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From Caterpillar to Butterfly: If the Butterfly Could Talk…

…the butterfly may say, this growth was uncomfortable!

Organizations that promote and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are, according to recent studies, more successful and have higher retention rates. According to McKinsey & Company, leaders in ASCE who “walk the talk” of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice also financially outperformed competition and have stronger boards. Performance, in general, is enhanced. These companies create safe spaces for their employees to discuss issues.

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Jun, 2022 By Carol Martsolf, P.E., PMP, CPTD, LEED AP, M.ASCE In Editorial Comments 0

Structural Design of the Urban Sequoia Tower

The concept of Urban Sequoia (Figure 1) combines optimized structural design with low embodied carbon materials, efficient construction, and carbon-capturing technologies. These carbon-capturing approaches allow buildings to start their service life with an ultra-low embodied carbon and sequester additional carbon over time, becoming net carbon negative. The structural approach to Urban Sequoia incorporates nature-based, living materials that embody far less carbon than conventional structural solutions while absorbing additional carbon over time. When combined with non-structural systems such as exterior wall systems that incorporate biomass and algae and technologies including Direct Air Capture (DAC), tall buildings could absorb three to five times the amount of carbon emitted at the time of construction.

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Jun, 2022 By Mark Sarkisian, P.E., S.E., NAE, LEED, Eric Long, P.E., S.E., LEED® AP, M. ASCE, Alessandro Beghini, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., LEED and Karl Micallef, Ph.D., DIC, C.Eng, MICE In Structural Sustainability Comments 0

Sustainability and Beyond

The Untold Life Cycle of a Steel Joist

The attributes of open web steel joists are well known to the structural engineering and construction community. Their efficiency, high strength-to-weight ratio, versatility, ease of erection, high durability, and cost-effectiveness make steel joists and joist girders a common consideration for today’s roofing and flooring systems. However, the manufacturing of open web steel joists and joist girders is often left out of the discussion, leaving engineers and decision-makers wondering what kind of processes occur behind the curtains of the manufacturing plant. This article aims to shed light on the typical life-cycle stages of steel joists, from steel production to building decommissioning, leading the readers into the realm of open web steel joist and joist girder manufacturing and sustainability.

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Jun, 2022 By Laura Micheli, Ph.D., Bruce F. Brothersen, P.E. and Scott Russell, S.E., P.E. In Building Blocks Comments 0

Reciprocal Frame Structures

Overview of Structural Behavior, Challenges, and Opportunities

Reciprocal frames (RF) are a family of structures that increasingly are attracting interest from many participants in the construction industry. They offer architectural opportunities through their expressive form and structural advantages due to their specific configuration. This article describes what makes this type of structure so different from other systems.

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Jun, 2022 By Jens Hübertz Larsen, MSc, MIStructE and Olga Popovic Larsen, Ph.D., MSc, Architect MAA In Structural Systems Comments 0

Look (Way) Up

A Supertall Hybrid Timber Response to the Climate Crisis

Sustainably harvested mass timber significantly reduces embodied carbon. And yet it remains a niche technology in the global construction industry. Given the rather urgent timeline of the climate crisis, how can we make mass timber mass-market…and fast?

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Jun, 2022 By Thomas Wu, BSc, MSc, Ph.D., P.Eng, P.E., S.E., Daria Khachi, B.Eng, M.Eng, P.Eng and Craig Applegath, Architect AIBC, AIA, FRAIC, LEED AP BD+ In InSights Comments 0

Bending and Shear Properties of Structural Glued Laminated Timber

Effect of Large Diameter Horizontal Holes

Structural glued laminated timber (glulam) beams are highly engineered components manufactured from specially selected and positioned lumber laminations of varying strength and stiffness. As most glulam beams are designed for and used in applications where they are highly stressed under design loads, drilling or notching of glulam should be avoided and never done without a thorough understanding of the effects on the structural integrity of a member. This is specifically addressed in Section R502.8.2 of the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) as follows (the same wording also appears in Section R802.7.2 of the 2021 IRC):

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

Designing with Force-Transfer Shear Walls

A Stiff Task to Achieve Better Performance and Cost Savings

Wood-framed structural panel shear walls designed using the Force Transfer Around Openings (FTAO) method have become a very popular option for engineers, especially in areas with high lateral force requirements. The need for more affordable housing in metropolitan areas is leading to larger and taller multi-family residential buildings, and these typically wood-framed structures can benefit from the innovative approach behind FTAO design methodology. But do engineers have all the tools they need to accurately determine the stiffness of these walls and the associated lateral force required for their design.

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Jun, 2022 By Michael Deigert, P.E., S.E. and John W. Lawson P.E., S.E. In Structural Design Comments 0

Automation and the Future of Structural Engineering – Installment 3

Continuing our series on automation (Installment 1, December 2021, Installment 2, March 2022), I sat down (virtually) in January 2022 with two more industry experts in digital design: Matt Sweeney, Production Technology Manager at PES Structural Engineers, and Derek Pedersen, Principal at JVA Consulting Engineers. Both serve on the SEI Digital Design Committee. Below are highlights from our discussion.

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Jun, 2022 By Eytan Solomon, P.E., LEED AP In InFocus Comments 0

Grade-Level Floors over Expansive Soils

Structural Slab on Void Forms vs. Conventional, Soil-Supported Slab on Grade

In expansive soil regions, the Geotechnical Engineer for a project usually provides recommendations for grade-level floor construction – structural slab on void forms or conventional slab on grade – based on the existing subgrade properties, excavation depth, and compaction of select fill. The Structural Engineer of Record (SER) then provides a comparative study of both options. Conventional slab on grade is generally a thinner, lightly reinforced slab requiring excavation and replacement of subgrade with a select fill but is subjected to movements as the existing subgrade heaves. In contrast, the structural slab on void form option often requires a thicker, heavily reinforced slab spanning between larger column foundations and other intermediate foundations but without undercutting or removing the existing soil. The void forms allow for placement of wet weight of concrete during construction but absorb ground moisture gradually and lose strength after the concrete has set, thus creating a gap under the slab to allow for soil movements. The final decision by the owners is usually based on the comparison of the initial construction cost of each option without fully understanding the short- and long-term consequences.

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Jun, 2022 By Shruti Sharma, P.E. In CASE Business Practices Comments 0

Rainier Square’s History-Making Engineering

High-Rise Structural Innovations and Efficiencies

Downtown Seattle’s 58-story, 850-foot-tall Rainier Square made history when it was completed in November 2020. The $600 million development did more than transform the site of an outdated indoor shopping center into a vibrant, vertically stacked, mixed-use destination offering 1.4 million square feet of space for offices, luxury apartment homes, and retail. It also represented the world’s first high-rise tower successfully built using safe, efficient, and highly innovative SpeedCore as its structural system.

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Jun, 2022 By STRUCTURE magazine In CASE Spotlight Comments 0

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