Specifications for Steel Castings
Have you been involved in a project with extensive architecturally-exposed steel connections or complex geometric constraints? Or, have you ever considered using standardized steel castings to improve seismic resistance in braced frame construction? Structural steel castings can be a benefit in all of these situations, but may not be as familiar to most engineers as […]
Understanding Personality/Behavior Traits for Improved Workplace Communication
Effective communication is a skill that is often undervalued in the workplace. We have years of training and multiple degrees to learn our trade, but how much time along the way has been directed at learning to deal effectively with others? Typically, we focus all our energy on learning concrete design techniques (pun intended), but […]
Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Tools: Download Design Guides and other Technical Documents
Are you interested in finding additional resources for the design of cold-formed steel members? In the September 2016 SE University session, Roger LaBoube, PhD, PE, from Missouri University of Science & Technology, gave a presentation on Design Aids and Design Examples for Cold-Formed Steel. He reviewed the resources available to structural engineers from various organizations […]
Stiffness Modifications for Masonry Walls in FEA Software Programs {Video}
Are you confident in your familiarity with the finite element software your office uses to design masonry building components? Do you know what the program design defaults are within your software and how to make changes when necessary? With software programs being frequently updated, it is important to stay up-to-date on the changes and features […]
Tips for Modeling Masonry in Finite Element Software
Do you use a Finite Element Analysis program for modeling masonry elements? Do you have a thorough understanding of what factors are being used by your program for stiffness modification, and how the mesh sizes are being set in the model? In May 2016, Sam Rubenzer, PE, SE, with FORSE Consulting, gave a presentation on […]
Maintenance Recommendations for Concrete Parking Structures
Cleaning and maintenance of concrete parking structures tends to be an afterthought for design engineers, but proper maintenance can increase the lifespan of these structures and produce happy owners in the process. Regularly scheduled cleaning of expansion joints and washing down of the structure can reduce buildup of hazardous chemicals that cause the structure to deteriorate […]
Evaluation of Cracking in Concrete Parking Structures {Video}
Do you know what contributes most to the lifespan deterioration of precast concrete parking structures? Are you able to identify the culprit behind cracking throughout your parking structure rehabilitation projects? Preventing and remediating cracks within parking structures requires a thorough understanding of the different ways in which concrete sections respond not only to gravity loads, […]
Progressive Collapse Analysis – When is it Required for a Federal Building? {Video}
Do you have a federal building project where you need to determine if a progressive collapse analysis is needed? Are you aware of recent additions to redundancy requirements for federal structures? During our March 2016 session, Implementation of the ISC Physical Security Design Requirements for Federal Buildings, Aldo McKay, PE, from Protection Engineering Consultants, offered […]
Flowchart for Permitted Analysis Procedures – Seismic
Do you have a building project under 160 feet with a horizontal irregularity type 2? What if the same project has a vertical irregularity type 3? Could you quickly remember whether a static or dynamic analysis was needed? Would a flowchart be helpful in making that decision? During the November 2015 SE University session, Clarifying Frequently […]
Determining Seismic Factors for Combined Framing Systems
When you are using a combination of different framing systems in one direction of a building, do you struggle with which factors should be used for seismic design? If you have a braced frame with a shear wall below, should the same R, Cd, and Ωo values be used at each floor? During the November […]