18 minute read
Spotlight
For the Birds: Reimagining a Legacy
By Chris Olson, S.E.
Dunn Associates, Inc. was an Outstanding Award Winner for the Tracy Aviary Visitors Center project in the 2013 NCSEA Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards program (Category – New Buildings under $10M).
The Tracy Aviary, located at Liberty Park, initiated a massive renovation that will completely transform its physical landscape and exhibits to renew its position as one of Salt Lake City’s prized assets. To begin this renovation, the Aviary needed a new multifunction facility. The building needed to house a visitor center, gift shop, ticketing and entrance facilities, staff offices and open classroom/ learning spaces. This building would truly be a focal point for families and patrons as they entered the grounds. On the site, the Visitor’s Center and associated boardwalk frame a nearby pelican pond. The soils are a combination of saturated loose sands and clays. These challenging soil conditions lead to a dual solution for the building and boardwalk. The building, at its closest only 5 feet away from the pond, was founded on a mat footing. Due to tight budget constraints, the thickness was varied around the perimeter. This allowed the higher loads at the masonry bearing walls and steel moment frames to be adequately resolved. As traditional spot footings would be too invasive to install in and near the pond, the surrounding boardwalk was supported by helical piers. The Visitors Center’s plan is a gentle ‘Z’ form, weaving the building and visitor circulation through art, trees, and the Pelican Pond. Connecting the two ‘L’ shaped wings that are arranged to form this ‘Z’ shape is a bridge, which covers the ticketing and visitor entrance to the Aviary. The bridge is rigidly connected to one wing and incorporates an expansion joint. This joint allows for both seismic induced lateral displacement and thermal expansion. Interior spaces needed to be as open as possible to allow easy patron flow and possible future reconfiguration. To keep the floor plan open, the roof and floor framing spans from exterior to exterior. Composite wide flange beams form the floor framing. The roof is steel open web joists. Early in the design process, the building exterior was completely concrete masonry units, for both gravity bearing and lateral load resistance. As the owner’s vision for the aesthetics of the building evolved, so did the exterior walls. In order to increase visitor’s and staff’s views, and increase the inviting nature of the building, more and more windows were added. Eventually enough windows were added that steel moment frames needed to be introduced. The varying lateral stiffness of each of these systems presented challenges in detailing. Correct expansion joints and slip conditions were required to make sure each of these lateral systems, as well as other architectural and mechanical systems, could accommodate the lateral drift. One of the buildings most notable features is the custom metal façade that forms the skin. This was accomplished by using sheets of thin steel plates. The connections of plates to the building had to respect the variable nature of the building’s dual lateral system in addition to supporting their own gravity loads. A light, airy exterior was architecturally desired and incorporated an abstract pattern that suggests a tree canopy and branches, while evoking a sense of motion. The metal panel system was held out, away from the exterior. Green Building strategies include reduced energy consumption provided by a photovoltaic solar array on the roof, energy-efficient building systems which are 36% more efficient than a “baseline” building, extensive use of locally sourced and recycled materials, use of low-emitting products such as paint, adhesives, and flooring. In addition, 75% of construction waste was recycled.▪ Chris Olson, S.E., is a Principal Engineer at Dunn Associates, Inc. located in Salt Lake City, Utah. He may be reached at colson@dunn-se.com.
StruWare, Inc
Structural Engineering Software
The easiest to use software for calculating wind, seismic, snow and other loadings for IBC, ASCE7, and all state codes based on these codes ($195.00). CMU or Tilt-up Concrete Walls with & without openings ($75.00). Floor Vibration for Steel Bms & Joists ($75.00). Concrete beams with/without torsion ($45.00).
Demos at: www.struware.com
ASSOC I A T I O N S NATIONAL COUNCI L
NCSEA News
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Highlighting the best examples of structural engineering ingenuity throughout the world
Eight categories:
• New Buildings under $10M • New Buildings $10M to $30M • New Buildings $30M to $100M • New Buildings over $100M • International Structures • Renovation/Retrofi t Structures • Other Structures • New Bridges/Transportation Structures
Eligible projects must be substantially complete between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013.
