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PBD: A Component in the Future of Structural Engineering

Performance-Based Design (PBD) has been practiced throughout history, dating back to the Code of Hammurabi, circa 1750 BCE. Today, the three most common applications of performance based design are:

Use of innovative engineering technologies or products;
Enhancement of project performance based on specific needs of the owners, such as design for special risk assessments like extreme loading conditions; and
Economy, where more affordable design and construction options can demonstrate compliance with the intent of the building code.

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Sep, 2015 By Stephen Szoke, P.E. In Articles, Editorial Comments 2

Representation and Reality

Representation is intrinsic to human life and engineering practice. We communicate with other people throughout the design and construction process by means of words, diagrams, and sketches. We create mental and computational models of materials, loads, and the arrangement of members. We develop building information models (BIM), drawings, and specifications to indicate how the various pieces and parts are to be assembled into the finished structure. …

Sep, 2015 By Jon A. Schmidt, P.E., SECB In Articles, InFocus Comments 0

Modern Limit Analysis Tools for Reinforced Concrete Slabs

At a recent workshop, organized by the University of Sheffield in association with LimitState and held at the IStructE Headquarters in London, the authors of this article presented new computational tools for the limit analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) slabs. The workshop was attended by practising engineers from different fields, including those involved with the design of RC slabs and those with an interest in the assessment of existing RC slabs for changing service loads. …

Sep, 2015 By Angus Ramsay, M.Eng, Ph.D., Edward Maunder, MA, DIC, Ph.D. and Matthew Gilbert, B.Eng, Ph.D., C.Eng In Articles, Technology Comments 0

What is a Masonry “Flush Pilaster”?

Structural engineers have a peculiar vocabulary, when you think about it. What we call “stress” is not much like what psychologists call “stress”. What we call “strain” is not what the spectators think about when watching a weight lifting match. And when we ask what the moment is, a confused general public thinks that in our own strange way we are asking what time it is. …

Sep, 2015 By David L. Pierson, S.E. In Articles, Structural Design Comments 0

The Niagara Cantilever Bridge

The Niagara River gorge had long separated the United States from Canada. It varied in depth up to 239 feet and in width generally between 800 and 1,000 feet between the Falls and Lewiston. Around 1836, suspension bridges were proposed by Francis Hall at Lewiston-Queenston and just above the falls. Charles B. Stuart, in 1845, then working on the location of the Great Western Railway in Canada, was looking for a way to connect his line with the Rochester and Niagara Falls branch of the New York Central. …

Sep, 2015 By Frank Griggs, Jr., Dist. M. ASCE, D. Eng., P.E., P.L.S. In Articles, Historic Structures Comments 0

Proper Procedures and Protocol for Interception Grouting

Fundamentals of Hardened Concrete

Monolithic concrete with a compressive strength in excess of 3500 pounds per square inch (psi) is watertight, except at any irregularities in the structural element. Typical locations where irregularities occur include overhead decks, floors, and walls that have cracks, honeycombs, joints, mechanical/electrical penetrations, and form-tie supports. …

Sep, 2015 By Brent Anderson, P.E. In Articles, Building Blocks Comments 0

Divine Design: Renovating and Preserving Historic Houses of Worship

Part 4: Architectural Components and Finishes

This series of articles discusses a number of commonly encountered structural issues on renovation and restoration projects that focus on historic houses of worship, and provides guidance on ways to address them. Parts one, two, and three of this series dealt with foundations, wall systems, and roof framing in historic houses of worship. This article addresses interior architectural components and finishes. …

Sep, 2015 By Nathaniel B. Smith, P.E. and Milan Vatovec, Ph.D., P.E. In Articles, Structural Rehabilitation Comments 0

Changes in Adhesive Anchor System Approvals

Provisions for the design of cast-in-place and post-installed anchors were introduced into the American Concrete Institute (ACI) publication Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318) in 2002 (ACI 318-02) via Appendix D – Anchoring to Concrete. Since ACI 318 is referenced in the International Building Code (IBC), these provisions are thereby incorporated into IBC Chapter 19 – CONCRETE. …

Sep, 2015 By Richard T. Morgan, P.E. In Articles, Codes and Standards Comments 0

BIM-M Symposium: Generation 1

On April 9-10, 2015 the Building Information for Modeling Masonry (BIM-M) Initiative held their first Symposium in St. Louis, MO at the St. Louis Masonry Center. Since the beginning, the initiative has been following its mission statement:

To unify the masonry industry and all supporting industries through the development and implementation of BIM for masonry software to facilitate smoother workflows and collaboration across all disciplines from owner, architect, engineer, manufacturer, mason, contractor, construction manager, and maintenance professionals. …

Sep, 2015 By Daniel Zechmeister, P.E., AIA In Articles, Guest Column Comments 0

The Most Common Errors in Seismic Design

… & How to Avoid Them

This article identifies common errors that structural engineers make when performing seismic design and calculations. The intent is to help engineers avoid those errors and misapplications. This article is written in checklist format such that an engineer can verify adequate self-knowledge, as well as review the work of others on a project. …

Sep, 2015 By Thomas F. Heausler, P.E., S.E., SECB In Articles, Structural Performance Comments 11

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