STRUCTURE Articles

Question Recent changes were made to ASTM C90 related to the minimum web requirements for loadbearing concrete masonry units (CMU). What, if any, impact do these changes have on the design of concrete masonry assemblies? Answer For the vast majority […]

As Joseph Dunne has noted (“The Rationality of Practice,” September 2012), a practice as defined by Aladair MacIntyre (“Rethinking Engineering Ethics,” November 2010) is “something that can succeed or fail in being true to its own proper purpose.” Both MacIntyre […]

UFC 4-010-01, DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings, dated February 2012, outlines 21 standards that govern site planning and the design of structural, architectural, electrical and mechanical systems for Low and Very Low Levels of Protection. The current document was […]

Modjeski, (ne. Rudolphe Modrzejewska) was born in Cracow, Poland on January 27, 1861. His mother was an internationally known actress who encouraged him to become a concert pianist. But, at an early age, he determined he would become a civil […]

The winter of 2010-2011 was particularly snowy in the Northeast. Heavy snows resulted in nearly 500 problem roofs in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island, of which 382 were full or partial collapses. This large number […]

The entire engineering profession is buzzing about two important changes that are on the horizon. The discussion fuels feelings of excitement and anticipation in some, while in others, it stirs feelings of fear and dread. The topics are structural engineering […]

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Lightweight Concrete in Building Construction Recently, lightweight concrete has been implicated as the primary culprit in moisture-related failures of adhered flooring systems. Although fast-track construction techniques and government-mandated changes in flooring adhesives also have contributed […]

Proton Therapy Vault | New Brunswick, NJ O’Donnell & Naccarato, Inc. was an Outstanding Award winner for the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital project in the 2012 NCSEA Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards program (Category – New Buildings under […]

When designing a column, structural engineers must evaluate the impact of second order or P-∆ effects to determine if loads applied to a structure in its deformed position significantly increase internal forces (i.e. by more than 5%). Typically, second order […]

If the title of this editorial didn’t catch your eye, you must have skipped a few pages. Truthfully, I wish for all structural engineering firms to have a Culture that exudes harmony and happiness for owners and staff, as well […]

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he will end in certainties.– Francis Bacon Practicing structural engineers must make decisions on safety, cost and utility […]

Once in a while, every engineer encounters a project that presents new opportunities for innovation and advancement. Almost seven years ago, it was a small chiller plant that tempted me to dabble with a new software called Revit, which was […]