Bearing Wall Versus Building Frame System
If a building consists of bearing walls, shear walls, and braced frames, should the building be classified as a bearing wall system or a building frame system? While an argument can be made in favor of each side, which system is the most appropriate? In the June 2023 SEU session, Emily Guglielmo, PE, SE, from […]
Condition Evaluation Methods for Parking Structures
Parking structures require routine maintenance and inspection, and neglecting to follow a prescribed maintenance schedule can lead to a reduced service life and accelerated deterioration of the structure. What methods do you typically employ for effectively evaluating the condition of parking structures? In the December 2023 SEU Session, D. Matthew Stuart, PE, SE, P.Eng., from […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: Alzheimer’s Association
In November 2023, Darrell Marchell, PE, from Vulcraft, and Tim Holtermann, PE, SE, from Canam Steel, on behalf of the Steel Joist Institute, presented Joists in Lateral Load Resisting Frames. They selected the Alzheimer’s Association (Alzheimer’s Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month. According to their […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: Purdue University’s Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research
In October 2023, Carol Drucker, SE, PE, from Drucker Zajdel Structural Engineers, Inc., presented Vertical Bracing. She selected Purdue University’s Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research (Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research (purdue.edu)) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month. This […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
In September 2023, John Kennedy, SE, PE, from Structural Affiliates International, Inc., presented Rules of Thumb for Steel Design. He selected St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month. John shared, “I chose this organization because I support and believe in their mission […]
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: YWCA Utah Women in Jeopardy Crisis Shelter
In August 2023, Kimberley Robinson, SE, from EVER Seismic, presented It’s Better to Bend than Break: Retrofit with Buckling Restrained Braces. She selected the YWCA Utah Women in Jeopardy Crisis Shelter (YWCA Utah) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month. Kim shared, “The YWCA Women’s Shelter provides safety and sanctuary to those fleeing […]
Quick Reference Rules of Thumb for Steel Design
How many times have you been in a kick-off meeting, and the architect is already pressing you to offer up beam and column sizes for the building in question? Or how do you usually answer when prompted to estimate the total steel tonnage on a project for preliminary cost estimates? In the September 2023 SEU […]
Quick Calc: Beam Weight Based on Moment
Have you ever been in a project meeting and needed to make a quick estimation of beam sizes without any reference books? Experience alone can sometime suffice, but a quick rule of thumb can be helpful to determine the beam weight needed for a given loading condition. In the September 2023 SEU session, John A, […]
Web Based Tools for Diaphragm Design
Using web based tools can save time and increase efficiency during structural analysis, and often these tools are the most up-to-date resources which include changes and updates to the code. Are you aware of the many online resources available to assist with calculating the shear strength and stiffness of steel deck diaphragms? In the July […]
Seismic Questions Answered: Podium Structures
Podium structures have increased in popularity in recent years. Are you familiar with the 2-stage seismic analysis procedure in ASCE 7 and necessary structural considerations with this type of structure? ASCE offers guidance for this procedure, but some provisions are more straightforward than others. In the June 2023 SEU session, Emily Guglielmo, PE, SE, from […]