Jerry Hatch, P.E., is manager of engineering development for NCI Building Systems and chairman of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association Technical Committee. Previous to his work at NCI, he was active in mid-rise and low-rise conventional building design. Jerry can be reached at Jerry.Hatch@ncigroup.com.
Life safety has always been a fundamental goal of U.S. building codes. With the introduction of the International Building Codes (IBC) in 2000, new demands have been placed on engineers, manufacturers and builders who produce structures in earthquake-prone regions. Prior to the IBC, engineers were accustomed to designing buildings to prevent damage such as buckling and yielding. …
In the past few years, building for natural disasters – already a consideration for structural engineers – has been thrust into the public eye after recent tornados wiped out entire cities and took many American lives. Moore, Okla., Joplin, Mo., and Tuscaloosa, Ala. are all recent examples of areas that have experienced the greatest losses, both in infrastructure and human life. Engineers in the construction industry work to stay aware of these challenges when setting out to build safe, strong and durable buildings for tenants and occupants. …