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Masonry FEM/FEA 2.0

Next Step in Incorporating Masonry in Your FEM

Demonstrating the need for utilizing finite element modeling (FEM) and analysis (FEA) to accurately model, analyze, and efficiently design masonry wall systems was the subject of a STRUCTURE article in May of 2016. Hopefully, the reader used the information in the article and is well on their way to building FEM that include structural masonry elements. With that background, they should be ready to advance their design of masonry with the aid of FEM. …

Oct, 2017 By Samuel M. Rubenzer, P.E., S.E. In Structural Design Comments 0

Low-Slope Roof and Deck Design Considerations

Part 2: Mitigate Ponding and Water Intrusion

The author’s company, a forensic engineering and architecture firm, has investigated hundreds of low-slope roof and exterior deck applications with water stains, ponding, framing damage, and structural collapse. The first article, Part 1: ¼ in 12 Design Slope and Water Drainage (STRUCTURE, August 2017), examined two building code parameters that contribute to low-slope roof and deck serviceability issues. …

Sep, 2017 By Scott D. Coffman, P.E. Coffman, P.E. In Structural Design Comments 3

¼ in 12 Design Slope and Water Drainage

Part 1

Construction Science and Engineering, Inc., an architectural and engineering firm, has investigated several low slope roof applications with water stains, ponding, framing damage on the lower side of the roof span, and structural collapse. Further examination typically reveals a relatively level surface when compared to other roof locations (Figure 1). A similar occurrence is often found in exterior deck applications. …

Aug, 2017 By Scott D. Coffman, P.E. Coffman, P.E. In Structural Design Comments 1

Challenges in Cladding Design

Structural engineers occupy a unique position in building design in that they are the sole resource for most of the information that is critical to the building cladding design. The Structural Engineer of Record (SEOR) is responsible for designing the lateral and gravity force resisting systems of buildings to perform within certain code prescribed seismic (and wind) drift limits. They also provide the design for roof and floor spandrel elements (for multi-story buildings) to perform within specific deflection criteria, based on the exterior cladding system and function. …

Jul, 2017 By Steven G. Judd, S.E. In Structural Design Comments 0

Seismic Design of Nonbuilding Structures and Nonstructural Components

Part 2: Advanced Topics related to ASCE 7-16

This article is the conclusion of a two-part series which discusses the seismic design provisions for nonbuilding structures found in Chapter 15 of ASCE 7-16, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. The previous article (Part 1, STRUCTURE, April 2017) provided an introduction to the seismic design of nonbuilding structures. …

Jun, 2017 By J. G. (Greg) Soules, P.E., S.E. In Structural Design Comments 0

Seismic Design of Nonbuilding Structures

Introduction to Designing with ASCE 7-16

The title of ASCE 7-16 is Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. This article is the first in a series intended as an introduction to the seismic design of the “other structures,” commonly known as nonbuilding structures. …

Apr, 2017 By J. G. (Greg) Soules, P.E., S.E. In Articles, Structural Design Comments 0

A New Shape for Short Span Steel Bridges

The future of short span steel bridge design began in 2009 with a challenge from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). FHWA challenged the North American steel industry to develop a cost-effective short span steel bridge with modular components which could be placed into the mainstream and meet the needs of today’s bridge owners, including Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). The challenge was issued to help address the U.S. infrastructure crisis of structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges, nearly half of which fall in the short span category (defined as bridges under 140 feet). …

Mar, 2017 By Gregory K. Michaelson, Ph.D. and Karl E. Barth, Ph.D. In Articles, Structural Design Comments 0

Fracture Case Studies, Part 3

The previous two STRUCTURE magazine articles (General Principles of Fatigue and Fracture, Part 1, August 2016 and AISC and Damage Tolerance Approaches, Part 2, November 2016), reviewed the fundamental principles of cracking and how to design for fatigue and fracture. This article presents three case studies that illustrate how an engineer can use this guidance to address project challenges. The intent of this article is to move from the theoretical to the practical, and demonstrate that there is a realistic place for the more developed methodologies of fatigue and fracture mitigation. …

Feb, 2017 By Paul W. McMullin, Ph.D., S.E. In Articles, Structural Design Comments 0

Common Misunderstandings with Geotechnical Work

…And How to Reduce Risk and Project Costs

In his December 2015 editorial, the president of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE, David Odeh, suggested that the increasing complexity of design necessitated that structural engineers interact more with people in other disciplines. While great innovation can come from a better interaction between structural and geotechnical engineers, there is also a potential for tremendous savings for clients. …

Dec, 2016 By Trent Parkhill, P.E. In Articles, Structural Design Comments 1

AISC and Damage Tolerance Approaches, Part 2

Continuing on the foundation established in the last article (STRUCTURE, August 2016), let’s now look at two fatigue design methodologies: AISC and Damage Tolerance. AISC is based on the safe life philosophy – if the engineer keeps the stresses low enough, the structure will perform adequately. It also assumes cracking occurs at the end of the structure’s life. …

Nov, 2016 By Paul W. McMullin, Ph.D., S.E. In Articles, Structural Design Comments 0

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