STRUCTURE 2010-08 August (Light - JOURNAL - STRUCTURE PDF

®
STRUCTURE A Joint Publication of NCSEA | CASE | SEI
Special Section: Engineering Software
August 2010
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CONTENTS
Features
19 NCSEA Basic Education Survey Curriculum Results – Part 2
The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) Basic
Education Committee has been working with practitioners and educators to
improve the quality of education for structural engineering students. In this issue,
the latest survey of educational institutions provides detailed information on how
these institutions are meeting the Basic Education Curricula.
30 BIM – Dimensional and Material Quantity Control of
Wood-Framed Construction
By Matthew H. Johnson, P.E. and Ariane I. Fund
Most of the discussion on building information models (BIM) has focused on steel
and concrete building typologies. Wood construction is not as often addressed in
practice or in publication. Wood offers great opportunity, via building information
models, to the owner and contractor if executed correctly.
32 The Expanding Use of Wood in School Construction
By Roxane Ward Departments
Numerous state legislatures and public school governing bodies are rethinking
policies that have prohibited wood in school construction. These changes are
52 Legal Perspectives
What’s a Structural Engineer to Do?
based on wood-frame schools already permitted in other jurisdictions around the
By David J. Hatem, PC and
country, as well as cost, speed of construction, and sustainability. But what do Sue Yoakum, Esq., AIA
design professionals have to say and what are the unique elements that need
to be considered? 54 Quality Assurance Corner
Tips for Designing Constructible
36 Special Section – Engineering Software
Steel-Framed Structures – Part 1
With an apparent optimism for improvements in the economic situation over By Clifford W. Schwinger, P.E., SECB
the coming months, accompanied by increasing construction projects, structural and Todd R. Campbell, P.E.
engineers and others are once again looking at software as a way to increase
their efficiency and grow their businesses. 56 Great Achievements
Gustav Lindenthal
By Frank Griggs, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., P.L.S.
Columns 58 InSights
HSS Connections
7 Editorial 23 Guest Column By Leigh Arber and
NCSEA’s 2011-2015 Strategic Plan Anchor Bolts in Light-Frame Erika Winters-Downey, S.E., LEED AP
By James Malley, S.E. Construction at Small Edge Distances
59 Spotlight
Seismology Committee, Structural
8 Structural Design Engineers Association of California
Project FROG Leaps Ahead in High-
Multiple-Bolt Wood Connection Performance Learning Environments
Design Topics 26 Codes & Standards By Alethea O’Dell
By Donald A. Bender, P.E., Ph.D. Anchorage Design for Pre-
and Frank E. Woeste, P.E., Ph.D. Fabricated Shear Panels in
12 Building Blocks Light-Framed Structures
By Renee Strand, P.E.
In every Issue
The Truth about Corrosion in Self-
Drilling/Self-Tapping Screws 66 Structural Forum 6 Advertiser Index
By Dana Benton, P.E. Project Specific Peer
Review Guidelines
48 Resource Guide
16 Structural Performance (Software)
By D. Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E.,
Is Roof Eave Blocking Required To
F. ASCE, SECB 60 NCSEA News
Transmit Wind/Seismic Forces?
By Felix Martin, S.E. 62 SEI Structural Columns
64 CASE in Point
Publication of any article, image, or advertisement in STRUCTURE® magazine does not constitute endorsement
by NCSEA, CASE, SEI, C 3 Ink, or the Editorial Board. Authors, contributors, and advertisers retain sole
responsibility for the content of their submissions.
STRUCTURE magazine 5 August 2010

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material in an increasing number of schools. For designers of the
George K. Brushaber Commons building at Bethel University EDITORIAL STAFF
August 2010
in Arden Hills, Minnesota (cover photo), creating a warm Executive Editor Jeanne Vogelzang, JD, CAE
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Editorial
NCSEA’s 2011- 2015 Strategic Plan
By James Malley, S.E., Vice President, NCSEA
On March 11th of this year, the NCSEA Board of Directors held an Response Programs, and Professional Licens-
all-day Long Range Planning meeting, attended by a number of its ing. This goal also addresses our Continuing
committee chairs and past presidents, in addition to the current Board Education and Membership Services Programs, as well as our interactions
members. The meeting was called to update the NCSEA Strategic Plan, with related national organizations such as SEI, CASE and NCEES.
the first version of which served our organization for the last five years. External Goal #3, “Improve the Profession”, focuses on programs to
Following a day of vigorous discussion, Board members and three Past encourage the separate licensure of structural engineers and structural
Presidents created a new strategic plan out of many notes, shared ideas, engineering degree programs at specific universities. Other areas of focus
and audio files. Board members critiqued and re-worked the plan, under this goal are programs that will help ensure that quality-based
with the idea that it would be ready for unveiling at NCSEA’s Annual selection processes are followed nationwide, and continued development
Meeting in New York. This article briefly summarizes the “Who, of other programs that “raise the bar”, such as certification and quality
What, When, Where, Why, How (and How Much)” of the 2011-2015 continuing education.
NCSEA Strategic Plan that resulted. Internal Goal #1, “Enhance Communication with the Member
NCSEA’s articulated Vision and Mission statements serve, respectively, Organizations”, seeks to better ensure that NCSEA and its Member
as the statements of the ideal of our organization in the future and the Organizations are effectively sharing information and activities, and
reason for our existence. The group that met in March agreed upon the working together in a way that will benefit the local organizations and
following (the “Why’s”): individual members to the greatest extent possible. Internal Goal #2,
Vision: NCSEA and its Member Organizations constitute the premier “Energize Committee Activity”, recognizes that committee structure and
professional society for practicing structural engineers in the United effectiveness are vital to NCSEA’s health and success; therefore, this goal
States of America. focuses on breathing new life into our present committees, to ensure
continued and future success. The final major goal of the new plan is
Mission: NCSEA serves to advance the practice of structural engineering “Ensure Financial Security”. Multiple long-term revenue streams will be
and, as the autonomous national voice for practicing struc- necessary, to secure the future of the organization.
tural engineers, protect the public’s right to safe, sustainable and In order to address the “How” related to each of these major goals, the
cost effective buildings, bridges and other structures. Strategic Plan identifies and prioritizes key long-term objectives for the
With these guideposts in place, the group set out to develop the next few years. Specific steps to be taken are detailed and include per-
“What” portion of the plan, that is, specific goals which speak to what formance metrics by which progress can be measured. Finally, responsible
is needed, to get from our present position to our Vision. A total of 6 parties and the resources required are identified, thereby addressing the
goals were developed, three that are primarily externally focused and “Who, When, Where, and How Much” portions of the plan.
three that are internally focused: The above-described 2011-2015 NCSEA Strategic Plan sets out a
path for what we believe NCSEA must do over the next five years,
External Goals Internal Goals
to achieve the organization’s long term Vision. With the help of NCSEA’s
1) Promote the Practice 1) Enhance Communication with
staff, committee chairs, committee members, past presidents, and other
2) Represent the Profession the Member Organizations
willing volunteers, the NCSEA Board of Directors will be working hard
3) Improve the Profession 2) Energize Committee Activity
to achieve these major goals over the next few years. If you are interested
3) Ensure Financial Security
and would like to hear more about the plan, join us at the Annual
External Goal #1, “Promote the Practice”, focuses on developing Meeting, September 30 – October 2, at the Hyatt on the Hudson in
effective communication tools, to increase the awareness and apprecia- Jersey City, New Jersey, or visit the NCSEA website (www.ncsea.com).
tion of our profession by related stakeholder communities, including As always, we would appreciate any feedback on the Plan, especially
the Media, General Public, Students, Allied Professionals and Potential from our Member Organizations, Associate Members, Affiliate Members,
Clients, Regulators, Elected Officials, and even Structural Engineers. Sustaining Members, and Partnering Organizations. Even better, if
External Goal #2, “Represent the Profession”, addresses strengthening something I’ve said peaks your interest and you feel the urge to contribute
ongoing NCSEA activities to represent the practicing structural engineer to the achievement of any of the above-listed goals, please contact us.
on national issues, such as Building Codes and Standards, Emergency We can always use the help!▪
Editorial Board
Chair Craig E. Barnes, P.E., SECB Brian J. Leshko, P.E. Mike C. Mota, P.E. Greg Schindler, P.E., S.E.
Jon A. Schmidt, P.E., SECB CBI Consulting, Inc. HDR Engineering, Inc. CRSI KPFF Consulting Engineers
Burns & McDonnell Boston, MA Pittsburgh, PA Williamstown, NJ Seattle, WA
Kansas City, MO
chair@structuremag.org Richard Hess, S.E., SECB John A. Mercer, P.E. Evans Mountzouris, P.E. Stephen P. Schneider, Ph.D., P.E., S.E.
Hess Engineering Inc. Mercer Engineering, PC The DiSalvo Ericson Group BergerABAM
Executive Editor Los Alamitos, CA Minot, ND Ridgefield, CT Vancouver, WA
Jeanne M. Vogelzang, JD, CAE Brian W. Miller Matthew Salveson, Ph.D., P.E. John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E.
NCSEA
Mark W. Holmberg, P.E.
Heath & Lineback Engineers, Inc. AISC Dokken Engineering AF & PA/American Wood Council
Chicago, IL
Marietta, GA Davis, CA Folsom, CA Washington, DC
execdir@ncsea.com

Multiple-Bolt Wood Connection Design Topics
By Donald A. Bender, P.E., Ph.D. and Frank E. Woeste, P.E., Ph.D.
Design of single-bolt wood connections is relatively straight forward by using the provisions of Chapters 10
and 11 of the ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005 National Design Specification® for Wood Construction (NDS). Design of
multiple-bolt wood connections is also covered by the NDS. It contains numerous design considerations specific
to multiple bolt connections such as spacing in a row, spacing between rows, group action factor, localized stresses
in members, and so on. Lateral design values for single bolts are tabulated for various species and connection
configurations (NDS Tables 11A through 11I); however, tabulated lateral design values must be adjusted for a
specific application based on provisions of the NDS. Before designing multiple-bolt wood connections, careful
study of the latest NDS is recommended. The objective of this article is to alert design professionals to two
multiple-bolt connection design issues that deserve special attention and explanation: local member stresses and
structural glued-laminated timber horizontal shear values for connection design.
Local Stresses in Connections local stresses in multiple–bolt connections. The NDS does not
The NDS requires that the design professional check for “local limit the design professional on how the check is to be made; how-
stresses” in connections with multiple fasteners using “principles ever, the NDS offers a “Non-mandatory” appendix as one option.
of engineering mechanics,” but it does not stipulate the
engineering method to be used. Referring to NDS on Multiple Net Section Tension Capacity
Fasteners, local stresses are addressed in Section 11.6.3: NDS Section E.2 gives an equation for checking net section
“11.6.3 Local Stresses in Connections capacity. An example of a net section failure is depicted in
Local stresses in connections using multiple fasteners shall Figure 1.
be evaluated in accordance with principles of engineering
mechanics (See 10.1.2).” Row Tear-Out Capacity
Referring to NDS Section 10.1.2: NDS Section E.3 gives equations for checking row tear-out
“… Local stresses in connections using multiple fasteners capacity. An example of a row tear-out failure is depicted in
shall be checked in accordance with principles of engineering Figure 2, showing two wood shear failure planes on each side of
mechanics. One method for determining these stresses is the bolt rows.
provided in Appendix E.”
Appendix E of the NDS is labeled as follows: “Appendix E Group Tear-Out Capacity
(Non-mandatory) Local Stresses in Fastener Groups.” NDS Section E.4 addresses group tear–out capacity. Figure 3
Structural DeSign
Appendix E addresses three potential failure modes: net section demonstrates a group tear-out failure mode. Note how an entire
tension capacity, row tear-out capacity, and group tear-out ca- “plug” of wood fiber is removed by shear failures on the left and
pacity. In summary, since NDS is the referenced design standard right row of bolts, coupled with a net section tension failure (at
for wood construction, it is a model code requirement to check any angle) between bolt row at the top of the specimen.
design issues for structural engineers
Figure 1: The single shear connection failed Figure 2: Tests at Washington State University Figure 3: Group tear-out failure mode is
in “net tension” in tests at Virginia Tech demonstrated the row tear-out failure mode demonstrated in laboratory tests at Washington
University (Anderson, 2001). (Dodson, 2003). State University (Dodson, 2003).

Figure 4: Double shear splice connection.
Allowable Capacity of a Multiple-Bolt Connection E of the NDS. Assumptions and requirements for the connection
Assuming the design professional uses Appendix E for checking design are:
“local stresses in connections using multiple fasteners,” the allowable • Double shear splice connection with ¼-inch ASTM A36 steel
connection design value is the minimum value obtained by provisions of side plates (8 inches wide)
Chapters 10 and 11 including net section tension capacity, row tear-out • Main member is 2x10 1800f-1.8E Douglas Fir-Larch (DFL)
capacity, and group tear-out capacity (for two or more rows of bolts). • Load combination is Dead + Snow
• Lumber is “dry” at installation and dry in-service
• Required connection capacity is 11,000 lbs tension.
Structural Glued-Laminated As a starting point, try three rows of 5/8-inch diameter bolts and four
Timber Horizontal Shear Values bolts per row. Edge spacing is 2.125 inches, end distance is 5 inches,
The allowable horizontal shear design value, with all appropriate row spacing is 2.5 inches, and fastener spacing is 3 inches as depicted
adjustments, is used for row tear-out and group tear-out checks previ- in Figure 4.
ously described. For dimension lumber and timbers, reference horizontal From NDS Supplement Table 4C, the referenced design values of
shear design values are tabulated in NDS Supplement Tables 4A, 4B, 1800f-1.8E DFL member properties are:
4C, and 4D; and adjustment factors are summarized in Table 4.3.1. Ft = 1,200 psi; E = 1,800,000 psi [NDS Supplement, Table 4C]
Similarly, for structural glued-laminated timber (glulam), reference shear Fv = 180 psi [NDS Supplement, Table 4C, Footnote 2]
design values are contained in Tables 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D; and ad-
justment factors are summarized in Table 5.3.1. However, an important Check Required Number of Bolts
additional adjustment is required for the allowable horizontal shear value From NDS Table 11G, the single-bolt capacity when the member is
used in connection design for glulam made from softwood lumber. loaded parallel to grain is:
Horizontal shear design values for glulam made from softwood
Z|| = 1,310 lb [NDS Table 11G]
lumber have increased in recent years as a result of extensive beam
tests. Horizontal shear reference design values are tabulated in NDS The referenced single-bolt design value is adjusted according to NDS
Supplement Tables 5A and 5B for the X-X and Y-Y axes. It is important Table 10.3.1:
to note that these values are for use in designing prismatic glulam Z||' = Z|| * CD * Cg * C∆
beams. Footnote 4 of Table 5A and Footnote 3 of Tables 5A Expanded
and 5B stipulate that the tabulated shear design reference value shall be CD = load duration factor from NDS Appendix B = 1.15 (for
decreased by multiplying by a factor of 0.72 for connection design (and Dead+Snow combination)
for non-prismatic members, notched members and members subject to C∆ = geometry factor from NDS Section 11.5.1 = 1.0 since,
impact or cyclic loads). • bolt spacing, s = 3 inches, exceeds 4D minimum, per NDS Table
For example, the allowable shear design value for checking localized 11.5.1C.
stresses in a multiple bolt connection in a glulam timber would be: • end distance, s = 5 inches, exceeds 7D minimum, per NDS Table
11.5.1B.
Fv' = Fv * 0.72 * (other applicable factors from NDS Table 5.3.1) Cg = group action factor, calculated according to NDS 10.3.6 = 0.96
Assuming glulam Combination 3 Douglas fir and unity for Table The adjusted allowable single-bolt value is:
5.3.1 adjustment factors, Z' = Z|| * CD * Cg * C∆ = 1,310 lb * 1.15 * 0.956 * 1 = 1,440 lbs
Fv' = 265 psi * 0.72 = 191 psi [NDS Supplement Table 5B] To determine the capacity of 12 bolts, simply multiply by 12 as
In addition to using the correct glulam shear value for connection specified in NDS 10.2.2:
design, another important issue is proper connection detailing. For Total bolt capacity = 12 bolts * 1,440 lbs/bolt = 17,280 lbs
guidance, the reader should consult the APA Engineered Wood Associa- Total bolt capacity > 11,000 lbs, thus with respect to bolt capacity
tion website (www.apawood.org) for the free download APA Technical alone, 12 bolts at 5/8-inch diameter are adequate.
Note T-300 Glulam Connection Details (revised Jan 2007).
Check Net Section Tension Capacity per NDS App. E.2
Design Example for a Multiple-Bolt Connection Allowable tension stress, adjusted by applicable factors from NDS
The purpose of the worked example is to demonstrate calculations for Table 4.3.1 is:
tension net section, row tear-out, and group tear-out using Appendix Ft' = Ft (CD) = 1,200 * 1.15 = 1,380 psi
continued on next page

