In November 2020, SE University welcomed Mark D. Denavit, PhD, PE, from University of Tennessee – Knoxville, to present New Methods for Ponding Analysis of Open Web Steel Joist Roofs. Mark designated World Wildlife Fund (https://www.worldwildlife.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month. Mark shared, “I have a three-year-old son. We love watching nature documentaries together, especially ones by…read more →
In June 2020, SE University welcomed Brad Davis, PhD, SE, from Davis Structural Engineering, to present Steel Framed Floor Design for Vibration Sensitive Equipment. Brad designated Doctors without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month. Doctors without Borders, or Medicins Sans Frontieres, provides medical humanitarian aid where the needs are greatest, and often go to places…read more →
In October 2020, SE University welcomed Megan Stringer, PE, SE, and Gina Kope, PE, from Holmes Structures, to present Sustaining Structures: Embodied Carbon. Megan and Gina designated SE2050 (https://se2050.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month. Megan shared, “The Structural Engineers 2050 Commitment Program (SE 2050) is the U.S. structural engineering profession’s response to getting to net zero…read more →
What happens to a concrete mix when you add additional cement to the mix design? Most structural engineers would surmise that you would get a bump in concrete strength, but is that the only effect on the concrete mix? How can engineers specify a design that avoids excessive drying shrinkage? Are you familiar with the various components in a concrete…read more →
When specifying your Concrete Mix Designs, are you aware of the cost implications of pozzolans or supplementary cementitious materials included in your mix? Is fly ash, slag, or silica fume more costly and how much is needed to achieve a mix with the same 28 day strength? In September 2020, Otto Schwarz, PE, SE, from Ryan Biggs | Clark Davis…read more →
In September 2020, SE University welcomed Otto Schwarz, PE, SE, from Ryan Biggs | Clark Davis, to present Concrete Mix Design. Otto designated CREATE Community Studios (https://createcommunitystudios.org/) and Institute for the Musical Arts (www.ima.org) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donations for the month. CREATE Community Studios exists to ensure the beneficial experience of art-making be affordable and accessible to everyone….read more →
Are you aware of the cost implications of various connection types used with HSS columns? Engineers often use repeated connection details from job to job, without fully understanding the added costs of using those details TYPICAL ALL WF BEAM TO HSS COLUMN. These hidden costs typically leave engineers wondering why HSS seems more expensive than wide flange sections, however, when…read more →
Email communication has become the primary way engineers communicate with clients, contractors, and consultants. It can become habitual to send off a hasty request or an immediate reply without careful consideration of the language used and whether the topic should be handled via email or whether a phone call may be more appropriate. What standards do you use when deciding…read more →
How can you determine if a specific HSS section is commonly available? Young engineers in particular may not know which sections are most commonly used in their region, and architects often require specific sizes in their drawings for architecturally exposed structural steel. How can engineers avoid the back and forth with contractors who can’t source the sizes shown on the…read more →
In August 2020, SE University welcomed Jamie Piercy, from PCIA, to present 7 Deadly Email Sins. Jamie designated Frontline Foods (https://www.frontlinefoods.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month. Jamie shared, “In these trying times, our frontline essential workers have worked endlessly supporting our nation through this crisis. These brave individuals are the key to keeping our loved ones…read more →
