01 Jul / 2024
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: SEAONC Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarship
In February 2024, SEU welcomed back Kevin S. Moore, PE, SE, from Simpson, Gumpertz, & Heger, to present External Elevated Elements (EEE): Are You Sure That Your Balcony Is Safe? Kevin has previously designated SEAONC Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarship (SEAONC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Restricted Fund Endowment – Structural Engineers Association of Northern California) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month when he presented in 2023, and he has chosen to do the same in 2024.
Kevin shared, “The opportunity to increase funding in a permanent endowed scholarship that financially supports a student from an historically underrepresented minority in structural engineering, preferably with a desire to practice in northern California, is a very small but rewarding privilege. Thousands of capable students desire a rewarding career in our noble profession, but often face unfair challenges and financial shortfalls that fail to cover costs associated with very expensive university programs. Scholarships like this help bring some amount of equity to students that have done so much themselves. I am proud to be a part of a community that cares enough to contribute and even happier that SEU sees the value in doing the same.”
Thank you, Kevin, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of SEAONC Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarship as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!
SEU began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SEU to make a donation to help improve our world.
22 May / 2024
Mortar Joint Repair Tips
Masonry buildings often show signs of distress or deterioration for a variety of reasons, and building owners typically become concerned when cracking becomes noticeable. While the cause of the cracking should be investigated and remediated, what then can be done to repair the often extensive cracking throughout the masonry facade?
In March 2024, D. Matthew Stuart, PE, SE, P.Eng., from Partner Engineering & Science gave a two-part presentation on Building Envelope Deterioration, Investigation, and Repair. In the first half of the presentation, Matt reviewed roof diaphragms, facade and cladding materials, and the different types of deterioration that may be encountered on building envelopes.
Matt offered advice on repointing mortar joints that show signs of distress or deterioration to facilitate a successful repair. To hear Matt review his most pertinent tips for repairing damaged mortar joints, watch this short 4 minute video:
Click below to access and print your own copy of the slide showing Matt’s useful typical mortar repointing detail and notes.
Masonry facade repair should be performed as soon as the cause has been identified and remediated in order to minimize further damage and water intrusion into the building envelope. Using these useful tips, the masonry facade can be repaired and extend the service life of the structure.
22 May / 2024
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: Clayford T. Grimm scholarship Fund of The Masonry Society
In January 2024, Scott Walkowicz, PE, from Walkowicz Consulting Engineers, presented Tornado Shelter Design with Masonry. Scott nominated the Clayford T. Grimm, PE, scholarship fund at The Masonry Society (TMS) (Clayford T. Grimm, P.E. Student Scholarship – The Masonry Society) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month.
Scott shared, “I chose the Clayford T. Grimm, PE, scholarship fund at The Masonry Society (TMS) because of the great work that is done by TMS and its members. I obtained my first degree, a BS in Architecture, and I then wanted to learn how to ‘engineer’ masonry. I attended Clemson University and was able to receive not only a BS in Civil Engineering, but also an MS in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on masonry and interaction with one of TMS’s Honorary Members. The Master’s level coursework and the project that I worked on were extremely valuable to me and my career. I’m very happy to help other engineering students who are seeking Master level degrees and doing research that will benefit both them and the masonry industry.”
Thank you, Scott, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Clayford T. Grimm, PE, scholarship fund at The Masonry Society (TMS) as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!
SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.
25 Apr / 2024
“SEU Speaker Inspires” Organization of the Month: United Methodist Committee on Relief
In December 2023, D. Matthew Stuart, PE, SE, PEng., F.ASCE, F.SEI, A.NAFE, from Partner Engineering and Science, Inc., presented Understanding and Avoiding Costly Repairs of Precast Prestressed Thin Slab Parking Structures. Matthew nominated the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) (UMCOR – Global Ministries (umcmission.org)) for the SEU Speaker Inspires donation of the month when he presented to SEU in April of this year, and he has chosen to do the same in December.
According to it’s mission statement, UMCOR is the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church and it assists churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need. UMCOR comes alongside those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters – famine, hurricane, war, flood, fire or other events—to alleviate suffering and serve as a source of help and hope for the vulnerable. UMCOR provides relief, response and long-term recovery grants when events overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on their own. UMCOR also provides technical support and training for partners to address emerging and ongoing issues related to disaster relief, recovery, and long-term health and development.
Thank you, Matthew, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the United Methodist Committee on Relief as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!
SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.
25 Apr / 2024
Economy of Masonry Tornado Shelter Design
Tornado shelter space has been required within the building code since the adoption of IBC 2015, and has been modified and enhanced within the new IBC 2021. Since the recent code mandate, these shelter space requirements may still be new and unfamiliar to structural engineers. Are you aware that masonry can be an affordable option to provide the code required shelter space for areas of the country where the tornado design wind speed exceeds 250mph?
In the January 2024 SEU session, Scott Walkowicz, PE, from Walkowicz Consulting Engineers, presented Tornado Shelter Design with Masonry. Scott explained the IBC and ICC 500 tornado shelter design and construction mandate and requirements. Scott also noted the impact of tornado sheltering on school and critical emergency operations projects. He described shelter wall optimization using masonry and presented cost analyses from actual masonry shelter projects.
Scott offered several case studies which reviewed the cost implications of code required tornado shelters, using masonry as a cost effective solution. To hear Scott walk through the design and cost analysis of one case study of a school in southwest Illinois, watch this short four minute video:
As Scott noted, the premium to incorporate the shelter space was only 3% of the masonry package on this school structure. As the size of the structure increases, the premium for shelter space will decrease. Masonry shelters designed to meet the demand of tornado loads can be an economical option on large additions and new school structures, especially when masonry is already being used within the building design.
