Carine Magalhaes Leys, Odeh Engineers

In April 2022, SEU welcomed Carine Magalhaes Leys, from Odeh Engineers, to present 2022 Post-Tensioning Design: Finite Element Method-Based Solutions.  Carine has designated GRAACC Support Group for Adolescents and Children with Cancer in Brazil (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/better-chances-of-cure-for-childhood-cancer-in-br/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Carine wished to support children in Brazil where there is an estimated 16,000 new cases of cancer in every 100.000 children and adolescents. Cancer is the first leading cause of death by disease in the population up to 19 years old. The GRAACC manages and maintains a hospital that offers diagnostic, treatment and after treatment for children and adolescents with cancer in Brazil.

Thank you, Carine, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of GRAACC Support Group for Adolescents and Children with Cancer 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.

Have you ever had a phone call from a building owner whose occupants are complaining of cracked partitions or noticeable slopes in their office flooring?  Building occupants are quick to notice when doors or cupboards get jammed, wall finishes crack, or concrete slabs show cracks larger than ordinarily expected, and many of these serviceability issues are the result of long-term deflections of the concrete floor.

In the February 2022 SEU Session, Dave Adams, PE, SE, from BWE, Inc., presented Serviceability for Concrete Slabs.  Dave covered a variety of topics addressing serviceability of slabs including strategies for improving the performance of concrete, short- and long-term deflections, the influence of reinforcement on potential cracking, prestressed tendon layout, and the effects of floor vibrations.

Dave explained how to calculate long-term deflections and important considerations when predicting the sustained dead and live load on the slab.  To hear Dave review the process when considering long-term deflections, click on the following 3 minute video:

Long-term deflections are an important consideration to the serviceability of a concrete slab, and Dave clarified the use of the various factors and multipliers which help predict the future deflections.  Accurately assessing the sustained load on the slab can be challenging, however Dave offered reasonable predictions for which live-loads should be considered “sustained.” 

While strength considerations tend to get the most attention during slab designs, serviceability issues can render a slab unusable for its intended purpose.  It is essential that short- and long-term deflections be considered to ensure the slab does not cause future alarm to occupants, cracking or movement of partitions, or issues with furniture or fittings within the structure.

Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq., Walter P. Moore

In March 2022, SEU welcomed Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq., from Walter P. Moore, to present 2022 Engineering Ethics Update: The Ethics of Competition.  In prior years, Matt has designated Friends of Perryville Battlefield (https://www.friendsofperryville.org) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month and he has chosen to do the same in 2022.

Matt shared, “On October 8, 1862, nearly 8,000 Americans fell in the drought-parched Chaplin Hills of Kentucky during the Battle of Perryville. Perryville played a pivotal role in our nation’s most impactful event. Although the clash is oft-forgotten, those Americans should be remembered and that sacred ground, one of the most pristine civil war battlefields remaining, should be protected. The Friends of Perryville Battlefield is committed to both missions, which I am humbled to advance.”

Thank you, Matt, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of Friends of Perryville Battlefield 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.

Dave Adams, PE, SE, BWE, Inc.

In February 2022, SEU welcomed Dave Adams, PE, SE, from BWE, Inc., to present Serviceability of Concrete Slabs.  Dave designated Engineers Without Borders (ewb-usa.org) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Dave shared “Engineers Without Borders International provides amazing opportunities for volunteering professionals to help people around the world meet their basic human needs. This effort broadens our vision and appreciation for fellow human beings, which enhances the positive impact engineers make to the well-being of society.”

Thank you, Dave, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of Engineers Without Borders 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.

SE Solutions was pleased to recently present scholarships to two Purdue University Structures students to help defray the cost of their education. Nichole Criner and Benjamin Wogen were the recipients of the awards. This is the tenth year that SE Solutions has offered the scholarships.

Nichole Criner is from Grove City, OH and she became interested in civil engineering when doing a balsa wood bridge design/build project in high school.  After working for a structural engineering design firm during her co-op rotations while attending University of Cincinati, she decided to pursue a degree in structural engineering.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in May 2021 from the University of Cincinnati and she plans to graduate with her MSCE from Purdue University in May 2023.  She is currently researching the physical and cost implications of defects occurring during construction of concrete bridge decks. After graduation, she plans to begin her career back in Ohio.

Benjamin Wogen graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structures from Purdue University in 2021, and has continued into a master’s program. He plans to defend a thesis and graduate in the Spring of 2023. As an undergraduate, he had the opportunity to do research with RETHi, a NASA-funded research institute looking into new technologies for developing extra-terrestrial structures on Earth’s moon and Mars. He is continuing to assist this project in his graduate studies as an operations coordinator. His thesis work will involve leveraging machine learning and computer-vision capabilities to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of structural inspections. Additionally, he completed internships at several site-design and construction companies, including work on deep foundations and natural gas facilities. After graduating with his master’s degree, he is interested in working in the structural design industry where he can continue to develop a deeper understanding of buildings and other structures.