Entries are due Friday, July 11, 2014, and awards will be presented at the NCSEA Annual Conference September 19 in New Orleans. More information and entry form at
www.ncsea.com
May 16, 2014 CalOES Safety Assessment Program
(full day webinar, not included in subscription plan)
Jim Barnes, C.E., California Governor’s Offi ce of Emergency Services
May 22, 2014 Fire Resistance of Concrete, Masonry & Timber Nestor R. Iwankiw, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., Senior Engineer, Hughes Associates, Inc.
June 5, 2014 The Analysis of Offset Diaphragm and Shear Walls Terry Malone, S.E., WoodWorks
June 17, 2014 Practical Design of Complex Stability Bracing Confi gurations Donald White, Ph.D., Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS NCSEA CONTINUING EDUCATION
Diamond Reviewed Non-CalOES courses award 1.5 hours of continuing education. Approved for CE credit in all 50 States through the NCSEA Diamond Review Program. Time: 10:00 AM Pacifi c, 11:00 AM Mountain, 12:00 PM Central, 1:00 PM Eastern. NCSEA off ers three options for registrations to NCSEA webinars: Ala Carte, Flex-Plan, and Yearly Subscription. Visit www.ncsea.com for more information or call 312-649-4600.
NCSEA Annual Conference
Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, in the heart of the French Quarter New Orleans, LA September 17-20 2014
Featuring: • Structural Engineering Educati on • Trade Show • Awards Banquet, including the
NCSEA Excellence in Structural
Engineering Awards and the
NCSEA Special Awards
Napa Valley Draws Leaders and Principals for Education and Networking at NCSEA Winter Leadership Forum
The second NCSEA Winter Leadership Forum drew principals and leaders from a diverse group of engineering firms to Napa, California for thought-provoking sessions, meaningful interaction, and networking. Sessions focused on ownership transitions, the effect of delayed retirements, maintaining client relationships, and conflict resolution, and finished with an interactive case study on risk and claim management. Attendees enjoyed the wonderful weather and a wine-tasting reception at the Meritage Resort’s Estate Wine Cave. For more photos and comments, visit www.ncsea.com.
Jay Shapiro, P.E. Howard I. Shapiro & Associates
Engineers from the following firms were represented at the 2014 NCSEA Winter Leadership Forum:
ADR Systems of America ARW Engineers Barter & Associates BFMJ, INC BHB Consulting Engineers DCI Engineers Degenkolb Engineers Dibble Engineers, Inc. DiBlasi Associates FMI Corporation GEI Consultants, Inc. Gilsanz Murray Steficek Haskell Howard I. Shapiro & Assoc. IBI Group Michigan Jose I. Guerra, Inc. Joshua B. Kardon + Co. KL&A, Inc. Martin/Martin, Inc. Nayyar & Nayyar PCS Structural Solutions Peak Engineering Inc. SESOL, Inc. Severud Assoc. Cons. Engrs Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Sound Structures, Inc Stantec Summit Engineering Thornton Tomasetti Wallace Engineering Wright Engineering
Thanks to our platinum level sponsors:
Ed DePaola, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, M.ASCE Severud Associates Consulting Engineers
NCSEA News
T R U C TURAL S
ASSOC I A T I O N S NATIONAL COUNCI L
The Newsletter of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE Structural Columns
SEI Hawaii Chapter
The SEI Hawaii Chapter’s first event was held on March 6 at the Ka’Ikena Tamarind Room at Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu. This meeting was organized jointly with the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii (SEAOH), ASCE Hawaii Chapter, and our newly formed Structural Engineering Institute Hawaii Chapter. It was very well attended by more than 60 structural, civil and geotechnical engineers. Our featured speaker was Steven Baldridge, P.E., S.E., LEED AP, President of Baldridge & Associates Structural Engineering, Inc. Steve shared his insights on the latest high rise projects in Honolulu and how they tie to transit oriented development (TOD). He also highlighted some of the impressive high rise projects his firm has been working on in India, including Wave One and Wave Virtue. Wave One is a 44-story structure with two towers jointed at the top eight floors. Combined, Wave One and Wave Virtue are approximately 4.8 million square feet of mixed use space. Steve highlighted differences between the U.S. and India structural requirements with respect to design codes and loading. In India, heavier finishes are used and dramatic depressed slabs for architectural requirements have a significant impact on the structural system. His presentation brought an interesting and often amusing perspective on the opportunities and challenges of working in developing economies.