Net tension capacity, allowing for 1/16-inch oversized bolt holes (per If an allowable design capacity is less than the required load, the detail
NDS 11.1.2.2), is given by: must be adjusted to increase the connection capacity. For example, if
Tnet = (1,380 psi) * [1.5 in. {9.25 in. – 3(5/8 + 1/16 in.)}] = 14,878 lbs row tear-out limits a connection capacity, increased spacing between
bolts in a row and end distance will increase row tear-out capacity.
Tnet > 11,000 lbs, net section capacity is adequate. Of course, this will also affect the group action factor, Cg, from NDS
Section 10.3.6, hence all affected calculations need to be repeated.
Check row tear-out capacity per NDS App. E.3 Similarly, if group tear-out limits connection capacity, increased spacing
Allowable tear-out capacity of row of fasteners can be calculated as: between bolt rows (without violating edge distance requirements of
NDS 11.5.1) will increase the net tension portion of group tear-out.
Fv' A critical
ZRT' = ni
2
Summary and Conclusions
where:
Design of single-bolt wood connections is relatively straightforward
ZRTi' = allowable row tear-out capacity of row i,
using provisions of NDS Chapters 10 and 11. Design of multiple-bolt
Fv' = allowable shear design value parallel-to-grain,
wood connections is also covered by the NDS, but requires additional
Acritical = minimum shear area of any fastener in row i, and
consideration to aspects such as bolt spacing in a row, spacing between
ni = number of fasteners in row i.
bolt rows, group action factor, localized stresses in members, etc. This
Note: The above equation is divided by 2 to account for uneven shear
article is intended to alert design professionals to two multiple-bolt
distribution along the row of bolts.
connection design issues that deserve special attention and explanation:
Assuming one shear line on each side of bolts in a row
local member stresses and structural glued-laminated timber horizontal
ZRT' = Fv't [niscritical ](2 shear lines) = niFv'tscritical shear values for connection design.
2 The NDS requires that the design professional check for “local stresses”
in connections with multiple fasteners using “principles of engineering
where:
mechanics,” but does not stipulate the engineering method to be used.
scritical = minimum fastener spacing in row i (or end distance if it is less
Appendix E of the NDS is listed as one method for checking local
than fastener spacing)
stresses for three potential failure modes – net section tension capacity,
t = thickness of member
row tear-out capacity, and group tear-out capacity. Since the NDS
Allowable shear stress, adjusted by applicable factors from NDS Table
is the referenced design standard for wood construction, it is a code
4.3.1 is:
requirement to check local stresses in multiple-bolt connections.
Fv' = Fv (CD) = 180 * 1.15 = 207 psi When designing multiple-bolt connections, NDS (Section 11.5)
end and edge distances and spacing requirements are prescriptive and
Z'RTi = ni F'v t scritical = (4 bolts) (207 psi) (1.5 in.) (3 in.) = 3,726 lbs provide a starting point for a bolt connection design. Analyses us-
Total row tear-out capacity of multiple rows of fasteners is: ing NDS bolt tables (NDS Chapter 11) with applicable adjustments
nrow (NDS Chapter 10) and Appendix E checks for localized stresses enable
Z'RT = ∑ Z'RTi = (3 rows) (3,726 lbs/row) = 11,178 lbs a design professional to determine the allowable design load for a trial
i=1 connection detail using the minimum load calculated. The splice joint
connection example demonstrates how localized member stresses can
Total row tear-out capacity > 11,000 lbs, thus row tear-out capacity control a multiple-bolt connection design.
is adequate. The allowable horizontal shear design value, with all appropriate
adjustments, is used for row tear-out and group tear-out checks
Check group tear-out capacity per NDS Appendix E.4 described in NDS Appendix E. However, for glulam, an important ad-
ditional adjustment is required for the allowable shear value used in
ZGT' = Z'RT-1 + Z'RT-n + Ft'A group-net connection design for glulam made from softwood lumber. The design
2 2 professional is alerted to Footnote 4 of Table 5A and Footnote 3 of
Tables 5A Expanded and 5B that apply to glulam connection design.
ZGT' = (3,726 lbs / 2) + (3,726 lbs / 2) + [1,380 * 1.5 in. * {5.0 in. – It stipulates that the reference shear design value shall be decreased by
2(5/8 in. + 1/16 in.)}] multiplying by a factor of 0.72 for connection design (and for designing
ZGT' = 3,726 + 7,504 = 11,230 lbs non-prismatic members, notched members, and members subject to
impact or cyclic loads).▪
Group tear-out capacity > 11,000 lbs, thus group tear-out capacity is
adequate.
Donald A. Bender, P.E., Ph.D., is Director of the Composite
Discussion of Example Materials & Engineering Center at Washington State University and
Using NDS bolt tables alone with applicable adjustments produced Weyerhaeuser Professor of Civil Engineering. He can be reached at
an allowable connection capacity of 17,280 pounds. With additional bender@wsu.edu.
required checks indicated in NDS 11.6.3 for “local stresses in Frank E. Woeste, P.E., Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech
connections,” capacity is limited to 11,178 pounds. For this example, University and a wood engineering consultant. He can be reached at
using the capacity based on bolt tables alone for an actual design fwoeste@vt.edu.
requiring 17,280 pounds capacity would produce a non-conservative
error of 35%. Tension net section, row tear-out, and group tear-out
The online version of this article contains references.
capacities can be increased by changing placement of bolts in the
Please visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org.
connection. The example demonstrates the need for checking additional
connection failure modes addressed by NDS Appendix E.

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Titen HD® Strong-Bolt™ SET-XP™

ICC-ES ESR-2713 ICC-ES ESR-1771 ICC-ES ESR-2508 IN THE SPECS
ON THE JOB
AT YOUR SERVICE™
© 2010 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. THDSBSETXP10-S
The Truth about Corrosion in Self-Drilling/Self-Tapping Screws
By Dana Benton, P.E.
Insidious corrosion that affects self-drilling

screws for exterior cladding support has
become a major source of confusion in
the building profession. Most contractors
and architects are surprisingly unaware
of this issue, even though corrosion has
resulted in many fastener failures and, in
some cases, litigation. This lack of under-
standing has been very apparent on recent
projects where contractors mix and match
various screw types with little or no
corrosion protection. Even when specific
corrosion resistant screws are specified,
inferior screws are found on job sites.
Despite the fact that the engineer of record
specifically identifies the proper screws,
corners are often cut and inferior screws
show up on jobs. In some cases, the engineer
is forced to tell the contractor to remove
and replace a large percentage of critical
screws to safeguard the integrity of façade
element connections. This is not always
done in blatant disregard for the contract
documents, but rather due to a misun-
derstanding of how corrosion protection
works and how the mechanical properties
of screws are affected by moisture.
The two types of corrosion that affect
hardened steel screws are hydrogen embrit-
tlement (HE) and hydrogen assisted stress
corrosion cracking (HASCC). Although
HE and HASCC are little known and Hydrogen embrittlement in self-drilling self-tapping screws.
Building Blocks
even less understood, they can lead to

catastrophic failure and millions of dollars
For HE to occur, the steel screws must areas of highest stress, because these areas
in repair costs. These types of corrosion
come into contact with hydrogen ions. have the most prominent voids. In order
are undetectable until after the failure
As the smallest atom, hydrogen is capable to become more stable, the hydrogen ions
occurs. Failure can happen at any time
of diffusing through hardened steel. The bond together to form H2. The H2 mole-
during the life of a building.
hydrogen atoms may lodge in the inter- cules are greater in size than the individual
Currently, only one manufacturer pro-
granular boundaries of the steel if the hydrogen ions and act as a prying force
vides a screw specially designed to prevent
screws remain in the acid or alkaline bath against the grains of the steel, making the
updates and information on structural materials
both HE and HASCC. However, this

for too long, or if the acid concentration voids larger. This causes the steel to lose
particular screw costs about seven times
is too high. ductility and become more brittle, with
more than comparable screws. In an effort
The screws come into contact with hydro- much less tensile capacity.
to save costs, contractors will often use
gen again when they are plated. During One way to prevent HE in zinc elec-
other screws without prior approval from
the plating, the screws are subjected to an troplated screws is by “baking off ” the
the engineer.
electrical current while being submerged hydrogen after the electroplating process.
in an aqueous solution of zinc salts. Posi- Studies have shown that the screws must
The Pitfalls of Electroplating tively charged zinc and hydrogen ions in be baked for a minimum of four hours at
HE is caused by the zinc electroplating the solution are attracted to the negatively 400oF within one hour of electroplating.
process that nearly all screw manufacturers charged screw. The hydrogen ions then These stringent requirements are likely to
use in order to prevent general corrosion. migrate into the gaps between the grains drive off most, if not all, of the hydrogen.
Typically, the first step in zinc electroplating of the metal. After electroplating, the hy- Still, it is imperative that screws are tested
is an acid bath and an alkaline bath to en- drogen is sealed inside the screws. The for HE after baking to guarantee that all of
sure that the zinc adheres uniformly and highest accumulation of hydrogen in the the hydrogen is expelled. Joe Greenslade, a
well. Next, the screws are electroplated. inter-granular boundaries occurs at the private consultant in the field of fasteners

who has written several articles on hydrogen metal studs and steel clip plates. As the screw the zinc pass to the steel, positive zinc ions are
embattlement, maintains that the General is driven through the metal stud or the clip released into the water and effectively sepa-
Motors test is the most rigorous and most plate, it can come into contact with the non- rate the water molecules into hydrogen and
similar to real world conditions. Some screw galvanized steel of the metal stud or clip plate, hydroxide by bonding with the hydroxide.
manufacturers claim to bake their screws and and a galvanic reaction may occur. Additionally, Similar to HE corrosion due to manufacturing
test for HE, but most either have no set criteria if the clip plates are not galvanized then a gal- processes, the hydrogen produced by the
for baking and testing or else their criteria is less vanic reaction can occur. The zinc plating on the galvanic reaction can migrate into the inter-
stringent than the recommendations above. screw is sacrificed to the steel of the metal stud granular cracks in the steel screw through any
or the clip plate. Hydrogen is a by-product of scratches in the zinc plating and cause brittleness
Mechanical Zinc Plating the galvanic reaction because as electrons from and cracking. With HASCC, the crack is most
HE can be avoided altogether if screws are
mechanically zinc plated rather than electro-
plated. With mechanical plating, screws are
not washed in acid and alkaline baths and are
not positively charged to attract zinc. Instead,
the screws are tumbled in a lined barrel with
a mixture of glass impact beads, water, chemi-
cals and zinc powder. Through the kinetic
energy of the tumbling, the glass beads “cold
weld” the zinc powder to the surface of the
screw. Water polishing brightens and consoli- Tubular sections
dates the coating. Although not as common as
zinc-electroplating, mechanical zinc plating is
a far safer choice for prevention of HE. custom built
to the highest standards.
Reactions in the Field
The primary difference between HE and
Yours.
HASCC is that HE happens during the manu-
facturing process and HASCC occurs after
ADVERTISEMENT - For Advertiser Information, visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org

installation. HASCC can result from hydrogen
generated after installation by a galvanic reaction
between dissimilar metals. Galvanic reaction
occurs when two different metals come into
contact with each other in the presence of an
electrolyte. Electrolytes are any substances that
contain free ions (charged particles) and con-
duct electricity (e.g. water). All metals have SuperStruct tubular sections hold up to the strictest
different levels of electronegativity, which is a
measure of the ability of molecules to attract design standards without holding them back.
and form bonds with outside electrons. The
greater the difference in electronegativity be- • Manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes to
tween two metals, the greater is the potential your specifications
for electrons to flow from one metal to the • Large sizes from 12” up to 48” squares and rectangles
other. The metal with less electronegativity • Lengths up to 55’
will corrode, because its electrons will flow
• Wall thickness 5/16” to 1”
into the other metal via the electrolyte. The
purpose of zinc-electroplating – and likewise • Excellent column strength and torsional properties
galvanizing – is to place a sacrificial metal (i.e. • Aesthetically appealing
zinc) between the two metals that need to
remain intact.
In the case of cladding support framing, a
galvanic reaction can occur when hardened
steel screws come into contact with dissimilar
metals in the presence of an electrolyte. The
electrolyte is usually rain during construction, 800-825-6668 • www.valmont.com • Valley, Nebraska
water that leaks into the structure, or even
moisture due to condensation. The screws Contact Kyle DeBuse at Valmont Tubing toll-free at 1-800-825-6668 ext. 3558 or
are zinc-electroplated attached to galvanized kld2@valmont.com to learn more on the design possibilities of HSS SuperStruct.

Client/Job#: 8911_ChangesToAd Color(s): Black
likely to occur at the interface between the the screw also has a proprietary coating that • Screws should either have dual hardness
shaft and the head of the screw, because this is provides substantial resistance to other types with a screw shaft hardness of less
the location of the highest stress and therefore of corrosion. Unfortunately the higher price than RC 36, or they should either be
the location with the highest concentration of tag is inevitably a bone of contention between mechanically plated or electroplated
hydrogen. If screws have been corroded by HE engineers and contractors. and baked at 400oF for four hours and
or HASCC, their tension capacity is greatly then tested for HE per GM testing
reduced and their heads may pop off when requirements. ASTM standards need to
Organic Offerings
placed in direct tension. be set for post-plating baking of screws
Many of the available self-drilling/self-tapping and testing for HE.
Damaging Effects screw manufacturers claim that their proprietary • ASTM 1940 provides guidance for HE
organic coatings provide “superior corrosion monitoring during the plating process
Brittle cracking is a structural engineer’s resistance.” Climaseal®, Grabbergard, Kwik- and should be adopted by all screw
worst nightmare because it happens suddenly Cote, and Quik Guard are examples of such manufacturers that make self-drilling/
and without warning. For example, imagine proprietary coatings. Relative to other com- self-tapping screws.
a cladding support connection that requires parable high-carbon screws, this may be true. • If screws do not have dual hardness, they
3.2 screws, and 4 are used; if one screw sud- These coatings insulate the screw from the should be coated with an organic coating
denly gives way (due to HASCC), the load base metal that they are screwed into, and in that is proven to withstand typical
to that connection may be redistributed to the absence of metal to metal contact, there is construction wear and tear. ASTM
nearby stud connections, which are then over- no galvanic reaction and therefore no HASCC. standards need to be set and adopted by
loaded, and progressive failure, also known Typically, screws that are mechanically zinc screw manufacturers for organic coating
as a “zipper effect”, could be initiated. Corrosion plated and treated with an organic proprietary application methods and testing.
of this type is not visible and impossible to coating are substantially less expensive than • ICC reports for self-drilling/self-
detect until after the damage has occurred and the screw with dual-hardness. However, it is tapping screws should be thoroughly
the screw fracture can be observed. Even more highly unlikely that screw manufacturers will reviewed for resistance to HE/HASCC
alarming is the fact that this failure can oc- guarantee that their organic coating will not before approval.
cur at anytime during the life of the building, wear off when the screw is driven into the base • Self-drilling/self-tapping screws must
because there is no guarantee that water material. Unfortunately, there is currently no be clearly specified by the engineer
won’t come into contact with the screws due ASTM corrosion resistance test for organic by brand, plating type, size, and
to storm damage or even condensation. The coatings that mimics the wear and tear on organic coating (where applicable).
only recourse is to make sure that the screws screw coatings during construction. Salt spray This information should be very clear
used during construction are invulnerable to testing is the ASTM approved method for in both the structural drawings and
HE and HASCC. testing general corrosion resistance in fasteners. specifications, and should be verified
ICC reports give information on salt spray during the submittal process. Given the
Soft Solution testing for various fasteners with proprietary lack of HE/HASCC awareness amongst
High carbon (hard) steel is more susceptible coatings, but salt spray testing does not relate contractors and their eagerness to save
to HE or HASCC than low carbon (soft) directly to HE or HASCC. money on this seemingly insignificant
steel, because carbon atoms provide “traps” part, it is smart to double check the
for hydrogen to accumulate and propagate Code Confusion screws at the jobsite – even requesting to
cracks. The hydrogen interacts with, and is Current code requirements for self-drilling/ see the boxes that the screws came in.
retained by, the carbon atoms. According to self-tapping fasteners are very vague about HE and HASCC are issues that must be ad-
Greenslade, HE and HASCC are avoided in corrosion treatment and make no mention dressed by structural engineers, contractors,
screws with core hardness of Rockwell C 36 whatsoever about HASCC. Self-drilling/ and testing institutions. The recommendations
or less, i.e. when carbon content (hardness) is self-tapping screws can easily meet all code above can help to greatly reduce the likelihood
kept below a certain limit (RC 36), hydrogen requirements and still be at risk for both HE of HE/HASCC occurrence. A relatively small
trapping is diminished and crack initiation and HASCC. There is some discrepancy in amount of up-front expense can prevent a
will not occur. Additionally, hardened steel is code requirements, e.g. SAE J933 recommends significant damage and expense later on.▪
inherently more brittle than low carbon steel that the core hardness of tapping screws be
because the carbon impurities and hydrogen kept below RC 36 to avoid brittle failure;
impurities decrease ductility even further. One Dana Benton, P.E. is on sabbatical from
while SAE J78 specifies a core hardness upper KPFF Consulting Engineers in Portland,
manufacturer has taken advantage of the HE/ limit of RC 40. Even if hardened screws meet
HASCC invulnerability of low-carbon steel OR. She is currently studying corrosion
the recommendations mentioned above for failure in New Zealand. She may be reached
by making a screw with a dual-hardness. The baking and HE testing, they are still suscep-
screw tip is hard enough to penetrate and cut at dana.benton@kpff.com.
tible to HASCC in the field.
threads in the base metal, yet the shaft (the
load bearing portion with the highest stress The online version of this article
concentrations) is soft enough to provide Rules of Thumb contains references. Please visit
ductility and strength without brittleness. The The following are recommendations for en- www.STRUCTUREmag.org.
shaft hardness is RC 28-34. This technique gineers, screw manufacturers, and changes to
is fairly new. The manufacturer asserts that code requirements:

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of reference.
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© 2010 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. SF10-E

Is Roof Eave Blocking Required To
Transmit Wind/Seismic Forces?
By Felix Martin, S.E.
Blocking between wood rafters or trusses R602.10.6.2(3) do not provide a load

at roof eaves (commonly known as eave path, and serve solely to prevent rotation
blocking) has been standard framing of the rafter/truss. The IRC therefore does
practice in residential construction, par- not require the use of eave blocking for
ticularly at open eaves. Blocking typically the transfer of wind or seismic forces.
consists of nominal 2-inch wide material, Similarly, the 2009 International Building
normally of a depth matching the height Code (IBC) under Conventional Light-
from the bottom of the roof sheathing to Frame Construction Section 2308.10.6
the top plate of the wall. requires the use of blocking per Section
The installation of edge blocking serves 2308.8.5, which uses heel height limits Figure 1a: Wood Framed Eave with
several purposes. The blocking enclosed to require lateral support against rotation Eave Blocking.
the attic space, preventing birds and vermin of the roof framing. The heel depth-to-
and from the connector to the wall top
from entering, and it was a means to assure thickness ratio for roof framing is held to a
plates. This load path will be further dis-
accurate dimensional spacing between the maximum unblocked ratio of 5:1. This re-
cussed in the following sections.
rafters or roof trusses. It also provided a quirement again exists only to resist rotation
load path from the roof diaphragm to the of the roof framing and does not address the
exterior walls to transfer wind or seismic transfer of wind or seismic forces. Analysis Requirements
forces. However, as fire requirements and The 2006 IBC’s General Design Require-
aesthetic considerations have resulted ments for Lateral Force Resisting Systems Diaphragm
in the increased use of enclosed eaves, section prescribed the use of “boundary Figure 1a shows a standard roof framing
Structural Performance
the installation of eave blocking has been members” to transmit tension and com- detail for a wood framed eave, with eave
abandoned in many places. pression forces (Section 2305.1.2). This blocking. Figure 1b shows the same detail,
Whether or not the installation of eave was generally taken by engineers to indicate without the eave blocking but substituting
blocking is required depends on a number a requirement for eave blocking. Since standard connection hardware.
of factors. These may be prescriptive, re- wind/seismic chord forces are typically Figure 1c shows again the same detail,
quired by building code statute; or, as an resisted by the wall top plates, an obvious without the eave blocking, at a masonry
integral part of the lateral load-resisting load path would be from the roof dia- wall condition with standard connec-
system, a means to maintain a complete phragm to the top plates through the eave tion hardware.
load path from the roof diaphragm to the blocking. Under that configuration, eave In considering the need to transfer wind/
shear walls. A need exists to clarify all blocking meets the IBC requirement for seismic forces at roof eaves, two issues
requirements and establish a reasonable boundary members to transmit tension need to be addressed. First would be the
basis for determining when eave blocking and compression forces. resolution of resistant forces parallel to
is required and when it may not be. However, the 2009 IBC deleted Section the direction of applied wind/seismic forces
2305.1.2 and under newly revised Sec- (the reaction shear forces). Second would
tion 2306.2.1 (Wood Structural Panel be the resolution of resistant forces per-
Building Code Requirements diaphragms) defaults the design and con- pendicular to the direction of applied wind/
The International Residential Code (IRC) struction of horizontal wood diaphragms seismic forces (the chord forces).
did not specifically require eave blocking to as in accordance with the American The reactive shear forces resisting wind/
under the 2006 edition. Some conditions Forest & Paper Association’s Special Design seismic forces for a flexible, unblocked
are provided in the 2009 IRC under Provisions for Wind and Seismic. diaphragm are typically determined from a
performance issues relative to extreme events
which eave Section R602.10.6.2 requires AF&PA’s 2005 Special Design Provi- tributary span length and a tributary wind/
blocking for lateral support against ro- sions for Wind and Seismic Section 4.2.6 seismic load. Table 1 tabulates reactive
tation, but only at top plate sections (Construction Requirements) requires dia- shear values for different combinations of
above braced wall panels. Low wind/ phragm “boundary elements” to transmit wind/seismic loadings (w) and different
seismic regions require partial height (to tension, compression and shear forces, diaphragm length-to-depth ratios (L/d).
allow attic venting per R806) eave block- but does not specifically require those to Because we are only considering the
ing, but only at rafter/truss heel heights be eave blocking. In the design to resist analysis of eaves perpendicular to the roof
above 9.25 inches. High wind/seismic chord tension and compression forces, the framing and the roof trusses are assumed
regions require eave blocking per Fig- boundary members are normally assumed to span across the shorter dimension, the
ures R602.10.6.2(1), R602.10.6.2(2) or to be the wall double top plates. wind/seismic forces would act across the
R602.10.6.2(3) for all heel heights. Eave blocking can transfer forces to the short direction of the diaphragm and we
That the required blocking is only partial top plates, but that transfer may instead would only investigate the reactive shear
height for attic ventilation seems unneces- be arguably accomplished without it, using forces from wind/seismic forces perpen-
sary in that the blocking is only required metal connectors attaching the rafter/truss dicular to the roof framing (IBC Table
over braced wall panels and not else- to the top plate. The load path would 2306.3.1, Case 3 unblocked diaphragm).
where along the wall line. IRC Figures then be from the wood diaphragm to the The results show the reactive shear
R602.10.6.2(1), R602.10.6.2(2) and connector through the roof rafter/truss, forces fall within most popular sheathing

Similarly, a connector “B” could be installed
each side of the rafter/truss to resist the rota-
tional couple. However, the rated load values
for these connectors were developed through
testing that restrained the wood members
from rotation. The rated load values represent
capacities for straight shear transfer, and do
not assume a combination of shear and rota-
tional loads. Manufacturers typically include
catalogue warnings that the connectors are not
intended to prevent cross grain bending.
Engineers could bypass the manufacturer’s
warnings and apply engineering design con-
cepts to analyze the connector. Such a study
should include a complete free-body analysis
and a unity equation check. Those intending
to install “B” connectors should also consider
Figure 1b: Wood Framed Eave, No Eave Blocking. Figure 1c: Masonry Wall Wood Framed Eave, No
Eave Blocking.
manufacturers’ recommendation to use a min-
imum 2½-inch thick rafter/truss when installing
thickness/nail size combinations for unblocked “boundary members” to transmit tension and “B” connectors opposite each other.
diaphragms. Diaphragm shear capacity would compression forces. In order to use mechanical connectors to
thus not seem to be a concern in eliminat- However, where eave blocking is not used, replace edge blocking as the load path transfer
ing eave blocking when considering reactive the rafter/truss would receive the wind/seismic elements, a disregard of cross-grain bending
shear forces. load from the diaphragm at the top of the rafter/ across the rafter/truss is necessary. In addition,
Chord forces for flexible, unblocked dia- truss and transfer it to the wall top plates at the an engineering analysis of the connector, includ-
phragms are typically calculated as simple base of the rafter/truss. This creates a rotational ing a free-body analysis and a unity equation
span moments between diaphragm supports, moment across the rafter/truss. Disregarding check, would be required before determining
divided by the depth of the diaphragm. Table that this rotational moment induces cross-grain the adequacy of the connection.
2 tabulates chord forces for different combina- bending on the rafter/truss, in order for the
tions of wind/seismic loadings (w) and different wind/seismic load to successfully transfer into Empirical Test Data
diaphragm length-to-depth ratios (L/d), divided the top plates there needs to be a free-body The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
by the length of the diaphragm. Again consid- resolution of the rotational moment. Development (HUD) sponsored tests on roof
ering chord forces perpendicular to framing but The moment may be resisted by the metal truss to wall connections and reported the
due this time to wind/seismic forces parallel to connectors tying the rafter/truss to the top results in 2004. The tests involved four dif-
framing, we look at chord flow forces along the plates. In the case of connector “A” shown in ferent attachment configurations, none using
diaphragm edge corresponding to an IBC Table Figure 1b, nailed flanges on either side of the eave blocking. Two of the configurations used
2306.3.1, Case 3 loading. rafter/truss may develop a resistive couple. toe nails as the sole means of attachment.
The tabulated results show that the chord continued on next page
Table 1: Reactive Shear Forces.
flow shear forces fall within most popular
sheathing thickness/nailing combinations for Shear Flow (plf )
unblocked diaphragms. In considering chord L/d 0.25 0.33 0.50 0.67 1.00
forces at diaphragms without eave blocking,
diaphragm shear capacity does not appear to w (plf )
be a concern. 100 13 17 25 34 50
150 19 3 38 50 75
Mechanical Connectors
200 25 33 50 67 100
Typical roof wood rafter/truss to wood wall
construction uses metal connectors such as 250 31 41 63 84 125
those shown in Figure 1b, while typical roof 300 38 50 75 101 150
wood rafter/truss to masonry wall construction
uses connectors such as the one shown in Figure Table 2: Chord Forces.
1c. Available from a number of manufacturers, Chord Flow (plf )
these connectors have load capacities (depending L/d 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.50 1.00
on the model used) of up to several hundred
pounds per connector. w (plf )
The values tabulated in either Table 1 or Table 100 50 38 25 19 13
2 compare well with the allowable loads for 150 75 56 38 28 19
these metal connectors. Provided the proper
connector is selected and standard spac- 200 100 75 50 38 25
ings used, shear force demands from the 250 125 94 63 47 31
diaphragm to the exterior walls can be met. 300 150 113 75 56 38
These connectors would thus meet the IBC
Section 2305.1.2 requirement for the use of 350 175 131 88 66 44

The third configuration used a combination Conclusions low-load conditions might be possible without
eave blocking.
of twenty-two toe nails and nine metal con- Roof eave blocking is not prescriptively re-
However, at higher loads and particularly as
nectors. The fourth configuration used only quired by either the IRC or the IBC to transfer
the heel height increases, cross-grain bending
four toe nails and nine metal connectors. The wind/seismic forces. Eave blocking is only
should not be ignored. Test results indicate the
metal connectors were installed on only one code-required to resist lateral rotation of the
use of connector hardware greatly increases
side of the truss. rafter/truss assemblies when prescribed height-
the load capacity over that of just toe-nailed
Test results showed a noticeable difference to-width heel ratios are exceeded.
assemblies. This increased load capacity, how-
between toe-nail failure and metal connector Wood roof diaphragms do not appear able to
ever, also brings about a rise in the incidence of
failure modes. Toe-nail failure was defined by develop large enough shear or chord forces in
cross-grain rotational failure. For gang-nailed
lower load capacities, splitting of the wood and standard configurations to require the instal-
roof trusses, that rotational failure may take
lateral sliding of the truss along the top plate, lation of eave blocking. Similarly, metal truss
place through truss plate separation.
with little out-of-plane truss rotation. Metal connector load capacities appear sufficient to
Where demand loads are sufficiently large
connector failures occurred at higher load not require the additional installation of eave
to require the installation of metal connector
capacities. In some cases the truss rotated out- blocking to resist standard configuration shear
hardware, in assemblies without eave blocking
of-plane, resulting in truss plate separations. or chord forces. However, the use of only truss
cross-grain bending becomes the primary
In others, the connectors failed, either by connectors in lieu of eave blocking requires a
failure mechanism. Higher loads and higher
failing in tension or by excessive deformation disregard of cross-grain bending across the rafter/
heel heights may also result in assembly de-
due to localized buckling of the connector. truss assembly, and should include a complete
formations too excessive to be acceptable, and
Metal connectors are typically load-rated based free-body analysis and a unity equation check.
well beyond the joint slip limits of the metal
on joint slip limits, rather than on failure load Although the splitting failure of toe-nailed
hardware. In designing higher-load assemblies
capacity. The HUD tests were based on failure connections indicated safety factors for toe
(such as those in high wind and earthquake
load capacity and as such reports excessively high nails may not be low enough to use without
zones), the decision to omit eave blocking
failure-load-to-rated-load safety factors. One of eave blocking, test data seems to indicate that
should be considered thoroughly and carefully.▪
recommendations in the report is the abandon- the omission of eave blocking is possible in
ment of metal connectors’ allowable loads based some low-load, low heel-height conditions. Toe Felix Martin, Principal Engineer for
on joint slip limits because of the higher loads nail shear capacities are so low, cross-grain bend- Marcon Forensics, LLC (offices in
made possible by failure load analysis. However, ing in low-heel conditions does not appear to California and Florida), is a Structural
in the configurations tested, load failure occurred have an opportunity to develop as a concern. Engineer registered in several states. He can
at deformations of over an inch, excessive by In other words, for low heel-height load cases be reached at felix@marconforensics.com.
any measure and surely a condition that would requiring only toe-nailing, cross-bending con-
benefit from the installation of eave blocking. cerns could be disregarded. With some limits, The online version of this article contains
references. Visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org.

e NCSEA Basic Education Survey Curriculum Results – Part 2
In our last issue (May 2010), we presented the results of NCSEA’s latest survey of educational institutions
on which schools offer courses in the proposed educational program, The Basic Structural Education. In
this issue, we provide a detailed listing of courses offered by each institution responding to the survey.
To review The Basic Structural Education outline, please visit the STRUCTURE magazine website
(www.STRUCTUREmag.org).
The following is the list of schools which responded to the latest survey.
This table denotes how many classes each school offers for each subject of the recommended curriculum.
A “+ #” would signify that the school requires that number of additional class(es) at the Masters level, or
offers that number of additional class(es) as an elective. Schools which are in bold type have the complete
recommended curriculum. “*” responses indicate an unchanged program from the 2004/05 survey.
Recommended Curriculum
Analysis Matrix Steel Concrete Timber Masonry Dynamic Foundation Technical
Methods Design Design Design Design – Soils Writing
2 Courses 1 Course 2 Courses 2 Courses 1 Course 1 Course 1 Course 1 Course 1 Course
Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended
Required for a Bachelors Degree

Required for a Masters Degree

Offered as an Elective
School
Auburn University 2 1 1 1 +1 1 +2 1 1 1 +1 1 1 +3 1 +1
Blue Mountain Community
Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
College*
Brown University .5 .5 .5 .5 None offered None offered .25 .75 1 None offered
Bucknell University 2 1 1 2 None offered None offered 1 1 1
California Polytechnic
University – S.L.O.*
California State University – 2 +2 +2 1 2 2 1 1 1 +1 1 +1 +1 1
Fresno
California State University – 2 +1 1 +2 3 3 1 1 1 1 +3 1
Sacramento
Clemson University 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Cornell 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 None offered 1 1 1
Florida Institute of Technology 2 1 +1 1 2 1 1 None offered 1 1 1 1
Georgia Institute of Technology 1 +1 1 1 +1 1 +3 1 1 2 4 1
George Washington University 2 +2 2 +1 +1 1 1 1 1 +2 None offered None offered 1 +2 3 +1 +3 1
Gonzaga University 2 +1 1 1 1 1 1 1 +1 2 +1 1
Hofstra University 1 None offered 1 None offered None offered 1 None offered 1 1
Howard University 1 +1 1 1 +1 +1 1 +1 None offered None offered None offered 2 +1 1
Illinois Institute of Technology 2 1 2 2 +1 1 1 2 1 2
Lawrence Technological University* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
Miami University 1 None offered 1 1 1 None offered None offered None offered None offered
Michigan State University 1 +1 2 2 2 None offered None offered 1 1 1
Michigan Technological 1 +1 2 1 .5 .5 +2 .5 2 +2 .5 .5 1 1 1 +2 1
University
Milwaukee School of
Engineering*
Missouri Western State University 1 None offered 1 1 .5 .5 None offered 1 1
Montana State University 2 1 1 +2 2 +1 1 1 1 2 +1 1
e 2 Courses
Analysis
1 Course
Recommended Recommended

Matrix
Methods

2 Courses
Recommended
Steel
Design
Concrete
2 Courses
Recommended
Design
1 Course
Recommended
Timber
Design
Masonry
Design
1 Course
Recommended
1 Course
Dynamic
Recommended
Foundation
– Soils
1 Course
Recommended
Technical
Writing
1 Course
Recommended


