OUR BIGGEST

SIZES EVER ARE

ALMOST HERE.
Supporting possibilities with
the world’s largest HSS.
Build taller, wider and stronger than ever
before with structural steel sections up to
22" square and walls up to 1" thick.

Watch our announcement

video to learn more about our
Jumbo HSS sizes, and start
planning big things today.
 STRUCTURE
NCSEA | CASE | SEI OCTOBER 2021

BRIDGES

INSIDE: East Burke Street Bridge

Bridge Vibration Monitoring
Hybrid Suspension Bridges
Old Pan-Girder Bridges
SPECIAL SECTION
2021/22 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
INNOVATE FREELY
CAST CONNEX® provides custom casting
design-build services for projects that
benefit from a holistic design composition
unachievable by conventional fabrication
methods.
Innovative
Cast Connex custom steel castings are
engineered to provide enhanced connection
strength, stiffness, ductility, and fatigue
resistance. Castings improve constructability,
compress construction schedules, and
provide overall cost savings as compared to
traditional methods.
CUSTOM CASTING
www.castconnex.com
Creative. Integrated. Transformative.
The Frances Appleton Bridge provides a
pedestrian passageway and entry to the
Longfellow Bridge that spans the Charles River
between Boston and Cambridge. Custom cast
steel wye nodes designed and supplied by
Cast Connex® exceed expectations for structural
performance and constructability to realize
the unique design for the AESS approach-span
support columns.
The result: An innovative solution and an
homage to the history of Boston.
Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge, MA
Designed by Rosales + Partners
Structural Engineers STV
Photography by Christopher McIntosh
Freeform
Cast Connex custom steel castings enable
freeform geometry in building and bridge
design, providing architects and engineers
the ability to economically meet technical
requirements and realize architectural
design ambitions.
Customizable Solutions
• Simplifies complex connections
• Ideal for architecturally exposed applications
• Resolves connections subject to very
high loading or fatigue
• Economically addresses repetitive details
with high-quality and consistency
innova�ve components for inspired designs
 SkyScreed® 36 Laser Screed® Machine:
Labor Savings, Floor Quality and
Increased Productivity all come standard!

Introducing the Truly Revolutionary

SkyScreed ® 36 and SkyStrip Machines.
Elevate Your Business with the SkyLine Machines from Somero ®

SkyStrip Machine:
Reduce labor costs, reduce material
waste all while increasing safety!

YEARS

Watch These Machines in Action at Somero.com/SkyLine

 ADVERTISER INDEX
Adhesives Technology Corp KLA&A
Please support these advertisers
STRUCTURE ®

AGI Commerial KPFF MARKETING & ADVERTISING SALES

Anthony Forest Products Co. LNA Solutions Director for Sales, Marketing
ASDIP Structural Software MAPEI Corp. & Business Development
Atlas Tube Max USA Corp | Profile Monica Shripka
Tel: 773-974-6561
Atkinson-Noland & Associates NCEES
monica.shripka@STRUCTUREmag.org
Blind Bolt Company | Profile New Millennium Building Systems
Cast Connex | Profile Portland Cement Association | Profile EDITORIAL STAFF
CoreBrace, LLC | Profile PS=Ø | Profile
Executive Editor  Alfred Spada
CTS Cement Manufacturing Corp | Profile Quick Tie Products, Inc.
aspada@ncsea.com
DCI Engineers RISA | Profile
Dewalt Schock North America Publisher  Christine M. Sloat, P.E.
csloat@STRUCTUREmag.org
DuraFuse Frames, LLC | Profile Simpson Strong-Tie 1 | 2
ENERCALC, INC Somero | Profile Associate Publisher  Nikki Alger
nalger@STRUCTUREmag.org
Hohmann & Barnard, Inc. Structural Reinforcement Solutions
Integrated Engineering Software, Inc. Trimble Creative Director  Tara Smith
Keller - North America Williams Form Engineering graphics@STRUCTUREmag.org

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications) EDITORIAL BOARD
Publication Title: STRUCTURE; 2) Publication Number: 1536-4283; 3) Filing Date: 9/23/21; 4) Issue Frequency: Monthly; Chair  John A. Dal Pino, S.E.
FTF Engineering, Inc., San Francisco, CA
5) Number of issues Published Annually: 12; 6) Annual Subscription Price: $75-Domestic; $90-Canada; $135-International;
chair@STRUCTUREmag.org
7) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606; Contact
Person: Alfred Spada; Telephone: +1 (312) 649-4600; 8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Jeremy L. Achter, S.E., LEED AP
Office of Publisher (Not printer): 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606; 9) Full Names and Complete Mailing ARW Engineers, Ogden, UT
Addresses of: Publisher – Alfred Spada, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606, Editor – Alfred Spada, 20 N.
Erin Conaway, P.E.
Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606, and Managing Editor – Alfred Spada, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago,
AISC, Littleton, CO
IL 60606; 10) Owner: NCSEA Media, Inc., 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606; No individual owners;
11) Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding I Percent or More of Total Amount of Linda M. Kaplan, P.E.
Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None; 12) Tax Status, N/A; 13) Publication Title: STRUCTURE magazine; 14) Issue Date Pennoni, Pittsburgh, PA
for Circulation Data Below: September 2021; 15)Extent and Nature of Circulation. (Average No. Copies Each Issue During
Charles “Chuck” F. King, P.E.
Preceding 12 Months, No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date); 15a) Total Number of Copies (Net press
Urban Engineers of New York, New York, NY
run): 29751, 28228; 15b) Paid Circulation (By mail and outside the mail) 1. Mailed Outside County Paid Subscriptions Stated
on PS Form 3541: 28934, 26980; 2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0, 0; 3. Paid Distribution Nicholas Lang, P.E.
Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Masonry Industry Representative
Distribution Outside USPS: 0, 0; 4. Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 0, 0; 15c) Total Paid Distribution
Jessica Mandrick, P.E., S.E., LEED AP
(Sum of 15b (I), (2), (3), and (4)): 28934, 26980; 15d) Free of Nominal Rate Distribution (By mail and outside the mail); 1. Free
Gilsanz Murray Steficek, LLP, New York, NY
or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: 0, 0; 2. Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included
on PS Form 3541: 0, 0; 3. Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: 0, 0; 4. Free or Nominal Jason McCool, P.E.
Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: 285, 277; 15e) Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution [Sum of 15d (I), (2), (3) and (4)]: 285, Robbins Engineering Consultants, Little Rock, AR
277; 15f) Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): 29220, 27257; 15g) Copies not Distributed: 817, 971; 15h) Total (Sum of
Brian W. Miller
15f and 15g,) 30037, 28228; 15i) Percent Paid(15c divided by 15f times 100): 99%, 99%; 16) Electronic Copy Circulation:
Davis, CA
None; 17) Publication of Statement of Ownership: Will be printed in the October 2021 Issue of this publication; 18) I certify that
the statements made by me are correct and complete: Alfred Spada, Executive Editor. Evans Mountzouris, P.E.
Retired, Milford, CT

John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E.

International Code Council, Washington, DC

Eytan Solomon, P.E., LEED AP

Silman, New York, NY

Jeannette M. Torrents, P.E., S.E., LEED AP

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

JVA, Inc., Boulder, CO

STRUCTURE ® magazine (ISSN 1536 4283) is published monthly

by The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (a nonprofit
Association), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606
312.649.4600. Periodical postage paid at Chicago, Il, and at additional
mailing offices. STRUCTURE magazine, Volume 28, Number 10, © 2021
by The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations, all rights
reserved. Subscription services, back issues and subscription information
tel: 312-649-4600, or write to STRUCTURE magazine Circulation, 20 N.
Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606.The publication is distributed
to members of The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
through a resolution to its bylaws, and to members of CASE and SEI paid
by each organization as nominal price subscription for its members as a
benefit of their membership. Yearly Subscription in USA $75; $40 For
Students; Canada $90; $60 for Canadian Students; Foreign $135, $90
for foreign students. Editorial Office: Send editorial mail to: STRUCTURE
magazine, Attn: Editorial, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL
60606. POSTMASTER: Send Address changes to STRUCTURE magazine,
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 750, Chicago, IL 60606.

STRUCTURE is a registered trademark of the National Council of Structural

Engineers Associations (NCSEA). Articles may not be reproduced in whole
or in part without the written permission of the publisher.

STRUCTURE magazine
 Contents
Cover Feature

O CTO BER 2021

HISTORIC STONE ARCH REQUIRES

MODERN APPROACH By Matt Lewellyn, P.E.
The rich history of the East Burke Street Bridge dates to the Civil War, surviving a
Confederate attack. Structural deficiencies were identified in 2010. The goal was to
maintain the existing stone arch while providing an alternate structural system to carry
traffic loads. This intricate rehabilitation was achieved with several innovative strategies.

Features
IN-SITU EVALUATION OF OLD ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE HISTORIC
PAN-GIRDER BRIDGES WITHERSPOON BUILDING – PART 2
By Nur Yazdani, Ph.D., P.E., and Eyosias Beneberu, Ph.D., P.E. By D. Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E., P.Eng
Historically, pan-girders fell out of favor for economic reasons. Their This four-part series discusses the adaptive reuse of the historic
popular period was before the introduction of AASHTO’s HL-93 Witherspoon Building in Philadelphia, PA. Part 2 includes a
design load. This article discusses a visual inspection and condition discussion of the ongoing adaptations during construction and
assessment conducted for the East Bound (EB) US 80 pan-girder the structural investigations conducted to better understand the
bridge in Forney, Texas. existing structure.

Columns and Departments

7 Editorial 24 Structural Connections 55 Structural Performance
What is Your Career Goal? Anatomy of a Mass Timber Community Storm Shelter
By Tina Wyffels, P.E. Bearing Intersection Design – Part 2
By D. Scott Nyseth, S.E., and Jason Smart, P.E. By Bradford Russell, AIA, P.E., SECB

8 Structural Monitoring
Bridge Vibration Monitoring 28 Structural Resilience 58 Technology
By Andrea Zampieri, Ph.D.
Adapt and Transform Computational Embrace
– COVID-19 Lessons By Phillip Bellis, P.E., and

12 Structural Specifications By the NCSEA Resilience Committee Steve Reichwein, P.E., S.E., SECB

Revisiting Wind Loads

32 Building Blocks 62 Structural Forum
on Pedestrian Bridges
Test-Based Available Strengths for Take Time to Save Time
By Aaron Gordon, P.E., and Gavin Good, P.E.
Aluminum Structures – Part 2 By Heather Todak, P.E.

16 Structural Systems
By James LaBelle, P.E.

Hybrid Suspension Bridges 36 Engineer’s Notebook

for Super-Long Spans Approximate Structural Analysis
By Roumen V. Mladjov, S.E., P.E. By John A. Dal Pino, S.E., and Larisa Enachi In Every Issue
Advertiser Index
20 Structural Design 40 Historic Structures NCSEA News
The Long Road – Part 1 Eden Train Wreck SEI Update
By Matthew Speicher, Ph.D., and John Harris, Ph.D. By Frank Griggs, Jr., D.Eng, P.E. CASE in Point

Special Section 2021/22 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide

Publication of any article, image, or advertisement in STRUCTURE® magazine does not constitute endorsement by NCSEA, CASE, SEI, the Publisher, or the Editorial Board. Authors, contributors, and advertisers retain sole responsibility for the content of their submissions.

O C T O B E R 2 0 21
 EDITORIAL
What is Your Career Goal?
By Tina Wyffels, P.E.
A s I reflect on everything that has happened since the pandemic
started, I recognize I have primarily been operating in a survival
mode. For the past year, most of my personal and work-related deci-
sions have been affiliated with day-to-day tasks and very short-term
thinking. There were months when I essentially stopped planning
or working toward any long-term goals. This was because I was
discouraged that the moment I thought I had a plan mapped out,
the school teaching model would change, and my kids suddenly had
two days off to allow time for the teachers to adjust. Or, a new CDC
recommendation would come out, and plans to gather with friends
or family were canceled. Planning for anything beyond a few days
seemed futile, and I lost focus on any long-term goals.
We have all been through a lot this past year and a half. We transi-
tioned to a largely remote workforce. We navigated different learning
models for our kids. We are adjusting business policies to allow more
flexibility to working remotely. We are evaluating office cleaning poli-
cies and monitoring health regulations to keep employees safe. We
are deciding what business policies to have about masks and vaccines.
There has been no shortage of decisions needing to be made that have
nothing to do with our engineering education, and it has been easy
to lose focus on why we chose to be in this profession.
“
The most important thing is
to give thought to what you
aspire for in your career and
then start making progress
so it can become a reality.
When I ask what your career goal is, I am asking about your big
picture, long-term career goal (and you may have more than one!).
This is an excellent question if you are entering the workforce, but
it can still apply to you regardless of where you are in your career if
you have not given it recent thought. What position do you aspire to
hold, and what have you set your mind on achieving? Do you want to
start your own company? Do you want to be a technical leader? Do
you want to teach? Are you interested in becoming an active member
in a local or national professional organization to help advance the
structural engineering profession? Do you want to be responsible for
winning work for your firm? There are several different paths your
career can take, and each can be very rewarding. If you have never
given this question much thought, I recommend you set aside some
STRUCTURE magazine
focused time to think about what you desire for your future. Think
about how you define success and align your career goal with your
definition of success. Then, as you think about your future, consider
if your career goal aligns with other personal goals you may have so
that you are not overstretched in your time and energy.
I recently had a conversation with a new entry-level hire at another
consulting firm, and she talked about how her work mentor had asked
what her career goal was and that she had not given it much thought.
I cannot say I would have been able to answer that question at that
point in my career either, but her statement reminded me that I also
needed to revisit the goals I have for myself and be more proactive
in achieving them. If you have lost your focus as I had, try to revisit
your goals and restart your efforts in achieving them. And if you
manage other staff, I encourage you to ask them about their career
goals. It concerns me to hear statistics like over 30% of millennials
are considering changing jobs after the pandemic. I fear that if we
do not help our employees understand what options there are within
this industry and help them find a career path that they are passionate
and motivated about, the demands of our profession may cause them
to overlook how rewarding it can be.
When you have your career goal identified, write it down someplace
that can be regularly reviewed. Then identify at
least one short-term goal that will help progress
you toward your overall career goal and start
working toward achieving that short-term goal.
Set a timeframe for when you want to accom-
plish this short-term goal, and if possible, find
a mentor that can help keep you accountable.
When one short-term goal is reached, celebrate
your achievement before restarting the process
with the next short-term goal. Be intentional and
set aside time each week to make progress, even
if just a few minutes. Time flies, and there is no
shortage of work and personal agendas competing
for that time. It is very easy to get trapped in a
day-to-day mode without achieving any progress
toward your goals. If this happens, give yourself
grace and adjust to get yourself back on track.
Keep your goals fresh in your mind so that your
momentum is not stagnated by days turning
into years without any progress. The most important thing is to give
thought to what you aspire for in your career and then start making
progress so it can become a reality.
I am optimistic that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, and we will
experience increased stability as each month passes. With this stability,
we can transition into a new normal. And, this is an excellent time for all
of us to revisit our career goals to confirm they still reflect our personal
aspirations. Now is the time to get back on track with your
career, as the pandemic may have changed your priorities and
where you need to spend your time moving forward.■
Tina Wyffels is a Principal at BKBM Engineers in Minneapolis, MN, and is
Chair of the CASE Guidelines Committee.
O C T O B E R 2 0 21 7
 structural MONITORING
Bridge Vibration Monitoring
State of the Art and Future Outlooks
By Andrea Zampieri, Ph.D.

I nspection and condition assessment of bridges requires detailed

visual examinations that must be conducted at least biennially. This
effort involves deploying crews on-site for an extended period of time,
depending on structure-specific needs and bridge typology. At times,
gaining access to specific structural elements can be a challenge. Such
is the case for the main cables and hangers of suspension bridges and
the girders of viaducts and arch structures, which sometimes require
special rope access. Thus, it should come as no surprise that inspec-
tion expenses are one of the most relevant items in the life-cycle cost
of bridges. As a limited budget is available to sustain these costs, and
given the increasing inspection needs of the U.S. bridges, the bulk
of which are nearing the end of their service life, the need for cost-
effective condition assessment techniques has never been more critical.
Visual inspections are also imperfect because they are subjective, given
that they depend on the inspector’s experience and judgment. When
the very stability of the structure is in question, inspections may also
pose safety hazards to the inspection crew on site.
In recent years, engineers and bridge managers have started to deploy
structural health monitoring (SHM) systems to supplement visual
examinations. SHM employs various sensors, such as accelerometers,
strain gages, displacement transducers, acoustic sensors, and GPS
systems, to name a few. These instruments remotely and automatically
collect structural response data that can be processed to obtain infor-
mation on the condition of the bridges. SHM can reduce inspection
time and costs, provide objective data, and mitigate access difficulties
Figure 1. General framework for vibration-based SHM, based on Feng et al. 2013.
and safety hazards. Vibration-based approaches to SHM aim to assess
bridges’ structural health by using vibration response data, usually may be identified. Because these vibration characteristics depend
collected by accelerometers installed on the structures. These sensors on the mechanical properties of the structural system, the modal
are widely employed because acceleration data are relatively easy and parameters identified from the vibration records may be employed
economical to obtain, are well-suited for many applications, and can to estimate the structural parameters – generally the stiffness – of
be easily incorporated into various structural analysis and assessment selected structural elements within the bridge. Results are stored in
strategies. As a result, vibration-based SHM plays a prominent role a database, and values of stiffness that differ more than an established
among the various types of SHM implementation as a support tool threshold compared to previously identified ones may signal an abnor-
for structural evaluation and asset management. In the following, an mal structural behavior, damage, or other conditions, depending on
overview of state-of-the-art techniques and an outline of emerging the specific application for which the monitoring activity is used. If
technologies are presented to ultimately offer a primer on the objec- deemed necessary, corrective interventions are made, and then the
tives, methodologies, and potential applications of bridge vibration monitoring activity resumes.
monitoring. It is important to understand that determinations on the condition
of a bridge are based on detecting changes in its vibration characteris-
tics. Hence, a fundamental principle of vibration-based SHM is that
Objectives and General Framework it requires a baseline set of modal parameters and their associated
Although different approaches to bridge vibration monitoring exist, structural stiffness values to detect and quantify those changes. This
a general framework for the practical implementation of the method baseline must represent the bridge in pristine condition or, more
could be outlined following the flowchart in Figure 1. generally, the condition prior to the event under investigation has
A sensor network is installed on the bridge. When new data are avail- occurred. For instance, if the goal of the analysis is to determine
able, the digital records are processed to identify the modal parameters whether a seismic event caused structural damage, which in turn
of the structure, namely the natural frequencies of vibration, mode means to detect whether structural stiffness decreased as a result of
shapes, and, in some applications, the damping ratios. It is important the event, a baseline set of modal and structural parameters, identi-
to observe that acceleration records target the global behavior of the fied before the shaking, is required. This will enable a comparison
structure, so the first few lower-frequency global modes of vibration with the modal and structural identification results obtained after

8 STRUCTURE magazine
the seismic event occurs. Also, it is important to note that records residual capacity of the structure. This allows asset manag-
from multiple datasets collected over a long period yield more ers to make better-informed decisions on matters such as
reliable baselines than those obtained from short-term monitoring determining whether structural rehabilitation is required,
campaigns with only a few records. This is because the parameters estimating the remaining service life of the bridge, verifying
identified through each set of measurements are affected by the if load posting should be imposed, and deciding whether an
specific operational conditions – primarily temperature – when aging bridge should be decommissioned. In addition, from
the vibration data are collected. By using multiple datasets, one can the perspective of a monitored network of bridges, this may
take statistics of the parameters identified from each set and build enable rational prioritization of interventions and more
a statistical baseline model of the bridge to account for the effect effective budgeting.
of specific operational conditions. While long-term vibration monitoring could be helpful on a wide
Even more importantly, the benefits of vibration-based SHM are array of issues, short-term SHM campaigns may still be employed
maximized through long-term monitoring deployments. This offers to address specific project needs. For example:
an opportunity to study the full history
of the bridge, which is key to identifying
potential structural concerns promptly,
making educated decisions on main-
tenance interventions, and enabling
other asset management provisions.
Some examples of such applications
and benefits are:
• By comparing the structural param-
eters identified before and after a
potentially damaging event, such as
an earthquake or a ship collision,
a long-term vibration monitoring
deployment enables the engineer
to determine whether damage
occurred, locate the structural ele-
ments affected, and quantify the
extent of the damage.
• Tracking changes of a bridge’s modal

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

and structural parameters through- Prevent condensation and mold
g

out its service life makes structural Improve effective R-value of the
g

aging visible and quantifiable. Aging building envelope by up to 50%

may be expected to produce small
progressive shifts in bridge vibration Increase floor temperature by up
g

characteristics associated with gradual to 34°F/19°C adjacent to balcony

decrements of structural stiffness over Reduce heat loss by up to 90%
g

the structure’s life.

Isokorb® Structural Meet code requirements for
g

• Detecting abrupt changes of bridge continuous insulation with

modal parameters compared to
the baseline may unveil struc-
tural deterioration that could be
unobservable utilizing mere visual
inspection, enabling timely adop-
tion of corrective measures before
deterioration expands further. This
leads to increased structural safety
and potential savings over more
extensive repairs required at a later
stage. By doing so, vibration-based
SHM may ultimately help transi-
tion from a reactive maintenance
regimen to a preventative one,
which is crucial to improving the
condition of our country’s aging
bridges (ASCE, 2021).
• Vibration data collected during
the service life of a bridge
facilitate the estimation of the
Thermal Breaks
Insulate concrete-to-concrete,
concrete-to-steel and
steel-to-steel connections
maximum effectiveness
Isokorb® Structural Thermal
Breaks prevent condensation
and mold, and reduce energy
consumption by insulating
balconies, canopies, beams, slab
edges, parapets and rooftop
equipment where they penetrate
the building envelope.
Proud to offer Passive House,
UL and ICC approved products.
www.schoeck.com

SchockNA_HalfPgIslandAd_Structure_May2021_FINAL.indd 1 5/11/21 4:00 PM

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 9
 Figure 2. Ambient vibration records collected by eleven sensors installed on a bridge are used to identify the natural modes of vibration of the structure. The frequency
domain decomposition plot shows three natural frequencies at approximately 2.9 Hz, 3.8 Hz, and 13.8 Hz. The acceleration records are available in Saiidi, n.d.
• Upon commissioning, bridges may be instrumented with
temporary accelerometers to identify modal and structural
parameters that can be compared against the design values to
conclude whether the actual behavior of the bridge in service
complies with the design expectations.
• Temporary accelerometer networks may be employed when
bridge repair or strengthening is performed to measure the dif-
ference between the modal and structural parameters identified
before and after the intervention. This information provides a
measure of the effects of the repair or strengthening and allows
verification of the design objectives.
Modal and Structural Parameters Identification
Much literature has been produced on modal parameter identi-
fication using vibration measurements, and different techniques
are available for various types of vibration data. In most practical
applications, ambient vibrations (e.g., vibrations induced by traffic
across the bridge and nearby traffic, or in other words, the vibrations
a bridge is subjected to in ordinary operational conditions) are used
for modal identification purposes. The process of identifying the
modal parameters of bridges from ambient vibration data is called
operational modal analysis.
While several operational modal analysis techniques are available,
they are all characterized by being output-only analysis methods. This
means that bridge vibration response measurements collected by the
accelerometers installed on the bridge – i.e., the output data – are
sufficient to carry out the analysis, with no need to obtain explicit
measurements of the input excitations. The most straightforward
operational modal analysis approach is the peak-picking method. This
method first transforms the measured digital vibration signals into
the frequency domain employing well-known mathematical functions
such as the discrete Fourier transform or the power spectral density
function. The natural modes of vibration of the bridge are then identi-
fied simply by “picking” the peaks of these frequency representations
of the vibration data.
However, the most common operational modal analysis tech-
nique used in practical applications is perhaps the frequency domain
10 STRUCTURE magazine
decomposition. It also relies on a frequency-domain transformation
of the data. In fact, it can be interpreted as a refinement of the peak-
picking method through more sophisticated mathematical tools. An
example of the frequency domain decomposition method is shown
in Figure 2. More details on operational modal analysis can be found
in Brincker and Ventura, 2015.
Once the modal parameters are available, the structural param-
eters of the bridge can be estimated. A variety of techniques have
been proposed in the literature to do so. The finite element model
updating method discussed in depth by Friswell and Mottershead
(1995) may be one of the greatest interest to practicing engineers.
The fundamental principle of this technique is relatively simple. A
parametric finite element model of the bridge is constructed, in which
the stiffness of selected elements is treated as a variable parameter
(i.e., the unknowns). The finite element model updating problem is
solved by searching for stiffness values that minimize the difference
between the modal parameters identified from the vibration data
and the analytical modal parameters obtained from finite element
analysis. Thus, structural parameters identification may be very much
intended as an optimization problem that can be solved through
various optimization algorithms.
Despite its conceptual simplicity, finite element model updating must
be applied carefully. Because only a limited number of global modal
parameters can be identified from the vibration data, attention must be
placed on selecting the structural parameters to be used as unknowns
of the finite element model updating problem. Selecting too many
variables would make the optimization algorithm ill-conditioned,
resulting in multiple possible solutions to the problem rather than a
unique solution. This issue may be mitigated by performing a sensi-
tivity analysis to explore the influence of each candidate variable on
the bridge’s modal parameters to help select the proper unknowns of
the finite element model updating problem.
Future Outlooks
In recent years, advances in computer technology have paved the way
for data science and artificial intelligence to take on a central role in
nearly every scientific research field. And, as sensors become cheaper
and more widely available, novel archetypes of the built environment
have come forth through concepts such as smart city and ubiquitous
sensing. Bridge vibration monitoring is affected in many ways by these
novel scientific and technological perspectives, as they are opening
new frontiers in collecting and processing vibration data.
One paradigmatic example is the recent proposal of crowdsensing
platforms for bridge vibration monitoring. This technology stems
from the observation that today’s sensors are ubiquitous. In fact, it
is safe to say that each of us carries an accelerometer in our pocket
every day – on smartphones. Thus, the main idea of crowdsensing
is to perform operational modal analysis of the structures by taking
advantage of aggregate acceleration data collected by the smartphones
from users traveling across bridges. Compared to traditional vibration
monitoring applications, the clear advantage is that crowdsensing
frees bridge owners from the burden of installing and maintaining
a sensor network. And this may encourage more extensive adoption
of bridge vibration monitoring technologies in the industry, which
is still relatively limited compared to the research effort produced in
this field. In addition, a crowdsensing platform provides a wealth of
data, highly granular both in space and time, that traditional sensor
networks are incapable of producing.
Yet, these schemes also present technical difficulties. First and fore-
most, this is because smartphones are mobile sensors rather than fixed
ones, making modal identification of bridges challenging. Additional
complexity is added by the fact that the bridge vibration data collected
are affected by the dynamics of the car and the disturbance of the
user interaction with the smartphone. While crowdsensing platforms
cannot be viewed as market-ready technologies yet, their application
to real-life problems may be closer than one would expect.
To appreciate the pace at which research is moving forward, it suf-
fices to note that the first laboratory experiment to test the potential
of smartphone sensors for vibration-based SHM was conducted in
2015 (Feng et al. 2015). In 2018, the natural frequencies of a real-
life bridge were identified using the data collected by a smartphone
mounted on the dashboard of a car over 42 trips across the bridge
(Matarazzo et al. 2018).
The crowdsensing paradigm effectively highlights how novel technologies
increase the amount of readily available data at an affordable cost and
suggests that bridge vibration monitoring may play a more prominent
role in bridge condition assessment and management in the future.
From a broader perspective, these technological advances showcase the
fast-changing professional landscape that we face today. Such a scenario
challenges structural engineers to develop new skills in fields ranging
from sensing and computer algorithms to data management and user
behavior. Yet, these skills must be integrated with traditional structural
engineering knowledge, for it is essential to better understand
how to effectively use the wealth of data that will be readily
obtainable in the future for the benefit of asset management. ■
Full references are included in the online PDF version
of the article at STRUCTUREmag.org.
Andrea Zampieri is a Bridge Engineer at Parsons Corporation in New York
City. (andrea.zampieri@parsons.com)

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

HELP YOUR CLIENTS

INCREASE
PRODUCTIVITY
SAFER THAN CONVENTIONAL CONCRETE PINNERS
The HN120 is a faster, safer and a more cost effective alternative to powder actuated
tools, and doesn’t require a license to operate. Unlike powder actuated tools, this tool
is faster, more efficient and doesn’t require powder loads to operate. Backed by the
power of a 500 PSI Powerlite® compressor the HN120 can easily drive pins, through
a multitude of materials including metal, steel, concrete and wood, with minimal recoil.
MAX is committed to manufacturing reliable tools that have been designed to deliver
enhanced performance while making sure that users can carry out safe operations.

HN120 Uses AccuEmbed CPC .157” Pins

PowerLite® High Pressure
Concrete Pinner up to 2-1/2”
MAX manufactures fasteners for the PowerLite®
500PSI system. This enables contractors to work
more productively and extremely cost effectively
at every jobsite where you may have use Gas
operated or Powder Actuated Tools (P.A.T.).

VIEW OUR REPORT

Scan the QR Code to view the report.

The MAX PPE Shield means that you can trust that our tools are engineered with your health and
safety in mind. MAX high pressure tools are lightweight to reduce the stress on the body that
develops from working hard all day.

MAX USA Corp. • 205 Express St. Plainview, NY 11803 • U.S.A. - Phone: (800) 223-4293 • FAX: (516) 741-3272 • www.maxusacorp.com MAX USA CORP.

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 11
 structural SPECIFICATIONS
Revisiting Wind Loads on Pedestrian Bridges
By Aaron Gordon, P.E., and Gavin Good, P.E.

P edestrian and multi-use trail

bridges have become more
popular as public and private enti-
ties invest in alternative modes
of transportation, human-scale
design, and user safety. The design
of these structures is typically
adapted from vehicular bridge
design methodology. While the
scale of pedestrian bridges sim-
plifies portions of the analysis,
such as considering multiple lanes
and certain load combinations,
it adds several wrinkles, includ-
ing vibration and increased
attention to lateral loads. The
American Association of State
Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO) LRFD
Guide Specifications for the Design
of Pedestrian Bridges (AASHTO
Pedestrian Bridge Guide) addresses
these design aspects unique to
pedestrian structures. Its use Figure 1. Timeline of code publications and wind load methodology. The 2 nd edition of the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide
is strongly recommended by references the 4 th edition of AASHTO LRFD for wind load factors. Since then, the wind load factors and methodology in AASHTO
AASHTO's Load and Resistance LRFD have changed, while the wind load procedure for the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide has not changed.
Factor Bridge Design Specifications
(AASHTO LRFD) when designing pedestrian bridges and other
structures not carrying full highway loading. In fact, a recent survey
Evolution of Wind Load Criteria
of state bridge offices found that over 90% of states explicitly require The approach to wind loading in the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge
the use of the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide when designing such Guide has evolved since it was first published in 1997. This first
facilities in their jurisdiction. Despite a guide specification dedicated to edition used a simplified approach consistent with the AASHTO
pedestrian bridges, evaluating wind load on these structures involves Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges (AASHTO Standard
consulting and cross-referencing various specifications based on dif- Specifications). In place of correlating wind speeds to applied pres-
ferent analysis methods. The indirect approach to wind loading makes sures or more refined analyses, a uniform wind pressure was used
it difficult for engineers to ensure appropriate design procedures are based on empirical methods. The 2nd (and latest) edition of the
followed and fails to provide consistent reliability across the industry. AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide was published in 2009, with
This article reviews the evolution of wind load criteria, examines interim revisions issued in 2015 that do not impact the wind load
current wind load criteria for pedestrian bridges, and provides a path criteria. This edition reflected the transition from Load Factor
towards establishing a consistent design methodology for wind loading Design (LFD) in AASHTO Standard Specifications to Load and
on pedestrian bridges. Resistance Factor Design in AASHTO LRFD and correlated wind

Table of AASHTO LRFD Base Wind Speed and Load Factors. Adapted from Table 3.4.1-1 in AASHTO LRFD 7 th and 8 th Editions and Table 3.8.1.1.2-1 in AASHTO
LRFD 8 th Edition. The Strength V load combination is not used for most pedestrian bridge designs since it simultaneously considers live load and wind load.

12 STRUCTURE magazine
speeds directly to wind pressures. However, instead of incorporat-
ing the wind load procedure in AASHTO LRFD, it requires that
Current Wind Load Criteria
wind pressures be calculated using AASHTO Standard Specifications Structural engineers must be aware of the updates to AASHTO
for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic LRFD since the publication of the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide
Signals (AASHTO Signs) using a mean recurrence interval (MRI) or risk underestimating the wind pressures on the structure. The
of 100 years. Per the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide, the wind AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide references AASHTO LRFD 4th
pressures generated using AASHTO Signs are then factored using Edition, but there is no language highlighting the importance of which
load combinations from AASHTO LRFD. AASHTO LRFD edition to incorporate. Furthermore, the references
This approach to wind loading is due to the similarities between to AASHTO LRFD 4th Edition are not specific to the wind loading
pedestrian bridges and overhead sign structures in the United States. and are only found in the design example and the listed references at
Both structure types can span over roadways, frequently consist of the end of the specification. As shown in Figure 1, AASHTO LRFD
steel truss elements, and are subject to relatively low gravity loads. 4th Edition was published prior to overhauling wind load criteria in
Prefabricated steel trusses, which have the most in-common with over- AASHTO LRFD 8th Edition.
head signs, are a popular solution for many owners seeking to provide The current AASHTO LRFD wind load criteria use an MRI of 700
pedestrian and bicycle access across roadways and other obstacles. This years for vehicular bridge design, whereas AASHTO Signs uses 100
logic is also reflected in the commentary of the AASHTO Pedestrian years. As shown in Figure 2 (page 14), this discrepancy would have
Bridge Guide, which states: been addressed at the time of publication of AASHTO Signs by the
The wind loading is taken from AASHTO Signs specification AASHTO LRFD 4th Edition load factors. However, if the load fac-
rather than from AASHTO LRFD due to the potentially flexible tors in the current version of AASHTO LRFD are used in pedestrian
nature of pedestrian bridges and also due to the potential for bridge strength design, the wind pressures from AASHTO Signs
traffic signs to be mounted to them. would not be increased, and the structure would only be designed
When the current AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide was pub- for an MRI of 100 years. This underestimates the wind load on the
lished, AASHTO LRFD wind load provisions used the fastest-mile structure since the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide intended this
wind speed approach. The fastest-mile wind calculation was based load to be increased by 40%. While it may be acceptable to design
on determining the shortest time a mile-long column of air would some pedestrian bridges for a lower MRI than vehicular bridges, many
take to travel past a fixed point. A base wind speed of 100 miles of these structures span critical infrastructure networks or support
per hour and a constant base wind pressure were used for structural commuter routes. Reduced reliability of a structure should be an
calculations regardless of location. Alternatively, engineers could intentional design decision in coordination with the Owner, not due
perform a site-specific wind study. The pressures generated from to discrepancies in the design criteria. This creates a significant tension
these wind speeds were then factored
according to each load combination,
as shown in the Table. This fastest-
mile wind pressure calculation was
considered reasonable for most of the What does it mean to be a
United States but was unconservative supportive business organization?
in hurricane-prone regions and failed
to provide uniform reliability to struc-
tural designs.
The 8th edition of AASHTO LRFD
sought to provide uniform reliabil-
We flip the

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

ity across the country using a design
wind speed that reflects the actual
wind speed at a given location. The
traditional
updated specifications adopted a con-
stant averaging time of 3-seconds per
organizational
gust, aligning with ASCE-7 Minimum
Design Loads for Buildings and Other
structure
Structures (ASCE-7) and data from the
National Weather Service. This edition
and subsequent editions of AASHTO
DOWN UPSIDE
LRFD vary the wind speed based on
geographic location and the load com-
bination being applied, as summarized
in the Table. Since wind speeds now what could that mean for you? kpff.com
vary among load combinations, all load
Seattle Sacramento Boise Nashville
factors for wind pressures were changed Tacoma San Francisco Salt Lake City Birmingham
to 1.0. This is a significant departure Lacey Los Angeles Des Moines Washington, DC
from the previous wind loading crite- Spokane Long Beach St. Louis New York
Portland Orange County Chicago
ria, and its ramifications have not been Eugene San Diego Louisville KPFF is an Equal Opportunity Employer
reflected in the AASHTO Pedestrian
Bridge Guide.