ASCE Sustainability Project Award
With the growing importance of sustainability as a critical performance factor in civil engineering projects, ASCE established the Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Award, honoring a project that demonstrates innovations in sustainability. Nominated projects are evaluated on the basis of: (a) the extent to which innovative design or construction methods improve economic, social and environmental sustainability; (b) the potential to promote future developments in sustainability; (c) the degree to which the project extends public understanding of sustainability in engineering and construction. Projects developed or implemented between 2007 and 2013 that have not been a candidate for the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award are eligible for consideration. Entries are due to the Honors and Awards Program office by June 1, 2014. For award details and downloadable entry form visit www.asce.org/awards. To submit an entry or to request assistance, contact awards@asce.org.
West Virginia SEI Graduate Student Chapter
The Structural Engineering Institute Graduate Student Chapter at West Virginia University provided hands-on activities and demonstrations to several visiting High School students from all over the state (WV) on Saturday, February 22, 2014. The activities included concrete mixing, compression testing of concrete cylinders, a presentation on Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites for civil infrastructure, and a live demonstration of infrared thermography for defect detection in composite bridge decks.
Become Involved in Local Activities
Join your local SEI Chapter or Structural Technical Groups (STG) to connect with colleagues, take advantage of local opportunities for lifelong learning, and advance structural engineering in your area. If there is not an SEI Chapter or STG in your area, talk with your ASCE Section/Branch leaders about the simple steps to form an SEI Chapter. Some of the benefits of forming an SEI Chapter include: • Connect with other SEI local groups through quarterly conference calls and annual conference • Use of SEI Chapter logo branding • SEI Chapter announcements published at www.asce.org/SEI and in SEI Update • One free ASCE webinar (to $299 value) sponsored by the SEI Endowment Fund • Funding for one representative to attend the Annual SEI
Local Leadership Conference to learn about new SEI initiatives, share best practices, participate in leadership training, and earn PDHs. • SEI outreach supplies available upon request Visit the SEI website at www.asce.org/SEI for more information on how to connect with your local group or to form a new SEI Chapter.
Errata
SEI posts up-to-date errata information for our publications at www.asce.org/SEI. Click on “Publications” on our menu, and select “Errata.” If you have any errata that you would like to submit, please email it to Paul Sgambati at psgambati@asce.org.
Important Information about the 2015 and 2016 Structures Congresses
2015 Structures Congress is scheduled for April 23-25, 2015 at the Portland, Oregon Convention Center. Schedule
Changes: In response to attendee feedback all committee meetings will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. This change will eliminate the schedule conflicts between committee meetings and technical sessions.
2016 Joint Congress with the GEO Institute will take place in February 2016. Dates and location are not finalized.
Special Joint Event: The 2016 congress will feature a total of 15 concurrent tracks: 5 tracks will be on traditional GI topics, 5 tracks on traditional SEI topics, and 5 tracks on joint topics. In addition, we will be offering interactive poster presentations within these tracks.
What this means for you? Start thinking about sessions that would be of interest to both Geotechnical and Structural Engineers and prepare your session proposals.