School
New Mexico State University 3 +1 1 1 +1 1 +1 1 1 1 1 1
Northeastern University 2 1 2 1 +2 None offered None offered 1 +1 1 +3 1
Northern Arizona University 1 +1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1
North Carolina State University 1 +3 2 +2 3 4 1 1 1 +2 9 1
Ohio Northern University* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
Ohio State University 1 +1 1 3 1 +3 None offered None offered 1 1 +1 1
Ohio University 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Oklahoma State University – 2 1 +1 2 +1 2 +1 1 1 1 2 1
Architectural Engineering
Oklahoma State University – 1 +6 1 1 +1 1 +2 1 1 1 1 +2 1
Civil Engineering
Oregon State University 2 1 1 +1 1 +1 1 1 2 2 +1 2
Portland State University 2 +2 1 1 +2 1 +3 1 1 3 2 +3 1
Purdue University 2 1 1 1 +1 1 1 +2 .5 .5 1 1 2 +1 1
Rensselaer 1 2 2 2 2 None offered None offered 2 2 2
Rochester Institute of Technology 2 None offered 1.5 1.5 1 None offered 1 1 1
Rose Hulman Institute 2 +2 2 1 +2 1 +2 2 1 1 +1 1 +2 2
of Technology
Saint Martin’s University 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
San Francisco State University 1 None offered 1 1 1 1 1 None offered 1 1 1
Santa Clara University* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
South Dakota State University 1 +4 1 1 1 +1 1 1 +3 1 1 1 1 +4 1
Southern Methodist University 3 1 .5 +1 .5 +2 None offered None offered 1 +2 1 +2 1
Stevens Institute of Technology 2 +1 1 +1 2 +1 1 +2 None offered None offered 3 1 +2 2
Syracuse University 2 +1 +3 1 +2 1 +1 1 2 +1 1 1 1 +2 2 +2 +1 1
Texas A&M University – 3 +2 1 1 +2 1 +2 None offered None offered 1 +1 +3 1 +8 1
College Station
Texas A&M University – 3 1 +1 1 +1 1 +2 1 1 1 +1 2 1
Kingsville
Texas Tech 1 +1 2 1 +2 2 1 1 2 1 +7 1
The Citadel* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
Tri-State University* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
Tufts University 1 +1 1 1 1 1 1 None offered None offered 1 1 1 1
University at Buffalo (SUNY) 2 +1 2 1 +1 1 +1 1 1 2 +2 1 +1 1
University of Alabama – 1 +1 1 1 +1 1 +1 1 1 1 1 1
Birmingham
University of Alaska – Anchorage 1 +1 None offered 1 1 1 None offered 1 2 1
University of Arkansas 2 1 1 +1 1 +4 1 1 1 2 1

Analysis Matrix Steel Concrete Timber Masonry Dynamic Foundation Technical
Methods Design Design Design Design – Soils Writing
2 Courses 1 Course 2 Courses 2 Courses 1 Course 1 Course 1 Course 1 Course 1 Course
Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended


School
University of California – 2 1 1 +1 2 +1 1 1 2 2 None offered
San Diego
University of Cincinnati 3 1 +1 1.5 +2 +1 1.5 +2 +1 1 1 1 +1 +1 2 +2 1
University of Dayton* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
University of Evansville 1 1 1 1 1 None offered 1 1 None offered
University of Florida 1 +1 1 +1 1 +1 +3 1 +1 +3 1 1 1 1 +5 1
University of Hawaii – Manoa 2 2 2 2 None offered None offered 2 2 None offered
University of Houston 2 +2 1 2 1 +3 None offered 1 1 +2 2 +2 1
University of Illinois – Urbana* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
University of Kansas 1 +1 1 1 +2 1 +3 1 1 3 1 +2 1
University of Kentucky 1 +3 1 1 +1 1 +2 .5 .5 1 1 +2 1
University of Memphis* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
University of Michigan 1 +1 1 1 +1 1 +2 None offered 1 2 1 +1 1
University of Missouri – 1 1 1 +1 1 +1 1 1 1 1 1
Kansas City
University of Missouri – Rolla 2 1 3 3 1 1 1 2 1
University of New Hampshire 2 +1 +1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1
University of New Mexico 1 None offered 1 1 None offered None offered 1 1 1
University of New Orleans 1 +1 1 1 +1 1 +1 .5 .5 1 2 1
University of North Carolina –
Charlotte*
University of Tennessee – 2 +2 +1 None offered .5 .5 +2 .5 .5 +3 1 1 1 1 +1 +3 1
Knoxville
University of Tennessee – Martin 2 1 1 1 1 None offered 1 1 1
University of Utah 2 +2 1 2 +1 1 +1 1 1 1 +3 1 +5 1
University of Washington* Unchanged program from 2004-2005 survey
University of Wisconsin – 1 1 +1 2 2 1 None offered 1 +1 1 +1 1
Madison
University of Wisconsin – 1 1 1 1 None offered None offered None offered 1 1
Plateville
University of Wyoming 2 1 +2 1 +2 1 +1 1 1 2 1 +2 2
Utah State University 2 1 +1 1 +1 1 +2 1 1 1 1 +2 1
Virginia Military Institute 1 +1 1 1 1 +1 .5 None offered None offered 1 +1 1
Virginia Tech 1 +1 2 1 +4 1 +4 1 1 2 1 +3 1
Washington University in None offered 1 1 +2 1 +2 1 1 2 1 +1 1
St. Louis
Western Kentucky University 2 None offered 1 1 None offered None offered None offered 2 1
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 3 +1 +1 1 +1 +1 1 +1 1 +1 1 None offered 1 +4 1 +1 2 +2

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Anchor Bolts in Light-Frame
Construction at Small Edge Distances
Guest Column
dedicated to the dissemination of information from other organizations
Seismology Committee, Structural Engineers Association of California
To have a realistic understanding of

anchor bolt behavior on exterior wood-
framed walls, the engineer needs to know
the behavior of the “L-bolt” that is com-
monly specified and constructed. In this
connection, in-plane shear from wood-
framed walls are typically transferred from
wood sill plates through steel anchor bolts
to a concrete foundation or deck. The
testing reported here provides valuable
insight for the behavior of this connection,
and clarifies the assumptions required to
provide an economical design using the
most recent codes and standards. The
testing indicates that the yield strength of
the wood sill plate and steel anchor bolt
subassembly of the connection, rather
than the bolt-to-concrete portion of it,
governs the connection strength, and that Figure 1: Test set-up. Direction of loading is parallel to the concrete foundation. A bolt deformed in a
the connection performs in a ductile previous test is shown in the foreground. The arrow points to a single anchor bolt with square washer
manner. SEAOC (Structural Engineers in a 7-foot-long sill plate ready for testing.
Association of California) Seismology
Committee also provides design recom- IBC 1911 requires that, with any seis- general provisions produced design results
mendations based on the testing. mic loading, anchor bolt capacities must inconsistent with the needs of light-
use a strength-based design procedure. frame design.
Recent Changes in Thus, per IBC 1912, the L-bolt is spe- Using Appendix D, light-frame designers
Codes and Standards cifically required to be designed to the have derived bolt values on the order of
requirements of ACI 318 Appendix D, one-quarter to as little as one-fifth of the
The change of model codes in California provided its application “is within the traditional value when assuming a non-
in January 2007 from the 1997 Unified scope of the appendix.” For the strength ductile connection and cracked concrete.
Building Code (UBC) to the 2006 Inter- design of anchors that are not within the Such a result is very low and leads to a
national Building Code (IBC) required a scope of Appendix D, the anchors shall design solution that would be physically
number of fundamental changes to accept- be designed by an “approved procedure.” impossible for the wood sill attachment
ed design practices of sill plate anchorage Therefore the subject sill plate anchorage of many code-listed shear wall systems.
in light-frame structures. A significant is required to use the strength-based For example, some designers have derived
change to design practice was required to Appendix D design for seismic loads, but a capacity of approximately 300 pounds
apply the IBC provisions for the seismic for wind loads the anchor bolt capacities (ASD) for an anchor that traditionally
design of anchor bolt connections occurring may be taken from IBC Table 1911.2, carried approximately 1200 pounds (ASD).
near a concrete edge. These changes have which still contain the historical values Accordingly, a fairly heavily loaded shear
been a source of much discussion and used prior to the IBC. wall that would have traditionally required
frustration for code users in high seismic The scope and provisions of ACI 318 two anchors per stud bay would now re-
areas subject to the IBC and American Appendix D resulted from many years of quire eight anchors per stud bay, which
Concrete Institute (ACI) codes. testing, and substantial effort directed at do not physically fit. Since issues with the
In California, the design procedure and providing designers more transparency old values were not apparent, the need
code-prescribed capacity of these anchor into the limit states associated with vari- for substantial change was puzzling, both
bolts in concrete had not changed since ous classes of concrete anchorage. Wood with respect to significantly lower con-
the values were first tabulated and intro- sill plate anchorage forms a small subset nection values and also the complexity of
duced in the 1979 UBC. In the IBC of possible anchorage conditions covered the required analysis, which utilizes over
jurisdictions outside California, new ACI by Appendix D. This connection is of a dozen variables.
strength-based provisions for the design greater regional importance than inter-
of seismically loaded cast-in anchors have
been a part of the IBC since the 2000
national importance, and there was a gap Code Issues Targeted by
in the literature addressing this condition
edition. Regarding the provisions of the prior to the SEAOC testing. As a result,
the Testing Project
2006 IBC, which are currently applicable the present code provisions did not fully Two assumptions that affect the ACI
in many states, anchor bolt design is anticipate application to this narrow but Appendix D calculation are the ductil-
covered in IBC sections 1911 (Allowable important condition falling within the ity parameter and the cracked concrete
Stress Design) and 1912 (Strength Design). category of concrete anchorage, and the parameter. The ductility parameter of

IBC 1908.1.16 [D3.3.5] can be considered This allowed the contribution of friction to be not apply to anchorage in light-weight concrete,
extremely sensitive, as it requires a 60 percent better understood in analyzing the test data. post-installed anchors, or anchorage of cold-
reduction to the connection capacity in con- Second, the impact-echo method was used to formed steel track.
crete if the attachment to concrete is deemed to continuously monitor the status of any delami- For loads in the range of design values, which
be not ductile at the concrete design strength. nation that developed in the concrete during were well within the elastic range, there was
(ACI 318-08 has reduced the reduction to 50 the testing that may not have been visible. For little difference between the pseudo-cyclic,
percent in light-frame construction.) The the test setup, (Figure 1) every effort was made monotonic, and sequential phased displacement
resultant low concrete capacity values suggest to test materials representative of the most test results. Once the anchors were loaded to
that a failure of the connection is expected to common shear wall connections. Anchor bolts approximately 5000 pounds, the anchors
occur in the concrete long before it occurs in were 5/8-inch nominal diameter A36 “L-bolts” slowly started to exhibit some plastic behavior
the anchor bolt or the wood sill plate. How- with 7 inches embedment into approximately as further displacement occurred. The fric-
ever, the SEAOC Seismology Committee 2500 psi concrete. Sill plates of 2x4, 2x6, and tionless membrane applied under the length
performed a literature search of anchor bolt 3x6 dimensions were tested, with anchor bolt of the sill plate had a minor effect at small dis-
testing for wood sill plates with small concrete edge distances of 1.75 or 2.75 inches depending placements within the elastic range.
edge distances and discovered very limited re- upon the sill plate size. Fastener fatigue was not a limit state influ-
search was available. The SEAOC Seismology A new displacement-based loading protocol enced by any of the various loading protocols.
Committee then decided to embark on an was developed. Using data from an initial This is an important observation, since it limits
anchor bolt testing program. Using the Tyrell set of monotonic pull tests, cyclic tests were the area of concern to the strength of wood
Gilb facility of Simpson Strong-Tie Company calibrated so that damage produced by the test and concrete elements tested.
in Stockton, California, a facility accredited would best represent and measure actual in- The class of anchorage connections tested
to comply with ANSI/ISO/IEC Standard service failure modes. For the new protocol, was ductile, and concrete side-breakout was
17025:2005, members of the SEAOC Seis- the SEAOC Seismology Committee used a hy- not detected until the resistance force was
mology Light-frame Subcommittee conducted brid approach, essentially taking the CUREE significantly beyond the elastic range, specifi-
the first test program of its kind, where the Woodframe Project protocol with additional cally not until the peak value was achieved.
behavior of light-frame wood sill plate anchor- cycles added at low load levels. Independently, The predicted ACI Appendix D concrete
age at small edge distances was targeted. The the SEAOSC (Structural Engineers Association break-out strength (taken from the estimated
results of this testing program are published of Southern California) sequential phased dis- mean) appears overly conservative for the
in the document Report on Laboratory Testing placement (SPD) loading was used on several 2x4 and 3x4 wood sill plates. In the test,
of Anchor Bolts Connecting Wood Sill Plates to tests and results compared favorably. considering the case either with or without the
Concrete with Minimum Edge Distances, dated friction-reducing membrane, the 2x4 and 3x4
March 29, 2009, available from the SEAONC Findings from the Testing cyclic tests averaged 1.9 times the predictive
(Structural Engineers Association of Northern value associated with the ACI provisions.
Based upon the test report, the L-bolts may
California) website: www.seaonc.org. Similarly, the 2x6 and 3x6 cyclic tests achieved
be conservatively designed assuming a wood
1.4 times the ACI assumptions. If the ACI
yield mode as predicted by the yield limit
Testing Procedures equations associated with Mode IIIs and Mode
Appendix D mean values were to accurately
reflect the test results, the comparison would
The SEAOC tests included two unique features. IV behavior in the ANSI/AF&PA NDS-2005
be expected to be on the order of 1:1. (These
First, the effect of friction was isolated on half of National Design Specification® (NDS) for Wood
ratios are not applicable to design loads.)
the tests by providing a lubricated polyethylene Construction. These values are subject to the
Finally, since the ultimate values corresponded
membrane at the wood-concrete interface. same limitations as NDS Table 11E and do
to large displacements, it should be noted the
data reduction used in the test report was con-
servatively modified from the ASTM E2126
FYFE Co.
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standard. In particular, the first peak was used
rather than the ultimate load specified by the
Ty fo Fibr wrap Systems
® ®
today we set the standard
standard. This peak value was defined by the
SEAOC Seismology Committee as the highest
Structural Strengthening
• FRP Installation load prior to any drop of 5 percent in capacity.
• Seismic Upgrade
• Blast Mitigation
• Concrete Retrofit Assumptions Applicable to
• Specialty Gunite Anchor Bolt Design
• Underwater & Coastal Repairs
• Expansion & Seismic Joints
Pipe Repair and Renewal Scope of ACI Appendix D
• Large and Small Diameter
• PCCP, RCP, Steel Structural Repairs
Generally speaking, sill plate anchorage is not
• Carbon Fiber Structural Liners a low redundancy application, and thus de-
Concrete Restoration signers may be tempted to conclude that the
• Epoxy Crack Injection typical cast-in L anchor bolt is not within the
• Spall Repair
scope of ACI appendix D, because ACI-05
• Corrosion Protection
Advanced Fire Protection
commentary indicates those provisions apply to
non-redundant conditions. There are typically at
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NSF
least four connections present in the sill plate,
R
Tel: 858.642.0694  Fax: 858.444.2982
even with a narrow shear wall application (two
Certified to NSF/ANSI 61 www.fyfeco.com
hold downs and two anchor bolts). Also, there

Table 1: Anchor Bolt Shear Values Based on the NDS 05 (CD=1.6)
Bolt Diameter1,2
Sill Plate ½-inch 5/8-inch ¾-inch
2x 1040 1488 2032
3x 1232 1888 2426
1
¾-inch anchor bolt limited to 6-inch nominal width sill plates
2
Values are shown in lbs. (ASD basis)
are often other interior walls present and there It bears repeating that the code requires the
is a likelihood of substantial friction at the sill determination of cracked versus uncracked
plate connections. While a redundancy-based to be made at service level loads, and that
argument may have certain merits, the IBC the crack reduction applies to a full-depth
states that if anchors are not to be regulated crack along the axis of the anchor. Given the
by Appendix D, another “approved method” inherent redundancy of anchors in light-frame
is necessary. Such an approved method should construction, coupled with the low probability
incorporate a similar level of sophistication of coincidence between qualifying cracks and
as Appendix D. However, IBC Table 1911.2 typical anchor placement, it is not reasonable
does not incorporate the various failure mech- to assume a cracked substrate unless specific
anisms that are addressed by Appendix D. conditions clearly indicate otherwise.
Based upon the test report, it is rational to use
Supplementary Reinforcement either the values obtained from ACI Appendix
Supplementary reinforcement qualifies for D assuming uncracked concrete and a ductile at-
a higher strength design factor as per ACI tachment, or the NDS-05 design values for this
common light-frame connection, as is detailed

318-05 section D4.4. However, on this point
the SEAOC Seismology Committee cautions in the SEAOC bluebook article. (Table 1)
designers who may be tempted to categorize the Finally, the reader is cautioned that any dam-
typical continuous #4 or #5 reinforcement bar age occurring to this connection may not be
or post-tension tendon near the top and along readily apparent, because it may be obscured
the edge of the slab or curb as supplementary by the sill plate. The photos in the testing
reinforcement. In the test, we found that the report provide some inspection guidance for
#4 bar placed near the top of the footing did those involved in post-event observations.▪
not appear to directly influence concrete side-
break-out. In practice, the bar location in the
field is not sufficiently accurate to benefit the Questions concerning this article may
relatively shallow subject anchor bolt. be directed to the Chair of the SEAOC
Seismology Committee, Mehran Pourzanjani
Cracked Concrete Assumption (mehran@sbise.com). The complete Blue
Book article on this subject may be accessed at
The first UBC code reference regarding cracked www.seaoc.org/bluebook.
concrete appeared in 1997 UBC section 1923.2,
which referred to anchorage embedment in
“tension zones.” At the time, overhead anchor-
age of structural members and equipment Acknowledgements
were a primary concern, and these regulations
In addition to the efforts of the 2008-
applied to anchorage occurring below the
2009 SEAOC Seismology Committee, a
neutral axis on bending members such as beams
number of firms donated time, materials
or elevated concrete decks. However, the
and/or effort, including Scientific
uncracked assumption is generally justified
Construction Laboratories, Inc., Structural
in light-frame construction. This view is
Solutions, Inc., Certus Consulting, Inc.,
supported by the review of available test in-
VanDorpe Chou Associates, Inc., and
formation recently published by Eligehausen,
Phil Line of the American Forest &
Mallée, and Silva in the publication Anchorage
Paper Association. The Committee was
in Concrete Construction (2006), where it is
also very fortunate to conduct the tests
concluded that no reduction was discovered
at the Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory
when anchors were loaded perpendicular to
of Simpson Strong-Tie Company in
the cracks. In light-frame construction, any
Stockton, California. Further information
cracks occurring in the concrete substrate would
is available in the testing report referred
be expected to be more or less perpendicular
to in this article and in the SEAOC Blue
to the concrete edge, and thus perpendicular
Book article, Anchor Bolts in Light-Frame
to the applied load and not affecting the
Construction at Small Edge Distances
subject anchors.
(www.seaoc.org/bluebook/index.html).