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 13

Figure 2. Comparison of wind pressures at 30 feet. Wind pressures from AASHTO Signs are
factored according to AASHTO LRFD 4 th Edition and 8th Edition. Wind Exposure Category C
is assumed. For AASHTO Signs, a drag coefficient of 1.70 is assumed.
for engineers who should consult AASHTO LRFD 4th Edition for
wind load factors and later AASHTO LRFD editions for everything
else, inviting inconsistencies to designs and built structures. Figure 2
demonstrates the potential variability of wind loading based on the
different design criteria.
Wind loads on fences and railings are another area of inconsistency
in pedestrian bridge design. AASHTO LRFD stipulates that the
design wind load for a chain-link or metal-fabric fence shall be 15
pounds per square foot applied to the full fence height. This clause
from AASHTO LRFD is not in the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge
Guide nor AASHTO Signs. Calculating wind load on fences or rail-
ings using AASHTO Signs involves determining the obstructed area,
estimating the drag coefficient of specific members, and measuring
the distance between windward and leeward sides. Many engineers
and truss manufacturers simplify this calculation by conservatively
applying the superstructure wind pressure to the full projected area
of the fence or railing while neglecting the leeward side. While this
approach seems reasonable and conservative for most cases, specific
guidance on how to accurately account for wind loads on fences and
railings could promote more efficient and consistent structural designs.
Fences and railings can constitute most of the superstructure height
for pedestrian bridges. Therefore, conservative estimates of these loads
may considerably impact the structure and cost.
It is imperative to use engineering judgment when applying wind
load specifications to pedestrian bridges. While typical vehicular and
highway bridges are rarely governed by wind loading, pedestrian bridges
are much more likely to be governed by wind and other lateral loads.
14 STRUCTURE magazine
Therefore, the design and cost implications
of applied wind pressures will significantly
impact owners and end-users. The updated
wind load criteria in AASHTO LRFD impact
the applied wind pressure, which can dictate
superstructure-to-substructure connections,
bearing requirements, and substructure design.
Piers and intermediate bents for pedestrian
bridges can reach substantial heights to meet
vertical clearance requirements over highways
or provide users with scenic views. Small differ-
ences in lateral loads applied at the top of these
tall column elements may dictate their size
and govern their foundations. In particular,
pile footings can be dramatically affected as
many owners discourage or forbid pile uplift
forces. Pedestrian bridges have relatively lower
dead loads to counteract overturning, so uplift
forces frequently control foundation sizes and
pile embedment. A conservative approach
to wind loading may result in sizable cost
increases for the substructure and founda-
tion, which are main factors in the overall cost.
For some pedestrian bridge superstructures
and substructures, AASHTO LRFD could
be more appropriate than AASHTO Signs if
these structural elements are less flexible and
less sign-like, such as reinforced concrete slabs,
composite steel girders, short span timber, or
concrete columns.
Conclusion
The stated purpose of load and resistance factor
design specifications is to build structures
according to a precise statistical method and a specific level of reliability
that values user safety. Today, pedestrian bridges can be designed and
constructed to a wide range of reliabilities due to the cross-referencing
of different specifications which use different analysis methods, without
clarity on which edition should be applied. An update to the AASHTO
Pedestrian Bridge Guide could include wind load criteria rather than
referencing AASHTO Signs and provide more guidance on fence and
railing loads. If using AASHTO Signs as a design supplement is prefer-
able, the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide could provide additional
commentary on when it is acceptable to reference AASHTO Signs
based on the bridge type, natural frequency, or weight-to-width ratio.
Alternatively, it could refer to a specific edition of AASHTO LRFD
for wind load factors or explicitly provide LRFD load combinations.
In the meantime, the authors believe engineers should consider apply-
ing the load factors in AASHTO LRFD 4th Edition, rather than the
reduced load factors in more recent editions, to align with the original
intent of the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Guide. Regardless of updates
to the wind loading criteria or the design approach, engineers
must always rely on sound reasoning and communicate
clearly with owners when establishing wind load criteria.■
Aaron Gordon is a Structural Engineer at Kimley-Horn in Dallas, TX, with a
focus on public infrastructure projects. (aaron.gordon@kimley-horn.com)
Gavin Good is a Structural Engineer at Kimley-Horn in Atlanta, GA,
specializing in vehicular and pedestrian bridge design.
(gavin.good@kimley-horn.com)
Stronger.
Simpler.
More
versatile.
The new Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Wall ® ®

high-strength wood shearwall.

Our latest wood shearwall is a high-performance, extremely

versatile solution for lateral-force resistance in light-frame
residential and commercial construction. With a patented
new design that provides the highest allowable loads across
a wide variety of applications, the Strong-Wall high-strength
wood shearwall is code listed for easy specification.
And it’s field-trimmable for maximum design flexibility and
customization. Our Strong-Wall Shearwall Selector web
application can help you choose a code-compliant shearwall
solution that best suits your project designs.
To learn more about how the Strong-Wall high-strength
wood shearwall (WSWH) can simplify and optimize your next
design, visit go.strongtie.com/wswh or call (800) 999-5099.

Strong-Wall®
SWSS

Shearwall
Selector

©2021 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. WSWH21-S

 structural SYSTEMS
Hybrid Suspension Bridges for
Super-Long Spans
By Roumen V. Mladjov, S.E., P.E.

B uilding taller, longer, stron-

ger, and faster is one of
humanity’s eternal aspirations.
It is not by chance that the
construction industry measures
achievements by comparing the
height of skyscrapers, the size of
arenas, and the span of bridges.
Currently, seven bridges exceed
4,921 feet (1,500 m) in span.
The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge,
Japan (1998) has the longest
span at 6,532 feet (1,991 m). Figure 1. Hybrid suspension bridge system for super-long spans.
The Çanakkale Strait Bridge in
Turkey, to be completed in 2022, will surpass this with a record- with cable-stayed supported cantilevers extending on each side or at
breaking 6,637 feet (2,023 m) span. least extending into the main span (Figure 1). These cantilevers support
There were projects for longer bridge spans over the English Chanel, the “on-deck pylons” and the central suspension portion. The forces at
the Gibraltar Strait, and the Messina Strait, where construction pre- both ends of the pylons are transferred with tension cables to the top
paratory work started in 2009, only to be abandoned in 2013. As a of the central tower. The pylons’ vertical reactions are transferred with
result, the longest bridge span has not increased for 23 years. When diagonal cables to the top of the main towers; the horizontal tension
considering long bridge spans, engineers choose between suspen- forces from the central suspension cables are also transferred to the top
sion and cable-stayed bridges, the only systems to achieve spans over of the main towers, but with horizontal cables (Figure 1). The main
3,281 feet (1,000 m) (the longest span by any other system being an cables support the deck-girder in the suspension portion with regular
1,811-foot arch (552-m)). suspenders. In contrast, between the on-deck pylons and the towers,
Like all bridge systems, suspension and cable-stayed structures are the deck-girder is supported with cable-stays directly by the towers.
continuously enhanced based on the development of high-strength This approach has potential that needs to be verified for feasibil-
materials, newer construction technologies, quality control, and ity and economy. The basic idea for reducing the suspension span
maintenance. However, it is no longer sufficient to simply increase is not new. The idea was explored by Joseph Strauss in the early
the structural members’ sections to provide longer spans. We are at design of the Golden Gate Bridge (1932), with colossal steel truss
the point where it may be necessary to implement new or at least cantilevers from the towers shortening the main suspension span.
modified structural systems. Sergio Musmeci used a different method for a Messina Strait bridge
competition (1970) with Lclear = 10,827 feet (3,300 m), and T.Y.
Lin for a Gibraltar Strait bridge feasibility study (1990) with sev-
Hybrid Suspension Systems eral 16,404-foot spans (5,000-m). The author also considered the
One option for increasing the length of long-spans is using hybrids prospect of a hybrid suspension system for a Messina Strait bridge
of suspension and cable-stayed bridge systems, or hybrid suspension. feasibility study (1988) with Lclear = 9,350 feet (2,850 m).
The idea is to reduce the suspension span while maintaining the In principle, shortening the suspension length should result in
required clear span length. In hybrid suspension, this is achieved by substantial savings. The reduction of the suspension cable forces
adding “on-deck interior” cable-stayed pylons at 1,000-1,600 feet from a classic suspension system with Lmax span to a shorter sus-
(300-500 m) from the supports, combining cable-stayed cantilevers pended portion Lsusp of a hybrid system, keeping the same free main
(extending from the towers) and a central suspension portion. This spans Lmax, is proportional to the square of the ratio of the lengths
approach reduces the suspension length, related cable forces, and of the two systems (Lsusp/Lmax)2, if the sag to span ratio ( f/L) for
the demand on the structure, so a free span of 11,811 feet (3,600 both systems is kept the same. For example, the reduction of the
m) can be obtained using a suspension structure of about 8,202 main cable horizontal force (and all other related forces) resulting
feet (2,500 m). from transforming an 11,811-foot classic suspension (3,600-m) to
Depending on the span’s requirements, the system may include one hybrid suspension with an 8,268-foot suspension portion (2,520-
central “main” span plus two side spans or a combination of multiple m) is (8268/11811)2 = 0.49, a reduction by about half, with all
“main” spans with two side spans. The towers are structural systems consequent advantages and savings.

16 STRUCTURE magazine
 Which system is more efficient – classic
suspension or hybrid suspension? Is the
hybrid system more efficient as a whole
than a classic suspension bridge with the
same main span? While the main cable
forces are significantly reduced in the
hybrid system, there is no change in the
total vertical reactions at the towers and
foundations, which remain the same
regardless of the reduced suspension span.
The hybrid system reduces the length
of the suspension. It adds new elements
like “on-deck pylons” and diagonal main
cable stays. Pylon reactions are transferred
to the main supports, and compression
is imposed on the deck-girder system
between the “on-deck pylons” supports
and the main towers. Some of the gain
from shortening the suspension span is
offset by these transformations of the
system.

Hybrid versus Classic

Suspension Systems
Feasibility Study
The efficiency of suspension bridges
depends mostly on the main cable sag.
Deeper sags reduce the cable force but
require taller towers. Classic suspension
options have sags, f, ranging from 1/7 to
1/12 of the span, Lmax. While bridges with
deeper sag ratios (from 1/7 to 1/9 of Lmax)
are more efficient than those with smaller Figure 2. Hybrid suspension alternatives vs. classic suspension systems.
sag ratios (from 1/10 to1/12 of Lmax), deeper
sags require much taller main towers than smaller sags. The heights same total vertical uniform load q per linear meter. The maximum
of the towers are determined as the sum of the initial sag, plus 3% cable force is S=(R^2+Hel^2)^0.5, where R is the maximum reaction
longitudinal deck slope (from center to towers), 33-foot allowance and Hel is the maximum elastic horizontal cable force.
(10-m) for the deck structure, plus 213 feet (65 m) of minimum clear-
ance above water. The longitudinal slope is required to remain at least
1% after considering the elastic deformation under maximum load q.
When Clear Spans are the Same
The tower heights for an 11,811-foot suspension span (3600-m) The hybrid bridges’ suspension central portion length is 0.6-0.7 of
with ratios between 1/7 and 1/9 are 2,037 to 1,663 feet (621 to 507 the clear span, making the corresponding extensions of the towers
m), while for ratios from 1/10 to1/12, they are 1,532 to 1,335 feet toward the mid-span 0.15 to 0.2 of Lmax. Consequently, the reduced
(467 to 407 m). For practical reasons, engineers have used sags
of around 1/9 of L for most of the recent longest bridge spans to
optimize balance between the overall efficiency and constructabil-
ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

ity of the towers.

A simple approach to calculate the total structural quantity for
comparing the efficiency of different hybrid options is to calculate
the sum of the products of element forces times element lengths.
www.dci-engineers.com

The smaller the sum, the more efficient the system. The element
forces and support reactions are functions of q, the total vertical
START WRITING YOUR DCI STORY
uniform dead + live load per linear meter. The total structural We’re Hiring!
quantity includes the central span of the bridge and the two main
towers; for the deck-girder, it includes only the additional com-
pression at the cantilevered (cable-stayed) support portions (since Visit our website
there is no difference in demand on deck-girders in the suspen- for more details
sion portions of both compared options). All bridge options are
WASHINGTON | OREGON | CALIFORNIA | TEXAS | ALASKA | COLORADO | MONTANA
assumed to have the same general structure and width, with the

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 17
 Table 1. Comparing classic with hybrid suspension. for its overall efficiency, and is used for the
example above. Additional advantages of this
Item Classic Suspension Hybrid System option are that the inclined tower legs result
Clear Span (Lmax), feet (meters) 11,811 (3,600 m) 11,811 (3,600 m) in suspension length reduction and the tower
space structure provides more stability and
Suspension portion, feet (meters) 11,811 (3,600 m) 8,268 (2,520 m), or 70%
better resistance to the higher reactions in
Max Force of Main Cable (S), q (US tons) 4,629 (4,199 m) 2.977 (2,701), or 64% super-long spans. Other sub-system con-
H towers above deck, feet (meters) 1,490 (454 m) 1,211 (369 m), or 81%
figurations may be used if the designer and
the builder find them efficient and viable in
H towers to foundations, feet (meters) 1,696 (517 m) 1,417 (432), or 84% their detailed analysis.
Total structural quantity, In addition to studying hypothetical bridges,
93,789 (25,930) 79,281 (21,919), or 84.5%
q US ton-feet (ton-meters) x 103 the efficiency of hybrid alternatives can be
studied and compared across existing long-
suspension portions become 8,268 feet (2,520 m) long for an 11,811- span suspension bridges: the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the Great Belt
foot bridge (3,600-m) (Figure 1). After exploring different options, East Bridge, and the Izmit Bay Bridge. The results are listed in Table 2,
hybrid suspensions with f = 1/8 of Lsusp were considered versus classic along with the potential efficiency of hybrid systems.
suspensions with f = 1/9 of Lmax. With these parameters, hybrid tower For super long spans in areas with high winds, it is appropriate for
heights are 1,211 feet (369 m) above the deck for an 11,811-foot the deck-girder system to be designed as a steel box with an aerody-
span (3,600-m). The height of on-deck pylons is determined as the namic shape; it may also benefit from additional side bracing with
sum of the suspension cable sag + deck slope + calculated deflection cables anchored to the shore. It would be more efficient to use two
of the suspension cable under full load. parallel bridge structures in some conditions, one for each traffic
As a result of exploring different alternatives for hybrid suspen- direction with some separation, interconnected with horizontal
sion bridges, it was determined that hybrid options with Lsusp = 0.7 ties transforming the entire structure into a horizontal Vierendeel
Lmax are the most efficient. The study compared classic suspension truss to increase the lateral resistance. If necessary, diagonals can
(Figure 2, page 17 ) with the following hybrid variations: be added between the two parallel structures, transforming it into
2a) hybrid suspension a horizontal truss.
2b) hybrid suspension with under-pinned suspension cables
2c) hybrid suspension with inclined main towers
2d) hybrid suspension with inclined main towers and inclined
Conclusions
on-deck pylons Based on current technical progress and development of suspension
The reduction of the suspension length in hybrids allows using sags and cable-stayed bridges, suspension bridges can be expected to reach
of 1/8 without requiring very high towers. For example, the result of clear spans of 7,874 to 8,530 feet (2,400 to 2,600 m) in the near
replacing a classic suspension system for an 11,811-foot (3,600-m) span future. In comparison, cable-stayed bridges could reach 4,921-foot
with a hybrid system (inclined main towers, Figure 2c) with a middle spans (1,500-m). Such design will require total tower heights of about
suspension part Lsusp = 0.7 Lmax = 8,268 feet (2,520 m) and the same 1,280 feet (390 m) for suspension systems or 1,411 feet (430 m) for
11,811-foot clear span (3,600-m) is illustrated in Table 1. cable-stayed systems.
In trials of various sub-systems, the sub-system with minimum total Hybrid suspension systems will make possible even longer struc-
structural quantity is hybrid with inclined main towers and inclined ture spans of up to 9,843 to 11,811 feet (3,000 to 3,600 m),
on-deck pylons (Figure 2d ), providing 17.6% savings. However, for incorporating an internal classic suspension system of only about
long spans of 9,843 to11,811 feet (3,000 to3,600 m), the inclined 6,890 to 8,202 feet (2,100 to 2,500 m). Additionally, such hybrid
pylons-on-deck need to be about 1,214 feet tall (370 m) above the structures could achieve a 10-15% efficiency of material. While
deck. Considering the ease of construction, the next most efficient these savings may not look substantial, for a 3-span bridge with an
sub-system, hybrid with inclined main towers but with vertical pylons 11,811-foot main span (3,600-m) and a cost in the range of 4.5 to
on deck (Figure 2c), results in about 15% savings, is recommended 4.8 billion dollars, the material savings would be 450-720 million
dollars. More importantly, hybrid systems offer the possibility
to build much longer spans with main element sizes in the range
BUILD YOUR of those already used for shorter span structures with reduced
ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

bridge tower heights and reduced diameter of suspension cables.

CAREER AT KL&A Hybrid systems in super-long spans (e.g., 11,811 feet; 3,600 m)
would include unprecedented elements, like on-deck interior
We are currently looking for: pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower to support the reactions of a
• Structural Engineers considerable suspension portion (e.g., 8,268 feet, 2,520 m), a
• Civil Engineers serious challenge. An actual project would require more detailed
• BIM Technicians analysis and wind tunnel testing.
• Construction Managers The results are consistent for a wide range of clear spans (2,461
• Steel Detailer to 11,811 feet; 750 to 3,600 m), making hybrid suspensions more
efficient even in shorter spans of 2,297 to 4,921 feet (700 to 1,500
Please visit klaa.com/open-careers m). The future may see these types of configurations used
for more information and to apply. to design and build longer span bridges where necessary,
G O L D E N | L O V E L A N D | C A R B O N D A L E | B U F FA L O at a significant reduction in cost, materials, and efforts.■

18 STRUCTURE magazine
Table 2. Comparing hybrid suspension options versus as-built for three long-span bridges.

Compared bridge element Izmit Bay Great Belt Akashi-Kaikyo

Main span length L in feet (m) 5,085 (1,550 m) 5,328 (1,624 m) 6,532 (1,991 m)
Main cable sag (f/L) 1/8.7 1/9.37 1/10.64
S cable force of Hybrid option
0.659 0.625 0.570
vs. as-built Classic Suspension
Main cable diameter as-built inch (mm) 41 (1,040 mm) 33 (827 mm) 44 (1,120 mm)
Main cable diameter Hybrid inch (mm) 33 (844 mm) 81% 26 (654 mm) (79%) 33 (846 mm)(0.76%)
Main cable as-built, tons (m. tons) 19,842 (18,000 m. t.) 20,008 (18,151 m. t.) 55,423 (50,279 m. t.)
Main cable with Hybrid, tons (m. tons) 13,076 (11,862 m. t.) 12,505 (11,344 m. t.) 31,613 (28,679 m. t.)
Savings with Hybrid, tons (m. tons) 6,138 6,807 21,600
Savings in tons in percent 34.1% 37.5% 42.9%
Main tower height reduction (m) 42.16 31.32 13.72
Total quantity q x t x ft x 1000 (q × m.t × m x 1000)
Classic suspension (as built) 12,059 (3,334) 13,685 (3,784) 21,812 (6,031)
Hybrid option 10,918 (3,018) 11,962 (3,307,) 17,859 (4,938)
Hybrid option vs as built 0.905 0.874 0.819
Note: Saving 34-43% of the main cables’ quantity while reducing their diameter by 19-24% is substantial.
Reducing the total quantity by 9.5-18% is also a significant savings.

Roumen V. Mladjov’s expertise comprises structural and bridge engineering

This article is a continuation of Cable-Stayed Bridges, and construction management; his main interests are structural performance,
STRUCTURE, October 2020. seismic resistance, efficiency, and economy. (rmladjov@gmail.com)

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

5789 West Wells Park Rd. West Jordan, UT 84081

801.280.0701 | corebrace.com

NVIDIA Corporate Headquarters, Santa Clara, CA

372 BRBs utilizing a combination of Bolted, Pinned, and Welded connections

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 19
 structural DESIGN
The Long Road
Advancing First-Generation Performance-Based Seismic Design for Steel Buildings
Part 1: Background and Motivation
By Matthew Speicher, Ph.D., and John Harris, Ph.D.
F irst-generation performance-based seismic design (PBSD) prin-
ciples are outlined in the latest edition of the American Society of
Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineering Institute’s ASCE/SEI
41-17: Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings referred to
herein as ASCE 41. These PBSD principles have evolved since being
introduced in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s FEMA
273: National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP)
Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings (FEMA 1997).
ASCE 41 provides analytical procedures and performance criteria to
evaluate an existing building for a defined performance objective and
to design seismic retrofit strategies if the criteria are not satisfied. This
ability to explicitly define a performance objective and then assess a
building against that objective has led practitioners to adopt ASCE
41 for use in new building designs to meet the intent of ASCE 7:
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, of which
the latest edition is ASCE/SEI 7-16.
Using ASCE 41 for existing building assessment and new building
design has created interest amongst researchers and design professionals
about the consistency between ASCE 41 and ASCE 7 (NIST 2009).
Partially motivated to address this matter, the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated a study in 2010 to
evaluate the first-generation principles of PBSD as applied to newly
constructed steel buildings. A critical aspect of the NIST study was
investigating whether the standards for designing new steel buildings
and assessing existing steel buildings provide consistent performance
levels. With the desire to advance performance-based design, the
correlation between the performance of a building designed with the
prescriptive provisions of ASCE 7 and assessed with the performance-
based provisions of ASCE 41 was largely unknown.
Figure 1. Mapping of ASCE 7-10 and ASCE 41-13 seismic performance objectives based on risk category.
20 STRUCTURE magazine
Part 1 of this three-part series provides background on the history
of PBSD, compares PBSD with traditional design approaches, and
gives an overview of the motivation and outcomes of the NIST study.
This overall series will discuss the past, present, and future work done
at NIST to spur the advancement of PBSD.
Performance-Based Seismic Design
ASCE/SEI 7-16 Section 1.3 essentially allows two options for the
design of a building: 1) a strength-based (or its alternative stress-based)
procedure that follows the provisions provided in ASCE 7, or 2) an
alternative performance-based procedure. The stated goal of the latter
procedure is to give a system “reliability” generally consistent with
targets intended to be achieved in the first option; these targets are
given in ASCE 7. Since the provisions for the strength-based procedure
are prescribed in ASCE 7, this type of design is commonly referred
to as prescriptive design.
ASCE 7 prescriptive design requires a building to have adequate
strength and stiffness to preclude various limit states (e.g., buck-
ling, yielding, fracture, etc.) and other unacceptable serviceability or
functionality performance goals. Along with the prescriptive design
designation, this type of design approach is commonly referred to as
a limit state design. Moreover, since these attributes are assessed via
performance requirements, in the pure sense, prescriptive design can
be thought of as a type of performance-based design. ASCE 7 can be
considered a performance standard since it prescribes minimum design
loads and associated performance criteria. As such, for a defined
hazard, prescriptive design represents one point on the performance
continuum for a building.
 Similarly, performance-based design is also a limit
state design. In particular, for PBSD, a building is
designed with defined reliability levels so as not to
be damaged beyond certain limit states at specified
seismic hazard levels. These limit states are determined
based on fundamental mechanics, experimental and
field observations, and engineering judgment con-
sidering the consequences of the damage associated
with these limit states. Generally, consequences are
categorized in terms of deaths, dollars, and downtime
to assess the following risks implicitly or explicitly:
• total or partial collapse of a building;
• loss of life or life-threatening injuries to build-
ing occupants or the public-at-large;
• interruption of building function or occupant
mission, either short- or long-term; and
• direct economic losses from damage to the
building and/or its contents and indirect losses
by interruption of provided services.
In the heuristic sense, PBSD provides a way to
understand the design of a building and the associ-
ated risks that such a design may pose, thus giving a Figure 2. Illustration of building performance when subjected to increased earthquake intensities.
rational estimate of building performance in a future
earthquake. PBSD explicitly enables the upfront selection of per- standardization of first-generation PBSD principles in ASCE 41 can
formance targets at specific earthquake hazard levels, which results be traced from FEMA 273 as follows:
in a clearer expectation of the outcome and greater flexibility in the • FEMA 356, Prestandard and Commentary for Seismic
design process (Figure 1). Rehabilitation of Buildings (FEMA 2000)
Understanding the link between the performance objectives of ASCE 7 • ASCE/SEI 41-06 Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings
and ASCE 41 is an integral part of the discussion. In Figure 1, the • ASCE/SEI 41-13 and 41-17 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of
seismic hazard used by ASCE 7 (2010 edition and later) is ground Existing Buildings
motions producing a 1% probability of total or partial collapse in 50 • ASCE/SEI 41-23 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing
years, referred to as the risk-targeted maximum considered earthquake Buildings (under development)
(MCER). This hazard has a conditional probability of 10% collapse, The performance continuum utilized in ASCE 41 is illustrated in
given that an MCER event occurs. As such, protection against loss of Figure 2, with each performance level associated with a damage state.
life by preventing a collapse of the structural system is the primary In practice, ASCE 41 is one of the referenced standards in the
life safety objective (referred to as collapse prevention). ASCE 7 then International Existing Building Code (IEBC) (ICC 2021) to assess the
takes two-thirds of this hazard as the “design earthquake.” At this seismic performance of an existing building. ASCE 41 is also utilized
level, the secondary life safety objective is that the performance of in some cases in the design of new buildings. For example, ASCE 41
non-structural components is critical to protect life and injuries, is referenced in the following documents:
and there exists a margin of safety against collapse (referred to as life • ASCE 7-16, Chapter 16
safety). It is inferred that a building will have a higher performance • An Alternative Procedure for Seismic Analysis and Design of Tall
level than life safety for earthquakes occurring more frequently than Buildings Located in the Los Angeles Region (LATBSDC 2020)
the design earthquake. • Guidelines for Performance-Based Seismic Design of Tall Buildings
ASCE 41 uses the same terms to define the target performance of (PEER 2017)
the structural system but uses different terms to define the target • PBS-P100: Facility Standards for the Public Buildings Service
performance of the non-structural system. Therefore, if one wants to (GSA 2018)
equate the objectives of the two standards, collapse prevention at the ASCE 41 is a deterministic type assessment procedure; either some-
MCER is the common performance objective, as the two-thirds factor thing does or does not satisfy the criteria. In recognition of this, FEMA
does not result in uniform risk across the nation. Furthermore, ASCE supported the development of “next-generation” PBSD principles,
7 focuses on the performance at the system level, whereas ASCE 41 published in FEMA P-58, Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings
focuses on the performance at the component level. Consequently, (FEMA 2015). FEMA P-58 focuses on evaluating performance “in
in the context of linking the two standards, a valid question is what terms of the probability of incurring casualties, repair and replace-
percentage of components need to fail the collapse prevention per- ment costs, repair time, selected environmental impacts, and unsafe
formance level defined in ASCE 41 to achieve a 10% probability of placarding.” FEMA P-58 provides a probabilistic performance assess-
collapse given an MCER event? Questions like this may help enhance ment framework that can be used to explicitly evaluate seismic risks,
how PBSD can support risk assessment. relying on fragility and consequence data.
Both ASCE 41 and FEMA P-58 continue to evolve to advance PBSD
of buildings. For example, ASCE 41 is currently making refinements
State-of-Practice of PBSD to component modeling parameters and capacities for buildings iden-
ASCE 41 continues to be the go-to standard for implementing tified in Recommended Modeling Parameters and Acceptance Criteria
first-generation PBSD principles to evaluate existing buildings. The for Nonlinear Analysis in Support of Seismic Evaluation, Retrofit, and

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 21
 Figure 3. Example workflow and results for ASCE 41 nonlinear dynamic analysis.
Design (NIST 2017). Similarly, as new component performance data
is generated, updated fragility and consequence functions enhance
FEMA P-58. Still, comprehensive efforts to support the application
of these two approaches within ASCE 7 are needed.
NIST PBSD Study
The NIST study started by designing a set of archetype steel build-
ings utilizing the prescriptive methods prescribed in the then-current
ASCE/SEI 7-10. The archetype design space consisted of 4, 8, and
16-story buildings utilizing special moment frames (SMFs), special
concentrically braced frames (SCBFs), eccentrically braced frames
(EBFs), and buckling restrained brace frames (BRBFs) as the seismic
force-resisting system (SFRS). The buildings are assumed to be in an
area of high seismicity and are assigned to Seismic Design Category
D as defined by ASCE/SEI 7-10. Each system was designed twice,
once with the equivalent lateral force procedure and another with
modal response spectral analysis.
The next part of the study involved evaluating the performance of
the same structural systems using the different assessment procedures
prescribed in ASCE 41. The current standards were used at the time
of the respective portions of the NIST study; thus, ASCE/SEI 41-06
was used to assess the SMFs, SCBFs, and EBFs, and ASCE/SEI
41-13 was used to assess the BRBFs. A comparison of the assessment
outcomes relative to the level of analytical sophistication was made
using the linear static, linear dynamic, nonlinear static, and nonlinear
dynamic procedures. Ultimately, the data generated was intended to
spur improvements to future editions of ASCE 41, encouraging more
confidence in its application. Detailed information regarding this study
can be found in the NIST Technical Note 1863 series, Assessment of
First Generation Performance-Based Seismic Design Methods for New
Steel Buildings (Harris and Speicher 2015a, 2015b, 2015c; Speicher
and Harris 2020).
In general, assessment using ASCE 41 (using the respective editions
as noted above) tended to show the SFRSs had several challenges in
meeting each performance objective. For example, in several cases, the
nonlinear dynamic procedure indicated the SMFs had unacceptable
performance, illustrated in Figure 3. This finding begs the question
of whether the ASCE 41 assessment is overly conservative or if the
ASCE 7 design is deficient. To this end, a follow-up study was con-
ducted to verify the probability of collapse of the archetype buildings
using FEMA P695, Quantification of Building Seismic Performance
Factors (FEMA 2012). Investigating the performance of the SMFs,
Speicher et al. (2020) demonstrated that the structural designs do, in
fact, meet the objective of ASCE 7-10, suggesting that the respective
version of ASCE 41 (in this case, ASCE/SEI 41-06) is conservative
for the buildings studied.
22 STRUCTURE magazine
Conclusions
PBSD is being used in practice to assess the seismic performance of
existing buildings and is increasingly used to design new buildings
to satisfy multiple performance levels to meet or exceed the intent
of ASCE 7. This article highlights several points of discussion related
to the similarities and differences between prescriptive design and
performance-based design. Prescriptive design using ASCE 7 can be
thought of as one point on a performance-based design continuum.
Assessment using ASCE 41 enables access to more points on this
same continuum.
However, the two standards differ in that ASCE 41 evaluates the
performance of components, and ASCE 7 designs components for
system performance. The starting point for identifying inconsistencies
between the two standards is most logical at the collapse prevention
performance level considering the maximum considered earthquake.
The constraint of modern design techniques is that a system is defined
as the sum of its components. Consequently, component-based limit
state design can be inadequate in conveying the consequences of
component performance on system performance, limiting its appli-
cability to risk assessment.
The NIST study provides quantitative data demonstrating the incon-
sistencies between ASCE/SEI 7-10 and ASCE/SEI 41-06 or ASCE/
SEI 41-13. The steel archetype building assessments are found to
often result in conservative outcomes when ASCE 41 is applied.
Ultimately, this research has helped spur a critical assessment of the
provisions of ASCE 41 and motivated further research to advance
the state of practice of PBSD.
Part 2 in this series will detail the NIST study’s technical results,
which looked at the four structural steel systems introduced previ-
ously. Part 3 will discuss the future of PBSD in practice, including
its relationship to resilience-based design, which aims to quanti-
tatively support community resilience. With the rise in interest in
designing for functional recovery after an earthquake, PBSD will
likely be a critical methodology to evaluate the impact of service
interruption on the building occupants and the community that
the building serves.■
Full references are included in the online PDF version
of the article at STRUCTUREmag.org.
Matthew Speicher is a Research Structural Engineer in the Earthquake
Engineering Group at NIST.
John Harris is the Acting Deputy Director of NEHRP and a Research
Structural Engineer in the Earthquake Engineering Group at NIST.
CONCRETE PROS WORK BY THE BOOK.
THIS IS THAT BOOK.

SAVE THE DATE:

IEEE-IAS/PCA
Cement Conference

May 1st-May 5th, 2022

THE 17TH EDITION OF MGM Grand Hotel
DESIGN AND CONTROL OF Las Vegas, Nevada
CONCRETE MIXTURES
The definitive guide for engineers, contractors,
producers, instructors, and students. This new
edition reflects the latest advances in concrete
technology and highlights concrete’s contribution
to sustainability. Now available in hard copy or
digital format.

CEMENT.ORG/DESIGNANDCONTROL
 structural CONNECTIONS
Anatomy of a Mass Timber
Bearing Intersection
By D. Scott Nyseth, S.E., and Jason Smart, P.E.

P roper design of bearing intersections between mass

timber members is critical to the overall success of
a mass timber project. The details of these intersections
Column Load Transfer
For maximum bearing capacity, wood columns should
have a significant effect on cost and schedule. This article bear directly on wood columns end-to-end because
focuses on the multi-story column condition, where wood is strongest when bearing parallel to the grain.
loads from the column above need to be transferred For example, if a wood column were to bear directly on
down through the beam-column intersection, and the a wood beam below, the intersection would have about
beams are supported using a bearing pocket instead of ⅓ the bearing capacity because compression design
a bearing hanger (Figure 1). values perpendicular-to-grain are lower than compres-
sion design values parallel-to-grain.
For efficient member sizes, consider a detail where
Constructability an upper column bears directly on the lower column,
When initially installed, cambered beam ends may need and a beam also bears on the lower column (Figure 2).
special cuts to allow them to sit tight in the bearing Wood columns designed in accordance with the National
pocket. Sealing/protecting ends of beams and columns Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction can
is critical because the ends of these members have the have a maximum unbraced length-to-depth ratio of
potential to absorb water if wetted during construc- 50 (up to 75 during construction). Shorter wood col-
tion, causing swelling and damage to the intersection. umns are controlled primarily by bearing area. Wood
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) tolerances are columns used in typical structures must be upsized to
small for most cuts, copes, and drillings (⁄16 to ⁄8 control column slenderness and buckling. This means
inch); however, they are larger for longer slots that that there is typically more bearing area than required at
need to be cut for items such as knife plates (⁄8 to ¼ Figure 1. End column with the ends of a longer wood column, allowing the design
inch or more). CNC machine tooling for preparing beam bearing pocket. to incorporate beam pockets in the column without
beam pockets and tenons are typically round cutting upsizing the columns.
bits; therefore, the resulting surfaces will have rounded surfaces that For column-to-column compression load transfer or any other
need to be addressed in the design. parallel-to-grain bearing, NDS 3.10.1 states that “bearing shall be on
In the absence of a diaphragm, beam-column intersections should a metal plate or strap, or other equivalently durable, rigid, homoge-
have some lateral capacity for bracing and racking loads during erection neous material with sufficient stiffness to distribute the applied load”
and for leveling and plumbing of the beam-column frame. Column to utilize the full compressive capacity of the wood for bearing. For
stability is crucial for projects that use a concrete diaphragm instead end-to-end bearing where a rigid insert is required, NDS 3.10.3 allows
of a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) diaphragm. In this scenario, the use of a 20 gauge or thicker metal plate placed between bearing
multiple stories of columns, beams, and floors can be erected before surfaces to avoid a 25% reduction in bearing capacity. Without the
the structural diaphragms are in place. This requires special design bearing plate, a 25% reduction in bearing capacity directly affects the
attention, especially at exterior columns. In addition, the contractor amount of wood that can be removed for the beam bearing pocket.
needs to provide additional shoring for these columns to stabilize the
structure until the concrete diaphragm is in place.
Beam Bearing Pocket Intersections
The depth of a beam pocket is often limited by the tooling for a CNC
machine. A common limitation is that the beam pocket must be less
than or equal to 6 inches deep. This means that the pocket width is
the only variable that can be changed by design to make the bearing
area large enough for the beam reaction. Therefore, narrow beams
with relatively large reactions are not a good combination for a beam
bearing pocket intersection.
Beam bearing pocket intersections do not necessarily have a positive
connection to the column during installation. Therefore, consideration
should be given to provide some type of connection to provide stability
during construction. In addition, connections will need to allow the
Figure 2. Column-to-column bearing surface. top of beams and floor to shrink down around the columns so that the

24 STRUCTURE magazine
bearing on the pocket is not restricted fire-resistance rating required of the
and detailing should address relative members or assemblies. As provided
movement of the beams and columns in Section 2304.10.1 of the 2021
so that elements, such as façades and International Building Code (IBC), fire
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing resistance for protected connections
(MEP) systems, are not damaged. in Type IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C mass
timber construction must be deter-
mined either: 1) through a standard
Movement ASTM E119 or UL 263 fire-resistance
For a wood beam bearing on its bottom test in which the protected connection
surface, the top of the beam will settle is part of the tested assembly, or 2)
downward. The top of beam movement through engineering analysis dem-
comes from two sources, shrinkage due onstrating that specified temperature
to the moisture content change of the rise thresholds are not exceeded within
wood and compression of the wood the connection.
fiber due to bearing (Figure 3). A rule of Under the engineering analysis
thumb is that wood beams may shrink option, calculations must be performed
1% of depth for every 4% of moisture to show that the average temperature
Figure 3. Deformation at beam bearing.
content change. rise at the interface between the protec-
Assuming that wet or “green” timber beams would not be used, tion and the connection itself does not exceed 250 degrees Fahrenheit
specify timber beams with a maximum wood moisture content of and the maximum temperature rise at any location on that interface
19% (MC19) at the time of manufacture. Glued laminated timber does not exceed 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Both temperature thresholds
(glulam) beams are manufactured at a maximum moisture content coincide with conditions of acceptance specified in ASTM E119,
of 12% (MC12). pertaining to tests of protective membranes in fire-resistance-rated
It is not uncommon for interior building conditions to create assemblies. It is important to note that these temperature limits rep-
moisture content in wood as low as 5% in an arid environment. As resent temperature rises – or increases above ambient temperatures
an extreme example, a 36-inch-deep timber beam with 19%
moisture content may shrink 1¼ inches, while a 36-inch-deep
glulam beam with 12% moisture content may shrink 5/8 inch,
based on 1% shrinkage for every 4% moisture content change.
When evaluating the compression-perpendicular-to-grain
strength and deformation of beams, designers should be aware
that the ASTM test for this value involves a 2-inch square
steel plate bearing on the wood top surface and full-bearing
of the wood on the bottom surface, which is different than
the wood-on-wood bearing condition where a beam is com-
pressed from roughly equal size bearing on opposite faces (see
Characterizing Perpendicular-to-grain Compression Behavior in
Wood Construction by Craig Thomas Basta, Rakesh Gupta,
Robert J. Leichti, and Arijit Sinha).
For beams loaded on opposing faces, the potential for buckling
perpendicular-to-grain is a design consideration for evaluation
of strength in addition to bearing (see NDS Commentary). The
combined shrinkage and bearing movement also needs to be
addressed. In the bearing intersection described in this article,
the mass timber floor and beam are detailed to move downward
around the column without compromising any of the connec-
tions. At roof conditions where wind uplift is a concern, fully
threaded 45-degree screws at the top of beams are not an option,
as the beam bearing and shrinkage require the freedom of the
beam to shrink and take the full bearing load at the base of the
beam (Figure 4). This is especially important for fire resistance.
The beam must have full bearing on the column to prevent the
formation of any gaps that would allow char intrusion into the
beam bearing area.
Fire Design
Where the code requires structural members or assemblies to
have a fire-resistance rating, structural connections between
the members must be protected for a time not less than the Figure 4. Uplift anchors restraining shrinkage and bearing.

