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Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook

Clay and Concrete Masonry – 7th Edition (2012)

By David T. Biggs, P.E., S.E.

The handbook is jointly published by the Masonry Institute of America (MIA) and the International Code Council (ICC). Now in its seventh edition, the handbook continues to be a must-have reference for both structural engineers designing masonry and inspectors. The original author was James E. Amrhein, P.E., S.E. who continued developing the handbook until his passing in 2011. For the last two editions, co-authors have assisted Jim. This edition was capably co-authored by John M. Hockwalt, P.E., S.E. of KPFF Consulting Engineers, Seattle. …

May, 2014 By STRUCTURE magazine and structuremag In Book Reviews

Are Special Inspections a Code Provision or Aren’t They?

Imagine for a moment that the building official for one of your projects decided that they were not going to enforce the code provisions for fire protection or the provisions for exiting requirements. How do you think the project architect would react? Or, if the building official decided that a certain structural design provision could be ignored. …

Apr, 2014 By Andrew Rauch, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Editorial Comments 0

The Rise and Demise of Egypt’s Largest Pyramids: A Builder’s View

My love of Egypt and my first contact with Egyptian construction started in 1994 when I was asked to provide a scheme to strengthen parts of historic Cairo after the devastating earthquake in 1992. This initial contract was to work with the state-owned Arab Contractors to strengthen the Al Ghory Mosque, which had been extensively damaged. It was at that time that I was able to visit the Giza Plateau to see the pyramids. …

Apr, 2014 By Peter James In Feature

Right-sizing Under-slab Insulation

Applying the Theory of Plates on Elastic Foundations to Save Material Costs

A common, simplifying assumption used for specifying polystyrene insulation under concrete slabs results in material costs that are significantly higher than necessary. Using a design equation based on a more rigorous analysis of the design conditions can help avoid over-engineering the insulation and save thousands of dollars on the project. …

Apr, 2014 By Joe Pasma, P.E. In Articles, Structural Economics Comments 9

Pour Strips and Constructability

In constructing a concrete building with a large foot print and/or post-tensioning, it is often necessary to have pour strips. A pour strip, also known as a closure strip, is a section of concrete slab left open to control shrinkage and elastic shortening; it can also be utilized to provide access for stressing of post-tensioning tendons. Pour strips are usually left open for 30 to 60 days to allow for the initial shrinkage and elastic shortening, and then filled with concrete after that time to complete slab continuity. …

Apr, 2014 By Mary Bordner Tanck In Articles, Construction Issues Comments 13

Optimizing Light and Space in the Big City

At eight stories high and comprised of reinforced concrete flat plate construction (concrete slab without beams), the residential building at 653 Tenth Avenue in New York City boasts distinct features that make this building more than the average ‘flat plate’. These include a column free corner with cantilevers of up to 20 feet long and a large amount of exposed reinforced concrete structure, both of which were achieved with a structural slab of no more than 8 inches thick on the interior of the space. …

Apr, 2014 By J. Benjamin Alper, P.E., S.E., Mohamed Arafa, Ph.D., P.E. and Steven Najarian, P.E., SECB In Feature

Design Deficiencies in Edge Barrier Walls in Parking Structures

Many failures occur in concrete structures because of inadequate detailing of reinforcement in joints and connections. The failures of perimeter vehicular barriers in concrete parking structures offer grim examples where numerous parking patrons have died or have suffered bodily injuries as their vehicles plunged down to the street during the past several years. …

Apr, 2014 By Mohammad Iqbal, D.Sc., P.E., S.E., Esq. In Articles, Structural Failures Comments 2

Prescription for Repair, Part 4

The Triage, Life Support and Subsequent Euthanasia of an Existing Precast Parking Garage

As a part of Pennoni Associates’s on-call contract with an existing client, the Philadelphia structural division investigated and developed repair bid documents for an existing, three-level, 1,200-space precast concrete parking garage during the last quarter of 2012. Part 1 of this series (September 2013) described the existing structure and summarized observations and material testing results. …

Apr, 2014 By D. Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E., P.Eng, F.ASCE, F.SEI, A.NAFE, SECB and Ross E. Stuart, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Structural Rehabilitation Comments 0

The Hadley Overpass Project

Taking the “Stress” out of Bridge Repairs

Route 8 over the little Hoosick River and B&M Railroad (a.k.a. The Hadley Overpass) in North Adams, MA has been undergoing a major rehabilitation. Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C. is the structural engineering firm working as the construction engineer for the contractor, J.H. Maxymillian Inc. …

Apr, 2014 By Matt Yerkey, P.E. In Feature

What’s New in LEED v4 for Structural Engineers

The new, fourth version of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design^TM Building Design and Construction (BD+C) New Construction and Major Renovations rating system (LEED^® v4) contains numerous substantive changes, including a reorganization of the credit categories, a shifting of category point totals, new credits in every category, revisions of existing credits, and a totally revamped materials section. …

Apr, 2014 By Christine A. Subasic, P.E., LEED AP In Articles, Structural Sustainability Comments 0

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