with zone widths based on the mean roof height and an additional edge zone was added. …
Part 1 of this 2-part series (STRUCTURE, June 2018) addressed structural behavior and assessment methods. Part 2 focuses on analysis and repair options. …
The overall integrity and performance of a special moment frame, which is required in buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category (SDC) D, E, and F, is dependent on the behavior of the beam-column joints in the frames. …
The Basic Education Committee (BEC) launched two surveys in 2016 related to the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) recommended curriculum:
Gustav Lindenthal was chief engineer of the New York Connecting Railroad for many years. The length of his section was 3.38 miles long and extended from a point in the Bronx at the intersection with the New Haven Railroad to Stemler Street in Long Island City. The line from north to south crossed the Bronx Kill, ran over Randall’s Island, across the Little Hell Gate, across Wards Island and over the East River at Hell Gate, and then by a long viaduct to the southerly-most point of his Division. The largest of the three bridges on the line was the Hell Gate. …
When a nationally-known organic food market arrived in my neighborhood, I was very excited. The store radiated an idiosyncratic “crunchy granola” vibe. Fresh flowers, a coffee bar, and a shoeshine station situated at the store entrance communicated the message that this market would be unlike any other. The youthful, hip staff seemed enthusiastic about their work, making eye contact and small talk at the register. …
What if students in capstone design classes completed structural designs for real sites, interacted with a real client, and added value for future construction?
In undergraduate education, structural capstone designs are usually retrospective or invented, even when planned for a real site. Universities create competitive design climates, even incorporating virtual reality into capstone design courses. Some universities invite practitioners to judge the students’ design presentations. However, the projects are not constructed. The students know that the project will never be constructed: it is just about learning and, ultimately, a grade. …
Design forces for short period, regular structures, five stories and less in height, in high seismic hazard areas, are permitted to be designed for less seismic force than would otherwise be required by use of the mapped ground motion parameters. …
You recently hired a new college graduate to join your team – congratulations! Adding someone new to the team feels great and has the potential to be very rewarding for you, the existing team members, and the new hire. In this article, four key points about assimilating your new graduate into your company will help you and the new hire have more success. …
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP was an Outstanding Award winner for The Desmond Building project in the 2017 Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Program in the Category – Forensic/Renovation/Retrofit/Rehabilitation Structures under $20M. …