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 25
 before fire exposure. It should also be noted
that these temperature-rise criteria apply not
only to the connection hardware but also to
the fasteners and portions of wood mem-
bers included in the structural design of the
connection.
The penetration of ignition into gaps
formed by char contraction at unbonded
wood member ends and edges must also be
addressed. At any given exposure time, igni-
tion is assumed to extend into these gaps at
twice the char rate, resulting in a penetra-
tion that is twice the char depth, achar, of the
wood (2achar versus achar). Protection must be
detailed to ensure that no part of the con-
nection, including all previously described
components, is exposed to elevated tempera-
tures due to char contraction.
Connection protection may be provided Figure 5. Uncharred bearing interface on the bottom of the beam after a 2-hour fire test.
by additional wood cover, Type X gypsum
panels, other approved materials, or any combination of these Elimination of char intrusion into the bearing seat is a significant
materials. American Wood Council’s Technical Report 10 (TR 10) advancement in the design and economy of this type of bearing con-
Calculating the Fire Resistance of Wood Members and Assemblies pro- nection. The reduced bearing area must still be accounted for using
vides guidance to designers on how to estimate thermal separation a depth of achar instead of 2achar, as shown in Figure 5. The American
times provided by wood and gypsum panels in order to demonstrate Wood Council’s newly released 2021 Fire Design Specification (FDS)
compliance with the temperature rise limits specified in the engineer- for Wood Construction provides additional design guidance, including
ing analysis option of IBC Section 2304.10.1. For protection from an adjustment factor of 1.67 for fire design of bearing perpendicular-
additional wood cover or Type X gypsum panels to be effective, char to-grain. The FDS is available on AWC’s website at www.awc.org.
contraction of the wood or contraction of the gypsum panel must
also be addressed. TR 10 includes examples of how the design of
this protection is achieved. Notably, recent testing has shown that
Conclusion
this gap formation due to char contraction does not occur at bearing A beam-to-column bearing connection, where minimal connection
intersections between structural members where the members stay in hardware is used, is an excellent option for designers and contrac-
contact due to loading (Figure 5). As shown in the graph (Figure 6), tors. Understanding the shrinkage of the beams and how each floor
char depths measured at the bearing interface are generally equivalent will move down around the columns as the beams shrink is critical
to the char depths, achar, calculated in accordance with the NDS. As a to detailing the connections of the building’s components to the
result of this testing, the guidance regarding gap formation due to char structural frame. Understanding and allowing for rounded corners
contraction need not be applied to the design of bearing intersections at CNC pockets and tenons will eliminate expensive additional
that are even lightly loaded. labor to create square corners. It is important for the design team
to have requirements for the submittal of a
temporary bracing plan, as the diaphragm and
beam-column type significantly affect stability
during construction.
Finally, proportioning the correct beam and
column sizes to provide adequate bearing
through the beam-column intersection (pre-
and post-fire) and eliminating any obstructions
or restraint that might prevent full bearing
at the intersection starts at the earliest stage
of a project. The connection type will dictate
a specific layout of the column grid and will
likely not be possible to implement on a project
where the structural grid is set with-
out the specific bearing connection
in mind.■
D. Scott Nyseth is President of Stonewood
Structural Engineers, Inc. in Portland, OR.
(scott.nyseth@stonewoodstructural.com)

Jason Smart is Director of Fire Engineering at the

American Wood Council. (jsmart@awc.org)
Figure 6. Char depth versus time for bearing intersection.

26 STRUCTURE magazine
BUILD LONG LASTING STRUCTURES WITH
POWER PRESERVED GLULAM®
STRONG, DURABLE,
SUSTAINABLE

POWER PRESERVED GLULAM® FEATURES

• Manufactured with superior strength southern yellow
pine MSR Lumber.
• Offered in two oil-borne preservative treatments:
Clear-Guard™ and Cop-Guard®.
• Fast, easy, one-piece installation that’s more efficient
than bolting or nailing multi-ply dimension or structural
composite lumber members together.
• Excellent choice for decks, boardwalks, pergolas,
covered porches and demanding environments such
as bridges, highway sound barriers, railroad cross ties,
and floating docks.
• 25-year warranty from the treater. Anthony Forest Products is part of the Canfor Group of Companies

W W W. C A N FO R . C O M | 800.221.BEAM | W W W. A N T H O N Y FO R E S T. C O M ©
Anthony Forest Products Company, LLC
 structural RESILIENCE
Adapt and Transform
COVID-19 Lessons for a More Resilient Future
By NCSEA Resilience Committee

“Since 2002, the U.S. has endured seven of the 10 most costly disasters in its history,
with Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy topping the list. As a result, there is a
need for best practices for resilience planning that address the increasing value-at-risk
of U.S. infrastructure and communities. Communities, as a system, are particularly
vulnerable to the effects of natural and human-caused disruptive events. Reliance on
rebuild-as-before strategies is impractical and inefficient when dealing with persistent
hazards. Instead, communities must break the cycle by enhancing their resilience with
a systemic view of short- and long-run time horizons.”
NIST Special Publication 1197 – Community Resilience Economic Decision Guide
for Buildings and Infrastructure Systems
Figure 1. Disaster Management Cycle.

T he Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and, by

extension, the architectural engineering profession have embraced
the four-phase disaster management cycle as a framework for improv-
ing community resilience through capacity building (Figure 1). If cities
heed all phases of the disaster management cycle by directing funds
or resources to each phase, the presumption is that they will be better
able to tolerate and recover from future natural and human-caused
disasters. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic represents a natu-
ral disaster that has stress-tested the disaster management cycle. We
have witnessed profound political, social, and economic disruptions
associated with the constant vacillation between the response and the
recovery phase as society struggles to “flatten the curve” and manage
infection rates across the county. In this article (first in a series), we
contemplate the suitability of the disaster management cycle as a
framework to define and enhance community resilience to disasters.
In response to society’s adaptation to a moving recovery target, we
consider an alternative disaster management cycle that reflects lessons
learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss its application
to natural hazards. We introduce the concept of adaptive resilience: the
ability to implement immediate changes that minimize the impact of
disruptive forces associated with a disaster while working to transform
the built environment, real-time, using sys-
tems thinking. We also discuss the critical
role of a structural engineer in applying
advocacy, education, and transformative
design solutions to the built environment
to enhance community resilience.
Re-Thinking the Disaster
Management Cycle
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel (i.e., not
previously identified) coronavirus, emerged
in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei
Province, China. By January 30, 2020,
the World Health Organization declared
the COVID-19 epidemic an international
public health emergency. The scope and Figure 2. Disaster Management Cycle during COVID-19.
magnitude of this crisis have exacerbated systemic inequities, disrupted
global supply chains, burdened local healthcare capacity, and signifi-
cantly changed human life and livelihood. How society is applying
disaster management techniques in response to this crisis provides
ample opportunity to explore ways to improve crisis management
for future disasters.
FEMA’s Four Phases of Emergency Management (FEMA 2006),
otherwise referred to as the disaster management cycle, includes:
preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation. These phases are
defined as:
1) Preparation: Activities undertaken in advance of an
emergency to develop and enhance operational capacity
to respond to and recover from an emergency.
2) Response: Activities conducted to save lives and prevent
harm to people and property during an emergency.
3) Recovery: A return to normalcy after a disaster or
emergency incident.
4) Mitigation: Any sustained action taken to reduce or elimi-
nate long-term risk to people and property from natural or
human-caused hazards and their effects.
The graphic representation of the cycle presented in Figure 1 propor-
tions each phase in the cycle for illustrative
purposes only; actual phase duration/effort
may vary relative to others. For example,
extensive mitigation and preparation
guided by community performance goals
would limit response and recovery phases.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we
have observed a transition from the response
to the recovery phase during a pandemic
is unlike the transitions for other natural
hazards (earthquake, hurricane, landslide,
etc.). Most natural disasters last for a finite
time before the immediate threat dissipates
(e.g., the storm passes, the ground stops
shaking, the floodwaters recede, and the
fires are contained). Once the disaster is
contained and the damage is triaged, the
community can transition from response

28 STRUCTURE magazine
to recovery. This process is challenged by the
COVID-19 pandemic, where society oscil- The response to the
lates between recovery and response over an
extended period. This creates an opportunity recovery phase during
to define and deploy a new phase into the
FEMA cycle. a pandemic is unlike
The cycle associated with the COVID-19 the transitions for
pandemic more closely aligns with the cycle
shown in Figure 2, where an additional phase, other natural hazards...
adapt, occurs between response and recovery.
The adapt phase covers the period of prolonged
duress, where localities are in a hyper-situa-
tional state of awareness and are attempting
to slow continued damage and “flatten the curve.” At the same time,
recovery efforts adjust to help approach an “end” to the event cycle
so that mitigation can start anew. For the COVID-19 pandemic, the
adapt phase aligns with continual management of restrictions and
messaging until the vaccine can instigate a broader herd immunity so
that schools, restaurants, etc., can safely open and “normal” activities
can resume, in some cases at pre-event levels.
The adapt phase also has application to disaster management for
natural hazards. After an earthquake or hurricane, for example, it is
feasible that affected populations will live in temporary structures
while their homes are being rebuilt, but the primary threat has been
significantly reduced. This is a clear transition from the response
phase to the recovery phase, with a relatively short adapt phase. For
the COVID-19 pandemic, society is caught between phases when
infection rates fluctuate. As soon as a city assumes transition to recov-
ery, businesses open back up and individuals relax their attention to
recommended precautions. As a result, the cases go up and force the
community back into a response phase. Arguably, during COVID-
19, the recovery phase is only possible post-vaccine/herd immunity,
effective when the threat is significantly diminished. The reference to
recovery, in this case, assumes a return to normal, which is not possible
without a vaccine, herd immunity, or protectionist policies (closing
borders to goods, services, restricted travel, etc.).
Figure 2 is limited since the insinuation that society cannot advance
to recovery unless a vaccine is widely distributed is not realistic
with regards to the concept of adaptive resilience. While we have
vaccines for the COVID-19 virus, what
about the next pandemic? We want to
imagine a disaster management cycle
that applies to all disasters, including
health-related disasters that were previ-
ously not considered so widely spread
and debilitating.
With this in mind, we want the resil-
ience planning community to consider
an alternative framework for disaster
management. This alternative framework
takes the vaccine (or guaranteed end of
the disaster) out of the equation and
actively manages the recovery process
through resilience planning and design.
Figure 3, the alternative disaster manage-
ment cycle, accomplishes three primary Figure 3. Alternative Disaster Management Cycle post-COVID-19. expectations and needs while avoiding
objectives:
1) Replaces the recovery phase with an adapt phase. This
recharacterization of the post-disaster phase strives to take
a future-focused approach to recovery. The term recovery
insinuates a return to normal aligned with the pre-disaster
state. In some cases, the pre-disaster state
could leave the community vulnerable to
future hazards until the mitigation phase
is complete. We want to shift the recovery
goals to focus on both short-term and
long-term time horizons. COVID-19 and
natural disasters have similarly indicated
that a return to “normal” is not good
enough (Hurricane Katrina is an exem-
plary natural hazard for this statement).
Adaptation encourages innovative ways
to consider new targets for functional-
ity and how best to construct societal
infrastructure to achieve satisfactory results. The authors
recognize that “building back better” may have tradition-
ally fit that paradigm. Still, in many cases, that approach
increases recovery time, which may undermine societal
needs or desires to recover as quickly as possible. Ideally, the
preparation phase includes strategies that consider adapta-
tion scenarios post-disaster, thereby minimizing the recovery
time following an event.
2) Replaces the mitigate phase with a transformation phase.
The term mitigate insinuates risk reduction for the subject
disaster. The term itself assumes that existing operational stan-
dards (e.g., building codes) are adequate. While this approach
works well for known hazards and low-level recovery targets,
it does not address new hazards or changing paradigms associ-
ated with a range of recovery targets that are acceptable to an
affected community. Transformation intends to broaden the
goal of disaster management beyond mitigation into strategies
that include deployment of new technologies, resilience-
focused planning that considers diversification of critical
infrastructure in terms of power sources, utility transmission,
reconstruction strategies beyond “rebuild in place.” This may
also include deploying innovative solutions that are imple-
mented or enforced before a disaster occurs.
3) Considering the goal of Resilience itself. A critical evalua-
tion of the disaster management cycle, as it relates to the built
infrastructure, illuminates a need for the building industry
and policymakers responsible for the
built infrastructure to shift disaster
management and planning toward
a future-focused target that actu-
ally considers a constantly changing
environment. While adaptation is
inherently included in the definition
of resilience, the distinction between
resilience and adaptive resilience lies
in the definition of the recovery goal.
Adaptive resilience is future-focused
and implores an evolution or itera-
tion of the practitioners’ approach,
considering all conditions and apply-
ing systems-thinking to determine
the best target that considers societal
“replacement in-kind” thinking. The
concept of adaptive resilience represents the ability to imple-
ment immediate and future changes that minimize impacts
of disruptive forces, whether from a pandemic or a natural
disaster, in short-term and long-term time horizons.
continued on next page
O C T O B E R 2 0 21 29
 Structural Engineer as an
Advocate and Educator
A structural engineer is typically focused on designing
a building to meet their client’s needs and ensuring the
design meets the requirements of the building code.
As a result, most owners do not participate in defining
building performance objectives in various natural
hazards but default to the building code, assuming
it will provide adequate performance. Unfortunately,
many building owners and members of the public do
not understand that the building code is focused on
minimizing loss of life and does not consider post-
disaster recovery.
Structural engineers should discuss post-event perfor-
Figure 4. Port Sulphur Schools (2015). mance with their clients and include them in the design
process so that they understand that a code-compliant
Ultimately, Figure 3 recalls the roots of resilience theory – the idea building will be safe but may not be habitable following a natural
that true resilience is observed in the ecological context. Biodiversity disaster. These discussions should include real scenario examples that
(or, in this case, diversity of physical, economic, social systems) incorporate business interruption costs and recovery costs associated
enhances the community’s ability to return to an acceptable quality with the loss of building functionality following a natural disaster. Some
of life while growing, learning, and applying new technologies and improvement in post-disaster business recovery can come from plan-
the changes they bring. Evolution (i.e., adaption) ensures the surviv- ning to reduce downtime (i.e., business continuity plan). In addition,
ability of the species. structural engineers can educate themselves on emerging technologies
and strategies that can be included in the building design process and
enhance long-term building performance in a cost-effective fashion.
What This Means for the Structural Engineer
There are different general definitions of resilience depending Structural Engineer as a Transformative Thinker
on perspective (ecological, psychological, disaster management,
engineered) and scale (individual, institutional, community, local, Designing for functional recovery or other performance targets is
regional). Some widely accepted definitions of resilience, like that considered a transformative approach to structural engineering design
developed by the National Academy of Sciences, focus on “the ability and assessment. Areas affected by Hurricane Katrina present some
to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, and more success- excellent examples of transformative thinking from which we can
fully adapt to adverse events” (NRC 2012). Practicing structural learn. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in
engineers play a vital role in making communities more resilient Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The associated winds gusted up to 115
through the design and construction of the built environment using mph, bringing a 13-foot storm surge that left a path of destruction,
recovery-based performance objectives. Resilience is
dependent on and inherent to communities rather
than individual buildings. It is focused on com-
munity functionality, which requires operational
infrastructure and building space rather than just
protection of built space. It is measured over time
rather than in terms of property damage (Bonowitz,
2020 EERI Distinguished Lecture). The concept is
eloquently described in the FEMA/NIST functional
recovery report (FEMA P-2090/NIST SP-1254):
“…we don’t just want to preserve life, but we want
to preserve quality of life”.
In addition to reevaluating how we design buildings,
structural engineers need to embrace the multi-disci-
plinary aspects of community resilience. Many strategies
described in this article require input and implemen-
tation by other stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, the
public, planners, emergency responders, architects).
True resilience can only be achieved through a cross-dis-
ciplinary, collaborative, community-focused approach.
There are two ways that structural engineers can
affect community resilience: 1) structural engineer
as an advocate and educator, and 2) structural engi- Figure 5. The Plaquemines Parish new medical center patient care areas are 23 feet above grade.
neer as a transformative thinker. Emergency vehicle ramp (background) provides direct access at the second level.

30 STRUCTURE magazine
devastating local communities. The hurricane caused over 2,000
casualties and over $200 billion of economic losses. In addition, the References are included in the online PDF version
school campus at Port Sulfur, Louisiana, suffered extensive hurricane of the article at STRUCTUREmag.org.
damage associated with storm surge and debris impact.
Instead of “recovering” to existing (pre-hurricane) conditions, the
school district adopted an adaptive reconstruction approach. Climate The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA)
risk and building functionality were considered for the replacement Resilience Committee was founded to develop positions and
campus. The school district recognized that the replacement campus recommendations on issues in the emerging field of resilience-based
should withstand storm surge and hurricane wind forces in future planning and design. The members represent SEAs throughout the U.S.,
events to reduce the operational downtime post-disaster. working together to infuse resilience thinking into the practice of Structural
The newly completed elementary school campus in Port Sulphur Engineering. (ksmoore@sgh.com)
includes elevated classrooms and associated facilities (Figure 4).
While this was a transformative design
approach for this specific location, it is
a simple design philosophy that can be
applied to all disasters. In the case of
Plaquemines Parish, this transformative
design approach was applied to critical
services buildings that include a medical
center (Figure 5), a community center, a
high school, and teacher housing.

Concluding Thoughts
COVID-19 has shown us that our
strength lies in our capacity for adaptive
resilience. Unlike other natural disasters,
the virus has affected the global com-
munity, with quality of life disrupted
by process change instead of physical
(infrastructural) damage. The duration

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

of negative consequences to society
is significant and prolonged because
the singular event recurs and prevents
a return to acceptable levels of func-
tion. Considering the broader effect
on society, COVID-19 has challenged
the conventional disaster management
framework and illuminated the need for
incorporating adaptive resilience into an
effective strategy. The pandemic and its
aftermath will undoubtedly shift the way
we approach disaster management in the
future, recognizing how these lessons
will inherently promote a more human-
centric, health-focused approach. This
adaptive resilience approach has impli-
cations that translate to the traditional
“building back better” recovery strate-
gies. We now may consider building
back differently, including techniques
and methods that may transform the
built environment to better accommo-
date societal needs following natural
disasters. Follow-on articles will explore
certain indicators that served as a proxy
for the effects of the pandemic on the
health of the economy, where one can
draw parallels to disaster recovery theory
and explore ways to adapt and improve
resilience to a disruptive event.■

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 31
 building BLOCKS
Test-based Available Strengths for
Aluminum Structures
Part 2
By James LaBelle, P.E., Doc.E.

This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Part 1 (STRUCTURE, September

2021) summarized two methods, including equations for finding
available strengths for aluminum based on tests. It also includes plots
of calculated safety factors for various conditions. Part 2 compares
results from these methods. Please note that Figure numbering con-
tinues from Part 1.

T his second part continues the exploration of Methods 1

and 2 in the 2020 edition of the Specification for Aluminum
Structures (Appendix 1; section 1.3) for determining available
strengths based on testing.

Comparison of Method 1 and 2 Results

Refer to Figures 6 through 9 for plots of the ratio of allow-
able strengths (ASD) from Method 1 to corresponding values
from Method 2 for the sets of variables considered. The same
legend (Figure 9) for coefficients of variation applies to each plot.
Quantities include:
• RTM: average (mean) test load Figure 6. Ratios of allowable strengths: beam rupture.
• R1Ω: Method 1 allowable load
• K: statistical coefficient
• CV: coefficient of variation The smallest CV is the top line in each figure. The number of samples
• Ω: Method 1 safety factor, from the Specification (N ) extends from 7 to 50.
• R2SF: Method 2 allowable load The target reliability indices, βo (equal to 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5) used
• m1 = R1Ω / RTM = (1–KCV) / Ω: for Method 1 (see Equation 2 in Method 2, correspond to failure probabilities for a 50-year load
in Part 1), as used for plots. recurrence of 0.621%, 0.135%, and 0.023%, respectively. Values
• m2* = R2SF / RTM = 1/ SF2*: for Method 2 (refer to Equation 7 of βo are given at the top of each figure. For those cases where the
in Part 1). Here the asterisk indicates that the larger of the cal- Method 1 available load is less than that of Method 2, the failure
culated safety factor (SF2) and the minimum safety factor (the probability is also less.
applicable Ω in the Specification) is used. As an example (Figure 6: beam rupture), for a set of test specimens
Each plotted point corresponds to the ratio m1 / m2*. Each plotted with CV = 12%, N = 18, and K = 3.370, the non-dimensional ratios
line (“curve”) represents a value of CV, which ranges from 4% to 20%. m1 and m2* are equal to 0.305 and 0.513, respectively. Thus, the
allowable strength for Method 1 is 30.5% of the test average, and
Table of bounding values of m1 / m2* for LRFD. for Method 2, it is 51.3% of the test average. Therefore, m1 / m2* =
0.596, which indicates that R1Ω (the Method 1 allowable strength)
Case Minimum Maximum
is 59.6% of R2SF (the Method 2 allowable strength).
m1 / m2* m1 / m2* For Method 1 (Equation 2), note that if KCV > 1.0, R1Ω would be
Beam Rupture 9% 89% negative and thus not a physically usable value. For such a KCV value,
no R1Ω meets the criteria of 99% exceedance with 95% confidence. As
Tension-Member Rupture 10% 89% an illustration, consider CV = 0.20, N = 6 and K = 5.062, for which
Tapping-Screw Connections 8% 89% KCV = 1.012. This is a limitation on Method 1’s range of applicability.
Method 2 does not have this limitation, but it requires a minimum
Welded Connection 13% 113%
N of 4 versus Method 1’s minimum of 3. Also, Method 2 calls for

continued on page 34

32 STRUCTURE magazine
 Help your clients
combat corrosion.

Stainless-steel fasteners for everything nature’s got.

No matter what projects you’re designing, we have the stainless-steel fasteners to help resist corrosion
caused by moisture, salt, chemicals and countless other factors. From structural and wood screws to
nails, our stainless-steel fasteners offer unmatched quality and performance. Protect every job — in
every climate — with Type 304, 305 or 316 grade stainless-steel fasteners from Simpson Strong-Tie.

To learn more, visit go.strongtie.com/ssfasteners or call (800) 999-5099.

© 2021 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. SSFAST20S

 Figure 7. Ratios of allowable strengths: tension-member rupture.
three additional tests if any test value deviates from the average by
more than 10%.
Ranges of Ratio m1 / m2*
For ASD (Figures 6 through 9), the ranges of the ratio (m1 / m2*) of
Method 1 allowable strengths to the corresponding Method 2 values
are, to the nearest percentage point:
• Figure 6 (flexural rupture): from 9% to 89%.
Figure 9. Ratios of allowable strengths: welded connection.
34 STRUCTURE magazine
Figure 8. Ratios of allowable strengths: tapping-screw connections.
• Figure 7 (tensile rupture): from 10% to 91%.
• Figure 8 (tapping screw connections): from 8% to 89%.
• Figure 9 (welded connections): from 14% to 117%, which is
the largest range.
For LRFD (not plotted), the ranges of the ratio m1 / m2* to the
nearest percentage point are given in the Table. All individual LRFD
ratios are less than or equal to and within a few percentage points of
the corresponding ASD ratios. (The largest difference is 3.9%, for
welded connections at N = 50 and CV = 4%.)
Overall Trends
Figures 6 to 8 pertain, respectively, to the limit states of flexural
rupture, tensile rupture, and the various failure modes (e.g., fastener
tension, pull-out, pull-over, shear, etc.) for connections utilizing
tapping screws.
• For these three figures, Method 1 allowable strengths more
closely approach the corresponding Method 2 strengths when
there is a combination of relatively low CV and large N.
• As the number of samples (N ) increases while CV is held
constant, Method 1 allowable strengths tend toward those of
Method 2.
• For a given N and a decrease in CV, Method 1 allowable
strengths also tend toward the corresponding Method 2
strengths.
Figure 9 (welded connections) is an exception. Here, for 4% ≤ CV ≤
8%, all of the 4% curve and most of the 6% and 8% curves exceed
1.0; i.e., the Method 1 allowable values exceed the corresponding
ones from Method 2. This is partly due to the combination of a small
and medium CV with a relatively large value of VF (0.15 vs. 0.05)
in Method 2. Also, for these three curves at m1 / m2* > 1.0, both a
decreasing CV and an increasing N cause the Method 1 allowable
strengths to be increasingly larger, on a percentage basis, than the
corresponding ones of Method 2.
Small N and Large CV References are included in Part 1’s online version
For test sets consisting of a relatively small number of specimens of this series at STRUCTUREmag.org.
(e.g., 7 to about 12) and which have a large coefficient of variation
James LaBelle is a Consultant with experience in the design and
(e.g., 15% and 20%) for the test strengths, it is evident that the use
investigation of aluminum and other structures. He is retired from CSD
of Method 1 entails a substantial “penalty” as compared to Method 2.
Structural Engineers, Milwaukee, WI, and is a member of the Aluminum
Recall that Method 1 utilizes a progressively larger factor (K; see
Association’s Engineering Design Task Force, FGIA (formerly AAMA), and
Figure 1 in Part 1) to address the inherent uncertainty associated
ASTM. (jlabelle@csd-eng.com)
with small N. If CV is also large, then the combined effect on the
allowable strength is quite substantial.
Consider a hypothetical case (tension
member rupture; Figure 7) where ini-
tial testing includes four specimens. At
least one specimen is found to have a
strength that differs from the average
by more than 10%. Thus, per Method
2, three more samples are tested for a
total N = 7. The CV for N = 7 is deter-
mined to be 15%. For Method 2, the
www.BlindBolt.com
allowable strength R2SF = 0.406 RTM.
For Method 1, the allowable strength
(R1Ω) is 0.156 RTM. Therefore, the ratio
m1 / m2* = 0.384; the Method 1 allow-
able strength is 38% of the Method 2
A Simple Solution for Blind
allowable strength. If additional speci-
mens are tested, the test average and
Steel to Steel Connections ESR-3617

coefficient of variation could be similar

to the values for seven specimens. If

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

so, then the allowable strengths would Quick and easy to install
increase. Try eight more specimens for from one side
a total N = 15. Here, R2SF = 0.429 RTM
and R1Ω = 0.242 RTM. These results
reflect a 5.6% increase in Method 2’s
Designed for standard
allowable strength and a 55% increase clearance holes
for Method 1. Also, Method 1 allow-
able strength would rise to 56% of that A fully removable blind
for Method 2 (i.e., m1 / m2* = 0.565). fixing available for
structural connections
Conclusion
As these comparisons have demonstrated
ASD and LRFD design
for the cases considered, Method 1 resistances available on
available strengths are generally smaller our website
(more conservative) than the corre- (See Technical Data)
sponding ones of Method 2. However,
Method 1 involves fewer input param- Available in stainless
eters and is easier to use than Method 2. steel and zinc coated
The available strength differences can
be large, especially for a combination of
Also suitable for Lumber to Scan to view
a small number of specimens (N) and
a large coefficient of variation (CV). An Steel Blind connections installation videos

exception occurs for welded connections,

for most or all N at CV of 4% to 8%, for
which Method 1 available strengths are
larger than those of Method 2. This is 1217 S Bridge St, Yorkville, IL 60560
due to a large VF (fabrication-
(630) 882-9010
variation parameter) for welded BLIND BOLT MASTER DISTRIBUTOR
connections.■

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 35
 engineer's NOTEBOOK
Approximate Structural Analysis
By John A. Dal Pino, S.E., and Larisa Enachi

E ngineers routinely need to analyze

and design indeterminate struc-
tures. Today they would use any one
of several analytical software packages
commonly loaded on their computers.
The programs are so powerful that it
does not take long to develop the input
and perform the analysis, even for a
major building. Sifting through the
output and finding the desired answers
might be the greatest effort involved.
However, before the regular use of
computers (sorry for the history lesson,
but it was not that long ago), the analy-
sis method of choice was the moment
distribution method, developed in the
1930s by Professor Hardy Cross of the
University of Illinois. Besides being
a clever analytical concept, it has an One-story, two-bay frame, with pinned base, under gravity load.
inherent simplicity and physical logic
that is easy to grasp. It works like this for analyzing a structure with an approximate answer to an indeterminate problem is good enough.
continuous beams with multiple supports: 1) every beam-column joint Engineers appreciate that, with ever smaller powerful handheld com-
in the structure is assumed to be fixed from rotation and appropriate puters, the “right answer” is never that far away. However, there
fixed-end bending moments are applied to the joints, and 2) then are many times when calculating an approximate answer, while at
each fixed joint is released sequentially, and the fixed-end moments, a job site, on the way home from work, or away from the office, is
which at the time of the first joint release are not in equilibrium, are something an engineer needs to do because that is all that is really
distributed to adjacent members. The process of fixing, releasing, and needed at the time.
re-distributing bending moments is repeated many times until an As is discussed later, these approximate analytical techniques are the
equilibrium is reached or until the engineer decides that the amount foundations of structural engineering. Of course, today’s engineers can
of undistributed moment is small enough to ignore. consider loading conditions that prior generations knew about but
Whether the engineer is working today or in the past, getting the lacked the tools (or the computational desire) to evaluate. They can
right answer, or better yet, a “precise” answer (since there is never a also study the post-elastic response of a structure subjected to a suite
“right answer”) to the problem, may involve more effort than the of actual earthquake ground motions, with the computer churning
engineer wants to exert or has the time or budget to spend. Often, away while they take a long lunch.

One-story, one-bay frames, subjected to lateral load.

36 STRUCTURE magazine
 When it comes to hiring entry-level engi-
neering staff, many employers look for
candidates having the very advanced knowl-
edge discussed above. But more importantly,
they want engineers with solid educational
backgrounds who have the ability to think
on their feet and quickly assess and solve
problems without needing to perform a
computer analysis, which, as is commonly
known, is just an approximation. Being able
to cut through the clutter and get an answer
that is in the “ballpark” is highly valued by
employers but hard to teach. To underscore
the point, how many times has an engineer
gotten a confusing answer from a computer
model and then needed to go back to first
principles to figure out what was wrong and
how to fix it? Like troubleshooting a finicky
automobile, an engineer needs to assess what
is working and what is not using handy and
trustworthy tools. One-story, two-bay frame, with a fixed base, subjected to lateral load.
This article discusses four different inde-
terminate structures that are encountered regularly in engineering primarily from a lateral shearing action or primarily from a lateral
practice and that firms also use in their entry-level employee inter- bending response. Once this is done, the rest is just math.
views, namely:
Lateral Analysis of One-Story, One-Bay Frames
1) Lateral analysis of a one-story, one-bay frames.
2) Gravity analysis of a one-story, two-bay frame There are three variations of this simple structure: a) a pinned base
with a pinned base. with beam and columns of approximately equal stiffness, b) a fixed
3) Lateral analysis of a one-story, two-bay frame base with beam and columns of approximately equal stiffness,
with a fixed base. and c) a fixed base with a rigid beam and two flexible columns
4) Lateral analysis of a multi-bay, multi-story, of approximately equal stiffness. Assume there is a lateral load
slender high-rise frame. applied at the beam level, there is no gravity load, the members
It would be fair to say that many older, experienced engineers believe have infinite axial stiffness, the shear in the columns is equal, and
that solving these issues quickly and approximately is part and parcel the members have no mass.
of being an engineer and would wonder why an interviewer would ask For all three conditions, the first step is to identify the counter-flexure
an applicant engineer about these situations. But for those not involved points in the beams and columns. Start this process by drawing the
in hiring, it would be surprising to know how many engineers, many deflected shape for each structure. Going back to the job interview
educated at our most prestigious universities, have trouble with these process, many applicants have difficulty with the rotation of the beam-
concepts, even after accounting for some degree of nervousness and column joint and the curvatures of the beam and column at the joint.
the pressure of a job interview. Maybe these concepts are not taught Rather than applying the forces to determine the moment and rota-
anymore, or the amount of time allotted to teaching them is too short. tion, they guess and get it all backward. However once the curvatures
In either case, this does a disservice to our engineering graduates. Most are drawn correctly, the counter-flexure points can be located. This
firms have the capacity to train engineers in more advanced analyti- creates a determinate structure, and the shears and bending moments
cal and design techniques. However, if the new hire’s foundation in in the beams and columns can then be determined. The pinned-base
statics and mechanics is lacking or weak, more advanced tasks are structure produces the largest bending loads because the base (say the
more difficult to learn. ground) helps the least. The fixed-base, rigid-beam structure has equal
top and bottom bending moments and the least column bending.
The fixed-base, flexible-beam structure falls somewhere in the middle.
Analyzing the Indeterminate Structure The inflection points in the columns are near (or slightly above) mid-
Solving statically determinate structures is straightforward because height, creating the potential for slightly higher bending moments
basic statics can be employed, namely the summing of forces in in the columns than that for the fixed-fixed structure, depending on
the x and y directions (for 2-D systems) and the summing of rota- the relative stiffnesses of the beams and columns. Since the analysis
tional moments (caused by the applied forces) about a point. Solving is approximate, it is also acceptable to assume the inflection point
statically indeterminate structures is mainly the task of turning the is at mid-height.
indeterminate structure into a determinate structure. This is done One might wonder – why spend so much time on such a simple
by making simplifying assumptions about the location of inflection structure? The answer is that these are the potential conditions for the
points (also known as points of counter-flexure) in structural elements first story columns in many kinds of buildings: a structure without
that are bending under load (either due to gravity or lateral loads) a basement or any base rigidity, a structure with a basement and
and judging whether structures subjected to lateral loads resist loads “normal” second-floor framing, and a structure with a basement and

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 37

Multi-story, multi-bay, slender high-rise frame.
very rigid beams at the second floor. The required sizes of the columns,
and the beams but to a lesser extent, can vary greatly.
Gravity Analysis of a One-Story, Two-Bay Frame with a
Pinned Base
The structure is a one-story, two-bay frame with unequal beam spans.
Assume there is gravity load applied at the beam level, there is no
lateral load, the members have infinite axial stiffnesses, and the mem-
bers have no mass.
It would take a long time to analyze this structure with hand calculations,
and it would take a fair amount of time (allowing for a few modeling
errors), even with a computer. As with a one-bay frame, the first step is
to identify the counter-flexure points in the beams. Start this process by
drawing the deflected shape of the beams. Once the beam curvatures are
drawn, the counter-flexure points can be located. The beam design aids
in the American Society of Steel Construction’s (AISC) Steel Construction
Manual show the inflection points for fixed-fixed beams. The inflection
points near the center column are more similar to the fixed-fixed condi-
tion. Since the exterior beam-column joints rotate to some extent, the
inflection points are closer to the columns. The columns do not have
inflection points due to the pinned base condition. One should exercise
some judgment here, remembering this is an approximate analysis. Adding
the inflection points creates a determinate structure, and the shears and
bending moments in the beams and the shears, bending moments, and
axial loads in the columns can then be determined.
Lateral Analysis of a One-Story, Two-Bay Frame with a
Fixed Base
A variation of the previous structure is a one-story, two-bay frame
with equal beam spans with only lateral loads due to earthquake
loads at the floor level. As with the one-bay frame, assume there is
no gravity load applied at the beam level, the members have infinite
axial stiffnesses, and the members have no mass.
The interior beam-column joint is roughly twice as stiff rotationally
as the exterior joints (two beams compared to one beam), so assume
that the interior column resists twice as much shear as the exterior
columns. This is the basic assumption in the portal frame method.
As with the other structures discussed above, the next step is to identify
the counter-flexure points in the beams and columns. Start this process
38 STRUCTURE magazine
by drawing the deflected shape of the structure using the same logic as
for the one-bay frames. Assume the inflection points are at mid-length
of the beams and mid-height of the columns. This sets the counter-
flexure points. This creates a determinate structure, and the shears and
bending moments in the beams and the shears, bending moments, and
axial loads in the columns can then be determined. A fixed-base struc-
ture replicates a building with a basement where the columns extend
downward to the basement floor level or a building without a basement
but with a rigid grade beam system near the surface grade intended to
provide column base fixity. A pinned base would replicate a building
without a basement or one with a minimal flexible grade beam system.
Lateral Analysis of a Multi-Bay, Multi-Story,
Slender High-Rise Frame
For the last structure, a tall, slender building of indeterminate height is
examined. The height does not really matter so long as the building is
considerably taller than it is wide. The predominant response to lateral
loading is flexural bending of the tower as opposed to shearing action.
Assume lateral loads due to earthquakes are applied at each floor
level in a triangular shape with the centroid at ⅔ of the height, H;
there is no gravity load applied at the beam levels; the beams have
infinite axial rigidity; the columns have equal axial stiffnesses; and,
the members have no mass.
Rather than identifying the counter-flexure points in the beams
and columns as with the other structures whose response is predomi-
nately a shearing action, assume the tower bends like a cantilevered
pole extending from the ground. Due to the lateral loads only, the
columns on one face of the tower are in tension, and the columns
on the other face are in compression. For the example building with
three columns, sum the moments about the center column (the
neutral axis) and determine the axial column’s loads. This simplifica-
tion is the essence of the cantilever method. Statics dictate that the
center column gets no axial load from the lateral load condition.
Suppose the structure has more columns, assuming that plane sec-
tions remain plane in bending. In that case, the columns will sustain
axial loads proportional to their distance from the neutral axis at
the centerline of the building.
If the inflection points are assumed at the mid-lengths of the beams
and mid-heights of the columns, the beam and column bending
moments and shears can then be determined. Tall buildings have
large column axial loads; it would be fair to simply add those to the
column’s loads already determined based on tributary area.
Conclusion
The ability to determine approximate answers to complicated problems
is handy in the real world of engineering. Engineers will be amazed
at how much respect they earn when they can provide a contractor
with a quick answer in the field without having to go back to the
office to figure it out, or when they can, in just a few minutes, help
another engineer troubleshoot a computer model that has
been frustrating them for several hours. The basics never go
out of style and are reliable tools if learned early and well.■
John A. Dal Pino is a Principal with FTF Engineering located in San
Francisco, California. He serves as the Chair of the STRUCTURE Editorial
Board. (jdalpino@ftfengineering.com)
Larisa Enachi is a Designer at FTF Engineering and successful participant in
its interview process. (lenachi@ftfengineering.com)
 CRACKBOND ® BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN
PERFORMANCE AND ENDURANCE
From the most advanced epoxy polymer overlay to industry-leading concrete sealers, CRACKBOND® is the #1 brand
to specify for your next roadway or bridge project. Many of our surface treatments boast 10+ year waterproofing
and intrusion protection, and CRACKBOND® BRIDGE-GARD can extend the life of a bridge deck by 25 years or
more! No other concrete overlay and sealant line offers greater endurance, resilience or performance. And no other
specialized adhesives manufacturer has a better reputation for innovation than Adhesives Technology Corp.

