“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: Friends of Perryville Battlefield
In February 2025, SEU welcomed Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq., from Walter P. Moore, to present Mum’s the Word – 2025 Engineering Ethics Update: Engineers’ Duty of Confidentiality. In prior years, Matt has designated Friends of Perryville Battlefield (https://www.friendsofperryville.org) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month and he has chosen to do the same […]
Simplified Analysis for Openings in Flexible Wood Diaphragms
Openings in wood diaphragms are unavoidable but can cause significant changes to the shear distribution in the diaphragms. Openings complicate the design procedure, however, there is a simplified method available when certain conditions are met. In the April 2025 SEU Session, Kimberly Kramer, PhD, PE, SE, from Kansas State University, presented Designing for Openings in […]
Design Efficiencies for Masonry Structures – Modular Openings and Spacing
Engineers are not often exclusively responsible for locating wall openings on their masonry design projects. However, they are responsible for advising the owner on ways to minimize labor and material costs on the job. There are many strategies which can reduce unnecessary costs in masonry construction, but are you aware of a simple change which […]
Wind Loads for Temporary Structures
Temporary structures can be an enigma for structural engineers. ASCE 7 does not directly address temporary structures, so engineers are left to their own judgment to determine the appropriate wind load provisions to use. In the March 2025 SEU session, Emily Guglielmo, PE, SE, from Martin/Martin, presented Refining Wind Load Approaches for Non-building Structures. Emily […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: School of Science and Engineering at Tulane University
In January 2025, SEU welcomed Thomas Heausler, PE, SE, from Heausler Structural Engineers, to present Seismic Design – Appropriate Implementation of the Overstrength (Omega o) Factor. Thomas designated the Annual Fund for the School of Science and Engineering at Tulane University (Giving to Tulane – Science and Engineering – Endowed Funds) for our SEU Speaker […]
Effective RFPs for Geotechnical Reports
When the Geotechnical engineer is first engaged to provide a geotechnical report, they are often working off of limited project information and may not have a clear vision of the proposed structure. Without detailed project information, the geotechnical report might not provide all of the information the structural engineer requires, and may lead to the […]
Recipients of SE Solutions / SE Impact Scholarships from Purdue University (2025)
SE Solutions is pleased to announce the recipients of the SE Solutions + SE Impact structures scholarships at Purdue University as Kyra Fales and Hafdís Magnúsdóttir. This is the twelfth year that SE Solutions has offered the scholarships. Kyra Fales received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in structures from Purdue University […]
Advantages to Flush Framed Connections for Vibration of Steel Joists
Structural systems using open-web steel joists are popular due to their cost effectiveness, flexibility, and ease of installation. Because these systems have high strength-to-weight ratios, human-induced vibration often controls the member sizes, especially when traditional seats are used. One significant improvement is to change from traditional seats to flush-framed connections. In the November 2024 SEU […]
Design Efficiencies for Masonry Structures – Confinement Ties
The cost of masonry construction can vary widely, in part due to inefficient designs which can drive up the labor costs on a structural project. There are many strategies which can reduce unnecessary costs in masonry construction, but are you aware of common inefficiencies engineers specify which are responsible for some of these added costs? […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: Dr. Tom Nelson Civil Engineering Memorial Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville
In December 2024, SEU welcomed Andrew Walters, PE, from American Engineering Testing, to present Guide to Understanding a Project Geotechnical Report. Andy designated Dr. Tom Nelson Civil Engineering Memorial Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville (Civil engineering scholarship established in memory of Dr. Tom Nelson | UW-Platteville News) for our SEU Speaker Inspires […]