Anchorage Design for Pre-Fabricated
Shear Panels in Light-Framed Structures
By Renee Strand, P.E.
P L P L′
Design Issues
Most designers are aware that they must
maintain a proper load path to transfer
structural loads into the foundation in
order for their structure to remain standing. h h T C
While tracing the load path of vertical loads
is well understood by many, establishing a
T C
load path for loads applied horizontally can
be challenging. Horizontal loads, or later-
al loads, are most frequently generated by
a wind or seismic event. In light-framed MA Ph MA
structures, lateral loads are commonly
T=C=
resisted by prescriptive wall bracing or MA
engineered shear walls. The lateral load
Figure 1: Free-body diagram of a shear wall.
generated at the top of a shear panel, or
braced wall panel, results in vertical com- or threaded rod into the concrete founda- of the engineer-of-record to ensure the
pression and tension forces at the bottom tion. For prescriptive designs, lateral loads footing sizes, embedment depths, and
of the panel that must be resisted. As the per shear panel are relatively small. Most concrete strength are correct for their
length of the panel decreases, the horizontal manufacturers of prefabricated shear panels specific application.
moment arm decreases, and the tension have prescriptive anchorage charts showing
and compression forces increase (Figure the required footing size and embedment
1). When the architecture of a building depth for the anchor bolt to resist the
Code Requirements
does not allow for sufficient wall length uplift force. For engineered designs, the Section 1912 of the 2006 International
CODES AND STANDARDS
to field construct wall bracing or site-built lateral design loads to the panel can be- Building Code (IBC), Anchorage to Con-
shear walls that meet code-specified aspect come very high resulting in tension and crete – Strength Design, references ACI
ratios, narrow prefabricated shear panels compression forces in the 20 kip range 318 Appendix D for designing anchorage.
are solutions that provide lateral resistance or higher. Uplift forces associated with For anchorage design in moderate to high
to the structure. With narrow prefab- allowable in-plane shear loads are often seismic risk regions, defined as seismic
ricated shear panels, high tension and published by each manufacturer and design category C, D, E or F in ACI 318-
compression forces can be generated and are dependent on the panel geometry 08 Section D.3.3, the nominal concrete
proper anchorage design to the concrete and the moment arm at the base of the strength in tension must be reduced using
foundation becomes critical. panel. Although manufacturers publish a factor of 0.75. In addition, the anchor-
The tension, or uplift, force is usually embedment and footing width charts for age design shall be controlled by the steel
resisted with an embedded anchor bolt these higher loads, it is the responsibility strength of the anchor bolt (ACI 318,
Prefabricated Shear Panels

updates and discussions related to codes and standards
Wide face to wide face
B
Bolt spacing
Concrete wall height per Concrete wall height per

code or plan (not part of  e) code or plan (not part of  e)
Overlapping area of breakout
 e, top of footing  e, top of footing failure area
to top of washer to top of washer
Failure surface
#4 rebar per code or plan
3" min.
coverage
B
Figure 2: Overlapping concrete break-out failure areas. Section B-B

D.3.3.4) or the hold-down attachment must A2 can be determined as shown in Figure 3.
undergo ductile yielding at a force level less However, many prefabricated shear panels
than the nominal strength of the anchorage are installed in applications with one face flush
associated with concrete failure modes (ACI with the edge of concrete. Thus, this increase
318, D3.3.5). As an alternative, the 2008 ACI is not applicable and the bearing strength is
318 allows the design strength of the anchors calculated as Φ (0.85f 'c A1), where A1 is the 45°
to be taken as 0.40 times the calculated nomi- load area in compression below the footprint
nal concrete design strength (ACI 318-08, of the prefabricated shear panel.
D.3.3.6). This alternate provision is also part
of the 2007 California Building Code (CBC)
When designing stacked prefabricated shear
panels, the anchorage must consider the cu-
A1
(1908.1.16) which states, “….the minimum mulative overturning forces. A2
design strength of the anchors shall be at least OMbase = (V1H1 + V2H2)/MA
2.5 times the factored forces transmitted by
the attachment.” In other words, a ductile The overturning moment at the base of the
steel anchor bolt or hold-down attachment lower shear panel (OMbase) is equal to the sum
must govern the design to avoid brittle fail- of the shear at the first story (V1) times the
ures. If this cannot be accomplished, the height of the first story (H1) plus the shear at
concrete design strength should be reduced by the second story (V2) times the height from
60% or the concrete should be designed for the base to the top of the second story (H2). Plan View
a higher load – 2.5 times the factored design This value is then divided by the moment arm Figure 3: Diagram illustrating frustum to find A2.
load – to allow the steel anchor or the hold- (MA) at the base of the prefabricated shear
down attachment to yield. panel to calculate the tension and compression factored shear stress in areas of moderate or
In some instances the engineer-of-record forces that the anchorage must resist. high seismic risk. The connection must be
will place prefabricated shear panels wide- In addition to designing the anchorage to controlled by the strength of the steel bolt
face-to-wide-face due to large, local, lateral resist compression and tension forces, the or a ductile attachment when calculating the
loads that the wall line needs to resist. Due to anchorage must be designed to resist horizontal design shear strength as well. Often the concrete
overlapping concrete breakout failure areas, shear forces. As with tension, the shear de- break-out strength of the anchor in shear
as shown in Figure 2, the manufacturer’s sign strength associated with concrete failure governs the design strength, due to close end
details that are developed for a single panel modes must be taken as 0.75 times the nominal and edge distances of the anchor bolt to the
will not achieve double the panel’s published
allowable loads. In fact, depending upon the
Ballard Landmark, Seattle WA
bolt embedment depth, end and edge dis-

tances, and the bolt spacing usually equal to
the thickness of the prefabricated shear panel,
the concrete capacity may increase only 25%
although the demand on the concrete may have
doubled. The engineer-of-record must reduce
the demand on the panels or modify the anchor-
age to accommodate the design loads.

In addition to designing anchorage for the
tension force, the designer must also consider
the compression force on the concrete. As
stated previously, the lateral load at the top
of the panel will induce compression on the
concrete below. If the panel is supporting a
vertical load from above, the vertical load
must be added to the compression developed
from the lateral load. The bearing strength of
the concrete assembly must be greater than
the cumulative compression force. This is
especially critical when bearing near the edge
of the concrete or in a corner, which is often
the case with prefabricated shear panels. Section
10.14 of ACI 318-08 provides a procedure
for calculating bearing strength. If there is
sufficient bearing surface around all sides of
the loaded area, A1, the loaded area can be
increased by multiplying the bearing strength
by the square root of (A2/A1), in which the
square root of (A 2/A1) shall not exceed 2.

surfaces of the concrete. For conditions with AC308 is reduced from previously published then refer the contractor to charts for specific
the prefabricated shear panel located in a corner, values. Adhesive solutions are possible for embedment and footing dimensions depending
the concrete breakout strength shall be taken most prefabricated shear panel applications upon the panel or bolt size. It is recommended
as the minimum of the value calculated based installed per prescriptive wall bracing rules in that the design professional modify the manu-
on the concrete breakout failure area using low seismic areas, but are often inadequate for facturer’s details for the specific project, showing
the bolt end distance, or twice the value calcu- increased seismic risk areas and engineered specific dimensions and embedments rather
lated based on the concrete failure area using applications where the design loads are higher. than relying on the contractor to interpret charts.
the bolt distance perpendicular to the edge. Cast-in-place anchors are the preferred an-
See section D.6.2.1 of ACI 318 for more chorage and care should be taken to ensure Conclusion
information. For prefabricated shear panels proper field placement to avoid costly repairs
Prefabricated shear panels provide solutions
located with minimal edge and end distances, for misplaced bolts.
to resist lateral loads where site-built shear
concrete shear reinforcement is usually required
walls or code prescribed bracing cannot.
in the form of hairpin or stirrup reinforcement Non-concrete Foundations Their high height-to-width ratios result in
or other proprietary reinforcement to enhance
Installing prefabricated shear panels on con- significant forces on the concrete that must be
the concrete breakout strength. Placement
crete masonry units present some design properly anchored. Anchorage can be designed
of hairpin or stirrup reinforcement should
challenges. Compression strength of the grout using resources such as ACI-318 and current
be such that it is in contact with the anchor
filled concrete masonry unit (CMU) usually ICC-ES code evaluation reports. Contact the
bolt and is as close to the top surface of the
will govern the design. High strength grout is specific prefabricated shear panel manufacturer
concrete, as allowed per the concrete coverage
required to develop capacities needed for pre- to gain understanding of their embedment and
provisions of ACI 318.
scriptive wall bracing in the lower seismic footing width recommendations so job specific
For some prefabricated shear panels, the al-
design categories A and B. For other applications requirements are communicated on drawings.▪
lowable in-plane shear load varies based on
the grade of bolt. The engineer-of-record must
indicate the grade of bolt required for the “Prefabricated shear panels provide Renee Strand, P.E. is a senior engineer with
anchorage. For prescriptive loading, an ASTM solutions to resist lateral loads iLevel by Weyerhaeuser. Renee can be reached
A307 grade threaded rod or bolt is usually where site-built shear walls or code at renee.strand@weyerhaeuser.com.
sufficient for single-story applications. For en- prescribed bracing cannot.”
gineered projects, projects located in moderate
to high seismic risk areas, and stacked appli-
with higher loads, prefabricated shear panels
Trade Show
cations, a high strength threaded rod or bolt,
should bear directly on concrete. If the prefab-
such as an ASTM A449 or equivalent grade,
in Print
ricated shear panel is located in a corner, near
is required. Keep in mind that for anchorage
the end of the CMU wall, calculated allowable
in regions of moderate to high seismic risk,
shear strength will be small. A bond beam may
anchor design shall be controlled by a ductile
be required to facilitate installing needed hori-
2010
steel element, the hold-down attachment shall
zontal reinforcement. Anchorage will need to
be designed to undergo ductile yielding, or the
extend to a concrete footing to resist tension
concrete design strength must be reduced.
forces and likely requires an engineer-of-
Many prefabricated shear panels now use
record to design.
only two bolts to anchor their panels to the
For applications in which the prefabricated
concrete. The engineer-of-record needs to Anchors
shear panel will bear on a flexible member
understand how the manufacturer has ana- Bridge Resources
such as a wood or steel beam, design of the
lyzed their anchor bolts for the combination Concrete
anchorage connection is left to the engineer-
of shear and tension. Section D.7 of the ACI Foundations
of-record. In addition, the drift at the top
318-08 provides an equation for analyzing Masonry
of the prefabricated shear panel must be
anchors subject to both shear and tension Retaining Walls
calculated to include the effects of the beam
loads simultaneously. Steel
deflection, compression perpendicular to grain
of a wood beam or wood plate on a steel beam, Cold-Formed Steel
Adhesive Anchors and wood shrinkage. Software
When considering post-installed, adhesive Wood Products
anchors for prefabricated shear panels, design- Engineering/Design Firms
ers need to make sure they are using current Detailing Construction
Sub
information. Adhesive anchors in concrete Although manufacturers of prefabricated shear
mit
listi your
now fall under International Code Council panels provide anchorage information to
Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) acceptance cri- assist the design professional with detailing,
n
Aug g by
teria, AC308, Post-Installed Adhesive Anchors the design professional is still responsible
in Concrete Elements. AC308 was developed to ensure the information and details are in
ust
for use in combination with ACI 318 Ap-
pendix D and strength design. For minimum
conformance with current codes and meet
the project needs. Detail sheets offered by the
20 th
edge distances, typical for prefabricated shear prefabricated shear panel manufacturers usu-
panel installation, tension strength based on ally show general footing requirements, and www.STRUCTUREmag.org/guides.aspx

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BIM
Dimensional and Material Quantity Control of Wood-Framed Construction
By Matthew H. Johnson, P.E. and Ariane I. Fund
The industry is saturated with articles and news stories touting the
value of building information models (BIM) – 3D parametric models
that contain “all” building information. Most articles discuss improved
using BIM, each and every floor joist and wall stud can be modeled, in
its intended location, with a higher level of dimensional control. In this
way, the engineer can specifically design for each unique framing case
coordination, construction time and cost savings, and the operational that arises, leading to potential material savings.
benefits of a parametric model. However, some articles are starting to BIM offers an additional advantage for wood-framed buildings since,
emerge that address several myths of BIM, such as a seamless model generally, they do not undergo the traditional shop drawing process of
transition from design to construction team, and the misuse of models most steel or concrete buildings. BIM thus allows engineers and contrac-
in developing traditional two-dimensional documents from 3D models. tors one of the few opportunities to visualize how each member will fit
There will be much growth and evolution in BIM as fair critiques together before they are on-site being constructed. This will allow for any
become more prevalent. atypical framing conditions, which can result in requests for information
Invariably, and regardless of the article tone, most of the discussion is (RFI) during construction, to be worked out in advance of actual con-
focused on steel and concrete building typologies. Wood construction struction. Even a typical detail, such as a header, can be designed more
is not as often addressed in practice or in publication. In fact, most BIM efficiently since the exact number and location of floor joists the header
products, until recently, have focused only on steel and concrete. is required to carry will be set. Furthermore, exact material takeoffs can
Wood-framed construction represents a significant portion of the be made directly from the model. As an example, instead of an engineer
low-rise construction market and the overall construction market simply indicating stud wall blocking at 4 feet on center, he/she can detail in
in general. Wood offers great opportunity, via building information elevation the exact quantity and length required, including precise spacing
models, to the owner and contractor if executed correctly. Use of BIM within the height of the wall. The ability of the engineer to detail nearly
in wood construction can reduce the required material on-site and assist exact material quantities will limit any excess or incorrect materials on
the engineer in providing additional and clearer details for typical and site, potentially saving the owner money.
atypical wood-framed construction. The other big advantage is in the coordination between disciplines, par-
ticularly between mechanical, electrical, and structural. As any structural
BIM and Wood Design engineer of a wood building is aware, the nature of the material allows
Traditionally, the structural engineer has developed representative it to be cut and penetrated on-site for the passage of pipes, ducts, con-
wood-framing plans for the contractor. Where structural steel-framed duit, and equipment placement. In a traditional building schedule, when
drawings often exhibit nearly exacting dimensional control for each this occurs, the structural engineers’ work is generally complete, and they
piece and every connection, wood-framed construction documents are often not consulted or even aware of the implications this may have.
provide floor and wall types with plan location only. In most cases, By specifying exact locations for studs and joists in a parametric BIM
final detailing and dimensional control of most individual pieces is model, the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers are better able
left to the contractor on-site. The contractor refers to notes, details, to coordinate and reduce the locations where their equipment will im-
or elevations provided by the engineer for material specifications and pact structural integrity. The locations where interference is unavoidable
typical stud spacing, blocking, nailing, etc., to piece together (literally and a structural member must be cut can be determined ahead of actual
and figuratively) the final construction. construction, allowing the structural engineer time to thoroughly review
Via use of 3D parametric models and a change in the production of the impact and to make necessary accommodations. However, as with all
traditional 2D construction documents, the engineer can provide sig- BIM projects, this advantage can only be realized if all disciplines are
nificantly greater drawing details, potentially reduce material required on-board from the beginning and working in coordinated models.
for construction, and minimize conflicts between disciplines. Use of To achieve potential savings in material and reduction in on-site
BIM allows the engineer to take more control of building details. By conflict, this style of more detailed modeling and documentation requires