For Bridge Overlays And Roadway Sealers

CRACKBOND® CRACKBOND® CRACKBOND® CRACKBOND® CRACKBOND®
BRIDGE-GARD EPOTHANE T3 V65 HI-MOD V120 LO-MOD V200 HI-MOD
The world’s most As a binder for high- A high-strength epoxy Extends the life of Seals and protects
advanced overlay based friction surfaces, this deck penetrant for elevated concrete elevated concrete
on an epoxy polymer epoxy urethane hybrid bridges and parking decks by sealing cracks decks with a high-
concrete formulation provides a high- decks that extends against moisture and modulus formula that
that outperforms performance bond concrete life by reducing chloride ion intrusion provides significantly
traditional polyester between skid-resistant water and chloride where vibration is a greater resistance to
polymer overlays. overlays & bridges. intrusion. key factor. deformation.

Contact us today to see how

we can help with your next project. Innovation Engineered to Outperform

450 E AST COPANS ROAD POMPANO BE ACH, FL 33064 USA | 754.399.1057 | W W W. ATC E P OX Y.C O M
A MERIDIAN ADHESIVES GROUP COMPANY
 historic STRUCTURES
Eden Train Wreck
Dry Creek Bridge Failure
By Frank Griggs, Jr., Dist. M.ASCE, D.Eng, P.E., P.L.S.

O n the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad running from El Paso on

the Rio Grande River through Pueblo to Denver, Colorado, the
World’s Fair Flyer was traveling southerly towards Pueblo on the early
evening of August 8, 1904, during a severe storm. At approximately 8
miles north of Pueblo, the line crossed an arroyo (generally dry creek bed).
The arroyo was about 100 feet wide and 14 feet deep with steep banks.
A trestle had been built on wooden bents to cross the arroyo and
on August 26, 1904, the Railway Age wrote,
“...a wooden structure, consisting of three spans, each 32 feet in length,
and resting upon four bents. Numbering the bents from north to south,
one and four consisted of posts standing on blocking and caps above
supporting stringers, ties, and rails. Bents two and three consisted of
seven piles driven 13 feet into the bottom of the channel and sawed off
Dry Gulch with Pullman cars on the edge of bank and water subsided.
6 feet below the surface. On top of these piles rested a sill 12 × 12 and
fastened to them with two drift bolts, each ¾-inch in diameter and 36 A wall of water reportedly hit the front of the train as it was pass-
inches long, driven through the sills into each of the piles. Resting on ing over the trestle and carried the engine, baggage car, smoking car,
the sills of each bent and extending to the cap above were seven 12 × 12 and chair car (a car with better, more comfortable seats) into the
posts, each fastened to the sills with two drift bolts ¾-inch in diameter floodwaters. The two passenger cars were carried downstream by
and 22 inches long, driven through the sides of the posts obliquely into the floodwaters, drowning most of the passengers. The engine was
the sills. The outer posts on each side of the row of seven rested on the submerged near the bridge; the chair car was found almost a mile
sides at an acute angle to afford the structure greater horizontal or side from the bridge buried in sand, and the baggage and smoking cars
resistance. On top of the posts were placed caps 16 × 16, which were were found more than 4 miles downriver.
fastened to them by two drift bolts ¾-inch in diameter and 26 inches Of the hundred or more people in the two cars that plunged into
long, driven through the caps into the top of each post. The stringers the torrent, only three escaped along with the fireman on the engine.
were each 8 inches × 10 inches × 32 feet best Oregon timber. Four of The three did so through the fractured roof of the smoking car and
these were bolted together and placed under each rail, making eight in swam to shore. The fireman was thrown free of the locomotive. David
all stretching from bent to bent. The ends of the stringers were joined Mayfield, the fireman, later stated,
by butt joints. Resting on the stringers were the ties and on these the “We did not expect anything at all. We were going along at a good
rails. The outer one of each set of four stringers was fastened to the cap speed all the time and never dreamed that anything was wrong. We
below by means of a ¾-inch bolt, with [a] nut on each end, which bolt thought that if there were any kind of a flood near Eden, the operator
passed through the cap, stringer, and tie above.” there would know, and he would flag us. We passed there but saw no
A trestle with two bents in the waterway was standard practice for signals of any kind and never felt any fear…
this kind of inexpensive bridge. The bridge had been in place for I scarcely know how it happened, as I was dazed in the mud on the bank
years with no signs of weakness. From the record, it does not appear of the creek. It all happened so quickly – and, my God, it is so terrible. A
that any significant flooding had taken place during its lifetime. On little while before we reached the bridge that crosses Dry creek, I turned to
August 9, 1904, the Colorado Springs Gazette wrote, Charley Hinman, the engineer, and said to him: ‘Charley, is there enough
“The engineer, Charles Hinman, had been given a thunderstorm cau- steam to carry us to Pueblo?’ Charley said, ‘No,’ and I began firing up.
tion and had slowed the train to 10-15 mph to watch for washaways. Just as I was putting the second shovelful of coal in, the engine gave
After the engine had crossed the creek, a large wave threw the cars a lurch upward. I lost my balance and was thrown from the train on
over to the right, broke the coupling to the rear 2 Pullman and dining the bank of the creek. I must have struck partly on my head, as I was
cars, and dragged the engine backwards into the river. The Pullman’s dazed and did not know what happened for several minutes. When I
porter, Melville Sales of St. Louis, quickly came to, I saw the Pullman cars standing near
pulled the emergency air brakes saving the me but could not see the engine or the rest
remaining passengers. The front Pullman car of the train. I went up and down the stream
was left hanging four feet over the edge of looking for my partner, Charley, the engineer.
what remained of the bridge.” When the first crash came, we I didn’t notice whether water was running in
It is thought that a county road bridge that were riding along as smoothly over the trestle as we approached the bridge
had failed upstream was pushed downstream but, when I was thrown out, the water was
and may have impacted the Dry Creek Bridge, as one could go…It was just as much higher than the tracks.”
contributing to its collapse. However, it is though the train had struck One of the survivors later wrote, “When
unclear if the wave of water that hit the train the first crash came, we were riding along as
was associated with the upstream bridge a stone wall. smoothly as one could go…It was just as though
impacting the Dry Creek Bridge. the train had struck a stone wall. The lights went

40 STRUCTURE magazine
out, the fixtures and everything fell down, and the passengers were thrown
forward, and there were the most awful cries for help and the grinding of
timbers. I saw the man next to me was down, and I helped him up, but
just then, another crash came, and the train seemed to sink about five
feet. I lost sight of everybody and couldn’t think of anything but to save
myself. I remember well the sensations that I had at that time. I knew
I was in terrible danger, and my first thought was that I must get out
of the car. At the second crash, I was about up to my waist in water. All
the time, the grinding and crushing of timbers was going on. In another
crash, I was thrown about a third of the length of the car right up against
the front door. I grabbed the top of the door, and the car went over in
the water three times. My first instinct when the water went up over my
head was to hold my breath. I think I was under water for a full minute.
The car naturally righted, and when it came up, the water was just about
my lips. I could breathe all right and saw the transom was just above me.
With my right hand, I smashed out the glass, hoping that I could get
out in that way. At that moment, another crash came, and I was struck
in the forehead by some floating object and dazed, but managed to keep
my head above the water and after a terrific struggle reached the shore.”
When all the bodies were recovered, about 100 persons had drowned
in the arroyo, which a few hours later was dry once again. A Pueblo
newspaper reported, “Deep gloom has settled down upon the city today
following the railroad horror, which snuffed out a hundred or more lives
yesterday. Many business houses are closed out of respect to the dead,
and more than forty private homes are darkened and in mourning.”
On August 19, the Railway Age quoted J. A. Edson, the Manager
of the Denver & Rio Grande, who said,
“…the company was in no way responsible for the wreck at Eden,
Colo., on the night of August 7. ‘It was one of those unavoidable
accidents which are liable to occur on any railroad when a flood of
the character that washed out our bridge occurs.’ said Mr. Edson. He
further stated, says the dispatch, that the bridge was subjected to regular
inspections of the company’s bridge superintendent and was as safe as
any other on the Denver & Rio Grande, or, in fact, on any road, and
that no bridge could have withstood the torrent that destroyed this
one. The under bents of the bridge, he said, were undoubtedly knocked
asunder by the washed-out county bridge, thereby leaving no support.”
As was typical in these crashes, a coroner’s jury was convened. They
met for 11 days and submitted their 11 findings on August 21, 1904.
They decided,
(1) The water not being over the tracks at the bridge, but several
inches below the banks, neither the engineer nor the fireman could
possibly see it. The track being in line and level, nothing wrong with
the bridge could possibly be seen by them. When the first impact took
place, the Pullman passengers were not thrown forward out of their
seats, besides positive testimony on the point, shows the train was
running slow according to order, and the crew is therefore blameless.
(2) If the county bridge was a factor in the destruction of bridge
No. 110-B, the railroad company was to blame for not constructing
a bridge that would avoid or withstand its impact as it knew the
county bridge was there.
(3) Had a bridge of one span on abutments with no obstructions
in the channel of the stream to obstruct the flow of water or passage
of debris, or stone arches of 110 feet, it would have in all human
probability withstood the force of both the volume of water and the
impact of the county bridge (if the latter took place) and the catas-
trophe would not have occurred.
(4) Bridge No. 110-B was not of the best class of bridges used by
railroads throughout the country.
(5) Inspection close up to the time of the wreck showed bridge No.
110-B to be in its usual condition. Its weakness consisted, not in
its condition, but in the cheap, inferior class to which it belonged.
(6) Had the heavy downpour in the vicinity of Eden at 7:13 pm been
reported to the train dispatcher at Pueblo, he might have delivered
additional caution orders to No. 11 at Buttes before she left at 7:30,
and the disaster might have been averted.
(7) The conductor of No. 7 reported water over the track two miles
south of Eden on arrival at Pueblo at 7:55 pm and a downpour at
Eden and had a night or operator been stationed at Wigwam, eleven
miles from bridge No 110-B, or at Pinion, five miles from it, train
No. 11 could have been warned, and the disaster averted.
(8) Had a regular system of track-walkers and flagmen, independent
of the section men, been maintained by the company over the track in
question, especially in the afternoons, evenings, and nights during the
rainy season, No. 11 could have been flagged, and the disaster averted.
(9) Had bridge No. 110-B been under charge of the section gang
at Eden, one mile away, instead of the one at Pinon, five miles away,
No. 11 would have been flagged, and the disaster averted.
(10) Bridge No. 110- B should have been so constructed as to with-
stand all the water the arroyo could accommodate. On the night in
question, the arroyo accommodated all the water that came down,
but the bridge collapsed.
(11) If bridge No. 110-B had been a one-span metal bridge with stone
abutments, the probability of damage by the county bridge would
have been much lessened. Therefore, the jury finds that the appalling
loss of life and property at bridge No. 110-B on August 7, 1904, was
due to the negligence of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company
as set forth in the foregoing statement of findings and conclusions.
Newspaper headlines following the findings included,
RAILROAD IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE EDEN DISASTER
Jury Brings in Set of Vigorous Findings, That the
Bridge was not the right class, That there
Was No Regular System of Trackwalkers,
That D. R. G. was Negligent.
Lawsuits were filed, and the total loss to the Company amounted
to almost $250,000 for the lives lost, with some bodies never found.
There is no doubt of the seriousness of this disaster. Still, the Coroner’s
Jury findings #3 and #11 that a single span bridge would have pre-
vented the failure is not provable, as many single span wood and
iron bridges had been washed out during major storms around the
country. Finding #4 is also questionable, as the bridge appeared
appropriate for the loads placed on it. It could be argued that it was
an Act of God, and the magnitude of the flood and the washing out
of a bridge upstream could not have been foreseen. As to #5, it was
not a cheap, inferior class of bridge but one that was appropriate for
the site on which it was built.
In summary, the sequence of events leading to the failure could not
have been planned. In a failed bridge upstream, riding on a flood of
unheard-of proportions hitting the bridge at the moment a train was
passing over, it was not, and probably could not, have been designed.
It should also be pointed out that Coroner’s Juries did not normally
have trained engineers on them but were local laypersons who were,
after investigating the failure and talking with survivors and experts,
called upon to make an engineering judgment. The other
judgments they made were very reasonable given the perfec-
tion of hindsight.■
Dr. Frank Griggs, Jr. specializes in the restoration of historic bridges, having
restored many 19 th Century cast and wrought iron bridges. He is now an
Independent Consulting Engineer. (fgriggsjr@twc.com)
O C T O B E R 2 0 21 41
 In-Situ Evaluation
of Old Pan-Girder
Bridges
By Nur Yazdani, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE, F.SEI, F.ACI,
and Eyosias Beneberu, Ph.D., P.E.
T he Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employs
various concrete bridge superstructure options depending
on span length, traffic, and future crossing requirements. Among
these, pan-girders were a popular choice in the 1950s and 1960s
as a viable alternative for short-span bridges due to their speed of
construction, low labor requirements, and cost-effectiveness. The
name “pan-girder” came from the pan-shaped formwork that was
used in construction. The formwork consisted of an upper semi-
circular cross-section with straight ends on the bottom of each
side (Figure 1). Pan-girder bridges were cast using self-supporting
metal forms that spanned between bent caps. Multiple pans could
Figure 2. EB US 80 Bridge over the frontage road top view (map data: ©2018 Google).
Figure 3. Detail along the transverse section.
42 STRUCTURE magazine
Figure 1. Metal pan form.
be placed next to each other to form a concrete web. They were
connected with bolts that passed through holes on the sides of the
forms (Breña, 2001). The pan forms supported the dead weight
of the reinforcement and wet concrete, thus eliminating the need
for shoring and falsework.
There are about 4,000 pan-girder bridges still in service in Texas,
mainly designed for AASHTO live load designations of H10, H15,
H20, HS15, and HS20 trucks. Even though they were originally
designed for lesser loads, many pan-girder standards rated out at
acceptable levels for HL-93 loading. The standards designed using the
lightest AASHTO design loads (H-10 and some H-15) usually did not
have an acceptable load rating at the HL-93 level. The decline in
the use of pan girders occurred prior to the introduction of the
HL-93 design load. Over time, pan-girder construction became
labor-intensive, with much time dedicated to tying reinforcing
and placing concrete in the pan forms. As the precast industry
expanded in Texas, the cast-in-place bridge superstructure types
fell out of favor due to economic reasons. With the advent of
the heavier current AASHTO HL-93 design load (AASHTO
2011), the use of pan-girder bridges declined even more.
Due to a large number of these types of bridges, pan-girder
bridges have been investigated for overall safety assessment and
rehabilitation using external composite laminates. Because the
bridge pans were not perfectly straight, fresh concrete could flow
through gaps between adjacent forms during casting, leaving
an irregular surface on the bridge webs. While this irregularity
had no impact on the bridge performance, it can influence the
placement of composites used to strengthen the bridges. This
means composites could not be placed in the middle of the web
without first doing some sig-
nificant surface preparation,
increasing labor cost and con-
struction time (Breña, 2001).
For the study discussed here,
an in-situ evaluation was con-
ducted of the East Bound
(EB) US 80 pan-girder bridge
(Figure 2) over a frontage road
in Forney, Texas, through
visual inspection and con-
dition assessment. TxDOT
recommended the inspec-
tions to catalog the current
bridge condition in order to
undertake future load rating and any strength- Table of EB US 80 Bridge condition summary.
ening that could be necessary. It is a 10 span Damage Beam Numbers
and 252-foot-long bridge constructed in 1955.
Exposed aggregate 6
At each bent, there exist three separate bent
caps. The first, second, and third bent caps Chipped concrete 3 (2), 11 (4), 6, 7, 10
support one, 10, and 3 beams, respectively. Concrete crushing at support 2, 7, 11 (2)
The bridge was widened in 1978 when one Delamination 11
beam (Beam 1) was added to the north and
Hairline cracks 1, 2 (2), 3, 4 (2), 5 (2), 6 (2) 7 (3), 9 (3) 8, 10 (2), 11 (2), 13 (2)
three beams (Beams 12, 13, and 14) were
added to the south of the existing bridge. Honeycombing 10
Figure 3 shows the typical detail along the Longitudinal crack along crest 6, 7, 8, 9 (2), 10, 11, 13, 14
transverse section of the bridge. Exposed rebar 6, 7, 11 (2)
A detailed visual inspection plan was pre- Concrete scaling 2, 3, 7 (4), 8, 9, 10 (3), 11 (4)
pared, and the structural elements were
Concrete spalling 2, 7, 11 (2)
evaluated for visible signs of distress, damage,
and deterioration. Various types and levels of Water damage 1 (8), 2 (9), 3 (10), 4 (10), 5 (10), 6 (10), 7 (10), 8 (10), 9 (10)
damage that could jeopardize the overall health
and serviceability of the bridge’s structural elements were located The presence of form lowering holes at the crest of the pan girders
and cataloged. Deteriorations included, but were not limited to, at quarter-span and mid-span of the girders could be the reason for
hairline cracks, concrete crushing and spalling, and water damage. water damage, as the water seeped through the holes. Efflorescence
Observed damages are summarized in the Table. Beam numbers are was visible in the form of white and gray residue, which occurs
progressive from north to south. Identical beams in various spans when the calcium salts from concrete react with water and air to
showed similar levels and types of damage, and these repetitive form insoluble calcium carbonate. This phenomenon is harmful
damaged numbers of beams are shown in parenthesis after the cor- to concrete as salt can increase concrete permeability and induce
responding beam numbers. For example, 3(2) indicates that beam corrosion of steel rebars. Corrosion propagated from the drainage
number three in two spans showed an identical type of damage. In areas in most of the girders, and a few beams had exposed rebars.
addition, it is apparent that most beams sustained some form of Rebars were exposed and corroded in some of the beams around the
water damage at mid-span, as shown in Figure 4 (page 44). form lowering holes. Such corrosion could occur due to the water

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

DuraFuse Frames systems are highly ductile

steel moment frames with one-of-a-kind resilience,
exceptional performance, and improved economy.
Numerous connection configurations provide the
ideal solution for all building types both new and
retrofit. Our design team is dedicated to being
a seamless extension of your team to provide a
resilient steel moment-frame solution. DuraFuse
Frames benefits include:

The ONLY resilient, repairable connections

Optimized design results in reduction of

overall frame weight

Significant reduction (up to 70%) in seismic lateral beam

bracing requirements

Fewer parts, simpler fit-up and lower weight compared to

other proprietary moment connections

www.durafuseframes.com

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 43
 The following recommendations, which
can be applied to this and other pan-girder
bridges, were made based on findings of the
field inspection:
1) A PVC pipe can be glued on the form
lowering holes extending beyond the
concrete surface of the arch. This will
prevent water seepage through the
holes and minimize water damage,
spalling, and scaling of concrete.
2) Pan-girder bridges were usually
designed for a load lighter than the
Figure 4. Water damage at mid-span.
current AASHTO HL-93 live load
requirement. Therefore, it is rec-
ommended that appropriate load
testing, load rating, and analyses
be undertaken for such bridges,
especially older ones with significant
deterioration, to verify the load-
carrying capacity and adequate
structural safety.
3) Appropriate retrofitting and repair
techniques may be used to upgrade
deficient pan-girder bridges with
extensive deterioration. For exam-
ple, experience has shown that
Figure 5. Condition in newer beams.
externally bonded Carbon Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) lami-
seepage from the holes, which caused concrete scaling and spalling. nate is a viable method for strengthening concrete bridges
However, no corrosion was observed in the primary longitudinal in general (Mohanamurthy and Yazdani, 2015; Pallempati
reinforcement, located at the bottom of the stem. If present, corro- et al., 2016) and also for under-capacity pan-girder bridges.
sion in the rebar could potentially affect the load-carrying capacity Thus, such rehabilitation methods may be suitable to
of the beams. upgrade deficient pan-girder bridges.
It may be noted that beams 1, 12, 13, and 14 displayed little or no In conclusion, the study conducted herein showcased common
water damage. These beams were added in 1978 during the bridge deteriorations and distresses in a typical pan-girder bridge. The results
expansion, while the other beams were in service for about 23 indicate it is essential to conduct a detailed visual inspection
additional years. The four newer beams were in much better shape on similar bridges to understand their current condition and
and did not show any extensive visible deterioration and/or water undertake strengthening if they are deemed to be unsafe.■
damage (Figure 5). The new bent caps used for the widening were
connected to the existing bent caps with dowel bars for continuity. Full references are included in the online PDF version
Beam 11 was the most severely damaged in all spans, with practi- of the article at STRUCTUREmag.org.
cally all the deterioration mentioned in the Table. Water damage
was visible in this beam at every quarter-span location in all spans. Nur Yazdani is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the
Samples of deterioration are shown in Figure 6. This could be caused University of Texas at Arlington. (yazdani@uta.edu)
by the fact that Beam 11 was on the exterior side before the bridge
Eyosias Beneberu is a Structural Engineer with Bridgefarmer & Associates
widening; after widening, it became an interior beam that increased
in Dallas, Texas. (eyosias.beneberu@mavs.uta.edu)
the load it carried and aided in the damage process.

a) b) c)

Figure 6. Deterioration in beam 11. a) Crushing of concrete; b) Longitudinal crack; c) Exposed and corroded reinforcement.

44 STRUCTURE magazine
www.iesweb.com
Your monumental gateway to success: iesweb.com/build
 suitable to preserve. It had been repaired in
the 1900s with brick rings, and a keystone
was inscribed with that date. Five alternative
project approaches were presented, ranging
from a minimal renovation to a complete
replacement with a pre-cast concrete arch.
Ultimately, the bridge owners opted for a
major renovation with reinforced concrete to
strengthen the historic arch. The phase that
followed included both preliminary and final
design of the recommended alternative and
preparation of right-of-way plans.

Preserving the Stone Arch

The project team’s goal was to maintain the
existing stone arch while providing an alternate
The cracked and deteriorating historic bridge before restoration. structural system to carry traffic loads. A rigid
frame was constructed in direct contact above
the stone arch to accomplish this. The rigid

H S
frame system consists of a concrete rib that
follows the existing arch line and a concrete
slab that functions as the roadway surface for

A R
the bridge. The new frame was constructed
by installing falsework under the existing arch
barrel, removing the wearing surface and earth
fill, and then constructing the new frame on

M A
top of the existing arch.
The contractor’s falsework was a series of
steel W16 beams, couplers, and posts with
diagonal bracing, which supported 3-inch-
thick timber planking placed just below the
B Y M ATT L EWELLYN , P.E.
stonework. After mats of epoxy coated rebar

T
were tied into place, the arch rib was formed
he East Burke Street Bridge is an important vehicular and pedes- and poured directly on top of the existing stone barrel. The concrete
trian connection between downtown Martinsburg, West Virginia, rib was bonded to the stone using an epoxy bonding agent, applied
and neighboring residential areas. Equally important as the bridge’s before the pour. Next, gravel fill was installed to fill the voids within
function is its rich history dating back to the Civil War. Believed the concrete frame, and the concrete slab was constructed on top
to be originally constructed in 1861, the bridge survived a
Confederate attack that destroyed an adjacent bridge and
other buildings.
Structural deficiencies, including unstable wingwalls, loss
of mortar, sidewalk settlement, and missing, cracking, or
loose stones were identified in 2010. As a result, the City
of Martinsburg and the West Virginia Department of
Transportation (WVDOT) sought a solution that would
increase load capacity while retaining the historic aspects of
the structure. This required a phased and tailored approach
that allowed the team to work around the delicate condition
of the historic parts of the bridge.
The City and WVDOT worked with design engineers
Burgess & Niple using a multi-phased approach. The first
phase included survey, mapping, geotechnical borings, con-
dition inspection, hydraulic analysis, and preparation of a
bridge renovation study. The initial study included docu-
ment research to identify the bridge’s historic significance
and indicated that the structure was most likely built in the
1860s. This information was used to compare alternatives for
renovating and replacing the structure.
The inspection determined that the arch barrel of the A new reinforced concrete arch was designed and placed over the top of the
bridge was the only portion of the structure that was existing arch to provide full live load capacity.

46 STRUCTURE magazine
of the fill, with the midspan portion constructed integrally
with the arch rib.
Like a new bridge, this hidden structural system provided
durability and increased load capacity.

The MIDAS Touch

The rigid frame support system was analyzed using a MIDAS
finite element model that considered construction staging
and the effects of soil-structure interaction on the behavior
of the frame. The keyed construction joints at the base of the
concrete rib were considered classical hinges for the analysis
model and were treated as pin supports. The rib and slab ele-
ments intersected at a reinforced “knuckle” region and were
modeled as moment-continuous. The ends of the slab elements
are supported by bearing walls at the abutments and were
modeled as pin supports. East Burke Street Bridge MIDAS model.
The compressive capacity of the existing stone arch was
neglected in the analysis, and the existing stonework was
included only as dead load. Forces extracted from the model
were used to perform design computations for the frame. The
frame was designed for the interaction of axial and bending
loads, with particular attention given to the reinforcing details
in the knuckle regions to control stress concentrations. Support
reactions from the model were used to design the micropile
foundations. Load combinations producing maximum vertical
load, thrust, and overturning effects were identified to deter-
mine the controlling design condition.

Use of Micropiles
Sensitive ground conditions, steeply sloped bedrock, and
adjacent structures made micropiles a good option for the
East Burke Street Bridge. A total of 41 micropiles support the
forward abutment and parallel wingwalls. Load testing was
performed to confirm that the maximum factored axial load
of 154,000 pounds per pile would be adequately developed.
The rear abutment is founded on a spread footing placed Burgess & Niple designed the bridge with micropiles instead of hammer-driven
directly on the bedrock. piles to reduce vibrations adjacent to the existing stone masonry.
Several of the 7⅝-inch-diameter micropiles were installed
at an angle to accommodate both axial and lateral loads. The
outer casing pipe and drill rods advance through overbur-
dened soils to rock and continue to pile tip elevation. Drill
rods and casing were added in 5- or 10-foot lengths. Drill
cuttings travel up the inside of the casing using air and water
and are discharged through a swivel on the drill head. The
piles penetrate 10 feet into bedrock to provide the bond zone
for the grout, which is placed through a 1-inch high-density
polyethylene (HDPE) tremie pipe to the bottom of the hole.
A single number 11 reinforcing all-thread bar (Grade 75)
was placed in the middle of the micropile.
The micropiles provided a strong foundation without using
a more traditional driven steel H-pile that could have shaken
the ground and caused damage to the stone arch barrel, which
would be temporarily supported but still vulnerable to heavy
vibration.

Technology Helps Preserve History

A high-definition survey scan provided a detailed point cloud The refurbished bridge used stone facing over the wingwalls and black metal fencing
of existing geometry for stone mapping. The scan was used to to create a similar aesthetic

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 47
 As the arch was unearthed, additional issues were dis-
covered. Predictions made about the width of the existing
foundation stones were not accurate. The stones were much
larger and conflicted with the placement of the concrete
foundation as designed. Trimming the stones was discussed,
but the team decided not to risk disturbing the arch. Instead,
Burgess and Niple adjusted the structural model to account
for thrust of the larger span, and revised plans were issued
to keep the project moving. This required three additional
micropiles and additional battering of the piles.

History Preserved. Safety Restored

Through this rehabilitation project, the City of Martinsburg
preserved parts of the bridge’s history while increasing safety
and load capacity for travelers. This intricate rehabilitation
was achieved with several innovative strategies, such as the use
The East Burke Street Bridge arch as it is unearthed. of micropiles and high-definition survey software to address
design and construction complexities. In addition to the project
assess the condition of the material and arch structure and helped team’s approach to obstacles, including the proximity of the
preserve as much of the viable stonework as possible. As a result, the active railroad and weather-related disruptions, these strategies
arch barrel was cleaned and repaired with a lime mortar mix, cracked made this award-winning project a success.■
stones were repaired, and missing or damaged stones and bricks were
replaced. In addition, the new concrete spandrel walls, wingwalls, Matt Lewellyn is a Project Manager in the Burgess & Niple Parkersburg,
and barriers were faced with stone masonry, some of which were West Virginia office. He is a national leader in bridge inspection, load
reused from the existing walls. Thus, using the scan helped sustain rating, preservation, and rehabilitation. (matt.lewellyn@burgessniple.com)
as much of the bridge’s history and character as possible.
Project Team
Project Challenges
Owner: City of Martinsburg, West Virginia
The project team faced several challenges during the construction Project Administration: West Virginia Department
phase of the project. One of the most significant was the location of Transportation
of the bridge approach under a railroad. To allow the railroad to Design Engineer: Burgess and Niple, Inc.
remain operational during the rehabilitation, the contractor had Geotechnical Engineer: Terracon, Inc.
to provide pre-construction photographs and video of the over- General Contractor: Orders Construction Co., Inc.
passing railroad abutments and walls. During excavations, survey Micropile Contractor: Coastal Drilling East, LLC
monitoring was performed to confirm there was no movement
of the railroad structure. In addition,
inspections were conducted following
the excavation of each stone masonry
course to ensure there was no distress
caused to the railroad. If issues were
observed, a corrective action plan was
in place with materials and equipment
on hand to immediately restore stability
to the railroad. In the end, the action
plan was not needed, which confirmed
the assumption that the railroad bridge
was structurally independent of the arch
and supported directly on bedrock.
Another challenge was the amount
of rain that fell during construction,
causing the Tuscarora Creek that passes
under the bridge to rise, resulting in
delays. High water resulting from
above-average rainfall totals conflicted
with the placement of the temporary
support structure. To resolve this, the
construction team rerouted a portion of
the flow around the structure’s footprint
by excavating an alternate relief channel
in the east approach. The East Burke Street Bridge following the renovation.

48 STRUCTURE magazine
EARTH, ROCK and CONCRETE
ANCHORING TECHNOLOGY

WILLIAMS FORM
SUPPORTS YOUR TOUGH PROJECTS
■ Ground/Concrete Anchors
■ Post-Tensioning Systems

■ Concrete Forming Hardware

Williams Form has been a leader in anchoring

technology and concrete forming systems for
nearly a century. Today, we manufacture a
comprehensive line of anchors, post-tensioning
systems, micropile and concrete hardware. Our
construction products are used in successful
foundation, excavation and stabilization
projects throughout North America.

LOCATIONS:
■ Belmont, MI ■ Portland, OR
■ San Diego, CA ■ Collegeville, PA
■ Golden, CO ■ Kent, WA
■ Lithia Springs, GA ■ London, ON

williamsform.com 616.866.0815
 Adaptive Reuse
of the Historic
Witherspoon
Building
Part 2: Adaptive Reuse and Structural Investigations
By D. Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E., P.Eng, F.ASCE, F.SEI, A.NAFE, SECB

T his four-part series discusses the adaptive reuse of the Witherspoon

Building in Philadelphia, PA (Part 1, STRUCTURE , September
2021). Part 2 includes a discussion of the ongoing adaptations during
as ceilings, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing dead loads. However,
based on the results of an investigation of the 5th and 11th-floor fram-
ing, it was determined that the actual capacity of the typical floor beam
construction and the structural investigations conducted to better framing was 100 psf, which provided even more reserve load-carrying
understand the existing structure. Numbered photos are provided capacity than that indicated by the comparison of the building codes.
in the print version of the articles; lettered photos are provided only In addition, earlier references similar to the Architects’ and Builders’
within the online versions of the articles. Handbook from the late 19th century indicate that the minimum live
load for all floors of an office build-
ing in Philadelphia was 100 psf.
Adaptive Reuse Table XLVI. Minimum Live Loads Required by Building Codes
The minimum required live
Minimum live loads per square foot of floor
This adaptive reuse project primar- load capacity for the first floor of
San Dept.
ily involved the conversion of an Classes of buildings New Phila-
Boston Chicago
Den-
Fran- of
Philadelphia office buildings in the
office building to residential units. York delphia ver late 19th and early 20th centuries
1926 1928 cisco Com-
1927 1929 1927
The Architect of Record for the 1928 merce (100 psf ), as documented in the
project was Deidre DeAscanis, Dwellings.............. 40 40 50 40 60 40 40 Architects’ and Builders’ Handbook,
and
AIA, with JKRP Architects, 40 was used for the evaluation of the
Philadelphia, PA. Initially, the Hotels, Tenements, 40 40 50 40 90 40 40
adaptive reuse of the first floor,
difference between the minimum Lodging-houses, and which included retail space, the
required live load capacity for Hospitals 70 main entrance lobby, and residen-
the upper floors of Philadelphia Office-buildings: tial areas. At the residential areas of
First floor........... 100 100 125 125 120 125 100
office buildings in the early 20th Other floors........ 60 60 60 40 70 40 50 the first floor, new loft areas were
century (60 psf ) as documented in School class-rooms 75 50 50 75 75 75 50
made accessible from the first-floor
the 14th Edition of the Architects’ Buildings or rooms for
residential spaces below. At these
and Builders’ Handbook by Frank public assembly: same areas, the combined loading
E. Kidder (Figure 6) and the With fixed seats...... 100 60 100 75 90 75 50 of two occupied levels of 80 psf
Without fixed seats. 100 100 100 125 120 125 100
current-day live load required for Aisles and corridors. 100 100 100 125 120 125 100
live load and 40 psf dead load (not
residential areas (40 psf ) were uti- Garages: Public........ 120 100 150 100 150 100 100
including the dead load of the new
lized to allow for a 20 psf reserve Private....... 120 100 75 100 150 100 80 loft floor framing and access stairs),
load-carrying capacity at the upper Warehouses............... 120 150 125-250 125-250 200 125-250 100-250 for a total of 120 psf, exceeded the
floor levels. Manufacturing: assumed existing 100 psf capacity
Fifteen psf of the reserve load- Heavy................. 120 200 250 250 250 250 100 of the first floor. This same assumed
carrying capacity was dedicated Light................... 120 120 125 125 120 125 75 100 psf load-carrying capacity
to partition dead loads required Stores: Wholesale....... 120 110 250 250 120 125 100 established by the code research
Retail............. 120 110 125 125 120 100 75
by the current governing building was also subsequently confirmed
Sidewalks.................. 300 120 250 150 150 150 250
code. The remaining 5 psf was dedi- via the existing 1st-floor framing
cated for miscellaneous loads such Figure 6. Reproduction of the data in the Frank Kidder minimum live load table. investigation.