Save the Date
Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures Conference 2015 Branson, Missouri September 27 – October 1, 2015
Featured Structural Webinar
Live Webinars are ASCE’s high-impact training solution delivered by leading experts, with minimal disruption to your workflow. With ASCE Live Webinars you can train an entire group of engineers with a single registration fee, and all participating engineers can earn PDHs and obtain certificates at no additional cost. May 20, 2014 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Unreinforced Brick Masonry Buildings Using ASCE 41-13 Fred Turner, P.E., SECB The evaluation and retrofit of buildings with unreinforced masonry (URM) brick bearing walls is a significant part of the ongoing effort to improve existing structures in areas subject to earthquake hazard. This webinar introduces the requirements of Chapters 11 – Masonry, 13 – Architectural, 15 – System-Specific Performance Procedures, and 16 – Evaluation Checklists of ASCE 41-13 “Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings” for URM brick bearing wall buildings. The new standard provides a unified method for evaluating and retrofitting existing buildings for earthquakes, and eliminates significant inconsistencies between the two previous standards. For more information about this and other structural webinars see the ASCE website at: http://www.asce.org/Continuing-Education/Webinars/ Live-Webinars/.
Structures Congress 2015
Portland, Oregon, April 23-25, 2015
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Submit your abstract and/or full session proposal today for Structures Congress 2015. SEI is currently accepting proposals for complete sessions and abstracts for individual papers to be presented at Structures Congress 2015. The Structures Congress provides a forum to advance the art, science, and practice of structural engineering. Proposals should focus on topics consistent with the list below. Topics include: Bridges and Transportation Structures Buildings Nonbuilding and Special Structures Nonstructural Systems and Components Natural Disasters Research Education Business and Professional Practice Blast and Impact Loading and Response of Structures
All proposals are due June 11, 2014.
Visit the Structures Congress website for details about abstract and session proposals www.structurescongress.org.
The next cycle to update ASCE 41 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings kicked off on March 21, 2014. Those who wish to participate in the standards update are encouraged to fill out an application on the SEI website at: www.asce.org/codes-standards/applicationform/, and to contact the committee chair Bob Pekelnicky (RPekelnicky@ degenkolb.com) about what subcommittee they would like to participate on. The subcommittees are: General Provisions & Seismic Hazards Tier 1 Screening Tier 2 Requirements Analysis Geologic, Foundations, and Soil-Structure Interaction Steel Concrete Masonry Timber Cold Formed Steel Seismic Isolation and Supplemental Energy Dissipation Material Testing & Condition Assessment Nonstructural Provisions
CASE in Point
Books for Engineers
CASE 962D–A Guideline Addressing Coordination and Completeness of Structural Construction Documents (Updated in 2013!)
The guidelines presented in this document will assist the structural engineer of record (SER), and also everyone involved with building design and construction, in improving the process by which the owner is provided with a successfully completed project. Their intent is to help the practicing structural engineer understand the importance of preparing coordinated and complete construction documents, and to provide guidance and direction toward achieving that goal. These guidelines focus on the degree of completeness required in the structural construction documents (“Documents”) to achieve a “successfully completed project”, and on the communication and coordination required to reach that goal. They do not attempt to encompass the details of engineering design; rather, they provide a framework for the SER to develop a quality management process.
Co-authored by ten professional engineers on the CASE National Guidelines Committee, Guidelines for the Performance of Site Visits is a guide intended for the younger engineer but will be useful for engineers of all experience levels. Structural engineers know that site visits are crucial construction phase services that help clarify and interpret the design for the contractor. Site visits are also opportunities to identify construction errors, defects and design oversights that might otherwise go undetected. Engineers should include adequate construction phase services as a part of their scope of services to insure the design intent is properly implemented. You can purchase all CASE products at www.booksforengineers.com.
Follow ACEC Coalitions on Twitter – @ACECCoalitions.