Comparison of BIM structural model to actual construction. BIM was
used to illustrate the specific layout for the wall studs, important to ensure
that each attic member would frame directly on top of a stud below.
a shift in construction practice for wood-framed buildings that will not while maintaining the historic, existing eave height and soffit detailing.
be without hurdles. Most significant is the reliance on contractors and While the BIM model did lay out every framing member, some of the
builders to adopt new methods during construction, a challenge in a challenges mentioned still surfaced. The contractors did not consult
field that is based on years of tradition and fine-tuned building methods. the drawings for exact dimensioning of studs. They instead relied on
Contractors will have to consider wood-framed buildings in a similar traditional methods by arbitrarily choosing a starting point for the
manner to steel buildings, with members having specific locations. As framing and proceeding along-wall with the typical stud spacing. This
opposed to a few typical details that apply everywhere, they will face resulted in studs that were not aligned vertically between the first and
more details, ideally optimized for each unique condition throughout second floors, and ultimately required them to move stud framing or
the building. This also places additional burden on the engineer to both add additional studs to provide a direct load path.
develop these details and observe that they are being constructed as Another disadvantage is that many detailing components, such as
indicated. Until recently, modeling every member of a building could hangers and bolts, are not yet efficient to model as 3D objects in most
be a tedious task, especially if the parametric capabilities for wood stud commercially available BIM software or third-party products. Modeling
walls and floors are not built into the software. BIM software developers objects in 2D eliminates the parametric capabilities of a BIM model,
are now beginning to realize the importance of having this ability, and and is an area where the software needs improvement to be employed
many improvements have been made to aid in modeling. in the most efficient manner.
Using lessons learned on this project will help in developing an efficient
Case Study BIM model for subsequent wood-framed projects. Additionally, details and
notes will more clearly indicate that there is a specific dimensional control
BIM was utilized in a recent wood-framed reconstruction project. An
employed in the drawings. A pre-bid or preconstruction meeting will also
existing 1955 timber and masonry building was destroyed by fire. The
be utilized to review the drawing details and dimensional framing concepts.
historic, exterior masonry walls remained, and the decision was made
to construct a nearly new wood-framed building within the existing
enclosure. Updating to modern HVAC resulted in heavy roof loads due Conclusion
to attic-level HVAC equipment. Wood-framed buildings are another opportunity for engineers to use
To ensure that loads were carried in a direct path down to the BIM to improve upon both design documentation and coordination
foundations, each stud was modeled at the first and second floor between the design and construction teams. In wood-framed con-
directly on top of each other, and aligned directly below each attic and struction, BIM offers the additional opportunity to aid in achieving
roof member, reducing the need for headers at the roof and second material efficiency. While the dimensional control for wood-framed
floor. Positioning each wall stud had the additional advantage of buildings provided by BIM can help realize these goals, it will require
allowing efficient frame-out of window and door openings. In certain clear notation from the designer to the contractor until dimensional
cases where wall studs would be close to windows following the typical control of wood-framed buildings becomes standard practice. Addi-
spacing, headers were extended to be longer than the window width tionally, the developers of BIM software, third-party software providers,
to sit on these studs, as opposed to adding additional studs close to and wood-product manufactures will need to speed up the development
windows. It was also useful to model the exact extents of the plywood of wood-based modeling tools before the full potential offered by
decking and wall sheathing. In addition, many atypical conditions were BIM can be attained.▪
more easily discovered using BIM.
One such instance was the eave condition. Through 3D modeling, it Matthew Johnson, P.E. is an Associate Principal with Simpson
was determined that in some locations the attic floor framing was at Gumpertz & Heger Inc. in Waltham, MA. He can be reached at
an elevation that interfered with the roof rafters, potentially requiring MHJohnson@sgh.com.
significant notches to be cut. Use of the model to visualize their exact Ariane Fund is Staff II – Structures with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger,
location clearly demonstrated the conflict to the architect, and an Inc. in Waltham, MA. She can be reached at AIFund@sgh.com.
appropriate detail was developed to accommodate a new attic floor

The Expanding Use of Wood in School Construction
By Roxane Ward
L
ast November, the South Carolina Public School Facilities products typically associated with a wood building, exposed glulam
Committee overturned a long-standing policy when it voted to beams are a popular choice for schools that want to bring the warmth
allow the use of wood in school construction. The year before, of wood into the interior. Wood also offers an effective engineering
the state of Arkansas did the same, going so far as to change legislation solution for large rooms with tall walls and long clear-spanning roofs,
that for many years had prohibited wood schools. These changes were such as gyms and cafeterias.” To meet the requirements for longer spans
logically based on the prevalence of wood-frame schools elsewhere in and increased loads, designers use wood framing members such as
the country, as well as benefits such as cost, speed of construction, and glulam or structural composite lumber studs, to frame the walls and
sustainability. But what do design professionals have to say and what are deep-depth joists and heavy timber trusses to frame the roofs.
the unique elements that need to be considered? As an example, Kam-Biron points to the Cayucos Elementary School
in Cayucos, California. The structure is almost entirely framed in
Wood Schools 101 wood, including the gym, cafeteria, auditorium, and multi-purpose
room – each of which have walls between 20 and 30 feet high. “The
With certain caveats, the International Building Code (IBC) allows the
roof has custom glulam trusses that span 66 feet and I-joists that make
use of wood in building Types I through V. Types I and II, for example,
up the intermediate framing, and the walls are made of 1¾-inch x 10-
are permitted to include heavy timber in their roof construction and
inch glulam studs at 16 inches o.c. and 24 inches o.c.”
for secondary members – and wood is often used in these buildings to
Likewise, the 59,700-square-foot Gunter Primary School in Gunter,
add aesthetic appeal in libraries, gyms, and other common spaces. In
Texas is framed in wood, but also features glulam beams both for
Type III construction, wood is allowed in roof and floor systems, and
visual appeal and structural support (including one that spans 82 feet),
to frame interior walls. Type IV buildings are permitted to include solid
laminated wood decking for support over the gym and cafeteria, and
or laminated wood members, such as glued laminated timber (glulam),
sheathing over the decking for added shear resistance.
wood decking and structural sheathing where there are no concealed
spaces. Fire-retardant-treated (FRT) wood may be used in Types I
through IV in certain applications. And wood is permitted anywhere Why Wood?
in a Type V building, the most common type of wood construction. It’s common for designers to have the challenge of creating an en-
According to School Planning and Management’s School Construction riching environment with limited budgets. However, given that most
Report, the average size of a new school in 2009 ranged from 80,500 educators agree that a school’s design affects how well students learn –
square feet for an elementary school to 225,000 square feet for a high coupled with the strict budget constraints faced by many school boards
school. However, there is also a clear push toward smaller schools, which – the duelling objectives of form and function vs. cost are especially
are widely believed to be better for learning. Type V construction is an pronounced for schools.
especially cost-effective option for one-story structures less than 87,875 In Japan, a three-year study of 700 schools examined the impact of
square feet (which is the limit for a single story). building materials on the educational environment. While those
In California, about 60 percent of all schools are wood construction. “In surveyed generally expressed positive impressions of wood schools over
this market, schools tend to be on the smaller scale,” says Ken O’Dell, S.E., other materials, results also indicated that teachers and students in
a partner at MHP Structural Engineers, who has worked on more than wood buildings felt less fatigue, and that students perceived schools
10 wood schools in the last five years, mostly in and around Los Angeles. with wood interiors to be brighter than other structures.
“They’re often relatively simple structurally, one or two stories with square In terms of cost, a 2005 study comparing wood-frame and steel-
footage up to about 25,000 square feet for classroom buildings, which frame designs for a one-story, 73,557-square-foot elementary school
makes wood an obvious choice both architecturally and economically.” concluded that construction costs could be reduced by nearly $450,000
Michelle Kam-Biron, S.E., is a technical director with the WoodWorks with the wood design (which, based on the Consumer Materials Price
initiative, which provides free support to architects and engineers who Index, would have translated into $1.5 million in 2008). Operational
design wood schools and other non-residential wood buildings. “In savings resulting from the roof system’s additional thermal resistance
addition to solid sawn lumber, I-joists, wood structural panels, and other were projected at $15,000 a year.

In Arkansas, where several wood schools have been constructed since
the change in legislation, the savings go beyond theoretical. Bruce
Westerman, an engineer with Mid-South Engineering Company who
sits on the board of the Fountain Lake School District, was involved
in a project to build a new middle school and renovate an existing
high school, which had a combined total of 63,362 square feet. “We
considered masonry and steel first, only turning to wood when the initial
estimate came in well over budget at $150 a square foot. The wood-frame
option came in at $107 a square foot, saving the district $2.7 million.”
Safety First – Lateral Loads and Fire

Dwindling budgets or not, schools are required to meet a higher level
of safety performance than other building types – both in the IBC and
more stringent California Building Code (CBC) – for the protection of
students and teachers, and because they’re often used as shelters during
At Cayucos Elementary School, the roof is made from custom glulam trusses.
times of crisis.
Courtesy of RRM Design Group, Taylor & Syfan Consulting Engineers.
“The ability of wood buildings to perform well in seismic events is
one of the reasons wood is used for so many California schools,” says is generally expected because much of the school construction is low-
Kam-Biron. “Forces in an earthquake are proportional to the structure’s rise, wood-frame design, which is very resistant to damage regardless of
weight, and wood is substantially lighter than other materials. Some the date of construction.”
engineers think they need masonry or concrete for the tall walls, but When properly attached to wood framing, diaphragms and shear
this actually adds a lot of load to the structural system from a gravity walls made from wood structural panels, structural fiberboard, and
and seismic standpoint. The fact that wood buildings tend to have a board sheathing form stable roof, floor, and wall systems that enable
lot of redundancy built into their framing systems and numerous nail the building to effectively resist lateral loads caused by earthquakes and
connections means they have more load paths, resulting in less chance high winds. However, the effectiveness of the system is only as good as
that the structure will collapse should some connections fail. This is the number and quality of connections, says Kam-Biron, who stresses
also why wood buildings have inherent ductility, which allows them to the importance of proper specifying of fasteners and detailing. Criteria for
dissipate energy when subjected to the sudden loads of an earthquake.” designing and detailing of wood structural systems, members and
An assessment of damage to schools caused by the 1994 Northridge connections in lateral force resisting systems is covered in the American
earthquake in southern California concluded that school structures per- Wood Council (AWC) publication, ANSI/AF&PA Special Design Provisions
formed well on the whole, adding that “This type of good performance for Wind and Seismic Standard with Commentary (Wind and Seismic).

Even though many schools use wood products that you aren’t going
to buy at the local lumber yard, they still take considerably less
time to manufacture according to spec and deliver than steel. Most
communities also have a large and readily available labor pool that’s
familiar with wood-frame construction.”
With the exception of major members that are made to spec off-site,
wood can be easily adapted in the field, providing a quick work around
if mistakes are made or drawings are revised. That same adaptability
can also save schools money in the long run. A survey of buildings
demolished between 2000 and 2003 in Minneapolis/St. Paul found that
North American buildings often have a service life of 50 years or less,
regardless of material, not because they’ve fallen into disrepair, but for
reasons such as changing needs and land values. Wood’s workability and
light weight make it well suited to additions and retrofits if schools need
to expand; however, wood systems are also dismantled with relative ease
and the materials used elsewhere.
Fountain Lake Middle School was the first wood-frame school constructed in Regarding durability, which is a priority for schools, Westerman said
Arkansas following the legislative change that allowed more wood in school
the only hurdle his team ran into when reviewing the design for Fountain
construction. Courtesy of Bruce Westerman.
Lake Middle School was what material to use for the interior corridors.
“At MHP, we work with the architect to strategically take advantage of “We were concerned that students might knock holes in the gypsum
the walls available, and provide an engineering solution that allows the wallboard,” he said, “so we installed OSB (oriented strand board) over
best distribution of loads throughout the building,” says O’Dell. “If we the wood studs and covered it with impact-resistant gypsum.”
make the decision to use a masonry shear wall or a steel brace frame, we “Wood also offers good sound absorption, which is important in schools,”
tend to design it to take a major portion of the load to make up for the says Lockyear. “Because wood has more sound damping capacity than
extra cost and time involved, which often results in building out some other materials, it’s relatively easy to achieve the required noise control –
of the redundancy. With wood, my diaphragms are going to be divided especially where wood framing is surfaced with wood structural panels.”
much more evenly by the demising walls between classrooms. In my
mind, it gives you a system that’s better distributed.” The Greening of America’s Schools
In terms of fire protection, “heavy timbers perform particularly well
With an increase in government policies that require public buildings
because they char on the outside while retaining strength, slowing
to meet environment-related criteria, it isn’t surprising that the educa-
combustion and allowing time to evacuate the building,” says Scott
tion sector is one of the fastest growing markets for green building – or
Lockyear, P.E., a technical director with WoodWorks in Georgia and
that wood is playing an increasing role in school construction.
a specialist in fire issues. “In a controlled fire test sponsored by the
Wood is the only major building material that’s renewable and sus-
National Forest Products Association (now AWC), researchers exposed
tainable, and the only one with third-party certification programs to
comparable steel and glulam beams to the same fire conditions for the
verify that products being sold originated from a sustainably managed
same length of time. After 30 minutes, the steel beam lost 90 percent of
resource. Wood buildings are energy efficient, and life cycle assessment
its strength and collapsed while the glulam beam remained straight and
(LCA) studies have consistently shown that wood performs better than
true, having lost just 25 percent.”
other materials in terms of embodied energy, air and water pollution,
For Occupancy Group E buildings, which include most schools,
and global warming potential. Between the greenhouse gas emissions
IBC 903.2.2 stipulates that sprinklers are required in areas larger than
avoided by not using steel or concrete and the fact that wood buildings
20,000 square feet. However, the CBC and other local codes go further,
continue to store the carbon absorbed by trees during their growing
often requiring sprinkler systems and other fire protection measures in
cycle (wood is 50 percent carbon by mass), using wood helps to signifi-
new schools of any size. Round-the-clock fire protection is especially
cantly reduce atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2).
important, given that 32 percent of school fires start under suspicious
According to Gilbert Baez of HMC Architects, the design team chose
circumstances and most occur in July when school is out of session.
to frame Harada Elementary School in wood because of its low cost
“Protected construction improves overall life safety, but it can also be
compared to masonry and steel. However, it also had environmental
utilized to increase allowable areas,” says Lockyear. Under the IBC, the
benefits. At 69,853 square feet, the school stores approximately 490
addition of sprinklers gives the designer an additional 200-300 percent
metric tons of carbon in its wood-frame construction and is estimated
in allowable area (though, under the CBC, increased area cannot be
to have saved twice that amount in avoided greenhouse gas emissions.
combined with increased height or number of stories). Wood framing
also utilizes assemblies with rated gypsum wall board, which improve
the safety of the building by protecting structural elements. The AWC A+ for Wood Schools
publication, Design for Code Acceptance 3 – Fire-Rated Wood-Frame With the benefits of wood becoming more widely recognized, an
Wall and Floor/Ceiling Assemblies, includes a list of examples. Fire-rated increasing number of designers are exploring its use as a structural and
details are also incorporated in the AutoCad/Revit library available on finish material in school construction. Engineers who have questions,
the WoodWorks website (www.woodworks.org). or would like assistance solving a technical issue, are invited to visit
www.woodworks.org and contact a technical director in their region.▪
Speed, Flexibility and Adaptability
Although many buildings have tight construction schedules, completion Roxane Ward is a Vancouver, Canada-based writer who has written exten-
deadlines are especially important for school boards that need every- sively on sustainability, forest and wood-related issues for more than 15 years.
thing in place when students show up on the first day of classes.
“School construction schedules tend to be fast track,” said Lockyear. The online version of this article contains references.
“With wood, the timeline for delivery is short and assembly is fast. Please visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org.

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working in a collaborative workflow.
on work where ever they find it.

types, offer new services and stand out from and makes it less expensive to train
Engineer was a logical choice.”

the competition. new employees. Most importantly, it re-
“One of the big trends we’re seeing is duces the risks that come with manually
extensive functionality.
firms reevaluating their operations to make coordinating multiple analysis models.

them more efficient,” says Sean Flaherty, For those occasions I need to go outside Scia
the difference.”
CEO, Nemetschek North America. “We’re Engineer, I appreciate how easily it links to
seeing firms migrate from traditional engi- Excel™ and other specialty software,” Flamer
added.
neering workflows, which are often inef- added.

ficient and disconnected, to ones that are These new structural design programs
How Much Steel
easily plug-into today’s BIM process.
more integrated and economical.” allow firms to differentiate themselves. For
Another advantage of these new structural

where. This saves time and eliminates coor-
from Nemetschek Scia. Scia Engineer is part
These structural design software programs:
• Reduce RFIs, allowing designers to work

things. With the right technology, firms can
types, offer new services and stand out from
“A unique feature of Scia Engineer is that

Migrating to these processes can be made
and seeking an edge over their competitors.
eratively with others on the design team

• Help to connect today’s disjointed engi-
New processes like BIM (Building Infor-
During the current economic downturn,
engineering firms are doing more with less,
firms reevaluating their operations to make
model (bars and nodes), the software auto-

CEO, Nemetschek North America. “We’re
Could Eiffel Have
dination errors,” says Mark Flamer, Project

seeing firms migrate from traditional engi-
change the size of a column in the analysis

of a new breed of integrated 3D structural
• Make it easier for engineers to work it-

example, with support for open standards
a change anywhere is reflected every-

increase productivity, take on new project
Investing in new technology is one way
• Reduce costs and calculation errors by

looking for services to attract new clients,
Delivery) allow firms to reduce waste and

mation Modeling) and new project deliv-
easier with new software designed to sup-
design software that goes beyond analysis
modeling, analysis, design, and docu-

ficient and disconnected, to ones that are
out constructability issues before they

ery methods like IPD (Integrated Project
neering workflows, which are often inef-
and allows engineers to plug into today’s
mentation are all linked together, so

them more efficient,” says Sean Flaherty,
port them— software like Scia Engineer
matically updates the structural model.”