50 STRUCTURE magazine
 As a result, independently supported loft floor
framing was designed using ¾-inch Structural Panel
concrete subflooring manufactured by USG. The
subflooring spanned between cold-formed steel
(CFS) joists supported by new wide flange steel
beams that spanned between the existing Gray
building columns. The 5% maximum gravity
load increase allowed by the International Existing
Building Code (IEBC) was used to justify the addi-
tional mezzanine loads imposed on the existing
columns. Similarly, proposed loft areas associated
with the 2nd-floor residential areas had to also be
supported by new steel beams spanning between
the existing building columns. This is because the
assumed existing 100 psf capacity of the second
floor was less than the anticipated combined loads
of the same multi-level residential areas. However,
this aspect of the adaptive reuse plan was not con-
structed due to limited headroom at the 2nd floor.
The original adaptive reuse plan also included
constructing a new rooftop deck assembly area
and related enclosed elevator lobby and separate Figure 7. Typical cored hole penetration in a hollow clay tile floor.
stair access areas. It was anticipated that new,
exposed steel rooftop dunnage framing would span between the require strengthening of the flat, tile arch construction. However,
existing main building columns, as required to provide the mini- it was expected that the strengthening, as long as a tie rod was not
mum assembly live load capacity of 100 psf. In addition, new stair interrupted, would only involve installing small steel compression
and elevator penthouses were required to provide access from the frames that would enable the continuity of the surrounding flat arch
11th floor. However, the new rooftop features were excluded from clay tile units at the new penetrations (Figure F, online).
the project due to the excessive cost of the proposed renovations. In addition, it was anticipated that penetrations that only involved
Additional adaptive reuse features that impacted the existing structure small, cored holes would be allowed without reinforcing the tile if
included a new trash chute and mechanical chase from the 2nd to the the penetrations could be located to minimize damage to the affected
11th floor. In addition, the new mechanical chase extended up through individual tile (Figure G , online). At similar existing holes that were no
the 11th-floor attic and roof framing. Due to the susceptibility of flat, longer needed, the opening and surrounding cavities of the affected
hollow clay tile construction to penetrations, it was anticipated that hollow clay tiles were simply infilled with lightweight concrete.
these large new openings would involve re-support of the affected arch Lastly, it was also anticipated that infilling the large existing opening
framing. Also, it was anticipated that the interruption of any existing in the floors associated with the mechanical penthouse shaft (Figure 7 ),
tie rods used as part of flat arch tile construction that occurred within added during the life of the building, would be required. This was
the new openings would require that the adjacent affected interior accomplished by constructing new concrete slabs on metal deck that
arch spans be strengthened. were supported by new steel beams spanning between the existing floor
For reasons similar to that described above for the new floor and beams. The capacity of the existing steel beams around the perimeter
roof openings, it was anticipated that smaller utility holes required of the openings to support the new dead and live loads associated
for the new residential bathrooms and kitchens could potentially also with the infill framing was also confirmed.

Figure 8. Typical centerline of beam yellow paint line (which was located Figure 9. Typical core holes on top of a beam (left) and beside the beam flange tip (right).
via a GPR survey on the soffit side of the framing) and core holes.
continued on next page

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 51
 The investigation of the beams at
Structural Investigations the referenced floors was conducted
As a part of the initial project in the following manner. Because the
design and ongoing adaptive reuse beams were concealed by the existing
construction during the project, sev- floor finishes and the plaster ceiling,
eral investigations were conducted to it was necessary first to locate the
better understand the existing struc- beams via handheld ground pen-
ture without any existing drawings. etrating radar (GPR). In addition,
A summary of the major investiga- because of the presence of an exist-
tions completed is provided below. ing ±5-inch-thick concrete topping,
which also included embedded con-
1 , 5 , and 11 Floor
st th th
duits, it was necessary to scan the
Framing
beams with the GPR from the ceil-
Investigations of the typical floor ing side of the framing where only
framing at the 1st, 5th, and 11th a few inches of plaster and solid tile
floors were conducted to confirm separated the steel beam flange from
the load-carrying capacity of the the exposed soffit.
existing Carnegie steel beams. The Once the beams were located and
investigations concentrated on the the centerline of the members was
steel beams rather than the hollow accurately marked on the top of the
clay tiles because of the difficulty finished floor, the slab was then cored
and cost associated with locating and directly on top of the wide flange
measuring the tie rods used with this section to reveal the beam width. A
Figure 10. Voussoir arched tiles on each side of and parallel and directly
type of masonry flat arch framing, beneath the concealed steel beams. second core was then taken through
which is the most accurate method of the entire depth of the topping and
estimating the load-carrying capacity of this same framing system. In tile immediately adjacent to the flange tip of the beam to confirm the
addition, it is common for the load-carrying capacity of a flat tile arch beam depth (Figures 8 and 9). Both of the core locations allowed the
to significantly exceed that of the supporting beams because of the large dimensions of the steel section to be accurately recorded and the thick-
safety factors utilized by the original designers for this type of system. ness of the concrete topping, hollow clay tile, and plaster ceiling to be

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

Now you can eliminate pour strips - and the

extra costs, construction delays, and safety
issues they bring - with the PS=Ø® Steel
Reinforcement Splice System.

PS=Ø®:
• Reduces costs
• Accelerates construction
• Improves safety
• No leave-outs
• No redesign
• ACI Type 1 & Type 2
• ICC-approved
• Made in the USA

Eliminate pour strips with the PS=Ø® PS=Ø® is a steel reinforcement splicing system
that eliminates pour strips and maintains rebar
Steel Reinforcement Splice System continuity while allowing for volume change.
PS=Ø® stands for pour strip zero and utilizes
proven technologies with a tapered thread on
one end and a grout-filled sleeve on the other.

pourstrip0.com 800.355.8414

52 STRUCTURE magazine
documented. It was not necessary to con- roof beams and the direction of span of
firm the thickness of the tapered I beam both the beams and tile arch were visible
flanges because the available Carnegie from the 11th-floor attic framing because
Steel section property tables (Figure H , plaster had not been applied to the tile
online) only included dimensions for the soffit. As a result, the scored bottoms of
beam depth and flange width and not the the 12-inch-wide by 9-inch-long (in the
variable flange thickness. direction of the arch span) hollow clay
The reserve load-carrying capacity of tiles were visible, with the beam locations
the floor beams at all three levels was identified by the scored bottoms of the
determined to be approximately 100 end voussoir and beam soffit tiles arranged
psf based on the yield strength of the parallel to and centered about the entire
Carnegie beams documented as a part of beam span (Figure 10).
the Main Roof and Original Mechanical Similarly, because the soffit of the high
Penthouse investigation described below. penthouse roof had not been plastered,
the location and direction of span of
Main Roof and Original
book tiles, bulb tees, purlins, and beams
Mechanical Penthouse
were also readily apparent. In addition,
As indicated above, the original adap- full-depth cores were taken at both the
tive reuse plan for the building included high penthouse and main roofs to con-
constructing an open-air rooftop assem- firm the thickness of the 4-inch book tiles
bly space and a new access elevator and (Figure 11) and 12-inch-depth hollow clay
stair from the 11th floor for use by the tiles, respectfully, and the associated exist-
residents. As a result, it was necessary ing roofing.
to conduct a structural investigation to Figure 11. Mechanical penthouse high roof 4-inch hollow As indicated in Part 1 of this article, the
determine the load-carrying capacity of clay book tile core. southern portion of the main roof was
the affected roof framing. not framed with trusses and instead was
As previously described, due to the termination of the interior constructed with Carnegie Steel B Beams and built-up, riveted steel
building columns at the 11th floor at the north end of the build- plate and angle girders as shown in Figure 12. This area of the building
ing, existing fabricated steel roof trusses clear spanned between the was subsequently investigated as a part of the Mechanical Penthouse
main east and west sides of the building to support the main roof, and Cooling Tower Dunnage investigation that will be provided in
original rooftop mechanical penthouse high roof and floor, and the Part 3 of the article.
11th-floor ceiling framing. Therefore, the intent of the investigation
High Mechanical Penthouse Roof Framing
involved determining the reserve load-carrying capacity of a typical
steel roof truss, high penthouse roof steel purlin and beam, and The analysis of the exposed high roof steel beams indicated that the
main roof steel beam. framing had a reserve load carrying capacity of approximately 50 psf
The findings of the investigation are provided below and were based in addition to the current-day code-minimum flat roof snow load.
on the results of a steel coupon test of a penthouse roof purlin that This maximum load was based on the capacity of the beams; however,
indicated an approximate yield strength of 32 ksi. The sample was the purlins had a reserve load-carrying capacity of approximately 75
taken from a portion of the bottom flange at the end of the span psf. Therefore, a determination of the load-carrying capacity of the
next to a supporting column. In addition, the location of the main book tiles and supporting bulb tees was not performed.
Main Roof Framing
Only the 10-inch-deep north-south support beam along the east
wall of the mechanical penthouse could be measured and therefore
analyzed. The results of this analysis indicated that the member only
had a reserve load carrying capacity of approximately 10 psf in addi-
tion to the current day code minimum flat roof live load, including
snow drift loads.
Typical Roof Truss
The results of the analysis of a typical Warren roof truss (Figure I and J,
online) indicated that the member did not have reserve capacity to
support the proposed new rooftop assembly space deck; however, it
did have adequate capacity to support the reserve capacities noted
above for the penthouse high and main roof framing.
Part 3 of this series includes a continuation of the struc-
tural investigation, specifically regarding the main roof
and original mechanical penthouse.■

D. Matthew Stuart is Senior Structural Engineer at Pennoni Associates Inc. in

Philadelphia, PA. (mstuart@pennoni.com)
Figure 12. South side roof and 11 floor attic framing.
th

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 53
INNOVATIVE THERMAL PRODUCTS

THERMAL BRICK SUPPORT SYSTEM 2-SEAL™ THERMAL WINGNUT

Reduce thermal transfer with our groundbreaking brick Our thermal wingnut presses the insulation firmly against
veneer support system that reduces thermal bridging the backup wall as it tightens, maximizing its R-Value.
in shelf angles and allows for continuous insulation, to The innovative, single barrel penetration reduces thermal
improve the energy efficiency of your building. bridging by half.

STEEL REINFORCED WINGS

with THERMAL COATING

www.h-b.com | 1-800-645-0616
structural PERFORMANCE
Community Storm Shelter Design
Part 2: A Marriage of Codes and Artistry
By Bradford Russell, AIA, P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE

E ach year severe weather, in the form of

storms ripping through our states and
along our coasts, leaves a swath of destruc-
tion of buildings and infrastructure and
many lost lives. The heaviest of these storm
events (high wind) is the tornado. However,
if you have experienced the power of a tor-
nado, you are likely to agree that the event
is much more than wind intensification.
The National Centers for Environmental
Information, a division of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), charts a trendline increase in the
frequency of tornadoes since 1950, with
the occasional spikes like the U.S. saw in
2004 – 1,819 tornadoes.
Studies show that tornado events in the
United States do about $400 million dollars
in damage to buildings (as exemplified in Figure 1. Extreme storm damage.
Figure 1) and infrastructure and kill an aver-
age of 70 people every year. Every U.S. state has experienced twisters, extreme-wind events such as tornadoes and hurricanes. (Figure 2
but Texas holds the record: an annual average of 120. Tornadoes have represents typical FEMA P-361 approved storm shelter signage
been reported in Great Britain, India, Argentina, and other countries, designed for the visually impaired.)
but they are most often seen in the United States, with an average of Tornadoes and other high wind events are among nature’s most
800 tornadoes each year. destructive forces, more so due to the higher winds and flying debris
That average has increased since 2008, causing more than 1,300 associated with these storms. Unfortunately, these types of windstorms
injuries each year. In addition, the most violent tornadoes have more continue to cause injury and death to people who cannot safely evacu-
than 250 mph wind speeds and leave a damage path a mile wide and ate or find shelter from these events. FEMA has long supported the
50 miles long. Therefore, the need for proper design, documentation, development of hazard-resistant codes and standards by assessing
and construction is of great importance today and likely of an even how structures respond to disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes.
greater significance tomorrow. The old scale for F-5 tornadoes had wind speeds
This article addresses Community Storm Shelter into the 300 mph (ultimate) range (F-5 – 261-318
design (documentation requirements were mph), while the new scale lists an EF5 as a tornado
addressed in Part 1, STRUCTURE, August 2021) with wind speeds above 200 mph and causing
and how the codes are used to mitigate risks from damage previously ascribed to the F5 range of
these storm events. In addition, we briefly look at wind speeds. The EF Scale was revised from the
the release of the new ICC 500-2020 and what original Fujita Scale to reflect better examinations
that may include. of tornado damage surveys to align wind speeds
more closely with associated storm damage.
The Need for Shelter
Structural Engineering
The FEMA P-361 publication (on which ICC 500
is based), Saferooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes, Considerations
provides guidance from the Federal Emergency Performance issues are the center of engineer-
Management Agency (FEMA) about the planning, ing design work. As in all structural engineering
design, construction, and operation of safe rooms designs, following the load path is of utmost
(storm shelters). It presents essential information importance in storm shelter designs to ensure the
about the design and construction of residential and higher loading is carried to the foundation and
community safe rooms to protect people during Figure 2. Tornado safe room signage. accounted for in all connection detailing. Finding

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 55
 the site-specific loadings for a structure can be
established by selecting the location on the Applied
Technology Council’s (ATC) Hazards by Location
website (https://hazards.atcouncil.org). This site
covers wind, snow, tornado, and seismic loading for
any specific address in the United States.
A review of detailing strength requirements has
increased importance when designing for elevated
loading conditions to be adequately carried to the
foundation. In ordinary loading of a structure, the
connections tend to carry a reserve capacity due to
the materials’ normal allowable strengths and the
typical connection’s buildability. In extreme condi-
tions, the connections may become the weak link in
the design due to the concentration of loads in these
points. This is where it becomes more important to
follow the load path to ensure the extreme demands
on the structure are still being met with the design of
the connections and the possible junction of several
load paths on these points.
The Design Wind speed shall be determined in Figure 3. Map of maximum wind speeds from ICC 500-2014 Figure 304.2(1).
accordance with Figure 304.2(1) of the International
Code Council’s ICC 500-2014, Standard for the
Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, for tornado ICC 500-2014, Table 305.1.1
events in the U.S. (Figure 3 ). Unlike code require- Speeds for 15-lb Sawn Lumber 2x4 Missile For Tornado Shelters
ments earlier than 2010, design based on Ultimate Design Wind
Load has become the predominant format provided Missile Speed and Shelter Impact Surface
Speed
in wind loading codes. As such, wind load provisions
of ICC 500-2014 are provided in an Ultimate Load 80 mph Vertical Surfaces
130 mph
format and should be equated against a factored 53 mph Horizontal Surfaces
Limit State resistance. Allowable Stress Design can
84 mph Vertical Surfaces
still be used but requires additional factoring. 160 mph
56 mph Horizontal Surfaces
Along with Wind Loading Requirements are the
Impact Loading Requirements of flying debris from 90 mph Vertical Surfaces
200 mph
these high wind speed events. This will often govern 60 mph Horizontal Surfaces
the design of vertical and horizontal surfaces of the
shelter. The debris impact test missile for all com- 100 mph Vertical Surfaces
250 mph
67 mph Horizontal Surfaces
ponents of the shelter envelope of tornado shelters
shall be a 15-lb sawn lumber 2×4 traveling at the
speeds noted in the Table. Field Laboratory (WERFL) have tested numerous structural systems
The angle of the surfaces (doors, walls, and other shelter surfaces), and documented them for impact. This allows the designer to use
30° or more from the horizontal, will be considered a vertical surface; specific structural systems in their design by a simple selection of
less than 30° will be considered a horizontal surface. The Texas Tech details meeting certain pretested load requirements to ensure the
National Wind Institute (NWI) and the Wind Engineering Research load is adequately carried to the foundation.
The images shown in Figure 4 are from above-grade
protected openings (rolling shutter added to an
existing structure on the left and swinging shutter
built into a new facility on the right).
Roof live loads are set for a minimum of 100
psf for tornado loadings and 50 psf for hurricane
loadings due to the added impact of wind loads
carrying debris hazards. Following the load path
through the structure, the foundation must be
adequately designed and constructed to distrib-
ute both the normal loads to the subgrade and
the heightened loadings of the storm event. This
begins with a site-specific soil report from a repu-
Figure 4. Different configurations of protective shutters (rolling and swinging). table Geological Engineering firm that qualifies

56 STRUCTURE magazine
the subgrade capacity and continues through the proper foundation better understand some of these tools for storm shelter design and
design to distribute these loads adequately to the subgrade. the documentation requirements to help control these risks.
The Art of the shelter continues through the sufficient and efficient In design and life, ‘Always be curious!’ and seek to mitigate
design of the structure. your storm shelter design and documentation risks!■

As an Architect and Professional Engineer (structural), Bradford Russell

Documentation Requirements promotes his understanding and leadership in both disciplines relating to
the built environment. With multiple A/E/C patents from the USPTO, he
Design professionals that have overall design responsibility will be
brings a unique perspective of innovative approaches.
required to ensure the documents adequately show the load path is
thoroughly represented in the detailing
of the Storm Shelter assembly from the
roof to walls, to floor diaphragms, into
the Main Wind Force Resisting System
(MWFRS), through MWFRS connec-
tions, and into the foundation.
Typically falling to the structural engi-
neer is the requirement of a Quality
Assurance Plan for each MWFRS and
each wind resisting component. Per
MAPEI
section 107.3.2 of ICC-500-2014, this
Quality Assurance Plan list will include:
STRENGTHENS.
1) The MWFRS and wind resisting
components.
2) The special inspections and test-
ing to be required.
3) The type and frequency of testing MAPEI
required.
4) The type and frequency of special MAPEI RESTORES.

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

inspections required.
5) The structural observations to be PROTECTS.
performed.
• Concrete Repair Mortars
6) The required distribution, type,
• Corrosion Protection
and frequency of reports of • Construction Grouts
tests, inspections, and structural • Waterproofing
observations. • Sealants and Joint Fillers
The Art of the shelter involves prepar- • Coatings and Sealers
ing and creating a comprehensive set of • Epoxy Adhesives
contract documents by the project design • Decorative Toppings
professionals for the contractor to execute. • Cure and Seals
• Densifiers
• Structural Strengthening Products
Conclusion
Simultaneous with the increased tor-
nado frequency is the growth in the
population. With this population den- Your single-source provider for restoration,
sity increase, the growing need to protect strengthening and corrosion protection
the world’s population is more evident
than ever. MAPEI offers a full range of products for concrete restoration, waterproofing
The briefly reviewed architectural and and structural strengthening. Globally, MAPEI’s system solutions have been
engineering concerns stated here begin utilized for such structures as bridges, highways, parking garages, stadiums
and high-rises.
with performance issues in community
storm shelters’ design and documentation Visit www.mapei.us for details on all MAPEI products.
requirements. Heightened performance
requirements of shelters are of great
importance due to the vulnerability of
occupants and the importance of the
continuation of facilities during these
elevated events. The author hopes you

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 57
 TECHNOLOGY
Computational Embrace
Applying Computational Design Logic to the Quality Control Process
By Phillip Bellis, P.E., and Steve Reichwein, P.E., S.E., SECB

T he future of structural engineering is inextricably linked with

computational design. Algorithms and data will be the basis
upon which the industry develops. That is not to say that engineer-
ing judgment and expertise will be replaced by artificial intelligence.
Instead, the possibilities of computer programming will continue to
enhance the capabilities of structural engineers just as the widespread
adoption of the computer did in the 1980s. Some engineers in the
industry have been working in the field of computational design
for over a decade. Others have been slower to adapt.
Whenever the entry point, engineers will find they can apply
the underlying skills and thought processes required for compu-
tational design to a far wider range of tasks than expected. It is
a common misconception that the methodology is best utilized
on high-profile and/or complex projects. While that is an impor-
tant application, it is not relevant to most of the industry. Most
structural engineers can, however, benefit from implementing
computation design principles, specifically when utilized within
quality control processes.
Computational design has been well documented as a tool used Slab edge comparison between structural analysis model and architectural floor plan.
to rapidly develop design alternatives within a defined solution
space. Using this methodology, an engineer can find an optimal widely adopted, in part due to the development of visual programming
solution for a given problem by iterating through different com- tools such as Grasshopper® for use with Rhinoceros®, and Dynamo®
binations of variables. Genetic algorithms ease this process by for use with Revit®. Users no longer need to be fluent in a specific
automatically filtering out the undesirable outcomes, as defined by programming language to create powerful computer scripts. Using
the user. These algorithms focus on core parameters like volume, preprogrammed components and a linear logic-based approach,
cost, performance, etc., and are extraordinarily useful during the engineers with average computer proficiency can develop scripts to
schematic design phase, when design options are still rapidly chang- make their workday more efficient. More specifically, engineers can
ing. Rather than making the generalized assumptions that were develop scripts that provide quality control checks to ensure that
design data (load diagrams, framing layout, beam reactions, column
forces, etc.) is accurately considered and documented throughout
the duration of projects.
Structural engineers use a multitude of different analysis programs
Computational design tools can assist published by competing software developers. Designs are then docu-
mented in yet another program to create the drawings upon which
structural engineers in navigating through contractors base their own plans, which are ultimately used for con-
an industry with ever-increasing quantities struction. It is a complicated process that traditionally has relied upon
human review to catch errors in data transfer. However, tools such
of highly variable data. as Grasshopper and Dynamo provide an opportunity to supplement
human review with custom-developed scripts that compare the data
at each step of the process. This ensures that nothing is outdated,
lost, or unintentionally altered. Engineers are thus able to repeat-
edly check everything from architectural coordination items to the
once required to maintain aggressive project schedules, structural strength of critical connections without devoting company resources
engineers now have access to timely, meaningful data that can be away from other tasks.
used to make significant project decisions during schematic design.
Though often viewed as the final deliverable of computational
design efforts, schematic design studies should not be the point
Architectural Coordination
when the process is abandoned for traditional workflows. The modern project workflow encourages architectural updates
At its essence, computational design is a data management process throughout the duration of a project. For better or worse, changes
that can be applied to every facet of a project. It has recently become are often made within the architectural drawings without the

58 STRUCTURE magazine
structural engineer being notified. Revit users may receive a Major structural analysis programs can export model informa-
coordination review notification, but this process is incredibly tion in various data formats that Grasshopper and/or Dynamo
time-consuming due to the vast number of changes. By combin- understand. Exporting data is often straightforward, but it must
ing engineering judgment with data extracted from the design be done logically and in a well-documented, repeatable manner.
documents, however, an engineer does not need to review each This point is emphasized because even a small change in exported
minute adjustment. data formatting can cause issues with the best-written scripts.
Consider, for example, slab edge adjustments. A computer script However, if the data format remains consistent, generic scripts
written within Grasshopper and/or Dynamo can isolate the floor can be used on any analysis model made with a specific software
slabs and extract their perimeter curves. That data can then be used program. Thus, an engineer can reliably extract model geometry,
to recreate the slab edge within Rhino3D. Corresponding data would support conditions, loading information, member assignments,
be extracted from the analysis program used to design the slab and and more, and compare it to the corresponding information within
then imported into the same Rhino3D
file. The two slabs are compared and
subsequently highlighted wherever
deviation exceeds a user-specified toler-
ance using preprogrammed Grasshopper
components. An engineer can then focus
on the portions of the slab that have
significantly changed and update the
analysis model accordingly. If greater
automation is desired, updating the slab
edge within the analysis model may also
be written into the script.
A similar approach can be applied to
Maximize Value and Performance with
coordinating architectural plans and
loading in the structural analysis model. SHRINK AGE-COMPENSATING
Using Grasshopper and its data manipu-
lation capabilities, engineers can extract CONCRETE & GROUT SOLUTIONS
floor loading data from analysis models,
filter the loads based on type and magni-

ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

tude, and then overlay that information
on architectural plans. With the relevant
information in a single view, it is easier Komponent delivers in design, construction, and in-service
®

for an engineer to verify that the loads in

with quality, efficiency, and cost savings!
an analysis model are coordinated with
the architectural plans. More advanced
computational designers may take this ADVANTAGES
 Improves structural performance  Up to 60% greater abrasion resistance
further by programming the script to
 Maximizes design versatility  Increases dimensional stability and durability
extract the room and/or floor finish data
 Maximizes joint spacing  Enhances compressive and flexural strengths
from Revit, associate that information
 Speeds time to completion  Minimizes creep and moment
with structural loading from a standard-
 Reduces mobilization & formwork  Increases density and lowers permeability
ized database, and ultimately compare
 Reduces project costs  Prevents curling and drying shrinkage cracking
it to the loading over that same area in
the analysis model.

Structural Coordination
Coordination and quality control within
the inner-office workflow is critical for
safe and efficient project delivery. One of
the most critical steps in these processes
is ensuring data from analytical models
is accurately conveyed on design docu-
ments. This includes everything from
structural framing layouts to connec- Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete & Grout Solutions
tion reactions. Engineers proficient in
computational design methodology
can write computer scripts to automate CTScement.com  800.929.3030
many of these tasks in Grasshopper and/
or Dynamo.

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 59
 the design documents using Grasshopper and/or
Dynamo as the primary user interface.
One of the more valuable tasks that can be com-
pleted with this approach is the verification of
analysis model geometry and the transfer of associ-
ated beam end reactions. Throughout the design and
coordination processes, structural framing changes
multiple times. Computational programming pro-
vides engineers a tool to compare the geometry of
the analysis model to the design documents to ensure
the analysis model is still fully coordinated or, at
a minimum, within an acceptable tolerance. An
example method is as follows:
Step A: The start/end nodes of framing members
are identified, mapped to a geometric coordi-
nate, and then rebuilt within the Grasshopper/
Dynamo interface. It is then important to vali- Structural framing location and cross-section comparison between structural analysis model and
date the direction of framing members according structural 3-D model.
to a standardized convention. Any member not
drawn according to the standard must have its start/end nodes geometric location comparison between each member’s start/end
reversed. Since reactions may not be the same at either end nodes and then selecting the members with the smallest aggre-
of a member, this step is critical to ensure the accuracy of the gate absolute distance between these points. If a common origin
transferred data. Now that the geometry is drawn and oriented point is not shared between the models, a model translation may
properly, the analysis model members must be mapped to the be necessary.
corresponding member within the design documents. This can Step B: At this point in the script, the user has enough data cor-
be done in multiple ways. The most straightforward is a simple rectly linked to each other to discern where and by how much
the analysis model deviates from the design documents. The files
can then be updated so that any transferred information follows
the design intent. After the necessary updates are completed,
either manually or automatically, information from the analysis
model can be quickly applied to the design documents by using
the data mapping that was previously conducted. As a result,
tasks that would have previously taken hours to complete, such
as including beam end reactions as instance parameters in Revit,
are now accomplished efficiently and without the risks associated
with the manual transfer of vast amounts of data.
ADVERTISEMENT–For Advertiser Information, visit STRUCTUREmag.org

Conclusion
Computational design tools can assist structural engineers in navi-
gating through an industry with ever-increasing quantities of highly
variable data. From load application in the design phase to including
beam end reactions on construction documents, these tasks must be
conducted efficiently, minimizing the risk of errors.
Engineers now have access to tools that allow them to accomplish
this goal with computational programming logic that would have
previously only been possible with a strong knowledge of multiple
computer languages. The visual programming interface that these
programs use provides all engineers the opportunity to extract, pro-
cess, and distribute data to improve quality control processes across
the industry. These tools are no longer just for use on complex,
high-profile projects. Computational programming is for
all engineers searching for a way to make their everyday
workflows more efficient.■

Phillip Bellis is a Project Engineer with Fast+Epp and a member of the

Computational Design Group within their Concept Lab. (pbellis@fastepp.com)
Steve Reichwein is a Senior Associate at Severud Associates in New York
City. (sreichwein@severud.com)

60 STRUCTURE magazine

Take Time to Save Time
Lessons Learned for Planning a Successful Structural Investigation
By Heather Todak, P.E.
T he client is on board, the contract is signed,
and all eyes are on you – how can you
ensure your upcoming structural investigation
is successful? After participating in many on-
site investigations from coast to coast, here are
some tips for successful planning and execution
from the author’s perspective as a young engineer
beginning to lead project teams.
Choose the Right Team. Assembling the
right people for your project is arguably the
most crucial decision you will make. Ideally,
craft the perfect mix of individual back-
grounds, technical expertise, and experience
levels. Having all the right colleagues on the
job site with you may not be the most cost-
effective approach, but extra costs associated
with seniority and travel expenses pay off in
the end. Make sure each team member has a
well-defined, unique role and communicate
to your colleagues why they are on the team.
Set Expectations. As soon as the team is
established, hold a pre-visit meeting before
embarking on the trip. A lot goes into plan-
ning a successful structural investigation, so
enlist the team to assist. Assign pre-investiga-
tion tasks that team members can own; this
is an opportunity for them to be engaged at
the beginning, not just when they arrive on
site. For example, junior team members can
familiarize themselves with the project scope
by developing field sheets, procuring equip-
ment, or collecting existing structural reports
and drawings.
Before the site visit, ensure the team knows
what to expect regarding how the field inves-
tigation will unfold: How long will the days
be? What are the working conditions? What
if we do not finish in time? What kind of
follow-up or reporting assistance is expected
of them after the investigation is complete?
Establishing expectations with the client is
just as important – if not more important.
Although your project goals and deliverables
should be clearly outlined in your signed pro-
posal, take the opportunity to review your
intent with the client ahead of the on-site
investigation. What are the limitations of your
structural investigation or testing techniques?
Is the client providing access, notifications to
tenants at the property, coordination with a
contractor, or any other necessary support?
Be sure to address any essential matters, such
as special safety considerations or protocols.
62 STRUCTURE magazine
structural FORUM
Lastly, re-confirm your deliver-
ables. Are they expecting a verbal
follow-up, a 40-page written
report, or something in between?
Select the Right Equipment
and Tech. Ensure that the team
is well-equipped with the most
appropriate equipment, materi-
als, and technology for the job.
Depending on what type of struc-
tural field investigation you are
conducting, this may mean any-
thing from a basic tool bag to surveying tools
or nondestructive testing equipment.
Keep an eye on the prize – what are the
primary goals of the investigation? Keep your
focus on the final deliverables – do not plan
a ground-breaking science experiment for a
client who has asked you to crack-map their
parking garage. If your project involves more
advanced testing, such as ultrasonic testing
or ground-penetrating radar scanning, use
equipment your project team is experienced
and familiar with. If the equipment is new to
the team, arrange a tutorial with the manufac-
turer and set aside time to learn the platform.
While some level of troubleshooting equip-
ment on site is expected, make sure you are
well-prepared to avert disaster on the job site,
where your time is most limited.
All structural investigations require an
effective way to document observations and
findings. This may mean traditional pen and
paper or tablets with applications loaded
with project-specific toolsets. Higher-tech
approaches can be great for large-scale inves-
tigations, where multiple users can work on
the same document simultaneously. Think
through the process dictated by your docu-
mentation method and final work product.
For instance, if you plan to take notes on
paper field sheets, will you end up digitizing
them to include in the report? In this case,
working on a digital platform may save hours
of work down the road. Like selecting the
right tools and testing equipment, be sure to
consider the comfort level of your team mem-
bers with various documentation techniques.
Lastly, if you are hitting the road or travel-
ing by plane for your investigation, do not
be afraid to overpack. That extra checked bag
containing backup batteries and extra tools
is a lot less expensive than sacrificing your
The best advice is to
plan for the investigation
not to go as planned.
valuable time on-site to run to the nearest
hardware store for a plumb bob.
React, Revise, and Reset. No matter how
much you have planned your structural
investigation, there is no way to prepare for
everything. The best advice is to plan for the
investigation not to go as planned.
Every on-site structural investigation should
be designed to be fluid and adaptable. Plan
a mid-morning check-in with the team on
the first day to re-evaluate the investigative
approach relative to the schedule. Will unpre-
dictable conditions require the scope to be
adjusted to accomplish the original goal? Take
that opportunity to make sure everyone is
comfortable with their designated roles in
terms of technical expertise and physical
demands. Then, adjust accordingly, build in
breaks, and keep your team happy.
Keep your client informed without pre-
tending to know all the answers just yet.
Lastly, before you leave the job site, take the
time to write a “mental report” in your head
before de-mobilizing. Did you collect enough
information from your client to prepare an
appropriate project background? Have you
addressed all tasks outlined in your proposal?
Did you collect representative data, overall
photos, or other visuals to include in your
report? Asking yourself these questions while
on-site can prevent unnecessary heartburn
when back in the office.
Learn for Next Time. Once you have final-
ized your deliverables, take the time to debrief
your team and see what you can take away
from this project to help improve
processes and efficiencies for sub-
sequent structural investigations.■
Heather Todak is an Associate with Wiss, Janney,
Elstner Associates, Inc. (htodak@wje.com)
O C T O B E R 2 0 21
 NCSEA
NCSEA News
National Council of Structural Engineers Associations

Structural Engineering Summit

Postponed to February
The NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit has a long history of bringing the structural
engineering community together to network, learn, and celebrate the successes of our
profession. It would have been difficult for the Summit to deliver on that purpose in
October as originally planned. As a result, NCSEA has postponed the Summit – both
the live event in New York and the virtual event – to February of 2022.
The Summit offers the industry an immersive experience, both in-person and online, with
unrivaled educational opportunities, an industry-leading trade show, and unique network-
ing opportunities. Register for the conference and learn more at www.ncsea.com/events.

Excavation Shoring Design Guide

Now Available
Reviewing a pertinent worked example bolsters any structural engineer’s confidence. The new Excavation Shoring
Design Guide is comprised solely of such detailed work examples and provides the real construction details that
are necessary to round out complete designs, including site characterization and earth pressure diagrams, soil/
grout bond strengths, and deflection curves.
Visit www.ncsea.com/publications to download the digital version for $119 (members) / $219 (nonmembers)
or order the paperback for $169 (members) / $269 (nonmembers).

Call for NCSEA Committee Volunteers

Are you interested in volunteering with NCSEA? The Council depends on its members to get involved to help advance our mission and
further develop our partnership. Our volunteers help educate on codes and standards, develop publications, create courses, advocate for
safe structures and post-disaster recovery, and so much more. If you are a new volunteer interested in serving on an NCSEA committee,
please visit www.ncsea.com to complete the Committee Volunteer Application. Most committees admit new members on a rolling basis while
others add members only once per year. More information about NCSEA committees can be found by visiting www.ncsea.com/committees.

NCSEA Reflects on the 20th Anniversary

of September 11th
NCSEA collaborated with SEAoNY, AISC, SEI, and the CTBUH on two joint press releases
recognizing the contributions of structural engineers in the days, months, and years after the
9/11 tragedy.
NCSEA President Ed Quesenberry, P.E., S.E., shared, “As we reflect on the events of that
tragic day, we feel fortunate that our education and training as structural engineers prepared
us well to assist in the recovery. We are resolute in our commitment to doing whatever we can
to ensure that the buildings we live and work in are safe and to being ready to respond when
our communities need us.”
Read the full statements at www.ncsea.com.

follow @NCSEA on social media for the latest news & events!
64 STRUCTURE magazine
 News from the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations

Apply for an NCSEA Grant by November

9th to Support your SEA’s Next Initiative
The NCSEA SEA Grant Program awards SEAs funding for projects that advance their SEA
and the structural engineering profession in accordance with the NCSEA Mission Statement.
Supported by the NCSEA Foundation, the SEA Grant Program has delivered more than $60,000
in Grants since its inception. Past funded initiatives range from building up STEM resources to
launching a local SE3 committee.
Applications are due November 9, 2021. Visit www.ncsea.com/awards to apply. Application
requests must be reviewed and approved by the Member Organization before being submitted to
NCSEA for consideration.

In Need of High-Quality, Expert-Led, Affordable Education?

NCSEA's Webinar Subscription Plan is a cost-effective option for members and nonmembers
seeking high-quality continuing education.
By subscribing to NCSEA webinars, you are subscribing to webinars developed by leading
experts at an incredible value (as low as $30/hour). With at least 30 live webinars per year and
a recorded library of over 170 webinars, NCSEA's Webinar Subscription is designed for the
individual engineer as well as the firm; no matter the size, this subscription plan can work for you!
Webinars are available whenever, wherever you need them. Multiple users at the same office,
together or remote, can take advantage! Subscribe now by visiting www.ncsea.com and don't
miss another webinar in 2021!

NCSEA Webinars Register on www.ncsea.com/education

October 28, 2021
Design of Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Walls for High Winds
Lionel A. Lemay, P.E., S.E., and Scott Campbell, Ph.D., P.E.
The presentation will discuss the structural design and detailing of ICF walls, including preliminary wall sizing and placement, design
details, construction inspections, and high wind and seismic design.