Have you recently visited the Steel Joist Institute website to see their available technical resources? From technical guides to design tools, SJI offers extensive content to help specifying professionals using steel joists and joist girders avoid pitfalls and follow their best practice recommendations.
In the November 2023 SEU session, Darrell Marchell, PE, from Vulcraft, and Tim Holtermann, PE, SE, from Canam Steel, on behalf of the Steel Joist Institute, presented Lateral Load Resisting Frames for Steel Joist and Joist Girders. Darrell and Tim identified how open web steel joists and joist girders can be used in different lateral load resisting systems. They explained how to effectively specify loads on the contract documents, shared commonly used connection details, and advised ways to reduce manufacturing and construction costs for different systems.
Darrel noted that SJI recently published Technical Digest 11: Design of Lateral Load Resisting Frames Using Steel Joists and Joist Girders. This publication offers procedures to properly analyze, design and specify open web steel joist and Joist Girder moment frames to resist wind and seismic lateral loads. The design methodology provided is limited to single-story structures subjected to wind and seismic loads; however, the design procedures are applicable to multi-story moment frames subjected to wind loads. Darrell shared that two cases following IBC 2006 are presented: one from Charleston, SC with an R=3.5 and one from Jackson, MS with an R=3.0, as well as a sample design of a Joist Girder with moments. To purchase your copy from SJI click here.
SJI also offers other design tools which are available FREE on its website. These include a Joist Girder Moment Connection Design Tool which assists specifying professionals with the complex task of designing appropriate connections between joist girders and columns. SJI also offers webinars where users can learn more about various topics concerning the design and use of steel joists and joist girders. SJI also has an extensive Resource Library which any design professional would find useful when specifying steel joists on their projects.
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 website, the “Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.”
Thank you, Darrell and Tim, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Alzheimer’s Association as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!
SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.
SE Solutions is pleased to announce the recipients of the SE Solutions + SE Impact structures scholarships at Purdue University as Luis Fernandez and Eliza Mount. This is the eleventh year that SE Solutions has offered the scholarships.
Luis Fernandez received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering at EAFIT University in Colombia in 2019 and his M.S. degree in the Department of Civil Engineering at Purdue University in 2023. Between his bachelor’s and master’s programs, he worked in construction and project management roles for four years. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. at Purdue University. His research interests are the maintenance and inspection of bridges, the application of virtual and augmented reality for infrastructure systems, and the qualification of concrete anchorages for seismic events. After completing his graduate school studies, Luis would like to join the industry through roles that allow him to combine his multiple technical interests with his passion for project management.
Eliza Mount received her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with emphasis in Structures from Purdue University in May 2023. She is pursuing a master’s degree through the 4+1 Program at Purdue with expected MSCE graduation in August 2024. She does research with the Resilient Extra-Terrestrial Habitats Institute (RETHi) at Purdue, funded by NASA. Outside of classes and research, Eliza enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. After completing graduate school, she plans to move to Florida to work as a construction manager or project engineer on a construction site.
SE Solutions would like to congratulate each recipient and wish them future success in their fields of study as structural engineers.
Joists and joist girders can efficiently transfer diaphragm chord forces to shear walls and lateral frames, but the specifying professional must give due consideration to the connection details. Transferring forces through the joists can induce eccentricities at the bearing seat which can lead to unintended moments on the bearing seat. Have you considered the most efficient way to detail the bearing seat connection when transferring chord forces?
In the November 2023 SEU session, Darrell Marchell, PE, from Vulcraft, and Tim Holtermann, PE, SE, from Canam Steel, on behalf of the Steel Joist Institute, presented Lateral Load Resisting Frames for Steel Joist and Joist Girders. Darrell and Tim identified how open web steel joists and joist girders can be used in different lateral load resisting systems. They explained how to effectively specify loads on the contract documents, shared commonly used connection details, and advised ways to reduce manufacturing and construction costs for different systems.
Tim offered several tips for efficient connections that transfer the diaphragm chord forces without compromising the joist bearing seat. One option, shown in the slide below, is a joist tie plate running across the top of the joists at the location of bearing. SJI recommends the plate width be limited to 4 inches so as to leave room for a downhand weld to the joist top chord and to limit the weld size to 3/16 inch to prevent having to increase the top chord thickness to accommodate a larger weld.
An alternative option could be to use joist tie angles which run on the underside of the top chord. This detail eliminates any interruption or bumps in the steel decking, however an increased seat depth may be required to accommodate the tie angles, as shown in the connection detail below. SJI recommends using 3/16 inch welds for joists and ¼ inch welds for joist girders with longer welds, as needed.
For an exterior location, where the chord forces may create an end moment due to the eccentricity at the bearing seat, an axial transfer rod, as shown below, can be used to transfer the chord force directly from the top chord to the bearing seat. Also, two axial transfer rods can be added to each side of the joist or joist girder if needed to transfer this axial force.
Darrell and Tim noted the joist top chord contributes the most to the expense of the truss, so the specifying professional should heed these recommendations to avoid any unnecessary cost increases in the truss due to inefficient connection details. Diaphragm chord forces can induce significant moments, so specifying professionals need to indicate how they intend to transfer these forces appropriately.
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 66,000 square-foot facility provides the space and technical capability needed to investigate the behavior of large structural models and elements subjected to loads representing extreme events, such as earthquakes, blasts, and impact, so that future structures will be designed to better withstand these extreme events. The lab’s “strong floor,” clear ceiling height of 54 feet, loading apparatus, and advanced instrumentation set a new standard for materials and structures testing.
Thank you, Carol, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designation of the Purdue University’s Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organization of the Month!
SE University began the SEU Speaker Inspires program in 2015 as a way to “pay it forward”, enabling our speakers to designate a charity/organization of their choice for SE University to make a donation to help improve our world.