BIM and IPD
improve efficiencies throughout design,
“One of the big trends we’re seeing is
engineering firms are doing all of these
analysis, fabrication and construction.
Manager, Butler Engineering. “If you

like IFC 2x3 and direct links to other BIM
integrating modeling and analysis.

Saved with the
more integrated and economical.”
New processes like BIM (Building Infor- and CAD software, Scia Engineer makes
BIM and IPD
mation Modeling) and new project deliv- it easier for engineers to share information
ery methods like IPD (Integrated Project with others. This is a huge advantage when
Right Software?
more efficient processes.
By Daniel Monaghan
neering workflows.
working in a collaborative workflow.
reach the job site.

Delivery) allow firms to reduce waste and
the competition.
improve efficiencies throughout design,

Growing With Technology
analysis, fabrication and construction.
Migrating to these processes can be made In addition, the right software makes
easier with new software designed to sup- a firm more flexible, allowing them to
port them— software like Scia Engineer
from Nemetschek Scia. Scia Engineer is part
go beyond their usual projects, and take
on work where ever they find it. Find Out...
of a new breed of integrated 3D structural “Scia Engineer allows our firm to confi- www.SciaAmerica.com
design software that goes beyond analysis dently compete for bigger building projects
and allows engineers to plug into today’s as well as go beyond buildings,” says Flamer.
more efficient processes. “While our expertise is in light commercial, Scia Engineer makes it easy to maximize
These structural design software programs: we just completed a bridge project and are the performance of all types of structures.
• Help to connect today’s disjointed engi- ready to take on larger, complex structures. And, by linking structural modeling,
neering workflows. A flexible tool like Scia Engineer makes all analysis modeling, design, drawings and
• Make it easier for engineers to work it- the difference.” reports in one program it will increase
eratively with others on the design team He added: “I evaluated the usual list of the performance of your engineering
• Reduce costs and calculation errors by structural BIM and 3D analysis programs, department, too. Plus, support for open
integrating modeling and analysis. but there’s really no other program on the standards and direct links make it easy
• Reduce RFIs, allowing designers to work market like it. Scia Engineer is the only pro- for your firm to plug-into today’s BIM
out constructability issues before they gram I found that integrates 3D structural process.
reach the job site. modeling, analysis, design and documenta-
“A unique feature of Scia Engineer is that tion in one program and allows us to easily
modeling, analysis, design, and docu- plug-into other BIM software. For us, Scia Find out how much Scia Engineer can
mentation are all linked together, so Engineer was a logical choice.” save your firm. 877-808-Scia (7242),
a change anywhere is reflected every- For more information, visit www.Scia- www.SciaAmerica.com
where. This saves time and eliminates coor- Online.com or call 1.877.808.Scia (7242).
dination errors,” says Mark Flamer, Project
Manager, Butler Engineering. “If you Daniel Monaghan is the Managing Director
change the size of a column in the analysis of Nemetschek Scia, developers of leading
model (bars and nodes), the software auto- software products for structural engineer- Scia Engineer
matically updates the structural model.” ing in the construction industry. He can be Go Beyond Analysis.
Another advantage of these new structural reached at dmonaghan@scia-online.com Explore. Optimize. Collaborate.
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Special
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Engineering Software
Software Becomes Easier to Use, More
Transparent with Greater Interoperability
By Larry Kahanar
“Interoperability is a big issue with respect to software development.

In the BIM world, you can’t afford time to re-enter data. The
question is always how do we get data between products and how to
give control to the end user? More and more collaboration is not just
linear among architects and construction people but, potentially,
among owners, or for archiving or facilities management. This
data must be accessible to all users.”
W
ith worldwide economies pulling out of the recession, of BIM adaptation. It’s too good a technology not to be adopted. It’s
accompanied by increasing construction projects, structural expensive and difficult to learn, but it’s also too good to be ignored. It’s
engineers and others are once again looking at software as a just a matter of the time frame.” (See ad on page 67.)
way to increase their efficiency and grow their businesses along with Dan Monaghan, North American Managing Director for Nemetschek
the global comeback. “We are seeing things getting better this year,” Scia (www.scia-online.com), concurs. “We’re seeing firms migrate
says Bruce Bates, President and Founder of RISA Technologies, LLC from traditional engineering workflows, which are often inefficient and
(www.risatech.com) of Foothill Ranch, California. “Last year people disconnected, to ones that are more integrated and economical.”
were very conscious about their spending. Software is one of those “New processes like BIM and new project delivery methods like IPD
area that you can cut corners, but we’re seeing people loosening up a (Integrated Project Delivery) allow firms to reduce waste and improve
bit more.” efficiencies throughout all phases of design, analysis, fabrication and
RISA, which has been in business for almost 25 years, offers several construction.” Monaghan suggests that migrating to these processes can
software packages with RISA 3-D as its flagship product, according to be made easier with software such as his company’s Scia Engineer 2010.
Bates. The company will soon release a connection design program “One way we help engineers is by linking modeling, analysis, design,
for sheer and moment connections for steel structures. “Beam-to- and documentation in one program, so a change anywhere is reflected
beam, beam-to-column, column-to-column, those type of connections,” everywhere.” (See ad on page 35.)
Bates says. “It will integrate with RISA-Floor and RISA-3D, or it can Another benefit of software is that it allows engineers to expand their
be independent.” businesses into new areas. “Engineers are looking for opportunities to
Like others, Bates sees continued movement toward implementation work in non-traditional ways, new relationships to win projects,” says
of Building Information Modeling (BIM). “We are on the lower end Carl Taylor, Tekla, Inc.’s (www.tekla.com) Business Manager for the
continued on page 38
To learn more about the Solaris project,
Solaris Tekla read the “Two Birds, One Stone” case study
Structures Model at: www.tekla.us/solaris-architect
COLLABORATE
TO REDUCE RISK Wayne Muir, P.E.,
Managing Principal & President,
Structural Consultants, Inc.
Denver, CO
*All images courtesy of Structural Consultants, Inc.
Wayne Muir and his team have done it again! Using the Tekla Structures BIM Model, Structural Consultants, Inc.
(SCI) delivered more information to the estimators earlier in the project, lowering the financial risk to the owner
and his contractors. The steel package gave the fabricator, detailer and erector a better understanding of the
engineer’s design intent and put greater certainty into the cost model for a major subcontract early in the project.
At the same time, the architect and SCI successfully exchanged BIM models to collaborate their designs. “Being
able to collaborate and coordinate our design efforts in the Tekla Structural environment was a tremendous asset
to this project, that really paid off during the construction phase,” says Wayne Muir.
Tekla Structures BIM (Building Information Modeling) software provides a data-rich 3D

environment that can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers and
fabricators, and concrete detailers and manufacturers. Choose Tekla for the highest level
of constructability and integration in project management and delivery.
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Engineering Segment. “For example, structural engineers are teaming “Structural engineering is a safety-critical profession. The
up with steel detailing companies to offer packaged services. This can safety of the public relies on the computational aspects of the
bring in steel deliverables in a shorter time frame with reduced risk to software, and the quality and experience of the engineers that
the owner.” use the software.”
Released several months ago, Tekla Structures version 16 has a greater
emphasis on usability and is more intuitive to use with a shortened Information Modeling, or FIM, which it describes as a business strategy
learning curve, says Taylor. “We’re very conscious that users don’t just methodology that harnesses the structural supply chain and workflows
want powerful software, but they want to bring it into production in between engineering, fabricators and construction companies through open,
a shorter time.” best practice solutions and standards based integration, including CIS-2
One of the ongoing goals of software makers is interoperability. and IFC’s. “BIM covers everything, but we cover it for the structural
“Interoperability is a big issue with respect to software development,” fabrication side,” says Munny Panesar, Regional Manager. The company is
notes Raoul Karp, Director, Product Management in the Structure offering its product suite, called Evolution, using the BIM/FIM interop
Group of Bentley Systems, Incorporated (www.bentley.com), in Exton, theory. “We decided to just develop products under one umbrella. It’s a
Pennsylvania. “In the BIM world, you can’t afford time to re-enter data. huge project, but we’ve accomplished it for the detailing and fabrication
The question is always how do we get data between products and how side; now we are working on the engineering side,” he says. (See ad on
to give control to the end user? More and more collaboration is not page 47.)
just linear among architects and construction people but, potentially, Another goal of structural engineering software is its ease of use. “We
among owners, or for archiving or facilities management. This data try to make our software speak the language of structural engineers,”
must be accessible to all users.” says Terry Kubat, Engineer and Developer, IES, Inc. (www.iesweb.com)
Bentley’s Integrated Structural Modeling (ISM) is a platform for in- in Bozeman, Montana. “You used to have to speak the language of
teroperability, says Karp, and it offers a new and improved way to manage computers. Our philosophy is that software is invisible. It’s a tool to
multiple software applications that are required for structural projects. He solve your problems. You can tell just by looking at the main menu
notes that the company’s website offers free webinars about ISM. of VisualAnalysis that’s it’s for structural engineers: You design, model,
Software developer AceCad Software Ltd. (www.acecadsoftware.com), load, analyze and document. We focus on the engineer’s job.” The
also based inFIXED-IES-August-Half-Pg-4C.pdf
Exton, Pennsylvania,1 touts its1:06:45
6/30/2010 interopPM entry Fabrication continued on page 40
CM
MY
CY
CMY

Intelligent
Structural Design
With RAM™, STAAD® and

Model, Analyze, Design, Document Documentation Center, Bentley
offers proven applications for:
and Deliver…in an Integrated Workflow l Steel/Steel Composite
l Reinforced Concrete
Having all the applications you need for the tasks at hand, along with the ability
l Wood and Wood Products
to easily synchronize your work with the rest of the project information, helps
you get your job done right, fast and profitably. And when the structural project l Foundation Design
workflow can be integrated, the whole team benefits. l Post-Tensioned Design
l Steel Connections
Bentley’s new Passport Subscriptions for structural engineers provide access to l Structural Drawings and Details
the full range of structural software (including upgrades) and training documents
and information that most projects require. These options are available as an … all easily coordinated with the
affordable alternative to traditional licensing. Architect and other team members and
their design applications – such as
Contact us to learn more. AutoCAD, Revit, MicroStation® and more.
www.Bentley.com/Structural
© 2010 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. Bentley, the “B” Bentley logo, MicroStation, RAM, and STAAD are either registered or unregistered trademarks
or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. Other brands and product names are
trademarks of their respective owners.
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company, which has been around for about 17 years, introduced its Engineering/Construction (AEC), CAE/CAD, utilities, offshore, in-
newest product, VisualFoundation, about a year ago and has just released dustrial, nuclear and civil works – has always been the power and high
version 2. VisualFoundation does mat footing analysis with basic design quality of its computations. “Structural engineering is a safety-critical
checks and information. It handles complex footing geometry, with profession. The safety of the public relies on the computational as-
multiple columns, walls, grade beams and pile supports. pects of the software, and the quality and experience of the engineers
For Leroy Emkin, Founder and Co-Director of the CASE Center in that use the software. GT STRUDL is focused on the high quality of
Atlanta (www.gtstrudl.gatech.edu), the strength of GT STRUDL – its computations.”
its Structural Design & Analysis software programs for Architectural, Emkin notes that GT STRUDL customers are looking for even more
computational power, some of which is being driven
by new codes. The one giving the most problems, he
says, is the 13th edition/AISC. “One chapter is the
GT STRUDL
2005 specification which is now moving into the
requirement for non-linear static analysis of steel
structures… Our customers want computational
power for non-linear static, as well as dynamic,
Structural Analysis & Design Software analysis. Demands for non-linear are growing, and
we’ve been focusing on rigorous non-linear compu-
tational power.” Emkin says that his group is looking
at improving graphical modeling facilities that
provide front end to GT STRUDL. “We’re hoping
to have a product by the end of the year.”
Many organizations and companies give their soft-
ware away for free, or at low cost, to complement
their structural products or to promote use of a
building product such as wood or cement. These
programs generally are available for download from
the firm’s website. One such group is the Canadian

Wood Council (www.cwc.ca), a national, non-profit
association representing manufacturers of Canadian
wood products used in construction. The group offers
their MWF Design package that provides designers
using Revit Structure with seamless, bi-directional
The Best Choice integration with WoodWorks Sizer, a design software.

“We’re sticking to a premise of low-cost software
that’s easy to use,” says Robert Jonkman, Manager,
for Structural Engineering and Sustainable Design.
“People designing with wood generally don’t need
Infrastructure & Nuclear to model the entire building. Usually, there are only
a few types of members to check with for wood
construction. Typically, steel is more complex…If
you model with Revit, you can use our software to
NEW check your wood members.”
Base Plate Module
StructurePoint, LLC (www.structurepoint.org)
in Chicago, Illinois was formerly the Engineering
Software Group of the Portland Cement Association
and, as a spinoff from the Association, one of its
goals is to promote the use of cement. “We provide
civil and structural engineers with the software and
6 4 - B it
r
technical resources they need for designing concrete
NEW l Solve
Pa r a l le buildings and structures,” says Marketing Director,
Heather Johnson. For engineers, StructurePoint offers
a single point of access for educational tools, R&D
Georgia Tech - CASE Center reports, library services and technical information.
Phone: 404-894-2260 “Our motto is work simply, quickly and accurately.”
Email: casec@ce.gatech.edu
www.gtstrudl.gatech.edu She adds: “We think of ourselves as a gateway to
resources for the cement and concrete industry, even
Coming this Fall!
New Design Office 9
Now IBC 2009 and SDPWS 2008 compliant
Shearwalls:
• Shear wall deflection and story drift
• Deflection derived stiffness for force distribution
• Hold-down design using editable database
Sizer:
• Full control over bearing and span lengths
• Supporting member bearing design
• Full, clear or design spans
• Multiple beams and columns in one workspace
• Integration with Autodesk Revit® (optional)
Complete list of features and Demo at

woodworks-software.com/structure
“You can buy more sophisticated wood engineering software, but ...
it’s expensive, takes considerable time to model your structure, and is usually overkill for what engineers
need for the design of most wood structure projects. WoodWorks® Design Office doesn’t have the most
advanced graphics or the latest interface style, but its component-based operation is intuitive, quick and
easy to use, inexpensive, and is produced by the same wood experts that contribute to the development
of Canadian and American wood design standards. While our non-profit organization’s budget means we
need to continue to focus on only our niche of wood design, we are capitalizing on the stengths of other
software packages like Autodesk’s Revit® Structure to help give you the level of sophistication of fully
modelled structures by creating a bi-directional integration with this leading BIM software. A Revit/Sizer link
is now available as a separate purchase.”
Robert Jonkman, P.Eng, Manager, Structural Engineering and WoodWorks Software, Canadian Wood Council
www.woodworks-software.com/structure 800-844-1275
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from someone who is not a user of our software… What do people recent code changes, as well as help engineers design, select and spec
want? They’re asking for more training tools, more simplicity. Engineers concrete anchors in accordance with the code.
have less time, less training time and less schedule and budget. They “We will continue to add products into the software,” Ziegler adds.
want something that gets them from A to Z very fast. They must be able “Next will be adhesive anchors into Version 2. It will also be compliant
to trust the software; they must be confident in it.” (See ad on page 51.) with Windows 7, the latest code and provisions for adhesive anchors.
For Richard Morgan, Technical Services Engineer at Hilti Corporation The software is free because it’s a product complement.” He notes that
in Tulsa, Oklahoma (www.us.hilti.com), the company’s free software, the new software will help design cast-in-place anchors, even though
PROFIS Anchor, not only keeps engineers in sync with the latest building the company does not sell these products. (See ad on page 2.)
codes but it acts as a design aid. Users benefit from Hilti’s technical Simpson Strong-Tie Anchor Systems, in Pleasanton, California
experience in the field of anchor fastening, as PROFIS Anchor pro- (www.simpsonanchors.com) offers Anchor Designer Software which
vides access to the complete range of Hilti products and solutions. This analyzes and suggests anchor solutions using the ACI 318, Appendix D
makes selection of the appropriate anchor not only extremely quick and strength design methodology (or CAN/CSA A23.3 Annex D). It provides
easy, it also ensures greater reliability of the final result, says Morgan. cracked and uncracked-concrete anchor solutions for numerous Simpson
“Version 2.1 is set to launch in October, 2010, and will have AC 318.08 Strong-Tie Anchor Systems’ mechanical and adhesive anchors.
[seismic], IBC 2009 and Canadian code CSA A23.3-04,” Morgan says. Free for download, an update will come out shortly and will include
“The design report will show all equations and calculations. We did it to new anchors for which the company has obtained code approval, says
take away the ‘black box’ for the plan checkers… We’re also developing Engineer Ken Cho. “We’re intending to take it global by adding ETAG
a user’s manual to explain the design assumptions. Sometimes design (European Technical Approval Guideline) for Europe and Asia… The
assumptions in software are transparent, but sometimes it’s not so software provides detailed calculations which tend to make the output
apparent. It will explain what the program is doing with the variables.” pages lengthy, but we wanted to make it so it’s not like a black box and
(See ad on page 49.) allows engineers to perform the review of the output calculation.” (See
Another free software offering comes from Powers Fasteners, Inc., ads on pages 11 and 15.)
based in Brewster, New York (www.powers.com). “We co-market the At New Millennium Building Systems, LLC in Salem, Virginia
software with our products,” says Mark Ziegler, Director of Engineering. (www.newmill.com), which is a steel joist and deck manufacturer,
Like other software, Powers Design Assistant or PDA will be current with offering their Dynamic Joist component software is a way to help
customers reduce their risk, as well as that of the
company, by mitigating or eliminating errors. “It’s
a plug-in for Tekla Structures, and it’s our intro-
duction to BIM,” says Information Technology
Director Ricky Gillenwater. “The component is
free and downloadable.” He adds: “When we de-
cided that we needed to participate in BIM, we
went with a Tekla plug-in because that’s what
the majority of our customers use… We’re also
developing a deck component.”
Nisha Mehta, Director of Engineering at