November 9, 2021
The Engineer's Role in Improving Housing Resilience
Tim Hart, S.E., LEED AP, and Lizzie Blaisdell Collins, P.E., S.E., LEED AP
Learn more about Build Change, an award winning non-profit social enterprise that works with people in emerging nations to design
and build disaster-resistant houses and schools.

November 16, 2021

Retaining Wall Basics
Bill Simpson, P.E.
This webinar will provide insight on a variety of retaining wall types and discuss commonly overlooked site issues related to the wall
that must not be ignored as part of the retaining wall design.

Courses award 1.5 hours of Diamond Review-approved continuing education after the completion a quiz.
NCSEA webinar subscribers receive access to these webinars and a full year’s worth of live, high-quality continuing education webinars, along with
a recorded library of past webinars – all developed by leading experts; available whenever, wherever you need them; and at an affordable price.

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 65
 SEI Update
Advancing the Profession
Call for Comments (through October 11, 2021)
Updated Professional Standard: ASCE/SEI 74-XX Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Pultruded
Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Structures
This standard is intended for use in the design of new buildings and other structures constructed of pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer
(FRP) composite structural shapes, connections, and prefabricated building products. This standard does not cover tendons and cables.
The standard applies to pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) structural shapes with symmetric and balanced reinforcement and fiber
architecture with a polymeric matrix.
Accessing the ASCE Public Comment System will require using or creating an ASCE user account if you do not have one. Access ASCE
Public Comment at https://bit.ly/3kaUuea. Questions? Contact ASCE Staff James Neckel at jneckel@asce.org.

Get Involved Apply/Nominate by November 1

SEI advances and serves the profession through Committees • O.H. Ammann Research Fellowship in Structural
that produce standards, programs, publications, conferences, Design and Construction
and continuing education. Get involved in an SEI volunteer • Advance to SEI Fellow recognition – Must be current
effort in your area of expertise or interest. It’s a great way to SEI, actively involved in SEI, 10 years responsible
advance the profession and increase networking and learning. charge (typically post P.E./S.E.)
• SEI and ASCE Structural Awards
Learn more at www.asce.org/SEI.

Access ASCE COVID-19

Collection
Papers are freely available to help you stay informed of the effect COVID-
19 is having on the civil engineering profession; the collection will be
updated as new content becomes available. Access through December 31.
https://ascelibrary.org/covidpapers

EXPLORE THE NEW

Career
Resources
Find a job

Post a job

www.asce.org/freepdh
*A Professional Development Hour (PDH) is one contact hour of instruction or presentation. More than 75 percent of U.S.
registration boards require continuing education for P.E. license renewal. Visit each registration board’s website to confirm
its continuing education requirements. You are required to pass an exam on the webinar’s content to receive a PDH.

Join us this year in celebrating 25 years of

SEI – advancing and serving structural engineering!

Errata SEI Standards Supplements and Errata including ASCE 7. See www.asce.org/SEI.

66 STRUCTURE magazine
 News of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE
Learning / Networking

Join Us at SEI Events

www.asce.org/SEI
• #SEILive October 13 | 12:30 p.m. EDT on Licensure and Exams
• ETS: Powering Past the Pandemic – Wednesday, November 3, 1:00 p.m. ET
A unique time of disruption and innovation in the electrical transmission and substation industry
Join moderator Ken Sharpless, P.E. F.SEI, F.ASCE, for a big-picture panel discussion on the state of the electrical transmission struc-
tures industry as it emerges from pandemic mode. How well did essential businesses adjust to the challenges of COVID, and where
does this experience take the industry going forward? Listen to perspectives focusing on essential employees from utilities, contractors,
manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and design. Panelists: Sarah Beckman, ULTEIG; Archie Pugh, American Electric Power;
Alex Richards, Aquawolf, LLC; Bill Sales, Sabre Industries, Inc.
Register for the live program (1.5 PDHs) OR the post-event recording (no PDHs).
• SEI Standards Series
Join for exclusive interaction with expert ASCE/SEI Standard developers on state-of-the-
market updates. Participants will learn about technical revisions and review a design example.
Attendees are encouraged to participate in Live Q&A. Each session is LIVE and only available
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. US ET.
NOVEMBER 18 – ASCE/SEI 8 Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Stainless Steel
Structural Members
Join SEI host Jennifer Goupil for a discussion with the chair of the ASCE/SEI 8 committee Ben Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, M.ASCE
ASCE/SEI 8 Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Stainless Steel Structural Members has been completely revised and updates
the 2002 edition of the standard. This standard applies to the design of structural members cold-formed to-shape from annealed and
cold-rolled austenitic, ferritic, and duplex stainless steel alloys used for load-carrying purposes in buildings, and structures other than
buildings provided allowances are made for dynamic effects. The Specification includes both LRFD and ASD provisions.
Individual session: Member $49, Nonmember $99. Student member: Free registration.
REGISTER NOW at https://cutt.ly/9hQDTEo
• Save the Date
Structures Congress – April 20-23, 2022 in Atlanta
Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures Conference – October 2-6, 2022 in Orlando
Students and Young Professionals: Apply for SEI Futures Fund Scholarships to participate.

SEI Futures Fund Commitments for FY2022

Thank you, SEI Futures Fund Donors, for investing in the future of structural engineering! Your gifts make possible these strategic initiatives
totaling more than $250,000, approved by the Futures Fund Board for FY2022:
• Leadership Academy Curriculum Development
• Strategy Workshop to Address Future Conditions of Environmental Loads and Impacts in SEI Standards
• Student and Young Professional Scholarships to engage at in-person Structures Congress
• Student Scholarships to engage at in-person Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures Conference
• SE2050 Database
• Building Next Engineers Design-Build and Construction Workshop Project for middle/high school students
• Claims Database Workshop
• Bridge the Gap Project for SEI Chapters/Grad Student Chapters to transition students as lifelong members of SEI
• Distribute Engineer’s Agreement Basics via STRUCTURE magazine and promote online
• SEI Global Activities Online COVID-19 Symposium
Learn more and give at www.asce.org/SEI.

Follow SEI on Social Media:

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 67
 CASE in Point
CASE Contracts – Usage Guide
Last year, CASE updated its Contract Library and re-issued updated Contracts
that have been reviewed by outside legal counsels. Below is a handy guide
for firms to know which contract is appropriate to use in certain situations.
Structural Engineer is Retained
CASE Agreement #1 – An Agreement for
the Provision of Limited Professional Services.
This agreement is intended for use for small
projects or investigations of limited scope and
time duration.
CASE Agreement #2 – An Agreement
Between Client and Structural Engineer of
Record for Professional Services. This agree-
ment is intended for use when the client,
e.g., owner, contractor developer, etc., wishes
to retain the Structural Engineer of Record
directly. This agreement may also be used with
a client who is an architect when the architect-
owner agreement is not an AIA agreement.
CASE Agreement #3 – An Agreement
between Owner and Structural Engineer as
Prime Design Professional. This agreement is
intended for use when the Structural Engineer
serves as the Prime Design Professional.
CASE Agreement #4 – An Agreement
between Client and Structural Engineer for
Special Inspection Services. This agreement is
intended for use when the Structural Engineer
is hired directly by the Owner to provide
Special Inspection services.
CASE Agreement #5 – An Agreement
Between Client and Specialty Structural
Engineer for Professional Services. This agree-
ment is intended for use when the structural
engineer is hired directly by a contractor or
sub-contractor for work to be included in
a project where you are not the Structural
Engineer of Record.
CASE Agreement #6 – An Agreement
Between Client and Structural Engineer for a
Structural Condition Assessment. This agree-
ment is intended for use when providing a
structural condition assessment.
CASE Agreement #7 – An Agreement for
Structural Peer Review Services. This agree-
ment is intended for use when performing a
peer review for an Owner or another entity
You can purchase these and the other Risk Management Tools at www.acec.org/bookstore.
68 STRUCTURE magazine
CASE Tools and Resources
and includes responsibilities
and limitations.
CASE Agreement #8 – An
Agreement Between Client
and Structural Engineer for
Forensic Engineering (Expert)
Services. This agreement is
intended for use when the
engineer is engaged as a forensic expert,
primarily when the Structural Engineer is
engaged as an expert in the resolution of con-
struction disputes. It can be adapted to other
circumstances where the Structural Engineer
is a qualified expert.
Structural Engineer is
Retaining Additional Entity
CASE Agreement #9 – An Agreement
Between Structural Engineer of Record and
Design Professional for Services. This agree-
ment is intended for use when the Structural
Engineer of Record, serving in the role of
Prime Design Professional or as a Consultant,
retains the services of a sub-consultant or
architect.
CASE Agreement #10 – An Agreement
Between Structural Engineer of Record and
Geotechnical Engineer of Record. This agree-
ment is intended for use when the Structural
Engineer of Record retains geotechnical engi-
neering services. It can also be altered for use
as an agreement between an Owner and the
Geotechnical Engineer of Record.
CASE Agreement #11 – An Agreement
Between Structural Engineer of Record
and Testing Laboratory. This document is
intended for use when the structural engineer
retains testing services.
Other Situations
CASE Agreement #12 – An Agreement
Between Structural Engineer of Record
(SER) And Contractor for Transfer of Digital
Data (Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) or
Building Information Model (BIM)) Files.
This agreement is intended for use when
transferring CAD or BIM files to others.
CASE Commentary #A – Agreement for Use
with and Commentary on AIA Document
C401 Standard Form of Agreement Between
Architect and Consultant, 2017 Edition. This
document is intended for use as a letter-form
of agreement which adopts the AIA C401 by
reference. This Agreement is intended for use
when the owner-architect agreement is an AIA
B-series. A scope of services is included. The
purpose of the commentary is to point out
provisions that merit special attention.
CASE Commentary #B – Commentary
on AIA Document A295 – 2008 General
Conditions of the Contract for Integrated Project
Delivery, 2008 Edition. This document pro-
vides commentary on AIA Document A295
Integrated Project Delivery.
CASE Commentary #C – Commentary on
AIA Document A201 General Conditions of
the Contract for Construction, 2017 Edition.
This document provides Commentary on AIA
document A201-2017 sections which merit
special attention.
Additional Contracting Tools:
• Tool 6-2: Scope of Work for
Engaging Sub-consultants
• Tool 6-3: Project Scoping Tool
• Tool 8-1: Contract Review
• Tool 8-2: Contract Clauses and
Commentary
 News of the Coalition of American Structural Engineers

ACEC FALL CONFERENCE IS HERE … Don’t Miss Out!

The 2021 Fall Conference will be held on Marco Island, FL, October 27-30, 2021.

Featured Speakers
• Technology and Innovation Expert and Best-Selling Author Mitch Joel will speak on The Great Compression – Navigating
Your Business in the New World.
• Hear from John Ondrasik, Singer/Songwriter, Five for Fighting, on Creativity, Storytelling, and Innovation.
• Ginny Clarke, Leadership Strategist and Former Director of Executive Recruiting at Google, will speak on Identifying
‘Best Talent’ and Defining Culture in the New Age of Work.
Sessions and Events
In addition to the general sessions, forums/roundtables, and the ACEC/PAC events, the Conference also features educational sessions on
vital industry issues which are relevant to Structural Engineers, including:
• How Cognitive Bias Can Undermine Risk Management, Hosted by CASE, presented by Randy Lewis, AXA XL
• Risk Management Challenges with a Virtual Workforce, Hosted by CASE, presented by Karen Erger and Kevin Holland,
Lockton Companies
For more information and to register, visit www.acec.org/conferences/fall-conference-2021.

ACEC SUMMER MEETING … Highlights

CASE members got together in Nashville, TN, for one of the first in-person events for
most attendees in over 18 months. CASE members attended risk management and busi-
ness practices educational sessions, held committee meetings, and engaged with each other
and with other ACEC Coalition members during the two-day meeting.
Some of the discussions included:
• An update on the infrastructure package from ACEC Chair Robin Greenleaf and
ACEC President and CEO Linda Bauer Darr
• A roundtable discussion about Building Assessments and Risk Management
• Education sessions on CyberSecurity, Current Trends, and Best Practices in Risk management and an overview of the 2020 ACEC
Grand Conceptor Award-winning Cooperhill Watershed Restoration project
CASE committees all met in person on the afternoon of August 10. Look in next month’s edition for a re-cap of all committee work and
what new/updated publications are coming to an inbox near you!

Follow ACEC Coalitions on Twitter – @ACECCoalitions.

O C T O B E R 2 0 21 69
Deliver your message
to our audience.

100% Practicing Structural Engineers

32,500 20,000+ 876,000+ 84,000+ 8,500+

SUBSCRIBERS RECIPIENTS PAGE VIEWS UNIQUE VIEWERS
VISITORS

STRUCTURE STRUCTURE STRUCTUREmag.org STRUCTURE

Print Edition Email Distribution Monthly Averages Digital Edition
Monthly Average

CONTACT: Monica Shripka

Director for Sales, Marketing & Business Development
Tel: 773-974-6561 | Email: monica.shripka@STRUCTUREmag.org
BRIDGING THE GAP ON AMERICA’S AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
Dubois County, Indiana is one of the many municipalities across North America to turn to carbon
fiber to rehabilitate their bridges and vital infrastructure. After a full investigation, it was determined
that the Veterans Memorial Bridge, which spans the Pakota River as a main through way into
Jasper Indiana, was one of the 230,000 U.S bridges in need of repair.

CARBON
FIBER
STRENGTHENING
SYSTEMS

LEARN MORE

LAN Construction was awarded the project and completed the strengthening with Structural
Reinforcement Solutions SRS-600 Unidirectional Carbon Fiber and SRS-1000 epoxy after completing
the surface prep and crack injection. The work was completed in less than a week and provided a
permanent solution for the deficiencies found in the engineering evaluation.

Learn more at Structuralrs.com 1-888-292-2592

 2021/22
STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING
Resource Guide

Special Section Profiling

STRUCTURE’s Advertising Partners
 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
RISA
R ISA believes structural engineering software should be pow-
erful, accurate, and user-friendly. With this in mind, RISA
software products (including ADAPT) allow engineers to effort-
lessly analyze and design steel, concrete, post-tensioned concrete,
timber, masonry, aluminum, and cold-formed steel structures.
The following case studies illustrate the versatility of our software.
Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center
Building Client: Columbia University Medical Center
Structural Engineer: LERA Consulting Engineers, New York, NY
The Roy and Diana Vagelos
Education Center is a 107,000-square-
foot, 15-story state-of-the-art medical
education facility located on the
Washington Heights campus of
Columbia University. The building
serves as an instrumental tool in
the team-based, problem-solving-
focused medical education provided
to students. The tower includes a
free-flowing “Study Cascade,” which
serves as a vertical campus and inten-
tionally designed spaces that focus
on specific functions, such as anatomy labs, cadaver examination
rooms, and a surgical simulation center. In totality, the building’s
design allows for a wide range of learning experiences for medical
students.
With the building’s layout creating challenging vertical load
paths, engineers utilized cantilevered, high-strength (8 ksi con-
crete) post-tensioned concrete floors with bonded tendons that
were supported by a pair of inclined composite concrete columns
that slope up from the foundation level to the 8th Floor and direct
load around the column-free auditorium.
ADAPT-Builder’s multi-story features were utilized to capture
the load-sharing effects at the cantilevered slabs that are connected
by single-story walls and ramps. Additionally, detailed deflection
contour plots from ADAPT-Builder were used to coordinate
deflections in the slab with the curtain walls above and below,
ensuring that the stringent performance criteria were satisfied.
Cal Poly Pomona Student Services Building
Building Client: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Structural Engineer: John A. Martin & Associates, Inc.,
Los Angeles, CA
Built to serve a variety of student needs, the Student Services
Building at Cal Poly stands as a symbol of the sustainable-focused
mission of the univer-
sity. Inspired by the
surrounding topog-
raphy, including the
nearby San Gabriel
Mountains, the undu-
lating roof serves an
949-951-5815 | info@risa.com | risa.com
Profile
essential role in achieving LEED Platinum certification. The
roof, spanning over two separate structures, mitigates the desert
climate with its perforated overhangs while shading the exterior
glass and reducing the thermal loads as well as glare.
As the main focal point of the structure, the organic, undulating
roof consists of long-span tapered steel girders supporting a Kalzip
standing-seam roof. The two-way span roof is curved in both
directions, which posed considerable challenges for the design,
fabrication, connection (19,000 roof panel attachment clips were
used), and installation of the steel girders, requiring them to meet
incredibly strict deflection tolerances.
Engineers utilized dxf files generated in BIM software to stream-
line the structural modeling, analysis, and design in RISA-3D.
The software then enabled designers to manipulate geometry and
loading conditions with ease while closely monitoring individual
member deflections under various load combinations, ensuring
successful fabrication and construction.
Riviera Stage at Riverview Park
Building Client: City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Structural Engineer: Raker Rhodes Engineering, Des Moines, IA
During most of the 20th century, Riverview Park in Des Moines,
Iowa, was home to Riverview Amusement Park, a popular family
ADVERTORIAL
entertainment oasis that included the nationally known Riviera
Ballroom. After its closure in 1978, the site sat empty for decades
until it was recently redeveloped to include the new Riviera Stage.
The stage celebrates the city’s history and aims to bring perfor-
mance back to the island that lies between the Des Moines River.
With the stage as the focal
point of the new develop-
ment, it was important to
the designers that the loca-
tion’s history influenced the
design. Thus, the elevated
stage includes an open-air
canopy that links the design
to the former amusement
park’s ballroom, while the
arch structure serves as a
playful reminder of the roller
coasters that once stood at the site. The main structural elements
used in the stage canopy and arch structure are large round HSS
sections (sizes ranging from 12- to 14-inch-diameter). Towering
above the stage (60 feet above ground level) is a superstructure
comprised of two arched box trusses, each spanning 120 feet. The
trusses are connected by a 95-foot-long box truss which supports
the signage for the stage.
Engineers utilized the RISA-Revit Link and RISA-3D to create
the complex geometry and design the HSS members of both the
canopy and arched truss structure. The design team could discern
the internal forces at each joint using RISA-3D, helping to sim-
plify the unique challenge of designing the fully welded, angled
connections required at the HSS truss intersections.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-71
 SOFTWARE
Adhesives Technology Corporation
Phone: 754-399-1057
Email: jhanley@atcepoxy.com
Web: atcepoxy.com/software
Product: Pro Anchor Design Software
Description: This adhesive anchor-focused design
tool aids in meeting the design strength requirements
of ACI 318. For use with any of ATC’s IBC-
compliant anchoring products. Single pane interface
minimizes data input time. Rapid 3-D modeling and
real-time optimization of loading conditions, embedment
depths, anchor sizes, and more. FREE download!
American Wood Council
Phone: 202-463-4756
Email: info@awc.org
Web: www.awc.org
Product: Wood Design Calculators
Description: The American Wood Council has
developed five free, web-, mobile- and tablet-based
applications to streamline the process of ensuring new
and existing buildings comply with the latest building
codes. Apps are available for browsers, as well as iOS,
Android, and Windows devices.
ASDIP Structural Software
Phone: 407-284-9202
Email: support@asdipsoft.com
Web: www.asdipsoft.com
Product: ASDIP Suite
Description: Four intuitive software packages with over
16 modules to help you with all your engineering design
tasks. For the past 28 years we have been developing
powerful yet simple-to-use tools to easily analyze, design,
optimize, and check your structural members.
Bentley Systems®
Phone: 800-BENTLEY
Email: structuralinfo@bentley.com
Web: www.bentley.com
Product: STAAD.Pro
Description: Perform comprehensive analysis and
design for any size or type of structure faster than
ever before using STAAD.Pro. Simplify your BIM
workflow by using a physical model in STAAD.Pro
that is automatically converted into the analytical
model for your structural analysis. Share synchronized
models for multi-discipline team collaboration.
Product: RAM Structural System
Description: Provides a complete solution for
analysis, design, drafting, and documentation for
steel and concrete buildings, foundations, and even
individual structural components, all in compliance
with your local building codes.
CADRE Analytic
Phone: 425-392-4309
Email: j4@cadreanalytic.com
Web: www.cadreanalytic.com
Product: CADRE Pro
Description: General structural application
emphasizing on practical analysis of complex structures.
Includes discrete, pressure, hydrostatic, seismic, and
dynamic response loading schemes. User friendly
features for presenting, displaying, plotting, and
tabulating extreme loads and stresses across the structure
and across multiple load cases simultaneously. Basic
code checking for steel, wood, and aluminum.
SS-72 STRUCTUREmagazine
ClearCalcs
Phone: 603-443-1038
Email: hello@clearcalcs.com
Web: www.clearcalcs.com
Product: Cloud Software Suite
Description: Make design calculations the easiest
part of your job. Effortlessly design and analyze
everything from the roof down to the foundations
in your choice of wood, steel, cold-formed steel, and
concrete. Track loads through your whole structure,
and use any recent building code with lightning
quick FEA based results.
DEWALT Anchors & Fasteners
Phone: 800-524-3244
Email: anchors@dewalt.com
Web: http://anchors.dewalt.com
Product: DEWALT DESIGN ASSIST™
Description: State-of-the-art structural design
software for concrete anchorages. Facilitates design
efforts in base plate, equipment, and deck member
anchorages, and post-installed rebar designs. Utilize
an extensive library of mechanical, adhesive, and cast-
in-place anchors with the Anchor Comparison Tool
to easily see differences across anchor types, sizes, and
brands. Download at website.
Digital Canal Corp.
Phone: 800-449-5033
Email: info@digitalcanal.com
Web: www.digitalcanalstructural.com
Product: Cold-Formed Steel Design
Description: Please visit the website for New Cold-
Formed Steel design software information. You receive
exceptional value with a one-project return on your
investment. You also OWN your licenses. We do not
force ongoing payments forever. Our 11,000 clients
provide the best testimonial we can offer.
Dlubal Software, Inc.
Phone: 267-702-2815
Email: info-us@dlubal.com
Web: www.dlubal.com
Product: RFEM, RWIND Simulation
Description: Wind tunnel numerical simulations for
wind flow on all structures. Integrate resulting wind
pressures into the FEA program RFEM for further
design of steel, concrete, wood, CLT, aluminum, glass,
and fabric/membrane structures according to USA/
International standards. Wind loading on specialty
structures, not addressed in codes provisions, possible
with RWIND Simulation.
ENERCALC, Inc.
Phone: 949-645-0151 ENERCALC
Email: info@enercalc.com
Web: https://enercalc.com
Product: ENERCALC Structural Engineering Library
Description: ENERCALC 3D FEM and RetainPro
modules are part of installed/cloud SEL. New FEM-
powered Steel Base Plate and Flitch Plated Wood
Beam modules. No more hand-calculated Z values!
Subscription seats are now automatically shared
between installed/cloud users! SEL’s windows are
bigger, cleaner, better organized.
Hohmann & Barnard, Inc.
Phone: 800-645-0616
Email: jenniferm@h-b.com
Web: h-b.com
Product: ProWall Tools Software
Description: H&B’s premium, free software, ProWall
Tools, allows architects, specifiers, suppliers, and
contractors to quickly gather product information,
create submittals, ensure that all products are
compatible, and create custom take-offs. ProWall
Tools now includes our Thermal Brick Support System
to help optimize energy efficiency.
IES, Inc.
Phone: 406-586-8988
Email: info@iesweb.com
Web: www.iesweb.com
Product: IES Building Suite
Description: You need practical, affordable tools that
really help you solve analysis and design problems
efficiently. Fortunately, with IES, Inc., you will get
high quality reports from easy-to-use software. Find
out for yourself why thousands of engineers rely on
VisualAnalysis, VisualFoundation, ShapeBuilder,
QuickRWall and our other excellent products.
INTEGRITY SOFTWARE, INC.
Phone: 512-372-8991
Email: sales@softwaremetering.com
Web: www.softwaremetering.com
Product: SofTrack
Description: Use SofTrack to control Bentley
Application usage by product code and feature (pipes,
ponds, rails). Also control Bentley Passport/Visa
usage. Receive idle usage alerts. Seamless operation
for local and remote usage including Citrix sessions.
Additionally benefit from Automatic Autodesk
named-user tracking and reporting.
Losch Software Ltd
Phone: 323-592-3299
Email: loschinfo@gmail.com
Web: www.loschsoft.com
Product: LECWall
Description: The industry standard for concrete
insulated “sandwich” wall panel design and handles
multi-story columns as well. LECWall can analyze
prestressed and/or mild reinforced wall panels with
zero to 100 percent composite action. Flat, hollow-
core, and stemmed configurations are supported.
Complete handling analysis is also included.
Product: LECPres
Description: Can analyze prestressed and/or mild
reinforced simple span or cantilevered concrete beams
and slabs. Handling analysis is also included. A 15-
day trial version is available.
Not listed?
Our monthly 2022 Resource
Guide forms are now available
on our website.
STRUCTUREmag.org
continued on page 74
 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
DEWALT® Anchors & Fasteners
W hen choosing concrete and masonry anchors, both con-
tractors and engineers look for productivity-enhancing
solutions. DEWALT® complements its leadership position in
Power Tools with a complete range of Anchors and Fasteners to
provide such solutions.
Traveling along a customer’s journey, we begin with the construc-
tion design. The needs of specifiers and designers have changed,
and post-installed concrete anchoring now has its own set of
rules set forth by the International Building Code (IBC) code and
American Concrete Institute (ACI). Certain anchorage situations
call for the utilization of a software solution specifically created
to handle the complex calculations required to build modern
structures. DEWALT understands these needs and thus created
DEWALT DESIGN ASSIST™ (DDA).
DDA is a no-cost/no-fee, state-of-the-art structural design soft-
ware that streamlines, automates, and optimizes your concrete
anchoring design process. DDA includes multiple design standards,
a comprehensive library of anchors, numerous reporting options,
and unparalleled tools to simplify your design process. Features
include Base Plate Anchorage – the standard tool to use when
considering anchorage to concrete, allowing complete geometric
flexibility with the anchor patterns or base plate shape. Designs are
calculated to be compliant with the latest major published design
criteria and use products that independent approval bodies have
tested for performance and reliability. The included Equipment
Anchorage module further extends the
functionality of base plate designs, now
allowing you to leverage DDA to model
wind and seismic forces acting on equip-
ment and helps resolve optimal anchorage
solutions at a larger scale. Additional mod-
ules include Anchorage to Deck Members,
Post-Installed Rebar Design, and Anchors
Comparisons, with code compliance to
ACI 318-19, ACI 318-14, CSA A23.3-19, and CSA A23.3-
14. Please visit anchors.DEWALT.com/DDA to download the
complete program.
Once your designs have been completed, DEWALT offers the
commercially available Mechanical and Adhesive Anchors with
productivity at the forefront.
DEWALT mechanical anchors include a cracked concrete quali-
fied range of PowerStud+™ carbon steel SD1, SD2, and stainless
steel with SD4 and SD6. The Screw-Bolt+™ concrete screw anchor
is a cracked concrete qualified, high-performance screw anchor
available in both Hex and Flat heads for a finished look. They
install quickly with DEWALT impact wrenches and drivers and
are removable (as necessary). The UltraCon+ fastening system
is a complete family of small diameter screw anchors for light to
medium duty applications in concrete, masonry block, brick, and
wood base materials.
DEWALT also has post-installed rebar and threaded rod anchor
designs and installation covered for your project, as well as
800-524-3244 | anchors@dewalt.com | anchors.dewalt.com
Profile
mechanical and adhesive anchors matched with cordless tool and
dust collection systems to help contractors safely install anchors
into concrete and masonry.
New this year, the DEWALT Critical Connection Undercut
Anchor (CCU+) combines a robust design with the low dis-
placement characteristics of an undercut anchor built for high
performance and applications. For post-installed, critical concrete
connections, the new CCU+ delivers on Performance, Productivity,
and Range.
ADVERTORIAL
Qualified under ICC-ES ESR-4810, the CCU+ Undercut
Anchors are for heavy-duty loading in cracked and uncracked
concrete. Their published design values
offer flexible options, like close anchor
spacing and edge distances. Loading per-
formance features high tension and shear
loads comparable to cast-in-place anchor
bolts. The CCU+ Anchors are Made In
The USA and are available in two steel
grades: zinc plated carbon steel B7 high-
strength steel for interior conditions and
316 Stainless Steel for exterior and wet conditions. Two styles are
offered: Pre-Set anchors for installing anchors and fixtures and
Thru-Bolt configurations for fixtures already in position.
During installation of CCU+ Anchors, a hollow bit with a stop
collar is available for the primary hole, and the undercut is formed
with a hollow undercutting bit. Both bits capture silica dust in a
HEPA filtration dust extractor and limit exposure as part of the
DEWALT DUSTX+™ System. This installation system is avail-
able fully cordless as part of the DEWALT 60V MAX* platform.
DEWALT products are sold through a network of construction
and industrial supply distributors. In addition, DEWALT Anchors
and Fasteners support is available via local field engineer representa-
tives, as well as our engineering direct phone number and email.
Please visit the website for the full DEWALT Anchors and
Fasteners offerings. From mechanical and adhesive anchoring
to jobsite and engineering support, DEWALT is a Guaranteed
Tough™ solution to your commercial and industrial construction
needs from DESIGN to BUILD to SUPPORT.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-73
 SOFTWARE
Nanometrics
Phone: 855-792-6776
Email: sales_mkt@nanometrics.ca
Web: www.nanometrics.ca
Product: Vantage Structural Health Monitoring
Description: An integrated solution for monitoring
the structural integrity of critical infrastructure and
facilities, the Vantage Structural Health Monitoring
portal provides immediate notification of significant
events along with automatically compiled incident
reports for rapid assessment of any impact to a facility.
National Council of Examiners
for Engineering and Surveying
Phone: 800-250-3196
Email: jbarker@ncees.org
Web: ncees.org
Product: Professional Engineering License
Description: The National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to advancing professional
licensure for engineers and surveyors.
RedBuilt™
Phone: 866-859-6757
Email: info@redbuilt.com
Web: www.redbuilt.com
Product: RedSpec™
Description: A convenient, user-friendly design
program that lets you quickly and efficiently create
floor and roof design specifications using Red-I™
joists, RedBuilt open-web trusses, RedLam™ LVL,
glulam beams and dimensional lumber. RedSpec is
provided free of charge to registered users. Contact us
if you need support.
RISA
Phone: 949-951-5815
Email: info@risa.com
Web: risa.com
Product: ADAPT-Builder
Description: Powerful and easy-to-use 3-D finite
element software for multistory reinforced concrete
and post-tensioned buildings and structures. Builder
delivers comprehensive workflows for complete
analysis and design. Combine gravity, lateral, and
post-tensioning actions for efficient, complete, and
accurate design. Integrate with various BIM software
for seamless project deliverables.
Product: RISAFloor
Description: Designs and optimizes building systems
constructed of steel (composite and noncomposite),
concrete, wood, and CFS, as well as combinations of
materials. Automatic live load reduction, additive or
exclusive floor area loads, vibration calculations, and
more make RISAFloor the first choice for the design
of all types of building systems.
Product: RISA-3D
Description: Version 19 is the next step in the
evolution of the completely redesigned RISA-3D.
With new features including the design of cold-
formed steel walls, AISC and ACI code updates,
seismic improvements, and the introduction of
orthotropic plates, engineers can effortlessly complete
complex projects utilizing any material.
SS-74 STRUCTUREmagazine
SkyCiv Engineering
Phone: 800-838-0899
Email: support@skyciv.com
Web: www.skyciv.com
Product: SkyCiv API
Description: SkyCiv is excited to announce their
structural analysis and design API. Cloud based
API lets users connect their tools directly to SkyCiv
technology, automating and improving parts of the
design process. Functions include: model generation,
FEA solver, member design, wind load calculations,
3-D rendering, and much more.
Strand7 Pty Ltd
Phone: 252-504-2282
Email: info@strand7.com
Web: www.strand7.com
Product: Strand7
Description: A general-purpose FEA system
comprising integrated pre- and post-processing and
solvers. Used for linear and nonlinear analysis of
structures and components (static, dynamic, and
heat transfer) by engineering companies of all sizes
and disciplines. Strand7 has gained worldwide
acceptance as a powerful tool for structural analysis,
particularly nonlinear analysis.
StructurePoint
Phone: 847-966-4357
Email: info@structurepoint.org
Web: www.structurepoint.org
Product: Concrete Design Software Suite
Description: Concrete design software programs
updated to ACI 318-14 for concrete buildings,
concrete structures, and concrete tanks. Reinforced
concrete structural software includes programs for
the design of columns, bridge piers beams, girders,
one and two-way slabs, shearwalls, tilt-up walls,
mats, foundations, tanks, and slabs-on-grade.
(Formerly the PCA Engineering Software Group)
Trimble
Phone: 770-715-3976
Email: jodi.hendrixson@trimble.com
Web: www.tekla.com/us
Product: Tekla Tedds
Description: Automates repetitive and error prone
structural and civil calculations, allowing engineers
to perform 2-D frame analysis, access a large range
of automated structural and civil calculations to U.S.
codes, and speed up daily structural calculations.
Product: Tekla Structures
Description: Create and transfer constructible
models throughout the design life cycle, from
concept to completion. With Tekla Structures,
accurate and information-rich models reduce
RFIs, leverage models for drawing production,
material take-offs, and collaboration with architects,
consultants, fabricators and contractors.
2021/22 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide
Live on STRUCTUREmag.org for a full year!
Trimble Monitoring
Phone: 720-376-1909
Email: riley_smith@trimble.com
Web: https://monitoring.trimble.com
Product: Trimble 4D Control
Description: Provides automated movement
detection, enabling project stakeholders of critical
transportation infrastructure, tunnels, dams,
mines, natural hazards, and buildings surrounding
construction sites to monitor in real-time with
confidence. This customizable platform allows
multiple sites to be managed with unparalleled
movement analysis and extensive support for a wide
variety of monitoring sensors.
Victaulic
Phone: 713-752-1914
Email: stephanie.black@hkstrategies.com
Web: www.victaulicsoftware.com
Product: Victaulic Tools for AutoCAD®
Description: An all-new, free tool that provides
AutoCAD users the same classic routing features
and drawing productivity gains that were previously
only available in the Victaulic Tools for Revit
platform. The add-on provides toolsets engineered
for civil, industrial, plant, or mechanical projects,
and includes features to simplify pipe routing,
procurement, and exporting bill-of-materials.
Visicon Inc
Phone: 650-218-0008
Email: info@visicon.com
Web: https://visicon.com
Product: Visicon Model Review and Checking
Description: Gives structural engineers unprecedented
visibility into all of the design, analysis, and production
BIM models they use and review. No matter the source
(Revit, IFC, ETABS, ADAPT, point cloud, etc.),
our solution provides an easy and powerful way to
understand, compare, and check project models.
WoodWorks® Software
Phone: 800-844-1275
Email: sales@woodworks-software.com
Web: www.woodworks-software.com
Product: WoodWorks Design Office Suite
Description: Conforms to IBC 2015, ASCE 7-10,
NDS 2015, SDPWS 2015. SHEARWALLS:
designs perforated and segmented shearwalls;
generates loads; rigid and flexible diaphragm
distribution methods. SIZER: designs beams,
columns, studs, joists up to 6 stories; automatic load
patterning. CONNECTIONS: Wood-to-wood,
wood-to-steel, or wood-to-concrete.
Listings are provided as a courtesy,
STRUCTURE is not responsible for errors.
 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION
T he Portland Cement Association (PCA), founded in 1916,
is the premier policy, research, education, and market
intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufac-
turers. PCA members have facilities across the United States
and represent the majority of American cement production.
The cement and concrete industries, directly and indirectly,
employ over 600,000 people and contribute more than $100
billion each year to the nation’s economy. PCA promotes sus-
tainability, safety, and innovation in all aspects of construction,
fosters continuous improvement in cement manufacturing and
distribution, and generally promotes economic growth and
sound infrastructure investment.
Cement producers have a strong culture of innovation. They
are in constant pursuit of finding more innovative and efficient
ways of producing the high-quality cement our nation needs for
things like homes, highways, hospitals, and the infrastructure
that delivers safe drinking water. Since 1990, the industry has
reduced energy consumption by 35%, emissions intensity by
11%, and company-led improvements have increased the use
of alternative fuels, such as industrial byproducts that otherwise
would end up in landfills.
In late 2020, PCA released a climate ambition statement: PCA
and its members will develop a roadmap by the end of 2021 to
Profile
healthy lives via structures
that withstand natural and
man-made disasters. PCA
members are committed
to delivering products that
meet those needs as well
as drive down emissions
and achieve the industry’s
environmental goals. This roadmap enables our member compa-
nies and partners along the cement and concrete value chain to
continue building a better future, Shaped by Concrete.
About Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures has been the cement and
concrete industry’s primary reference on concrete knowledge for
almost 100 years. Since the first edition was published in 1924,
the U.S. version has been updated 16 times to reflect advances in
cement and concrete technology and to meet the growing needs
of architects, engineers, builders, concrete producers, concrete
technologists, instructors, and students
This fully revised 17th edition was written to provide a concise,
current reference on concrete, including the many developments
that occurred since the last edition was published in 2016. The

facilitate member companies achieving carbon neutrality across
the cement and concrete value chain by 2050. This roadmap will
guide the industry on perhaps the most ambitious carbon neu-
trality journey ever attempted. The entire value chain of clinker,
cement, concrete, construction, and concrete as a carbon sink is
an integral part of tomorrow’s circular economy, and each area
has its part to play. This roadmap enables the construction sector
to meet this sustainability goal, and collaboration with industry
and private partners will be imperative to realize the multitude
of solutions outlined.
Cement and concrete have been pivotal in building resilient
communities that enable people to live safe, productive, and
ADVERTORIAL
text is backed by over 100 years of research by the Portland
Cement Association and other industry groups. It reflects the
latest guidance on standards, specifications, and test methods
of ASTM International (ASTM), the American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the
American Concrete Institute (ACI).
The 17th edition includes an in-depth restructuring of the existing
content, presenting a 40% increase in new information over the
previous edition. This edition also has added two new chapters on
imperfections in concrete and innovations in concrete.
Over 3 million copies of past editions of the book have been distrib-
uted, making this book a primary reference on concrete technology.

