Scott Walkowicz, PE Walkowicz Consulting Engineers

In September 2024, Scott Walkowicz, PE, from Walkowicz Consulting Engineers, presented Masonry Design and Detailing: Using Your Owner’s Money Wisely. Scott nominated the 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 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 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.

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 in May 2024. She also graduated with minors in Global Engineering Studies and Spanish for the Professions. She is now continuing her education at Purdue through their 4+1 program and will graduate in May 2025 with her master’s degree. During her undergraduate degree, Kyra co-oped as a bridge engineer in Indianapolis, and she will be returning there this summer to begin full-time work. Outside of school, she likes to play soccer, hike and travel. 

Hafdís Magnúsdóttir is from Iceland and received her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in Spring 2024. She is currently pursuing an M.S. degree through the 4+1 program, with expected graduation in Spring 2025. After graduation, she will be joining KPFF in Indianapolis as a structural engineer. She has gained hands-on construction experience by working for a construction company in Iceland for the past four summers. At Purdue, she served as a Resident Assistant and as a Marshall in Chi Epsilon. She was also involved in undergraduate research with the Resilient Extra-Terrestrial Habitats Institute (RETHi), a NASA-funded research group. As part of this research, she designed and built an internal structure to support a testing bladder inside a physical test model and created a 3D SolidWorks model for presentation purposes. Outside of academics, Hafdís enjoys hiking with her dogs, Max and Moose, and playing handball.

SE Solutions would like to congratulate each recipient and wish them future success in their fields of study as structural engineers.

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 structural engineer having to make generalized assumptions about the site specific soil conditions. How then can structural engineers-of-record ensure they get the information they need on projects when there is no national standard for what is included on geotechnical reports?

In the December 2024 SEU session, Andrew Walters, PE, from American Engineering Testing, presented Guide to Understanding a Project Geotechnical Report.  Andy explained the importance of a project geotechnical report to various members of the project team, and described the field exploration methods and tests commonly used as part of a project geotechnical evaluation.  Andy offered guidance on achieving the information needed in a project geotechnical report and the importance of understanding the report in its entirety.

Andy suggested that structural engineers become involved early on in the project with the RFP for geotechnical services.  There are many important elements that would be useful for the geotech engineer to form the basis of an RFP.  As shown in the slides below, the intended use and future building expansion plans, intended structural loads, and unique project elements should all be noted so the geotech can make appropriate recommendations.

After providing detailed project information, the RFP should also include the intended scope of the geotechnical services.  This is especially helpful when comparing RFPs from different geotech firms.  Having conversations early on and often with a geotechnical engineer can provide insight into which services would be needed based on the unique aspects of the project.

Structural engineers are not always included in these early discussions when owners and architects launch a new project.  However, one of the first aspects the structural engineer-of-record should engage on the project team is a competent geotechnical engineer to ensure the necessary information is obtained for the site specific soil conditions.  Communication early in the project can produce a useful and complete geotechnical report.

Tom Tarcha, PE Simpson Strong-Tie

Mark Jarvinen, PE Simpson Strong-Tie

In August 2024, SEU welcomed Mark Jarvinen, PE and Tom Tarcha, PE, from Simpson Strong-Tie, to present Post-Installed Adhesive Anchors into Cracked and Uncracked Masonry.  Mark and Tom have designated Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

A proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity for more than two decades, Simpson Strong-Tie has been a national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity International since 2007, donating more than $2.5 million in cash and products. The contribution has helped support numerous Habitat houses across North America as well as U.S. and international programs. In addition, Simpson Strong-Tie employees have contributed hundreds of volunteer hours in building homes and training local Habitat affiliates along with joining the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Projects to repair and build homes affected by natural disasters.

Thank you, Mark and Tom, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of Habitat for Humanity 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.

Barry Arnold, PE, SE,  ARW Engineers

In July 2024, SEU welcomed Barry Arnold, PE, SE, retired from ARW Engineers, to present Temperature Effects in Steel Structures.  In 2022, Barry designated Structural Engineers Association of Utah Scholarship Fund (Structural Engineers Association of Utah – Scholarships (seau.org)) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month, and he has chosen to do the same in 2024.

Barry shared, “As a student struggling to pay for tuition and books, attending classes, completing homework, maintaining a good family life, and working full-time, I remember how grateful I was to receive a scholarship. Receiving a scholarship reduced my anxiety and the pressure I felt by easing my financial burdens. I hope whoever receives this scholarship will benefit from the financial assistance as I did when I was a student.”

Thank you, Barry, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of Structural Engineers Association of Utah Scholarship Fund 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.

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 Session, Brad Davis, Ph.D., S.E., from Davis Structural Engineering, presented Vibration Analysis of Steel Joists / Concrete Floors. Brad reviewed the AISC Design Guide 11 and SJI Technical Digest 5 methods for evaluating floors for vibration and discussed recent innovations in open-web steel joist floor systems. He noted key improvements in the vibration evaluation methods and discussed research efforts regarding hybrid mass-timber / open-web steel joist systems.

Flush framed connections of steel joists to girders may not be a new concept, however, using this connection for its vibration mitigation benefits is a novel approach to vibration design. To hear Brad discuss the geometry and advantages of this type of joist connection, click below to watch this short video:

When using traditional joist seats, the joists cannot be considered continuous with the girder.  Using flush framed connections may allow for a shallower structural system, permit the system to act compositely, and increase the continuity factor and the Cg factor in the girder effective panel weight calculation.  All of these changes benefit the overall vibration performance of the structural framing system.  Flush framed connections and the equations Brad discussed are covered in AISC Design Guide 11 Section 4.1.2 and SJIs Technical Digest 5 Chapter 3.  Using these connections may be an option to reduce vibrations in your future design projects.

Andrew Walters, PE, American Engineering Testing

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 donation for the month.

Andy shared “As an alum of the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and former student of Dr. Tom Nelson, I selected the Dr. Tom Nelson Civil Engineering Memorial Scholarship because of the positive impact Dr. Nelson left on me and the ‘get your hands dirty’ way the Civil Engineering Department at UW-Platteville shaped the beginning of my career and continues to produce outstanding civil engineers.”

Thank you, Andy, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of Dr. Tom Nelson Civil Engineering Memorial Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville 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.

As we enter this Thanksgiving week, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our SE Solutions community and wish everyone a joyous holiday. SE Solutions and SEU are thankful to our clients and speakers who have made it possible for us to contribute to many charitable organizations during the past year through our SEU Speaker Inspires program and to support hurricane recovery efforts in 2024.

Josh Canova, PE, New Millenium

Gerald McKenzie, PE, Vulcraft

In June 2024, SEU welcomed Josh Canova, PE, from New Millenium, and Gerald McKenzie, PE, from Vulcraft, to present Concentrated and Non-Uniform Loading on Steel Deck.  Josh and Gerald have designated One More Child (https://onemorechild.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Josh shared, “As a husband and father who is not only blessed with a family but blessed to be able to provide for my family, I wanted to choose an organization that supports and cares for those who have had a tougher go at things and find themselves in difficult situations. One More Child is a faith-based organization that serves the most vulnerable in our society by supporting children in need, combatting human trafficking, and providing support for single moms or families in need.”

Thank you, Josh and Gerald, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of One More Child 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.