CASE Winter Planning Meeting Update
On February 20-21, the CASE Winter Planning Meeting took place in Dallas, TX. CASE does two planning meetings a year to allow their committees to meet face to face and interact across all CASE activities. Over 30 CASE committee members and guests were in attendance, making this another well attended and productive meeting. During the meeting, break-out sessions were held by the CASE Contracts, Guidelines, Membership, Toolkit, and Programs & Communications Committees. The committees finalized the schedule of new products for released in 2014, plus reviewed current documents for revisions; finalized speakers/sessions for the 2014 ACEC Fall Conference October 22-25 in Hawaii, and the 2015 ASCE/SEI Structures Congress scheduled for April, 2015 in Portland, OR. Again at this meeting, a roundtable session was held the night before with several topics including specialty licensure, social media, BIM and special inspections up for discussion. Prior to this roundtable discussion, the CASE Executive Committee met and finalized plans for the next year. The CASE Summer Planning Meeting is scheduled for August 5-6th in Chicago. The night of August 5th will feature a speaker from Willis talking about ways to manage your firm’s risk. If you are interested in attending the meeting, or have any suggested topics for the committees to pursue, please contact CASE Executive Director Heather Talbert at htalbert@acec.org.
CASE Member Firms Win Honor Awards
Congratulations go out to the following CASE Member, firms recently awarded Honor Awards at the ACEC Engineering Excellence Gala: Degenkolb Engineers of San Francisco, CA for its project, Bing Performance Arts Center, Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA Thornton Tomasetti of New York, NY for its project, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY Weidlinger Associates, Inc. for its project Brooklyn Botanical Garden Visitor Center in Brooklyn, NY
ACEC Business Insights 20 th Senior Executives Institute Class Now Open For Registration
For 20 years, ACEC has offered the premier executive leadership course designed specifically for the A/E/C community – the ACEC Senior Executives Institute (SEI). SEI is an intensive 18-month program taught by recognized experts and instructors from The Brookings Institution, national universities and business consulting organizations. The classes meet for five separate four or five-day sessions. The next class, SEI Class 20, is now open for registration and will begin in September, 2014. For more information, contact Dee McKenna, Deputy Director, ACEC Business Resources & Education Department, at dmckenna@acec.org or 202-347-7474.
ACEC Launches New Engineering Business Index
ACEC has developed the new quarterly Engineering Business Index (EBI) survey to serve as a leading economic indicator for the engineering industry. Produced in conjunction with FMI – a provider of research for the engineering industry – the quarterly EBI will generate unique data on industry performance and market trends. Member Firm CEOs received their first EBI survey inquiry this week. The survey takes no more than three minutes to complete and all responses are confidential. For further information, contact ACEC Director of Communications Alan D. Crockett (acrockett@acec.org).
Upcoming ACEC Online Seminars – June
Simple Revenue Boosters to Start Now
June 3, 2014; 1:30pm to 3:00pm
How do you communicate your value in ways that directly impact your bottom line? www.acec.org/education/
eventDetails.cfm?eventID=1523
How to Give and Receive Effective Feedback – Improving Your Mental Flexibility or Change Your Thinking About the Way You Think – Spring 2014
June 10, 2014; 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Improve your communication skills by learning how to give and receive feedback. www.acec.org/education/eventDetails.
cfm?eventID=1559
Industry Economic Update: What Can We Expect for the Second Half of 2014?
June 19, 2014; 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Learn how to adjust your 2015 firm goals and strategies based on economic and trend forecasts. www.acec.org/education/
eventDetails.cfm?eventID=1554
Dare To Be Different! Developing a Differentiation Strategy, The Key to Your Competitive Advantage
June 24, 2014; 1:30pm to 3:00pm
With short lists getting longer and competition more intense, learn how to make your firm stand out and win the project.
www.acec.org/education/eventDetails.cfm?eventID=1570
Positioning to Win: Taking QBS to the Next Level
June 17, 2014; 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Learn how to get your firm from the short list to the contract.
www.acec.org/education/eventDetails.cfm?eventID=1544
Writing Proposal Sections
June 18, 2014; 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Roll up your sleeves and get into the nitty gritty of how to write effective cover letters, statements of understanding, project approaches, scopes of service, resumes, and project histories.
www.acec.org/education/eventDetails.cfm?eventID=1589
Strategies for Managing Interruptions: Getting Work Done in an Interrupted World
June 25, 2014; 1:30pm to 3:00pm
How can you better manage interruptions, limit distractions from them and still be responsive to key stakeholders, customers and co-workers?