Chapter List
1 – Introduction to Concrete 13 – Specifying, Designing, and Proportioning Concrete Mixtures
2 – Portland, Blended, and Other Hydraulic Cement 14 – Batching, Mixing, Transporting, and Handling Concrete
3 – Supplementary Cementitious Materials 15 – Placing and Finishing Concrete
4 – Mixing Water for Concrete 16 – Imperfections in Concrete
5 – Aggregates for Concrete 17 – Curing Concrete
6 – Chemical Admixtures for Concrete 18 – Hot Weather Concreting
7 – Fibers 19 – Cold Weather Concreting
8 – Reinforcement 20 – Test Methods
9 – Properties of Concrete 21 – Paving
10 – Volume Changes of Concrete 22 – Structures
11 – Durability 23 – High-Performance Concrete
12 – Sustainability 24 – Innovations in Concrete Technology
Available in both hardcopy and Ebook versions: Purchase your copy here www.cement.org/designandcontrol

For more information, visit www.cement.org or www.shapedbyconcrete.com

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-75

 CONCRETE
American Concrete Institute
Phone: 248-848-3800
Email: support@concrete.org
Web: www.concrete.org/membership
Product: Memberships
Description: With 30,000 members in more than
100 countries, ACI is the premier, global community
dedicated to the best use of concrete. With enhanced
benefits, ACI membership provides information on
engineering and construction practices worldwide.
Individual, student, organizational, and sustaining
memberships are available.
Commercial Metals Company
Phone: 949-405-9161
Email: chromx@cmc.com
Web: www.cmc.com/chromx
Product: ChromX®
Description: High strength rebar with a range of
corrosion resistance levels. Designers can select the
appropriate level and strength needed, based on the
project’s service life. High strength and corrosion
resistant properties within the steel result in a
reduction in construction costs, shortened build times,
reduced congestion issues, and improved safety.
CTS Cement Manufacturing|Komponent®
Phone: 714-614-7392
Email: sgoodman@ctscement.com
Web: www.ctscement.com
Product: Komponent, Type K Cement
Description: CTS Cement manufactures CSA
cements. Our Komponent shrinkage-compensating
cement improves overall structural performance and
dimensional stability. It prevents volume change
due to drying shrinkage, providing numerous
constructability advantages while maximizing in-
service performance and design life. From slabs-on-
grade to post-tension, containment to pavement,
delivering value and performance is what we do.

ASDIP Structural Software Concrete Fiber Solutions Geopier® Foundation Company

Phone: 407-284-9202
Email: support@asdipsoft.com
Web: www.asdipsoft.com
Product: ASDIP CONCRETE
Description: Includes easy-to-use intuitive modules
for the design of multi-span continuous beams, biaxial
slender columns, concrete/masonry bearing walls, and
wall opening design, per the latest design codes. ASDIP
CONCRETE comes with 3 intuitive modules with
powerful interfaces that will substantially simplify time-
consuming calculations for your structural designs.
Phone: 847-495-4700
Email: matthewn@concretefibersolutions.com
Web: www.concretefibersolutions.com
Product: CFS Steel Fibers
Description: Provides better shrinkage crack
control than rebar or wire mesh because the fibers
are evenly mixed throughout the concrete, meeting
micro-cracks where they originate to improve
performance and finish. CFS Fibers are clean, free
from contaminants, and designed to meet or exceed
the requirements of ASTM A820.
Phone: 704-439-1790
Email: info@geopier.com
Web: geopier.com
Product: Geopier Rammed Aggregate Pier®
and Rigid Inclusions
Description: Geopier provides an efficient and cost-
effective Intermediate Foundation® solution for the
support of settlement structures. Our systems have
become effective replacements for massive over-
excavation and replacement or deep foundations,
including driven piles, drilled shafts, or augered cast-in-
place piles. Thousands of structures around the world
are currently supported by Geopier technologies.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
CTS CEMENT MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
Cement Technology Engineered for Superior Performance and Results
CTS Cement manufactures two of the industry’s leading brands
in cement for new concrete construction, restoration, and repair –
Rapid Set® and Komponent®.
Rapid Set is a full line of professional-grade cement products made
with Rapid Set cement, a Belitic Calcium Sulfoaluminate (BCSA)

cement technology. Rapid Set cement emits 32% less CO2 than
portland cement because of less fuel, lower temperatures, and less
limestone being used in the production process. In addition, since
Rapid Set cement concrete lasts longer than portland cement con-
crete, replacement and maintenance are reduced, which means less
pollution is released into the environment.
Rapid Set cement products are engineered for high performance,
versatility, low shrinkage, and rapid strength gain – performance
characteristics that save significant time and money with reduced
installation times, labor requirements, and long-term operations
and maintenance costs. Rapid Set gains structural strength in one
hour. You can build faster, quickly put the structure or area into full
service, and achieve durable, long-lasting results.
Komponent is a line of shrinkage-compensating concrete products
made with Type K cement technology. These products prevent
ADVERTORIAL
common and costly challenges related to concrete deterioration,
repair, and structural failure. Use Komponent technology to mini-
mize or eliminate control joints, alleviate curling and shrinkage
cracking, and reduce repair and maintenance costs.
Komponent technology protects the integrity and durability of the
concrete, extends the service life of the installation, and reduces life-
cycle costs. It offers the most sustainable concrete solution available.
CTS products have been used on notable landmarks like the Hoover
Dam Bypass, the Pentagon, the Lincoln Tunnel, the San Francisco-
Oakland Bay Bridge, as well as major roadways, airports, commercial
and industrial projects worldwide.
CTS’ experienced team of engineers, material scientists, technical
experts, and field representatives are available to support your next
project. Contact us for assistance with product selection, specifica-
tions, samples, mix designs, and more.

800-929-3030 | info@ctscement.com | www.ctscement.com

SS-76 STRUCTUREmagazine
CONCRETE
Gripple Inc. PS=Ø® Somero® Enterprises ®

Phone: 630-406-0600 Phone: 800-355-8414 Phone: 239-210-6519

Email: e.balsamo@gripple.com
Web: www.gripple.com
Product: Spider Cast-in-Place Concrete Insert
Description: A versatile cast-in-place insert that
accommodates threaded rod sizes from 3⁄8 to 3⁄4 inch
or Gripple Cable Hangers. For wood form or metal
deck, this provides one product solution across the
entire project, giving mechanical, electrical, and
piping contractors flexibility to determine how they’ll
suspend something after the concrete is poured.
Email: sales@pourstrip0.com
Web: www.pourstrip0.com
Product: PS=Ø Steel Reinforcement Splice System
Description: Eliminates pour strips and maintains
rebar continuity while allowing for volume change.
Using proven coupler technologies recognized
worldwide, the PS=Ø system features a tapered
thread on one end and a grout-filled sleeve on the
other. The system requires no redesign, is an ACI
permitted Type 1 and Type 2 mechanical splice, is
ICC approved, and made in the USA.
Email: sales@somero.com
Web: www.somero.com
Product: Somero SkyScreed® Laser Screed® Machine
Description: Introducing the Somero Sky Screed 36.
Through advancements in technology and feedback
from our customers, the Somero Sky Screed machine
is the first Laser Screed machine in the world to
allow screeding on structural high-rise and slab-on-
grade applications. The versatile articulating knuckle
boom provides unparalleled versatility.

MAX USA Corp. RISA TAYLOR DEVICES INC

Phone: 800-223-4293
Email: yasaba@maxusacorp.com
Web: www.maxusacorp.com
Product: PowerLite® System
Description: Power beyond the limits of standard
100 PSI pneumatic tools with the PowerLite
system. Designed with a lightweight body and
engineered for heavy-duty applications, PowerLite
tools are built to shoot through steel, concrete, and
engineered woods.
Phone: 949-951-5815
Email: benf@risa.com
Web: risa.com
Product: ADAPT-PT/RC
Description: Internationally-recognized and
established analysis and design software for reinforced
concrete and post-tensioned slabs and beams. The
easy-to-use modeling and design environments enable
any user to quickly produce optimized designs and
quantity take-offs.
Phone: 716-694-0800
Email: marketing@taylordevices.com
Web: www.taylordevices.com
Product: Fluid Viscous Dampers
Description: Developed for NASA in the 1960s, fluid
viscous dampers have successfully transitioned to the
civil engineering community for use in protecting
buildings, bridges, and other structures worldwide.
These dampers increase structural damping levels to as
much as 50% of critical, the results being a dramatic
reduction in stress and deflection.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
MAX USA CORP
M AX is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic nailers, sta-
plers, and specialty tools with approximately 80 years of
manufacturing experience. MAX developed the world’s first 500
The HN120 has a self-
cleaning end-cap filter that
traps any dirt that enters the
psi pneumatic system in 1994. This system is designed to give tool and expels it when the
commercial builders an alternative solution for fastening steel and hose is disconnected. This
concrete. No certification or license is necessary. tool needs service approxi-
Engineered to perform at a higher standard in cold temperatures, mately every 200,000 shots,
during low voltage scenarios, or as a replacement to tools with strict a period that is 40x longer

ADVERTORIAL
operational protocols, PowerLite® system tools can easily fasten than P.A.T.s and 10x longer
engineered woods such as LVL and LSL. The system also effectively than gas tools. The tool also
fastens wood to concrete, wood to I-beam, steel to concrete, and takes air from the compres-
steel to steel. sor, not the environment,
PowerLite tools are extremely powerful, yet their size is up to 40% decreasing the probability
smaller and 30% lighter than conventional 100 PSI tools. The MAX of pulling dirt into the tool.
PowerLite system provides a hassle-free pneumatic solution for which With a driving force of
no license or certification is needed to operate. Because air is used 2,231-inch-lbs, the HN120 drives .307-inch headpins into concrete
to power the tools, there is no need for warming or cooling of the or steel. The MAX HN120 can shoot a variety of fasteners, and its
environment to maintain the PowerLite® system’s performance. sequential trigger adds a layer of safety, preventing the nail from
One notable tool from the PowerLite product line is the HN120 firing unless the nose is depressed. MAX recommends disconnecting
concrete/steel pinner. With the ability to actuate between 150- the air hose when the tool is not in use.
320 psi of compressed air flowing into the small tool body, little Very versatile, the PowerLite system shoots a wide variety of pins.
air is required to shoot fasteners because of the higher air pressure, PowerLite fasteners come in 50 or 100 pin coils, which require less
which brings higher driving power. reloading and save the operator’s time.

800-223-4293 | yasaba@maxusacorp.com | www.maxusacorp.com

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-77

 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
CAST CONNEX
S ixteen years ago, a research group
at the University of Toronto was
established to explore how steel casting
says Gray. “As an industry, we ought
to move beyond code minimum; we
need to elevate our standards. And not
manufacturing could be leveraged to just for structural performance, but for
simplify and improve conventionally aesthetics in design, too.”
fabricated structural steel connections. CAST CONNEX Engineers and
Cast steel alternatives to codified Technical Sales personnel bring
steel connection types ranging from experience in structural engineering
high-seismic to pin connectors were consulting and construction to each
developed through an iterative design interaction with specifying practitio-
process informed by full-scale destruc- ners and the construction team for each
tive testing, a close understanding of project.
manufacturing, and industry insights
A Variety of Standardized and
from practitioners in design and con-
Custom Solutions
struction. The work not only supported
the hypothesis that castings can pro- CAST CONNEX offers pre-engineered
vide dramatically improved structural steel connection solutions ranging in
performance and resilience over conven- applicability from strictly functional
tionally fabricated steel connections but to those ideals for use in architectur-
also emphasized the architectural poten- ally exposed structural steel (AESS) and
tial of the geometric freedom afforded ranging in weight from 16 pounds to
by casting manufacturing. 22 tons. Standardized products are cur-

ADVERTORIAL
rently available for use in steel, concrete,
Elegance in Design
and timber-steel hybrid construction. The company continues to
CAST CONNEX was founded in 2007 with a mission to real- develop standardized cast steel components.
ize the potential of this research and put castings into service CAST CONNEX custom cast steel solutions have a virtually
by enabling structural engineers and architects to leverage limitless scope in application from 10-pound precision machined
castings in their building fittings for custom facades to 10-ton nodes for special structures,
and bridge designs. Since are designed to address project-specific needs, and can provide
then, the company has economy in-shop fabrication and field erection as well as create
put tens of thousands of connection details that enable iconic architecture. The company’s
steel castings into service design-build services for custom casting supply typically include
in hundreds of structures, industrial design and 3-dimensional modeling, engineering
establishing itself as an including finite element stress analysis, and casting detailing and
enabler of its collabora- manufacturing.
tors’ innovative designs
as well as an innovator
in its own right.
Today, CAST CONNEX
is a rapidly growing multi-
national organization, and
elegance in design remains
a core value. To CAST CONNEX, elegance encompasses every-
thing from utility to aesthetics to manufacturability. “All of our
solutions are developed with the aim to improve overall structural
performance and safety, to simplify steel fabrication and field
installation, and to beautify the spaces in which our components
are used,” says company President and CEO Carlos de Oliveira.
Company co-founder and Executive Vice President Dr. Michael
Gray is equally motivated. “In my ideal world, there would be
more incentive to push buildings to higher levels of performance,”

(416)806-3521 | info@castconnex.com | www.castconnex.com

SS-78 STRUCTUREmagazine
BRIDGES
American Galvanizers Association
Phone: 720-554-0900
Email: marketing@galvanizeit.org
Web: https://galvanizeit.org
Product: Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel
Description: The American Galvanizers Association
(AGA) provides technical support on today’s
innovative applications and state-of-the-art
technological developments in hot-dip galvanizing
for corrosion control.
Adhesives Technology Corporation
Phone: 754-399-1057
Email: atcinfo@atcepoxy.com
Web: www.atcepoxy.com
Product: CRACKBOND® Overlays and Sealers
Description: BRIDGE-GARD is the world’s most
advanced epoxy polymer concrete formulation.
EPOTHANE T3 is a low-modulus, epoxy urethane
skid-resistant overlay. V65 HI-MOD, V120 LOW-
MOD, and V200 HI-MOD: a suite of healer/sealers
with varying viscosities and moduli to extend the life
of decks and roadways. ATC is a Meridian Adhesives
Group Company.
Cast Connex
Phone: 416-806-3521
Email: info@castconnex.com
Web: www.castconnex.com
Product: Standardized Cast Steel Connectors and
Custom Cast Steel Connectors
Description: The industry leader in the architectural
and structural use of cast steel components in the
design and construction of building and bridge
structures. Our products include pre-engineered
connectors that simplify the design and enhance the
performance of structures. We also offer design-build
services for custom cast steel nodes and components.
Product: Cast Steel Nodes
Description: The use of cast steel nodes in steel
bridge structures can provide improved fatigue
performance, enhanced structural resilience, and can
reduce the total life-cycle cost of pedestrian, road,
and rail bridges.
CintecReinforcement Systems Ltd
Phone: 613-225-3381
Email: rlr@cintec.com
Web: www.cintec.com
Product: Archtec
Description: Complete diagnostic, design, and
installation service, using state-of-the-art technology
and drilling methods. Specially designed to strengthen
masonry arch bridges internally, while preserving
historical value. This novel system of internal
strengthening involves inserting and grouting stainless
steel reinforcing bars into the masonry. Stainless steel
and a high-performance grout enhance durability.
Listings are provided as a courtesy,
STRUCTURE is not responsible for errors.
Dlubal Software, Inc.
Phone: 267-702-2815
Email: info-us@dlubal.com
Web: www.dlubal.com
Product: RFEM
Description: Capable of linear, non-linear, static, and
dynamic analysis, RFEM is complete with moving
load generation (AASHTO library), influence lines,
Anchors
cable form-finding, parametric modeling, and multi- 5 of construction, safety, durability, and longevity.
material design considerations. This FEA software is
seamless in the design and analysis of pedestrian and
highway cable-stayed, suspension, arch, and beam
bridge structures.
Dynamic Isolation Systems
Phone: 775-359-3333
Email: sales@dis-inc.com
Web: www.dis-inc.com
Product: Lead Rubber Bearing
Description: For Base Isolation of bridges. Allow
bridges to survive earthquakes with no damage
while providing cost savings on substructures due to
reduced forces. They require no maintenance and are
extremely durable.
Hexagon
Phone: 346-260-8798
Email: andrea.velazquez@hexagon.com
Web: https://hexagonppm.com
Product: GT STRUDL
Description: A trusted, general-purpose beam and
FEA solution. Bridge engineers can leverage the
power of the moving load generator, truss wizard
for quick model generation, ability to model
sloped and skewed geometry, and perform staged
construction and cable or dynamic analysis to solve
complex projects.
ICC-ES
Phone: 800-423-6587
Email: es@icc-es.org
Web: www.icc-es.org
Product: Evaluation Service
Description: A nonprofit, limited liability
company, ICC-ES is the leading evaluation service
for innovative building materials, components,
and systems. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESRs),
Building Product Listings, and PMG Listings
provide evidence that products and systems meet
requirements of codes and technical standards.
ICC-ES is a member of the ICC family of solutions.
LUSAS
Phone: 646-732-7774
Email: info@lusas.com
Web: www.lusas.com
Product: LUSAS Bridge
Description: Use to analyze, design, and assess all
types of bridge structures and investigate soil/structure
interaction effects. Recent releases have extended
the engineer’s workflow from analysis into steel and
RC frame design, and improved prestress, concrete
modeling, and vehicle and rail loading capabilities.
New Millennium Building Systems
Phone: 260-969-3500
Email: gerald.arvay@newmill.com
Web: www.newmill.com
Product: Bridge-Dek®
Description: Suitable for new bridge construction
and rehabilitation, Bridge-Dek stay-in-place deck
forming systems offer your project ease and speed
Bridge-Dek is made of high-strength galvanized steel
to meet design requirements of steel and concrete
bridge structures.
POSTEN Engineering Systems
Phone: 510-275-4750
Email: sales@postensoft.com
Web: www.postensoft.com
Product: POSTEN
Description: The most efficient and comprehensive
post-tensioned concrete software in the world that,
unlike other software, not only automatically designs
the tendons, drapes, as well as columns, but also
produces highly efficient, cost saving, sustainable
designs with automatic documentation of material
savings for LEED. The others simply Analyze –
POSTEN DESIGNS.
RISA
Phone: 949-951-5815
Email: benf@risa.com
Web: risa.com
Product: RISA 3-D
Description: With RISA 3-D’s versatile modeling
environment and intuitive graphical interface,
you can model structures like pedestrian bridges
in minutes. Get the most out of your model with
advanced features such as moving loads, dynamic
analysis, and over 40 design codes. Structural design
has never been so easy!
S-FRAME Software
Phone: 203-421-4800
Email: info@s-frame.com
Web: s-frame.com
Product: S-FRAME Analysis
Description: Model, analyze, and design structures
regardless of geometric complexity, material type,
loading conditions, nonlinear effects or seismic loads.
Integrated concrete design, foundation design,
and steel design maximizes your productivity. Our
continued investment in R&D gives users the latest
analysis advantages and dedicated technical backing.
S-FRAME for faster, better, advanced analysis.
Trimble
Phone: 678-737-7379
Email: jodi.hendrixson@trimble.com
Web: www.tekla.com/us
Product: Tekla Structures
Description: First class structural software for steel,
concrete, wood, and composite bridge structures and
details. Tekla Structures increases productivity through
higher automation of fabrication and 4-D product
management. Drawings and reports automated
generally from the constructible 3-D model. The
detailed model can bring efficiency to bridge
maintenance and repairs.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-79
 SEISMIC
Adhesives Technology Corporation
Phone: 754-399-1057
Email: atcinfo@atcepoxy.com
Web: www.atcepoxy.com
Product: ULTRABOND® and CRACKBOND®
Adhesives
Description: America’s #1 structural adhesive specialist
offers four IBC compliant, wind- and seismic-rated
adhesives, including HS-1CC, the world’s strongest
anchoring epoxy. And CRACKBOND ACCU-
GROUT HD is a high strength grout designed for
onshore and offshore wind farm installations. ATC
is a Meridian Adhesives Group Company.
CoreBrace
Phone: 801-280-0701
Email: brandt.saxey@corebrace.com
Web: www.corebrace.com
Product: CoreBrace Buckling Restrained Brace
Description: CoreBrace, world leader in Buckling
Restrained Brace (BRB) design and fabrication,
offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for energy
dissipation by minimizing forces that buildings
must be designed to accommodate, including new
construction and retrofits. The CoreBrace team of
engineers and experts are available to work with your
design team.
Gripple Inc.
Phone: 630-406-0600
Email: e.balsamo@gripple.com
Web: www.gripple.com
Product: Gripple Seismic Cable Bracing Systems
Description: Specifically designed and engineered to
brace and secure suspended nonstructural equipment
and components within a building or structure.
Suitable for bracing new or retrofit installations in a
variety of configurations. Ready-to-use kits, fast to
install, no tools required, four color-coded kit sizes.

CAST CONNEX® DuraFuse Frames Lindapter International

Phone: 416-806-3521
Email: info@castconnex.com
Web: www.castconnex.com
Product: Cast Bolted Brackets
Description: Prequalified connectors for special and
intermediate steel moment frames per AISC 358 and
can be used in the retrofit of seismically deficient steel
moment framed buildings or in new construction.
Product: High Strength Connectors™
Description: Standardized, capacity-designed brace
end connectors that accommodate bolted double-shear
connection between round HSS braces and a typical
corner gusset plate.
Phone: 801-727-4060
Email: contact@durafuseframes.com
Web: www.durafuseframes.com
Product: DF360
Description: Steel moment frames with one-of-a-kind
resilience, exceptional performance, and improved
economy. Seismic energy is dissipated without beam
or column damage, minimizing post-earthquake repair
cost and duration. Versatile solutions apply to all
building types and hazard categories with DuraFuse
Frames engineers as seamless extensions of your team
providing economical, resilient designs.
Phone: 866-566-2658
Email: inquiries@lindapter.com
Web: www.lindapter.com
Product: Hollo-Bolt
Description: The original expansion bolt for
structural steel; ICC approved for Seismic Design
Categories A through F. The Hollo-Bolt is quickly
installed from one side of the steel by simply inserting
the fastener into a pre-drilled hole and tightening with
a torque wrench, saving time and money.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
COREBRACE
C oreBrace, as a world leader in the construction industry, offers
innovative technology to achieve high-performance, resilient
structures. CoreBrace designs and fabricates Buckling Restrained
Braces (BRBs), seismic protection devices that provide stable energy
dissipation, which helps to create safe and sustainable buildings.
BRBs provide a cost-effective and highly efficient solution that
allows structures to withstand earthquake demands and continue
Profile
5. Minimized strengthening of existing structural members
and foundations
6. Availability of advanced modeling and sustainability design aids
7. Integration with structural analysis and detailing
software packages
8. Replaceability after a major seismic event, if necessary
CoreBrace designs and manufactures all products within its AISC

to be operational after a seismic event. CoreBrace BRBs have been
successfully utilized in a wide vari-
ety of structures, including high-rise
towers, hospitals, schools, stadiums,
and industrial facilities in locations
such as Azerbaijan, New Zealand, Thailand, Guam, Chile, Mexico,
and nearly every state in the United States. CoreBrace’s continuous
R&D program provides unparalleled service and extensive support to
Design Teams, Steel Fabricators and Erectors, Detailers, and General
Contractors during the various stages of a project. This approach
offers numerous advantages, including among others:
1. Reduced earthquake forces on the structure and foundation
2. Simple connections to the structural system for faster erection
3. Stable hysteretic behavior through multiple design level events
4. Convenient solution for seismic retrofit or upgrade applications
ADVERTORIAL
Certified facility utilizing in-house designers, engineers, project man-
agement, and sales staff. Added to these
capabilities is a strong commitment
to collaboration. CoreBrace provides
attention to detail that is unmatched in
the industry. Through dedication to continuous improvement and
innovation, CoreBrace is a progressive company always looking for new
perspectives, opportunities to improve, ways to excel, and methods to
outperform. CoreBrace provides its clients with confidence that their
project is built to the highest standards, using the best options and
latest modern approaches available. The global success of CoreBrace is
the result of a worldwide need for reliable seismic solutions to protect
structures from the devastating effects of earthquakes. CoreBrace pro-
vides its clients with complete dependability, high-quality assurance,
and customized schedule performance on every project.

801-280-0701 | info@corebrace.com | corebrace.com

SS-80 STRUCTUREmagazine
SEISMIC
LNA Solutions, Inc.
Phone: 888-724-2323
Email: inquiries@lnasolutions.com
Web: www.lnasolutions.com
Product: BoxBolt®
Description: BoxBolt Type C is a blind bolt fastener
that is ICC ESR-3217 approved for seismic design. It
connects tube steel or where access is restricted to one
side of structural steel and is used with rectangular,
square, or circulation sections. Provides fast, easy
installation. IAS certification guarantees load value.
RISA
Phone: 949-951-5815
Email: benf@risa.com
Web: risa.com
Product: RISA-3D
Description: Feeling overwhelmed with the latest
seismic design procedures? RISA-3D has you covered
with seismic detailing features including full AISC-
341/358 code checks and buckling restrained braces
from Corebrace. Using automated seismic load
generator or the built-in dynamic response spectra &
time history analysis/design, get designs and reports
that meet all your needs.
SkyCiv  
Phone: 800-838-0899
Email: trevor.solie@skyciv.com
Web: skyciv.com/wind-load-calculator
Product: Wind/Snow Load Generator
Description: Get rid of your design criteria Excel
spreadsheet with the SkyCiv Load Generator. Quickly
generate wind and snow design loads for your
structure. Take advantage of SkyCiv’s analysis and
design tools to complete your structural workflow,
directly from an internet browser with no installation
necessary.

MAX USA Corp. Simpson Strong-Tie®         Trimble

Phone: 800-223-4293
Email: yasaba@maxusacorp.com
Web: www.maxusacorp.com
Product: PowerLite® System
Description: Power beyond the limits of standard
100 PSI pneumatic tools with the PowerLite system.
Designed with a lightweight body and engineered for
heavy-duty applications, PowerLite tools are built to
shoot through steel, concrete, and engineered woods.
Phone: 800-925-5099
Email: web@strongtie.com
Web: www.strongtie.com
Product: High Wind-Resistant Construction
Application Guide
Description: This guide discusses the critical
elements of high wind-resistant construction and
helps you locate the connectors and fasteners you
need for designing in high-wind areas. It also includes
information on the effects of wind, corrosion, and
uplift to help ensure safe, strong structures.
Phone: 678-737-7379
Email: jodi.hendrixson@trimble.com
Web: www.tekla.com/us
Product: Tekla Structural Designer
Description: Built-in loading wizards automatically
calculate all wind and seismic forces, generate design
cases, and optimize the design of steel and concrete
members to the latest AISC, ACI, and ASCE 7 design
codes. With Tekla Structural Designer, engineers can
review detailed calculations with code clauses and
print complete reports for review submittals.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
DURAFUSE FRAMES
D uraFuse Frames systems are highly ductile steel moment frames
with one-of-a-kind resilience, exceptional performance, and
improved economy. Seismic energy is dissipated through an innova-
• Fewer parts, less fit-up,
and less connection
weight compared
tive fuse plate which prevents beam and column damage. The bottom to other proprietary
flange fuse plate and all-bolted connection assembly minimize post- moment connections
earthquake repair duration and cost. After an event, only the fuse plate DuraFuse Frames enjoys
is replaced. The variety of DuraFuse Frames connection configurations full compliance with per-

provides the ideal moment-frame solution for all building types in
all Seismic Design Categories. Our design and engineering team is
dedicated to being a seamless extension of your design team to provide
structurally efficient, economical, and uniquely resilient steel moment-
frames. The benefits of DuraFuse Frames include:
• The ONLY resilient, repairable connections
• Added panel zone stiffness results in a reduction
of overall frame weight
• Significant reduction (up to 70%) in seismic lateral
beam bracing requirements
• No protected zone in the beam
• No field welding or inspection requirements
• No seismic compactness requirements or span-to-depth
limits for beams
ADVERTORIAL
formance requirements in AISC 341 with code approvals from
IAPMO UES ER 610, including 2018 IBC, 2019 CBC, and 2020
LA Supplements. Multiple Technical Bulletins have been published
to provide additional resources related to performance, modeling, and
design. DuraFuse Frames products are available in RAM Structural
Systems, Revit, SDS2, and Tekla.
The DuraFuse Frames research, engineering, and design teams are
constantly improving the modeling, analysis, and design process to
ensure efficient, high performance, and resilient design solutions
with quick response times. Our team is looking for opportunities to
work with you. We are happy to provide a resilient design alternative
using DuraFuse Frames based on your design specifications, meet
with you to provide more details on DuraFuse Frames, or provide
an in-person technical presentation on DuraFuse Frames systems.

800-727-4060 | contact@durafuseframes.com | www.durafuseframes.com

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-81

 WOOD
American Wood Council
Phone: 202-463-2766
Email: info@awc.org
Web: www.awc.org
Product: Connection Calculator
Description: Provides users with a web-based approach
to calculating capacities for single bolts, nails, lag
screws, and wood screws per the 2015 NDS. Both
lateral (single and double shear) and withdrawal
capacities can be determined. Wood-to-wood, wood-to-
concrete, and wood-to-steel connections are possible.
Canfor EWP
Phone: 870-310-8168
Email: chris.webb@canfor.com
Web: www.anthonyforest.com
Product: Power Beam®
Description: Designed for use as primary support
beams. Power Beam compliments Mass Timber
wood framing systems. The strongest engineered
wood product (EWP) on the market with design
values of 3000Fb - 2.1E - 300Fv. Power Beam is
manufactured with superior strength southern
yellow pine MSR Lumber.
Product: Power Column®
Description: Manufactured with superior strength
southern yellow pine MSR Lumber. Power Column
compliments Mass Timber wood framing systems.
Available in a range of appearance grades for structural
and architectural applications. Framing members
such as Power Beam® can easily be attached to Power
Column with simple connection detailing.
Product: Power Preserved Glulam®
Description: Durable long-term solution for most
exterior non-marine use structural applications.
Power Preserved Glulam is offered in two preservative
treatments: Clear-Guard® and Cop-Guard®. Both
preservatives are applied to Power Preserved Glulam
through vacuum pressure impregnation per American
Wood Protection Associations (AWPA) Standards.
CAST CONNEX
Phone: 416-806-3521
Email: info@castconnex.com
Web: www.castconnex.com
Product: Timber End Connectors™
Description: Clevis-type fittings designed to connect
to the ends of heavy timber or glue-laminated
structural elements loaded in predominately tension
or compression for use in architecturally exposed
applications. Visit our website to view the TEC and
our custom cast steel connectors for timber projects.
ENERCALC, Inc.
Phone: 800-424-2252 ENERCALC
Email: info@enercalc.com
Web: https://enercalc.com
Product: ENERCALC/Structural Engineering Library
Description: Designing with wood? Test your designs
faster using ENERCALC Structural Engineering
Library. SEL includes manufacturer data for
Microllam, Parallam, Gang-Lam LVL, Timber Strand,
VersaLam, GP Lam LVL, RedLam LVL, RigidLam,
X-Beam, and Anthony. Extensive section data for
solid-sawn and glued-laminated product accelerates
traditional project designs.
SS-82 STRUCTUREmagazine
Gripple Inc.
Phone: 630-406-0600
Email: e.balsamo@gripple.com
Web: www.gripple.com
Product: Spider Cast-in-Place Concrete Insert
Description: Versatile cast-in-place insert that
accommodates threaded rod sizes from 3⁄8- to 3⁄4-inch
or Gripple Cable Hangers. For wood form or metal
deck, provides one product solution across the entire
project, giving mechanical, electrical, and piping
contractors flexibility to determine how they will
suspend something after the concrete is poured.
IES, Inc.
Phone: 406-586-8988
Email: info@iesweb.com
Web: www.iesweb.com
Product: VisualAnalysis
Description: Whether you need a simple glue
laminated beam design, an entire roof truss system, or
post and frame modeling, VisualAnalysis is fast and
easy to use. Create models quickly and get NDS code
checks for all the members in your project.
RedBuilt
Phone: 866-859-6757
Email: info@redbuilt.com
Web: www.redbuilt.com
Product: Red-I™ joists, RedLam™ LVL
and Red-OW Trusses
Description: Structural solutions developed to
optimize the design of your project and have become
an integral part of floor, roof, and ceiling framing.
Visit the Resources section of the website for the
complete list of Specifier’s Guides.
RISA
Phone: 949-951-5815
Email: info@risa.com
Web: risa.com
Product: RISAFloor and RISA-3D
Description: Premiere software package for wood
design. Create 3-D models of your entire structure
and get complete design of wood walls, flexible wood
diaphragms, dimensional lumber, glulams, parallams,
LVL’s and joists. Custom databases for species, design
of strap and hold-downs, as well as panel nailing
offer total flexibility.
Product: RISACalc
Description: RISACalc brings the power and flexibility
of RISA-3D to the cloud, allowing engineers to create,
load, and design individual components in a web-based
interface. Whether engineered wood beams or columns,
RISACalc’s interactive platform allows for detailed
reporting and seamless collaboration, ensuring that
daily structural design tasks are completed with ease.
Listings are provided as a courtesy,
STRUCTURE is not responsible for errors.
S-FRAME Software
Phone: 203-421-4800
Email: info@s-frame.com
Web: s-frame.com
Product: S-TIMBER
Description: Sustainable Building Design with
S-TIMBER 2020. Recent update for Mass Timber
and Hybrid Timber structural analysis and design
solution includes advanced analysis capabilities,
orthotropic materials, and enhanced timber
design reporting. Flexible enough to adapt to all
user needs; backed by over 35 years of structural
engineering expertise.
Trimble
Phone: 678-737-7379
Email: jodi.hendrixson@trimble.com
Web: www.tekla.com/us
Product: Tekla Structures
Description: Can be used for wood framing: True
BIM model of wood framing; parametric components
allow for easy creation and design change; easily
add or move doors and windows; library of industry
standard wood connections included; clash checking
functionality to eliminate change orders. Easily
customizable to suit any job requirements.
Product: Tekla Tedds
Description: Using Tekla Tedds, design a range of
wood elements and produce detailed and transparent
documentation for beams (single span, multi-span and
cantilever), wood columns, sawn lumber, engineered
wood, glulam and flitch options, shear walls (multiple
openings: segmented or perforated) and connections
(bolted, screwed, nailed, wood/wood, and wood/steel).
WoodWorks® Software
Phone: 800-844-1275
Email: sales@woodworks-software.com
Web: www.woodworks-software.com
Product: WoodWorks Design Office Suite
Description: Conforms to IBC 2015, ASCE 7-10,
NDS 2015, SDPWS 2015. SHEARWALLS:
designs perforated and segmented shearwalls;
generates loads; rigid and flexible diaphragm
distribution methods. SIZER: designs beams,
columns, studs, joists up to 6 stories; automatic load
patterning. CONNECTIONS: Wood-to-wood,
wood-to-steel, or wood-to-concrete.
Not listed?
Our monthly
2022 Resource Guide
forms are now available
on our website.
STRUCTUREmag.org
 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
AGI SENTINEL
A GI Sentinel is recognized as one of the premier building
manufacturers providing high-quality all-steel buildings
globally. Founded in 1987 in Albion, Nebraska, Sentinel Building
Systems began as a one-man operation selling Quonset buildings
over the telephone. Today, AGI Sentinel building is a full-line
building manufacturer that includes engineering through manu-
facturing and supplies optional accessories to meet customer
expectations. AGI Sentinel provides buildings to a wide range of
markets, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, retail, and
storage, for a global customer base.
All AGI Sentinel buildings are designed and fabricated according
to AISI and AISC specifications, and each building is manufactured
and shipped from one central location. AGI Sentinel is an IAS
accredited building manufacturer and is a member of the Metal maintenance for customers. AGI Sentinel focuses on simplifying
Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA). MBMA members the buying process for our customers by providing a consulta-
tive selling process to assist customers through defining building
expectations and offering alternatives to get the most economical
building that meets all the customers’ expectations. With more
than 30 years of experience, AGI Sentinel has the expertise and
fabrication capabilities to develop unique builds for customers.
The buildings are designed and constructed based on each cus-
tomer’s individual expectations and requirements. The Plainsman
model is one of AGI Sentinel’s premier products designed to work

ADVERTORIAL
well for commercial, industrial, aviation, cattle, riding, farm, retail,
office, business, government, and recreational buildings. This
versatile product is widely recognized as one of the finest all-steel
buildings on the market today. AGI Sentinel building focus is to
utilize the highest quality materials. In addition to high-quality
are committed to providing quality products that meet customer materials, Sentinel also pays attention to the small details by
requirements while maintaining a focus on safety, sustainability, providing all fasteners and sealing materials to ensure your build-
and customer and team member engagement to accomplish con-
tinuous improvement throughout. AGI Sentinel engineers are
registered professionals, and all welders are AWS certified.
The focus is on delivering optimal solutions for customers seek-
ing top quality, reliable structures at an affordable price. All-steel
structures are durable, sustainable, and eco-friendly. In addition,
steel buildings are highly efficient in material utilization and
prefabrication, allowing for shorter construction time on-site.
Choosing all-steel buildings ensures easy expansion and minimal

ing is weathertight in the most inclement weather. AGI Sentinel

also provides accessory components to include windows, doors,
insulation packages, and more. Our Self-Storage product provides
customers with endless possibilities. AGI Sentinel’s experienced
building consultants and engineers can help create unique self-
storage systems that generate maximum profitability at the lowest
possible cost regardless of space limitations.
AGI Sentinel goes to great lengths to ensure that customers
have no reason to go anywhere else. We provide an unbeatable
combination of quality, versatility, value, and support, making
AGI Sentinel Building Systems the ideal choice.