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

Brad Fletcher, SE, Atlas Tube

In January 2022, SEU welcomed Brad Fletcher, SE from Atlas Tube, to present HSS Bolted Connections.  Brad designated the American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Brad shared “With the recent devastation in the southern US from late fall storms and tornadoes, we are reminded how the climate is changing and how it could potentially directly affect all of us. It also reminds us how fragile life can be and there may be times we will need the assistance of others. I believe in supporting the American Red Cross as they will always be there to lend a hand to those that are affected by these natural disasters.”

Thank you, Brad, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of the American Red Cross 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.

As we start the new year, we’d like to thank our structural engineering community for partnering with us to support various causes to make the most impact.  As 2021 concluded, SE Solutions was able to support Brooke’s Place in Indianapolis, Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, Feeding America, Purdue University Civil Engineering, and Purdue University Bowen Structures Lab Student Advisory Council.  Click on the links to the websites below to learn more about these important organizations.

Brooke’s Place in Indianapolis, IN (brookesplace.org) exists to serve youth who have experienced the loss of a loved one.  Their mission statement is to provide support groups, therapy services and community education to empower children, teens, young adults, and their families to thrive in the midst of their grief. At Brooke’s Place, children learn to honor and cherish the loved ones that they carry in their heart. Through peer support groups and therapy services (individual/family counseling), children learn they are not alone.  SE Solutions is proud to support an organization caring for vulnerable youth in Indianapolis.

Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund (TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov) was created in response to the devastating tornado and severe weather activity that occurred on the night of December 10, 2021.  At more than 200 miles long, the storm event was the longest tornado track on record and the largest in Kentucky history and resulted in the deaths of more than 75 people.  As the effort to rebuild these communities begins, SE Solutions is honored to provide some relief to the many people affected by these storms.

Feeding America (https://www.feedingamerica.org/) is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization—a powerful and efficient network of 200 food banks across the country.  The hunger crisis in this country has reached new heights since the pandemic began.  SE Solutions chose to support Feeding America during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to support families who have been impacted by the economic crisis.

SE Solutions had been a long time supporter of Purdue University Civil Engineering Department and their students.  Each year, SE Solutions awards several student scholarships to well deserving engineering students, and this year SE solutions also provided support to the Bowen Structures Lab Student Advisory Council (https://engineering.purdue.edu/Bowen/BSAC).  From their website, the Bowen Laboratory Student Advisory Council (BSAC) was founded in 2010 with the purpose of increasing interaction between students and the faculty/administration working at the Bowen Laboratory at Purdue University. BSAC is committed to involving engineering students in all phases of engineering education and serves to build the partnership between students, faculty, administrators and alumni in continuing to build Purdue Engineering’s excellence in education, research, and service.  SE Solutions is excited to support the future of structural engineering and their academic research initiatives.

In 2022, SE Solutions looks forward to new opportunities to ‘pay it forward’ to our structural engineering community and throughout our nation.  Cheers to a brighter future together!

Cherylyn Henry, PE Zapata

In December 2021, SEU welcomed Don Scott, PE, SE, from PCS Structural Solutions, and Cherylyn Henry, PE, from Zapata, to present ASCE 7-16 Wind (plus Updates).  Don and Cherylyn designated the SEI Futures Fund (https://www.asce.org/communities/institutes-and-technical-groups/structural-engineering-institute/futures-fund) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Cherylyn shared “The SEI Futures Fund has provided an invaluable opportunity for students and young professionals to engage in the structural engineering profession. The Fund’s dedication to advancing our profession through the next generation of engineers has benefited practitioners and academics alike, through scholarships to attend Structures Congress and funding to serve on Codes and Standards Committees. I have witnessed the increased involvement of young professionals in our profession and it’s been incredibly exciting!”

Thank you, Don and Cherylyn, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of the SEI Futures 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.

Bruce Brothersen, SE, Vulcraft

In November 2021, SEU welcomed Tim Holtermann, PE, SE, from Canam Steel, and Bruce Brothersen, PE, SE, from Vulcraft, on behalf of the Steel Joist Institute, to present Bridging and Steel Joists.  Bruce designated Utah State University Civil Engineering Department Steel Bridge Team (https://engineering.usu.edu/cee/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Bruce shared “There is a lot more to the education of engineers than learning equations and running numbers. Anytime student engineers can be involved with projects that require innovation, collaboration and teamwork, like the bridge team as USU, a donation is a great investment in the engineering learning process.”

Thank you, Bruce, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of the Utah State University Civil Engineering Department Steel Bridge Team 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.

Susan Burmeister, PE, S2B Structural Consultants

In October 2021, SEU welcomed Susan Burmeister, PE, from S2B Structural Consultants, to present Camber – Design and Construction.  Susan designated Engineers without Borders (https://www.ewb-usa.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Engineers Without Borders USA builds a better world through engineering projects that empower communities to meet their basic human needs. Their highly skilled volunteers work with communities to find appropriate solutions for their infrastructure needs.

Thank you, Susan, for helping structural engineers with your SEU session, and for your designation of the Engineers without Borders 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.