Efficient HSS Truss Connection Design
When designing trusses, do you often include joint connections in the main design, or is it more an afterthought once the main structural members are selected based on strength? Often times, engineers will focus on minimizing the weight of the truss members, without regard to the joint design details, and this can prove to be […]
Resources for Truss Connection Design
Typically, engineers rely heavily on Chapter K of AISC 360 for design guidance for HSS connection designs. However, there are many additional resources available including additional design examples and principles which are not referenced or included in AISC 360. In the January 2019 SE University session, Brad Fletcher, SE, from Atlas Tube, gave a presentation […]
Improvements to ASCE 7-16 Wind Maps
Are you familiar with the changes to the wind provisions in ASCE 7-16? If you’ve taken the time to look at the wind maps, you may have noticed some significant changes to the contours and wind speed, but there are other changes that will affect your daily designs within the wind provisions. It is important […]
Updates to Chapter 11 Seismic Provisions in ASCE 7-16
Have you reviewed the newest changes to the seismic provisions in ASCE 7-16? Even for engineers who do not typically practice in high seismic areas, the changes may affect your site class, geotechnical requirements, and analysis procedure. In December 2018, John Hooper, PE, SE, from Magnusson Klemencic Associates, gave a presentation on Updates to the […]
GCp and Roof Zone Changes in ASCE 7-16
While most structural engineers have noticed the obvious changes to the wind speed maps included in ASCE 7-16, many may not be familiar with other changes within the document. One of the most significant changes in the new ASCE 7-16 wind provisions is changes to the roof pressure coefficients and roof zones. In November 2018, […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: Providence General Foundation
In December 2018, SE University welcomed John Hooper, PE, SE, from Magnusson Klemencic Associates, to present Updates to the Seismic Provisions in ASCE 7-16. John designated the Providence General Foundation in Everett, Washington (https://washington.providence.org/donate/providence-general-foundation) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month. John shared that he chose this organization because “It’s a healthcare-related foundation […]
Font Styles in Technical Writing
Have you considered when and where to use certain font styles in your daily technical documents? Are font styles purely decorative in nature, or do they serve a more meaningful purpose? Which fonts are appropriate for technical writings? In October 2018, Janel Miller, from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, gave a presentation on Improving […]
Principles for Concise Technical Writing
When was the last time you reflected on your writing process for emails, reports, or client updates? Have you considered ways to improve how your audience may perceive your document? Writing is truly an artform, and technical writing requires great skill to engage and inform readers without being unnecessarily complex and difficult for readers to […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: ASCE, ACI, PCI, and CRSI Foundations
In September 2018, SE University welcomed Donald Meinheit, PhD, PE, SE, from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., to present Anchors: Design Examples and Qualification/Certification/Inspection. Don has chosen to split his donation between the foundations for ASCE (https://www.ascefoundation.org/), ACI (https://www.acifoundation.org/), PCI (http://pci-foundation.org/), and CRSI (http://crsi-foundation.org/) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month. Don shared why he chose […]
Concrete Pryout Failure for Anchors
Anchors in concrete have several different modes of failure when subject to tension or shear loads. Concrete breakouts in tension tend to get the most consideration since the calculations can be more complex depending on various geometric constraints of anchors or anchor groups. For anchor groups in shear, concrete pryout may also be of concern, […]