800-327-0790 | infosbs@sentinelbuildings.com | www.aggrowth.com

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-83

 ANCHORS
Adhesives Technology Corporation
Phone: 754-399-1057
Email: atcinfo@atcepoxy.com
Web: www.atcepoxy.com
Product: ULTRABOND® Anchoring
and Doweling Adhesives
Description: America’s #1 structural adhesive
specialist offers four IBC compliant adhesives. HS-
1CC, the world’s strongest anchoring epoxy. New
EPX-3CC high-performance epoxy for high-volume
applications. New HYB-2CC hybrid cures fast in hot
and cold temperatures. ACRYL-8CC cures fast with
a very broad application temperature range. ATC is a
Meridian Adhesives Group Company.
Adit Ltd
Phone: 00-972-77-5020696
Email: office@adit.org.il
Web: www.adit.org.il
Product: Adit Design Anchor Guide 2021
Description: Designing internationally? The Guide
allows you to easily consult all the factors used to
design anchors in a user-friendly environment. The
new version is only available in Hebrew and can be
downloaded from the website.
ASDIP Structural Software
Phone: 407-284-9202
Email: support@asdipsoft.com
Web: www.asdipsoft.com
Product: ASDIP STEEL
Description: Includes the design of biaxial base plates,
anchor rods, and shear lugs, per ACI 318-19. Easily
generate detailed reports for complex anchorage design
calculations, including the ACI seismic provisions. Both
ASD and LRFD can be specified. Load combinations
per ASCE 7-05, ASCE 7-10/16, or user-defined.
DEWALT Anchors & Fasteners
Phone: 800-524-3244
Email: anchors@dewalt.com
Web: http://anchors.dewalt.com/anchors
Product: CCU+ Critical Connection Undercut™
Description: DEWALT Anchors & Fasteners
launches a new heavy-duty concrete anchor for use
in critical applications where a robust anchor with
low displacement is necessary. The CCU+ Critical
Connection Undercut is ICC-ES qualified under
ESR-4810 for use in cracked and uncracked concrete.
The anchors are Made in the USA.
2021/22
STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
Live on STRUCTUREmag.org
for a full year!
SS-84 STRUCTUREmagazine
DuraFuse Frames
Phone: 801-727-4060
Email: contact@durafuseframes.com
Web: www.durafuseframes.com
Product: DF360
Description: Steel moment frames with one-of-a-kind
resilience, exceptional performance, and improved
economy. Seismic energy is dissipated without beam
or column damage, minimizing post-earthquake repair
cost and duration. Versatile solutions apply to all
building types and hazard categories with DuraFuse
Frames engineers as seamless extensions of your team
providing economical, resilient designs.
ENERCALC, Inc. ENERCALC
Phone: 800-424-2252
Email: info@enercalc.com
Web: https://enercalc.com
Product: ENERCALC Structural Engineering Library
Description: Our latest improvements to SEL include
our new Flitch Plated Wood Beam module and new
Steel Base Plate by FEM. Both modules can help
designers refine their design loads on the anchor
rods, common bolts, and framing anchors. Structural
Engineering Library subscriptions now provide both
installed and cloud use.
Hohmann & Barnard, Inc.
Phone: 800-645-0616
Email: jenniferm@h-b.com
Web: h-b.com
Product: 2-SEAL Thermal Wing Nut Anchor
Description: An innovative, single screw veneer
tie for metal stud construction. It features a dual-
diameter barrel with factory-installed EPDM washers
to seal both the face of the insulation and the air/
vapor barrier, and unique Thermal Wings designed
to decrease thermal transfer through rigid insulation.
IES, Inc.
Phone: 800-707-0816
Email: info@iesweb.com
Web: www.iesweb.com
Product: VAConnect
Description: Design base plates by AISC Design
Guide #1 and anchorage calculations for ACI 318.
Both, independently, are difficult by hand! With
VAConnect you will get the job done quickly and
accurately. Works alone or with IES VisualAnalysis.
LNA Solutions, Inc.
Phone: 888-724-2323
Email: inquiries@lnasolutions.com
Web: www.LNAsolutions.com
Product: Box Bolt®
Description: A blind bolt fastener that is ICC
ESR-3217 approved for seismic design. It connects
tube steel or where access is restricted to one side of
structural steel and is used with rectangular, square,
or circulation sections. Provides fast, easy installation.
IAS certification guarantees load value.
Listings are provided as a courtesy,
STRUCTURE is not responsible for errors.
Simpson Strong-Tie®
Phone: 800-999-5099
Email: web@strongtie.com
Web: www.strongtie.com
Product: 304|316 Stainless-Steel Titen HD®
Heavy-Duty Screw Anchor
Description: Now available in Type 304 and 316
stainless steel. Type 316 is the optimal choice for
applications in corrosive environments such as near
chemicals or saltwater. Type 304 is a cost-effective
solution for less extreme applications, including in
wet, moist, or damp environments.
Product: Anchoring, Fastening, and Restoration
Solutions Product Guide
Description: The comprehensive product guide
features up-to-date products and technical information
to locate the ideal product solution for your job. The
Anchoring, Fastening, and Restoration Solutions Product
Guide provides information on adhesives, mechanical
anchors, direct fastening, carbide drill bits, and concrete
restoration products for concrete and masonry.
Trimble
Phone: 678-737-7379
Email: jodi.hendrixson@trimble.com
Web: www.tekla.com/us
Product: Tekla Tedds
Description: Automating your every day structural
designs, the Tekla Tedds’ library includes anchor bolt
design per ACI 318 Appendix D. The calculation
includes comprehensive checks for tensile and shear
failure of anchors and is available as part of a free trial
by visiting the website.
Product: Tekla Structures
Description: An Open BIM modeling software that
can model all types of anchors required to create
a 100% constructible 3-D model. Anchors can be
created inside the software or imported directly from
vendors that provide 3-D CAD files of their products.
Wej-It High-Performance Anchors
Phone: 203-523-5833
Email: julien@toggler.com
Web: www.wejit.com
Product: POWER-Skru Large Diameter Concrete Screw
Description: A high-strength screw anchor with
self-tapping threads that offers a unique undercutting
design for anchoring into concrete and masonry. No
secondary setting is needed. The POWER-Skru Large
Diameter Concrete Screw provides high-strength
performance with low installation torque. A heavy-
duty mechanically-galvanized finish is available to
enhance corrosion resistance.
Williams Form Engineering Corp.
Phone: 616-866-0815
Email: williams@williamsform.com
Web: www.williamsform.com
Product: Anchor Systems
Description: Williams Form Engineering Corporation
has been providing threaded steel bars and accessories
for rock anchors, soil anchors, high capacity concrete
anchors, micropiles, tie rods, tiebacks, strand anchors,
hollow bar anchors, post tensioning systems, and
concrete forming hardware systems in the construction
industry for over 95 years.
 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
SOMERO ENTERPRISES
I n 1986, Somero Enterprises was founded and so marked
the first industry-wide revolution upon which the company
would embark. Dave and Paul Somero were concrete contrac-
tors, and they knew that a machine could get them better
quality floors with more efficiency, all with a faster process
than the current manual methods of placing concrete. Not
wanting to wait on a company to manufacture the machines
that would deliver this Faster.Flatter.Fewer solution, they took
it upon themselves, and 35 years later, the idea of doing big,
quality-driven slab-on-grade projects without a Somero® Laser
Screed® Machine is almost unthinkable.

high-rise market and deliver quality, safety, and efficiencies never

thought possible for concrete floors in this space.
The SkyScreed brings the precision and speed of the laser screed
machine to structural projects, and we promise you will not

ADVERTORIAL
believe the numbers when you hear them. With the right project
profile and layouts, the SkyScreed 36 has achieved Fl numbers in
the mid-to-high 30s and, in some cases, the low-to-mid 40s. The
early adopters of this technology have been blown away, and we
With this same industry-changing mindset and self-reliance believe that it is just a
in our DNA, we are embarking on our second revolutionary matter of time before
machine innovation – The SkyLine machine line. Consisting the SkyScreed will be
of the SkyScreed® 36 and 25 Laser Screed® Machines and the the rule on high-rise
SkyStrip Machine, we are looking to partner with the structural projects all over North
America.
The second machine
in the SkyLine machine
line is the SkyStrip.
This machine focuses
on solving the danger-
ous and slow process
of stripping shoring
sheets. This machine is
engineered to strip the
plywood sheets, lower them to safe hand-off height, and keep
going for as long as it takes. Put simply, this machine saves the
shoring team a lot of fatigue and keeps them fresh for the more
critical, higher-skilled aspects of their jobs. In addition, when job
claims and skilled labor shortages keep a developer up at night,
this machine will help them all sleep a little easier.
To learn about how the SkyLine machines can revolutionize
your projects and provide unparalleled quality, value, and safety
to your customers, contact Somero or go to the website to learn
more and see these revolutionary machines in action.

239-210-6519 | sales@somero.com | somero.com/skyline

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-85

 FOUNDATIONS
Adhesives Technology Corporation
Phone: 754-399-1057
Email: atcinfo@atcepoxy.com
Web: www.atcepoxy.com
Product: CONVERGENT Concrete Densification
and Finishing Products
Description: Adhesives Technology Corporation
has acquired Convergent Concrete Technologies, the
industry leader in concrete densifiers, hardeners, and
finishes. ATC now offers Pentra® products, including
Nano-Lithium® technology and Reactive Silicon
Hybrid Polymers, and new silica-free, Strontium-
based STRiON® formulas. From densifiers and cures
to hardeners and paints, ATC provides innovation
engineered to outperform.
ASDIP Structural Software
Phone: 407-284-9204
Email: support@asdipsoft.com
Web: www.asdipsoft.com
Product: ASDIP FOUNDATION
Description: An advanced software for quick
and efficient design of concrete footings, such as
isolated spread footings, two-column combined
footings, strap footings, wall footings, and pile caps.
See immediate graphical results, calculations, and
detailed or condensed reports with exposed formulas
and code references. ASDIP FOUNDATION comes
with 5 intuitive modules.
Geopier® Foundation Company   RISA
Phone: 704-439-1790
Email: info@geopier.com
Web: geopier.com
Product: Geopier Rammed Aggregate Pier®
and Rigid Inclusions
Description: Geopier provides an efficient and
cost-effective Intermediate Foundation® solution
for the support of settlement structures. Our
systems have become effective replacements for
massive over-excavation and replacement or deep
foundations, including driven piles, drilled shafts,
or augered cast-in-place piles. Thousands of
structures around the world are currently supported
by Geopier technologies.
IES, Inc.
Phone: 406-586-8988
Email: info@iesweb.com
Web: www.iesweb.com
Product: VisualFoundation
Description: Stability calculations alone for a
mat footing can drive you mad, not to mention
the nonlinear analysis required for soil-supported
models. VisualFoundation simplifies advanced
FEA, making your work fast and professional.
VisualFoundation handles punching shear, combined
footings, grade beams, pile caps and will pay for itself
with two jobs.
Phone: 949-951-5815
Email: benf@risa.com
Web: risa.com
Product: RISAFoundation
Description: The latest release of RISAFoundation
(Version 13) includes full integration with the RISA
Building System and adds new features such as
expanded load categories, the ability to exclude results,
code updates to ACI, and enhanced seismicity. Visit
risa.com/new-features/risafoundation to learn about
all the new features.
S-FRAME Software
Phone: 203-421-4800
Email: info@s-frame.com
Web: s-frame.com
Product: S-CONCRETE, S-LINE
and S-FOUNDATION
Description: The concrete design capabilities in
S-CONCRETE, S-LINE, and S-FOUNDATION
incorporate not only the best concrete design
principles but state-of-the-art analysis techniques.
Designed to be powerful and also easy to use.
S-FRAME Software is the proud solution
provider of proven and trusted structural and civil
engineering software.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
BLINDBOLT
B lindBolt manufactures a range of fixings that do precisely what
the name implies – they are connectors for steelwork when
access is only from one side. It may be that access to the “blind”
Design Guide 27. In addition,
BlindBolts have been accred-
ited in accordance with
side is impossible, such as connections to hollow sections, or simply AC437 (ICC-ES evaluation
that one-sided access is convenient or leads to faster installation – a report ESR-3617), so they
typical situation when working at height. can be specified and used
For heavier loads and connections between beams, columns, and with complete confidence.
similar, BlindBolts are the obvious choice. These fasteners have a For thinner material,

gravity-operated toggle secured within the bolt’s shank. The fixing
is inserted, turned by 180˚, and the toggle rotates to become an
anchor on the blind face of the connection. The fixing can then
simply be tightened and the joint completed. The exciting features
of the BlindBolt are that they use ordinary tolerance holes, meaning
some adjustment of the connection is possible. Also, the fixings are
removable – simply loosen the nut, rotate the bolt, and remove.
There is no concern about the engagement of the toggle – a simple
gauge can be used to check that the toggle has rotated in position.
Every bolt has a mark on the shank to indicate its orientation.
Designed as bearing-type connections and to be installed to snug-
tight, the BlindBolt is available in carbon steel (145 ksi) and stainless
steel (100 ksi) in a range of diameters up to 13⁄16 inch and is suitable
for shear, tension, or a combination of both. The resistances have been
proven by test and verified in accordance with AISC 360 and AISC
ADVERTORIAL
including cold-rolled
sections, steel sheet, and clad-
ding, the TWBolt (thin wall)
is the recommended fixing.
The fixing is blind, with no requirement to access the second side.
The self-contained fixing is inserted and tightened with an electric
driver while holding the external nut in a spanner. Expanding legs
on the inside splay over a specially-shaped ferrule, clamping the
elements together. Quick to install with a neat low-profile finish,
the TWBolt is ideal for thinner material – typically 3⁄64 to ¼ inch.
TWBolts have a high shear resistance and are equally capable in
tension – the resistance is limited by the deformation of the mate-
rial, not the fixing.
Comprehensive product data, design resistances, and installation
videos are available on the website.

630-882-9010 | enquiries@blindbolt.com | www.blindbolt.com

SS-86 STRUCTUREmagazine
MASONRY
Concrete Masonry Association
of CA & NV
Phone: 916-722-1700
Email: info@cmacn.org
Web: www.cmacn.org
Product: CMD18
Description: Structural design of reinforced concrete
and clay hollow unit masonry elements for design of
masonry elements in accordance with provisions of
Ch. 21 of 2010 through 2019 CBC or 2009 through
2018 IBC and 2008 through 2016 Building Code
Requirements for Masonry Structures (TMS 402).
IES, Inc.
Phone: 406-586-8988
Email: info@iesweb.com
Web: www.iesweb.com
Product: QuickMasonry
Description: To eliminate the guesswork in TMS
402/602 masonry design, turn to QuickMasonry. It
designs or checks masonry walls, columns, pilasters,
and lintels. Its “Transparent Reporting” lets anyone
check your calculations as if you had painstakingly
written them by hand. QuickMasonry is value-priced,
easy to use, and the best tool available.
Simpson Strong-Tie®
Phone: 800-999-5099
Email: web@strongtie.com
Web: www.strongtie.com
Product: Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix
(FRCM)
Description: FRCM combines a high-performance
sprayable mortar with a carbon-fiber grid to create a
thin structural layer that doesn’t add significant weight
or volume to an existing structure. FRCM can be
used to repair and strengthen concrete and masonry
structures for seismic retrofit or load upgrades.
Contact us for design support.

Hohmann & Barnard, Inc.
Phone: 800-645-0616
Email: jenniferm@h-b.com
Web: h-b.com
Product: Thermal Brick Support System
Description: A groundbreaking brick veneer
support system that reduces thermal bridging in
relief angles, to improve the energy efficiency of
your building. Features of our TBS system include
allowance for continuous insulation behind the
support angle, which saves installation time and
improves energy efficiency.
Larsen Products Corp.
Phone: 800-633-6668
Email: jlarsen@larsenproducts.com
Web: www.larsenproducts.com
Product: Weld-Crete®
Description: A chemical concrete bonding agent
incorporates polyvinyl acetate homopolymer
in a patented formulation. For exterior and
interior use, Weld-Crete will bond new concrete,
Portland cement plaster, and cementitious mixes to
structurally sound concrete floors, walls, columns,
beams, steps, and ramps.
The Masonry Society
Phone: 303-939-9700
Email: info@masonrysociety.org
Web: masonrysociety.org
Product: Masonry Codes and Standards
Description: The Masonry Society is a non-profit,
professional organization of volunteer Members,
dedicated to the advancement of masonry knowledge.
Through our Members, all aspects of masonry are
discussed. The results are disseminated to provide
guidance to the masonry and technical community
on various aspects of masonry design, construction,
evaluation, and repair.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
NCEES
Are You Looking To Practice in Multiple States?

T he National Council of Examiners for Engineering and

Surveying (NCEES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
advancing professional licensure for engineers and surveyors.
Options for Active-Duty Military and
Military Spouses

Many professional engineers find that their careers require them Professional engineers and surveyors
to be licensed in more than one state. To do this, a P.E. must apply actively serving in the military, and
for comity licensure in additional states. their spouses, are eligible to transmit

ADVERTORIAL
The NCEES Records program is designed for currently-licensed their NCEES Record at no charge when
engineers and surveyors looking for an easier and faster way to military orders require them to move
complete the licensure process in multiple jurisdictions, including all to a new state. When transmitted to
50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern a state licensing board, it will include
Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. An established NCEES a military designation to prioritize the application. Please email
Record will include most – if not all – of the materials you need military@ncees.org for more information.
to apply for comity licensure in additional states and territories.
Initial Licensure
Eliminate having to resubmit your: College transcripts; Exam results;
Employment verifications; and Professional references. Are you in the process of becoming licensed and want to establish
If you are already licensed and want to apply for licensure in an an NCEES Record? If you have passed the FE and PE exam, some
additional U.S. state or territory, apply for an NCEES Record. states will allow you to use the NCEES Record for initial licensure.
NCEES reviews your materials and, after your Record is established, A limited number of boards offer the initial licensing process, so
electronically submits them directly to the licensing board on your check your MyNCEES account to find out if this is a path for
behalf. This saves time and simplifies the application process when you. Discover if an NCEES Record is right for you by visiting
you need to practice in multiple states and territories. www.ncees.org/records.

800-250-3196 | ncees.org

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-87

 STEEL
Advant Steel
Phone: 704-516-1750
Email: tim@advantsteel.com
Web: www.advantsteel.com
Product: Advant Cold-Formed Steel Truss
Description: The first and only CFS truss product
designed specifically for use in shallow, parallel chord
applications – specifically floors and flat roofs.
ASDIP Structural Software
Phone: 407-284-9202
Email: support@asdipsoft.com
Web: www.asdipsoft.com
Product: ASDIP STEEL
Description: Includes easy-to-use intuitive modules
for the design of steel members and connections, such
as composite/non-composite beams, steel columns,
base plates, anchoring to concrete, shear connections,
and moment connections, per the latest design codes.
ASDIP STEEL comes with 5 intuitive modules that
will substantially simplify time-consuming calculations
for your structural designs.
CADRE Analytic
Phone: 425-392-4309
Email: j4@cadreanalytic.com
Web: www.cadreanalytic.com
Product: CADRE Pro
Description: General structural application
emphasizing on practical analysis of complex
structures. Includes discrete, pressure, hydrostatic,
seismic, and dynamic response loading schemes.
User friendly features for presenting, displaying,
plotting, and tabulating extreme loads and stresses
across the structure and across multiple load cases
simultaneously. Basic code checking for steel, wood,
and aluminum.
Cast Connex
Phone: 416-806-3521
Email: info@castconnex.com
Web: www.castconnex.com
Product: Standardized Cast Steel Connectors
and Custom Cast Steel Connectors
Description: The industry leader in the architectural
and structural use of cast steel components in the
design and construction of building and bridge
structures. Our products include pre-engineered
connectors that simplify the design and enhance the
performance of structures. We also offer design-build
services for custom cast steel nodes and components.
Commercial Metals Company
Phone: 949-405-9161
Email: chromx@cmc.com
Web: www.cmc.com/chromx
Product: ChromX®
Description: High strength rebar with a range of
corrosion resistance levels. Designers can select the
appropriate level and strength needed, based on the
project’s service life. High strength and corrosion
resistant properties within the steel result in a
reduction in construction costs, shortened build times,
reduced congestion issues and improved safety.
SS-88 STRUCTUREmagazine
Digital Canal Corp.
Phone: 800-449-5033
Email: info@digitalcanal.com
Web: www.digitalcanalstructural.com
Product: Cold-Formed Steel Design
Description: Please visit the website for New Cold-
Formed Steel design software information. You receive
exceptional value with a one-project return on your
investment. You also OWN your licenses. We do not
force ongoing payments forever. Our 11,000 clients
provide the best testimonial we can offer.
Dlubal Software, Inc.
Phone: 267-702-2815
Email: info-us@dlubal.com
Web: www.dlubal.com
Product: RFEM, RWIND Simulation
Description: Wind tunnel numerical simulations for
wind flow on all structures. Integrate resulting wind
pressures into the FEA program RFEM for further
design of steel, concrete, wood, CLT, aluminum, glass,
and fabric/membrane structures according to USA/
International standards. Wind loading on specialty
structures, not addressed in codes provisions, possible
with RWIND Simulation.
DuraFuse Frames
Phone: 801-727-4060
Email: contact@durafuseframes.com
Web: www.durafuseframes.com
Product: DF360
Description: Steel moment frames with one-of-a-kind
resilience, exceptional performance, and improved
economy. Seismic energy is dissipated without beam
or column damage, minimizing post-earthquake repair
cost and duration. Versatile solutions apply to all
building types and hazard categories, with DuraFuse
Frames engineers as seamless extensions of your team
providing economical, resilient designs.
ENERCALC, Inc. ENERCALC
Phone: 800-424-2252
Email: info@enercalc.com
Web: https://enercalc.com
Product: ENERCALC Structural Engineering Library
Description: Steel design is a breeze with
ENERCALC. Beams, columns, 2-D frames, force
distribution in bolt groups…SEL handles it all.
The simple user interface makes it easy to set up
calculations. Instant recalculation to “what-if ”
solutions and find the best fit. Member optimization
will improve your efficiency and saves time!
Gripple Inc.
Phone: 630-406-0600
Email: e.balsamo@gripple.com
Web: www.gripple.com
Product: Gripple Seismic Cable Bracing Systems
Description: Specifically designed and engineered to
brace and secure suspended nonstructural equipment
and components within a building or structure.
Suitable for bracing new or retrofit installations in a
variety of configurations. Ready-to-use kits, fast to
install, no tools required, four color-coded kit sizes.
IES, Inc
Phone: 800-707-0816
Email: info@iesweb.com
Web: www.iesweb.com
Product: VisualAnalysis 2D
Description: When you don’t need the full power
(and cost) of 3-D FEA software, try VisualAnalysis
2D. It will tackle beams, columns, moment frames,
plane trusses, and braced frames quickly and easily,
with AISC design checks. Oh, and it also analyzes and
checks 2-D wood models.
Lindapter International
Phone: 866-566-2658
Email: inquiries@lindapter.com
Web: www.lindapter.com
Product: Girder Clamps
Description: The only structural steel clamping
system approved by ICC-ES. As an alternative to high-
strength bolt assemblies, the Girder Clamp (Types AF
and AAF) may be used to resist axial tension and slip
due to load combinations that include wind or seismic
load in all Seismic Design Categories A through F.
LNA Solutions, Inc.
Phone: 888-724-2323
Email: inquiries@lnasolutions.com
Web: www.lnasolutions.com
Product: BeamClamp®
Description: An extensive range of clamping products
designed for making steel-to-steel connections without
the need for drilling or welding. The clamping system
provides a guaranteed connection and a safe working
load. Perfect for areas where drilling or welding are not
permitted, or access and power are restricted.
MiTek
Phone: 314-851-2200
Email: answers@mii.com
Web: www.mitek.com/ultra-span
Product: Ultra-Span® CFS/Steel Engine™
Description: Enable your building to be stronger,
longer-lasting, and more resilient for the duration of
its life with the strength of MiTek’s Ultra-Span CFS
and industry-leading design software, Steel Engine™.
MiTek collaborates across the building industry to
enable and accelerate transformational breakthroughs
in design and construction, both on-site and off-site.
New Millennium Building Systems
Phone: 260-969-3500
Email: gerald.arvay@newmill.com
Web: www.newmill.com
Product: Structural Steel Joists and Decking
Description: New Millennium is a nationwide
supplier of custom engineered and manufactured
structural steel joist and deck building systems. Called
upon early in the design-build process, we can assist in
right system specification from our extensive portfolio
of building system options. For multi-story projects,
we offer the broadest range of long-span, “thin-slab”
composite floor systems, including dovetail composite,
deep deck composite, and composite joists.
continued on page 90
 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS
Solve the Top 5 Challenges Facing Building Markets Today
S ince March 2020, the pandemic has changed virtually all
aspects of our lives. How we live, learn, play, and do business
has been disrupted – perhaps permanently. This period for the built
environment industries could be called The Great Rethinking.
Building design has already changed to reflect new behaviors and
beliefs, circumstances and situations, standards, and requirements.
These changes are especially evident in the education, multi-family
residential, multi-story office, and warehouse and data center
markets. This evolution is an opportunity and challenge.
How do architecture, engineering, construction, and building
owner/developer firms approach future projects in these markets?
Innovative steel building systems from innovative-thinking sup-
pliers are essential in this new era.
A new series of design guides identifies five major challenges in
the education, multi-family, multi-story office, and warehouse
and data center building markets. These guides teach you how
to overcome them using steel joists, steel and composite floor
systems, and steel roof deck.
Education Challenges
Innovations in educational facility design have typically been
reserved for college campuses and post-secondary education.
However, primary and secondary school design faces an urgent
rethinking in the current climate.
New school design priorities include open floor plans that promote
safe collaboration; spacious interiors that prioritize health and safety
through social distancing; sustainable building methods and materi-
als; modern aesthetics; and controlling interior acoustics. These are
the five challenges for school design teams and construction crews.
Steel buildings systems consisting of
long-span steel deck systems, includ-
ing roof deck and composite floor deck;
standard joists; and joist girders offer the
benefits to efficiently face the new school
of design thought.
Multi-Family Challenges
While isolating or quarantining at home,
millions of people have discovered that
260-969-3500 | info@newmill.com | www.newmill.com
Profile
living spaces aren’t adequate
substitutes for offices, gyms,
restaurants, and other
public places. Nor are they
designed for social distanc-
ing – especially multi-family
and multi-story residential
structures with common,
shared spaces.
To address those concerns,
multi-family building
design must prioritize flex-
ibility and better living environments while continuing to address
longtime issues such as constructability, aesthetics, and sustain-
ability. Together these five factors will guide multi-family design
for the foreseeable future.
As this sector could continue to change, nimble steel build-
ing systems suppliers become ever more important. The steel
building systems from these suppliers provide ideal solutions,
among them thin-slab, long-span composite floors, and long-
span roof deck.
ADVERTORIAL
Multi-Story Office Challenges
Businesses large and small are rethinking their workspaces to not
only safeguard employee health but also to accommodate smaller
workforces in the work-from-home era.
Multi-story office designs must change to protect workers’ well-
being while facilitating safe collaboration. Constructability, work
environment, aesthetics, and sustainability join flexibility as the
five primary issues in modern-day office design.
Innovative steel building systems – long-span roof and floor
structures, standard joists, and special profile joists – are the answer.
Warehouse and Data Center Challenges
Shopping and interacting online has exploded in popularity during
the pandemic. Consequently, the demand for warehouses that
store goods and data centers that store digital information has
also skyrocketed.
Today’s warehouses and data centers must be designed and built
with speed-to-market in mind, along with flexibility, optimized
MEP integration, building performance, and sustainability.
To optimize storage space while meet-
ing the five challenges, design teams
should consider steel joists, composite
joists, joist girders, and long-span roof
and floor systems.
Get the guides today that give you the
tools to overcome the challenges of edu-
cation, multi-family, multi-story office,
and warehouse and data center markets.
https://bit.ly/3niS0MO.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-89
 STEEL
PS=Ø®
Phone: 800-355-8414
Email: sales@pourstrip0.com
Web: www.pourstrip0.com
Product: PS=Ø Steel Reinforcement Splice System
Description: Eliminates pour strips and maintains
rebar continuity while allowing for volume change.
Using proven coupler technologies recognized
worldwide, the PS=Ø system features a tapered thread
on one end and a grout-filled sleeve on the other. The
system requires no redesign, is an ACI permitted Type
1 and Type 2 mechanical splice, is ICC approved and
made in the USA.
2021/22
STRUCTURAL
RISA Simpson Strong-Tie®
Phone: 949-951-5815 Phone: 800-925-5099
Email: benf@risa.com Email: web@strongtie.com
Web: risa.com Web: www.strongtie.com
Product: RISAConnection Product: 304|316 Stainless-Steel Titen HD® Heavy-
Description: The cutting edge of next-generation Duty Screw Anchor
connection design software and features full 3-D Description: Now available in Type 304 and 316
visualization as well as expandable reports for every stainless steel. Type 316 is the optimal choice for
limit state. The latest release, Version 12 includes applications in corrosive environments such as near
integration with Hilti Profis for anchorage design chemicals or saltwater. Type 304 is a cost-effective
including custom anchor bolt layouts, support for solution for less extreme applications, including in
Skewed Shear Plate Connections and Flange Plate wet, moist, or damp environments.
Column Cap Plate Moment Connections.
Product: RISAFloor Strongwell
Description: The latest release of RISAFloor includes Phone: 276-645-8000
the design of cold-formed steel walls according to Email: bmyers@strongwell.com
AISI S400-15 and AISI S240-15. These improvements Web: www.strongwell.com
coupled with RISAFloor’s robust design capabilities
for hot rolled steel, composite steel, steel joists, and
Product: EXTREN®
Description: Pultruded fiberglass structural shapes

ENGINEERING
composite steel joist make RISAFloor the #1 choice and plates replace traditional metals in a wide variety
for the design of steel building structures. of structural applications. A durable, lightweight, cost-
saving structural material ideal for turrets, spires, or
Resource Guide Product: RISA-3D
Description: Version 19 is the next step in the
other features on top of tall buildings. EXTREN holds
L.A.R.R. approval for construction of RF transparent
evolution of the completely redesigned RISA-3D. The
screenings or enclosures.
latest release includes updates to the AISC code as well
Live on STRUCTUREmag.org as the ability for engineers to design cold-formed steel
for a full year! walls according to AISC codes. This improvement,
makes RISA-3D the most comprehensive steel and
Listings are provided as a courtesy,
STRUCTURE is not responsible for errors.
cold-formed steel design tool on the market.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide Profile
Eliminate Pour Strips

N ow you can eliminate pour strips – and the extra costs, con-
struction delays, and safety issues they bring – with the PS=Ø
Steel Reinforcement Splice System.
Accelerate Construction

The PS=Ø Steel Reinforcement Splice System eliminates pour strips
and maintains rebar continuity while allowing for volume change.
Using proven coupler technologies recognized worldwide, the PS=Ø
system features a tapered thread on one end and a grout-filled sleeve
on the other. The system requires no redesign, is an ACI permitted
Type 1 and Type 2 mechanical splice, is ICC approved, and made
in the USA.
Reduce Costs
Closing pour strips is the most expensive concrete pour on a project.
Formwork, shoring, and backshoring must stay in place for a week,
and crews must reassemble for a small pour. The PS=Ø system
eliminates this costly and time-consuming step.
ADVERTORIAL
Pour strips are a drag on any construction schedule. They not only
require re-pouring the leave-out but also restrict worker access. By
eliminating pour strips, the PS=Ø system can cut weeks or even
months from construction schedules.
Improve Safety
An open leave-out in a floor is a major safety hazard. Pour strips are
particularly hazardous because they run the entire width of the slab
and are impossible to avoid. The PS=Ø system replaces dangerous
leave-outs with a narrow, grouted joint.
Eliminate pour strips with the PS=Ø Steel Reinforcement
Splice System.

651-247-0123 | jzimmerman@pourstrip0.com | www.pourstrip0.com

SS-90 STRUCTUREmagazine
 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Resource Guide
QUICK TIE PRODUCTS, INC.
Since 1999, Quick Tie Products, Inc. (“QuickTie”) has manufactured and
distributed the QuickTie System, a proprietary, fully engineered, patented
hold-down system for high wind and seismic construction.
T he QuickTieTM System (https://quicktieproducts.com/
wood-quickties) is comprised of aircraft wire rope cable with
threaded studs swaged to each end and a steel bearing plate and hex
nut on the top end. The system cinches walls to their foundations
from the uppermost top plates, resisting roof uplift and building
overturning pressures as engineered to meet specified design loads.
Engineers nationwide prefer our system to other
hold-down systems for several important reasons
(https://quicktieproducts.com/benefits), chiefly among them:
1. Verify embedment depth with 100% certainty. Each
threaded stud end of a QuickTie cable has a specific
embedment depth that is visu-
ally inspectable on the job site.
Threaded rod and conventional
hold-down system embedment
depths are not visually inspect-
able, introducing the element
of liability should that other
system fail.
2. Compensate for Wood
Shrinkage. QuickTie cables are pre-stressed, compensat-
ing for common problems of building settling and long-term
wood shrinkage (for which competing products do not
account, absent expensive shrinkage compensation devices).
3. Proof-test. Because of premeditated over-tensioning (beyond
a particular design load, given cable relaxation over time), if
the QuickTie system is going to fail, it will fail at installation
when tension is at its peak. In other words, tensioning an
assembly – whether epoxied into the foundation or attached
to an anchor bolt – “proof-tests” the system when installed.
4. Eliminate Defects. As an active system cinching a structure to
its foundation, QuickTie cables eliminate otherwise loose load
paths (think threaded rod in particular) and reduce drywall,
stucco, and exterior siding cracks (think bowing flat straps).
5. Save builders time and money. The QuickTie system is
installed quickly and easily after a building is framed, and
is the preferred choice of framers and hardware installers
904-281-0525 | info@quicktieproducts.com | https://quicktieproducts.com
Profile
throughout the country. We continue to innovate and release
new products to give engineering professionals better options
for designing safe structures while saving their customers time
and money. For instance, check out our new SPArtanTM
(Sill Plate Anchor), designed to perform on par with other
⅝-inch sill anchors, but with material cost and labor savings.
https://quicktieproducts.com/spartan-still-plate-anchor
6. Be Flexible. While QuickTie originated as only a cable
system, over the years, we have expanded our product offering
to include just about every essential framing and hold-down
component on the market. As a result, engineering profes-
sionals can choose from a number of QuickTie products in
addition to cables when designing
ADVERTORIAL
their structures.
7. Standardize Corrosion
Resistance. When expanding
our product offerings, we made
a conscious decision to manu-
facture our framing connectors
with a G185 zinc coating.
As a result, design profession-
als do not have to worry about selecting the right coating
when choosing QuickTie connectors (see, for example,
https://quicktieproducts.com/face-mount-joist-hangers).
And, in juxtaposition with our competitors, our customers
do not have to pay extra for better protection.
8. Consider Block Construction. The QuickTie system is
equally effective in masonry structures. Masonry walls
with QuickTie cables are – counterintuitively – stiffer than
conventional systems and eliminate many time-consum-
ing aspects of conventional construction (think vertical
downpours, rebar, lintels, and corresponding inspections)
https://quicktieproducts.com/masonry-quickties.
Our team of engineers and design professionals is available to
answer any questions you may have and assist you in implement-
ing product substitutions. Please see our website for additional
information (e.g., our catalog, Technical Evaluation Reports or
“TERs,” Florida Product Approval information, design details,
etc.), and thank you for your interest and support!
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING Resource Guide 2021 SS-91
WHERE VISION
BECOMES STRUCTURE ®

McDonald's Net-Zero
Quick Service Restaurant
RISA offers a comprehensive suite of design software that work together to simplify even the Structural Steel, Braced Frames,
most complex projects. As a result, engineers can work efficiently on a variety of structures Steel Connections
in a mix of materials including steel, concrete, wood, masonry and aluminum. risa.com CPH, Inc.