Dimensional Solutions, Inc. (www.dimsoln.com)
in Houston, Texas says that her company decided
to focus on concrete design because there was a
lack of automation in that area. “We serve the pet-
rochemical, communications, mining and other
industries,” she says. “Customers are looking for
easy-to-learn software. Civil engineers often are
the last ones to receive information and the first
to generate output for foundations, so their work
schedule is very compressed and they need to au-
tomate as much as possible – and they don’t want
to use multiple software products.” The company
offers five foundation products: FoundationD,
Mat3D, DSAnchor, Shaft3D and Combined3D. “We
are constantly incorporating international codes as
requested by our customers. Our customers also
want more types of software for foundations, for
equipment such as vibrating machines, pumps
and tank products, so they can do dynamic analysis
on their foundations.” (See ad on page 46.)
The shortest distance from
A to BIM
FREE 3-D steel joist design component

Now you can develop and exchange digital, three-dimensional steel joist plans using our new
building information modeling (BIM) steel joist design component. The free component contains
joist configurations, specifications, material components, and design requirements that can be
used from the planning room to the jobsite. Our current component is a Tekla design suite add-on.
Component add-ons for additional 3-D design suites are coming soon.
Download yours today!

www.newmill.com/freebim
MIDWEST (260) 868-6000
EASTERN (540) 389-0211
SOUTHERN (386) 466-1300

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Design Data (www.sds2.com) develops 3D modeling software for need to view the models and drawings via the Global Review Station.
the structural steel industry. Their flagship product, SDS/2, started as “Erectors have used these stations to facilitate layouts and scheduling,
a steel detailing program, but has grown beyond detailing, allowing while engineers use it to speed up approvals,” she says.
fabricators, engineers and erectors to take advantage of it, according The company is releasing a new engineering product, called Engineering
to Michelle McCarthy, Sales Representative. “For example, engineers Analysis and Design (EAD/2). EAD/2 is an analysis product that also
can use the connection design capability of SDS/2, while fabricators provides the engineer with the same connection design found in SDS/2.
are using the CNC information SDS/2 generates to drive their shops.” With the AISC code written into the software, engineers can analyze,
Design Data has also provided solutions for project partners who only develop connections in the structure, and pass that model to the de-
tailer. Because EAD/2 is directly linked to the SDS/2 detailing model,
there is no loss of information and the model maintains its integrity
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES throughout the construction process, McCarthy says.
Software writers at Devco Software, Inc. (www.devcosoftware.com),
STRUCTURE® magazine is planning several based in Corvalis, Oregon, pride themselves on being software engineers
and not computer engineers, says Rob Madsen, President. “We write
additional SPECIAL ADVERTORIALS software for the steel framing industry. The main thing about our
in 2010. software is that we’re design engineers, so we design it from an engineer’s
point of view. The software works how we want it to work. It’s easy to
To discuss advertising opportunities, please contact
use with a short learning curve.”
our ad sales representatives:
They are currently working on an update to their LGBEAMER program,
CHUCK MINOR DICK RAILTON which will include 2007 NASPEC adopted in the 2009 IBC. “There’s lots
of complexity in the new code,” Madsen says. (See ad on page 42.)
Phone: 847-854-1666 Phone: 951-587-2982
Software from Retain Pro Software of Newport Beach, California,
Sales@STRUCTUREmag.org (www.retainpro.com) designs and analyzes nearly any cantilevered
or restrained retaining wall, concrete or masonry,
with just about any configuration and loading
condition. This includes segmental retaining walls,
RETAIN PRO 9
says President Hugh Brooks. “We have just an-
nounced the release of Retain Pro 9, an upgrade
that has over 20 new features and enhancements
including code updates, soldier pile design, added
Design Retaining Walls seismic design options, pier foundations, expanded
segmental retaining wall selections, and a new
in minutes... not hours! 210-page user’s manual with 14 design examples,”
Brooks says. He is also the author of the new 8th
YES, In minutes you can edition of Basics of Retaining Wall Design, available
design or analyze nearly any from their website.
Working niche markets is the bailiwick of Montreal-
configuration material or
based StrucSoft Solutions (www.strucsoftsolutions.
loading condition for cantilevered,
restrained, gravity, gabion, soldier New in Version 9.0 com). Currently, the firm has two product lines –
MWF, a light gauge steel and wood framing solution
pile, or segmental retaining walls. • Soldier Pile Design for Autodesk’s Revit, and CMS, a CAD/CAM ap-
Retain Pro 9 has even more features to • More Segmental Wall Design Options
plication dedicated to creating, editing and managing
expand your capabilities and enhance DSTV-NC files. “Our [MWF] product detects all
• Enhanced Reports and Graphics clashes and does something about them with a rule
your productivity. And with over 150 city,
county, and federal plan review agencies • F-1 Total Help Explains All Entries set for changes. That’s a huge step, because we’re
• New User's Manual, 14 Design Examples talking about thousands of openings. Even if there
using Retain Pro, its acceptance is
is not a rule to fix it, it gets flagged,” says Spencer
established. To learn more, visit • Added Seismic Design Options Murray, Vice President of Operations.
www.retainpro.com. • New Design Status Control “There’s a greater acceptance of BIM principles,
You'll like what you see! • And much, much more... and Revit in particular, as a platform,” Murray says.
“Revit is moving from the architect into engineering
$495 Small Office License • Install on up to four computers
and further down into trades like contractors. This
• Upgrade discounts available for prior versions • Download and start using immediately after ordering! is a great opportunity for companies like ours to
fill niche markets.” He adds: “When the housing
market picks up in the US, that will be our next
Retain Pro Software • Corona del Mar, CA • 1-800-422-2251
boom business.” (See ad on page 3.) ▪

BUILDING INTELLIGENT CONNECTIONS.
Why settle for this?
When your software can do this?
SDS/2 is the only BIM software that designs connections intelligently. This means it recognizes — and resolves — erectability
issues and framing conditions while automatically designing connections.
SDS/2 takes the work out of completing your BIM model. With SDS/2’s power to engineer joints and superior connections to
project partners, viewing the as-built model enables you to get the job done better, faster and smarter.
Visit sds2.com or call 800.443.0782 to learn how you can start building intelligent connections in your projects today.
www.sds2.com 800.443.0782 402.441.4000 e-mail: info@sds2.com
Copyright © 2009 Design Data, Inc. All rights reserved.

Next Generation
Interoperability
Experience the future of steelwork construction with the
new AceCad Software evolution suite.
T. +1 (610) 280 9840

www.acecadsoftware.com
2010 SOFTWARE GUIDE
A software guide for Structural Engineers
r etai n i n g wal l s
pac k ag es /s ui tes
f oun dati on s /
Not listed? Visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org/guides.aspx and submit
prod uc ti v i t y
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AceCad Software Inc.

Phone: 610-280-9840 AceCad Software X X X X X X X X X X
Email: c.obrien@strucad.com
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ADAPT Corporation ADAPT-ABI 2009 X X
Phone: 650-306-2400
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ADAPT-Builder Floor Pro/MAT/SOG 2010 X X X
Applied Science International, LLC
Phone: 919-645-4090
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Extreme Loading for Structures 3.0 X X X X X X X X X X X
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BimSoft Inc.
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Limcon X X X X X
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Computers & Structures, Inc.

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Decon USA, Inc.
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Studrail STDESIGN V3.1 x x
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Design Data
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Digital Canal
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Structural Expert Series x x x
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Dimensional Solutions, Inc.

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Georgia Tech – CASE Center
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Hilti, Inc.
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IES, Inc.
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2010 SOFTWARE GUIDE
r etai n i n g wal l s
pac k ag es /s ui tes
f oun dati on s /
prod uc ti v i t y
com p on en ts
l i g ht g aug e
A software guide for Structural Engineers
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LARSA, Inc.
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LionStar Engineering, LLC

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MIDASoft Inc.
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midas Civil 2010 x x x x
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Nemetschek Scia
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Standards Design Group, Inc.

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STRUCTUREPOINT
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STR 6-09
LEGAL PERSPECTIVES
discussion of legal issues of interest to structural engineers
What’s a Structural Engineer to Do?

The Collaborative World of Building Information
Modeling and Integrated Project Delivery
By David J. Hatem, PC and Sue Yoakum, Esq., AIA
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and and maintenance processes. Among other
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) are relatively things, the use of BIM allows the contractors
new concepts that are generating a significant and subcontractors to understand and make
amount of interest with owners, designers, en- early decisions relating to means and methods,
gineers and contractors. The implementation and accurately report to the owner and de-
of these new concepts requires the members of signers ease of construction and construction
the design and construction industry, including costs. Certain designs are more expansive and
owners, to work together more than ever and complicated than others and an early under-
• E202, 2008, Building Information
establish common goals, risk allocation and standing of this during design will assist in
Modeling Protocol Exhibit
insurance options. making informative design decisions.
• E201, 2007, Digital Data Protocol Exhibit
At this time, almost everyone in the design Potential advantages associated with the use
and construction industry understands BIM of BIM include: ConsensusDOCS
is a drawing tool used by design professionals • Improved spatial program validation
with structural engineers at the forefront, • Enhanced ability to visualize and Below is the list of model ConsensusDOCS
and contractors to draw/model the project comprehend designs, complicated details agreements available for use on IPD and
prior to construction. BIM has been defined and sequences BIM projects.
as “a digital representation of physical and • Better coordination and timely detection • ConsensusDOCS 300, Standard Form
functional characteristics of a facility,” by the of conflicts and clashes of Tri-Party Agreement for Collaborative
National Institute of Building Sciences Model • Improved design details Project Delivery
Standard 22 (2007). BIM may be used in a • Compression of the design period • ConsensusDOCS 301, Building
variety of applications, including: • Real-time identification and resolution of Information Modeling (BIM) Addendum
1) design visualization and comprehension, potential fabrication and constructability For IPD projects, AIA has two forms of
2) structural analysis, issues prior to start of construction Agreements. In 2008, AIA released the C195-
3) energy analysis, • Identification and resolution of design 2008 and subsequent agreement for use in
4) preparation of design drawings, questions prior to start of construction forming a single purpose entity to deliver an
5) systems coordination, • Greater communication and IPD project. In November 2009, AIA took
6) constructability reviews, collaboration among owners, designers, another approach to IPD projects and released
7) “4D” scheduling and sequencing, and constructors, suppliers and other lower- the C191-2009 Standard Form Multi-Party
8) layout and field coordination. tier project participants Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery. This
IPD is an approach to project delivery in Potential advantages associated with the use multi-party approach is the more common
which major project participants (minimally, of IPD include many of the BIM advantages approach for IPD projects. The C191-2009
the owner, design professional and constructor, listed above, plus potential alignment of project agreement envisions the Owner, Design
and potentially, lower-tier design and construc- interests and sharing of profits and risks. Professional(s) and Contractor(s) executing
tion participants) execute a single contract this agreement, a minimum, but additional
parties can be added depending on project
under which they agree to collaborate in the Standard Form of Agreements needs. For projects with a unique structural
design development process and, to a degree,
share economic risk associated with design and
for Use on BIM and IPD Projects design, the structural engineer may prefer to
construction. For projects where the structural Today, there are standard forms of agree- be a party to the agreement.
design is complicated and the structure is a ments available from the American Institute C191-2009 is unique from other IPD agree-
substantial portion of construction costs, the of Archetects (AIA) and ConsensusDOCS© ments in that it allows the parties to enter into
structural engineer should have a “seat” at the for use on IPD and BIM projects. an agreement prior to defining all the project
table to assist in the critical decisions. parameters. This is a good approach because
AIA Documents in order to understand the project and risk
Below is the list of AIA agreements available allocations, the project parameters, design,
Advantages Associated With for use on IPD and BIM projects. schedule and costs needs to be understood at
the Use of BIM and IPD • C191-2009, Standard Form Multi-Party the basic level. There are four exhibits to this
The use of BIM on a project allows for simulta- Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery Agreement: Exhibit A, General Conditions;
neous collaboration, interaction and integration • C195-2008, Standard Form Single Purpose Exhibit B, Legal Description of the Project;
among project participants in the planning, Entity Agreement for Integrated Project Exhibit C, Owner Criteria; and Exhibit D, Target
design, fabrication, construction, operations Delivery and companion agreements Criteria Amendment, the most important and

probably the Exhibit that will take the longest its own negligence. responsibility is distributed do not
to complete is with an additional seven exhibits • Article 11 Incentives and Risk Sharing maintain adequate, or any, insurance
to complete. Exhibit D is anticipated to be establishes both a financial incentive coverage for defective design.
completed over time and added to the Agree- program for the sharing of project cost • If design responsibility for permanent
ment by amendment. below the Project Target Cost Estimate project work will be delegated to
In order to define the Target Criteria, seven (PTCE), as well as sharing of losses. contractors and trade subcontractors,
exhibits need to be completed: Exhibit AA, • Article 11.5 provides that, in the event they should have adequate professional
Target Cost Breakdown; Exhibit BB, Project that the actual cost of the Project liability insurance.
Definition; Exhibit CC, Project Goals; Exhibit exceeds the PTCE, excess will be borne • In instances in which insurance coverage
DD, Integrated Scope of Services; Exhibit EE, by the Owner. for defective delegated design is not
Project Schedule; Exhibit FF, Digital Data • Article 21 Indemnity, Insurance, Waivers maintained by the constructor, trade
Protocol Exhibit based on the E201 2007 and Bonds, under Article 21.1, owner, subcontractor, or specialty designer, the
agreement; and Exhibit GG, AIA E202 BIM contractor and designer each agree to design professional’s professional liability
Protocol Exhibit. indemnify and hold each other harmless insurance is often called upon to defend
The intent of both AIA IPD Agreements to the extent caused by the respective and indemnify.
is to create a collaborative environment in negligent acts.
which to deliver the project. These agreements • Article 21.3 requires the design Conclusion
include provisions that address, among other professional maintain professional
Integrated Project Delivery may not be the
things; risk sharing, waivers of claims, waiver liability insurance for negligence.
right project delivery approach for every proj-
of consequential damages and subrogation The ConsensusDOCS 301 Building Informa-
ect. At a minimum, design professionals need
claims, indemnifications shared project incen- tion Modeling (BIM) Addendum defines roles
to know associated risks, professional liability
tives and goals, and identifying a project neutral and responsibilities, and risk allocation, in a
and insurability issues related to IPD projects.
to assist with dispute. fairly traditional manner. This BIM addendum
BIM continues as the appropriate drawing tool
AIA Document E202™ – 2008 Building addresses and focuses on the management of
for every project, no matter how big or small.▪
Information Modeling Protocol Exhibit is the electronic information.
AIA’s standard form of agreement for use on
BIM projects. This document is an exhibit Insurance Coverage for David J. Hatem, PC, is a Founding Partner
and is intended to be attached to any AIA
agreement. E202 could be used as an exhibit
IPD and BIM Projects of the multi-practice law firm, Donovan
As a general matter, insurers underwrite the Hatem LLP. He leads the firm’s Professional
with other agreements, after careful review
risk of insuring only legal conduct. Insurance Practices Group. Mr. Hatem can be reached
and modification. This BIM exhibit primarily
concerns that should be discussed and ad- via email at dhatem@donovanhatem.com.
focuses on specific responsibility for the de-
velopment of each BIM element; it assumes dressed prior to entering into an IPD con- Sue Yoakum, Esq., AIA, is an attorney and a
traditional project roles and responsibilities, tract, including: licensed architect. At Donovan Hatem LLP,
and risk allocation. • A design professional’s liability Ms. Yoakum focuses her practice assisting
ConsensusDOCS takes a different approach exposure may be increased if other design professionals. She can be reached via
to their IPD agreement and does not require or project participants to whom design email at syoakum@donovanhatem.com.
promote the establishment of a Single Purpose
Entity Agreement (SPE). ConsensusDOCS
300; Standard Form of Tri-Party Agreement
for Collaborative Project Delivery is a tri-party
approach which embraces the idea that, in
order for all the parties to be on the same
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Quality assurance corner
meeting and exceeding requirements and expectations
Tips for Designing Constructible

Steel-Framed Structures
Part 1
By Clifford W. Schwinger, P.E., SECB and Todd R. Campbell, P.E.
The term “constructability” defines the ease
with which structures can be built. Why should
designers care about constructability? They
should care because a constructible design is
an economical design. Thirty years ago there
was little discussion about constructability.
That was because most structural engineers
were aware of the need to design buildings
which could be easily built. Consideration
of constructability was standard procedure.
Attention to constructability diminished with
the increased use of computers. Computer
programs unfortunately do not print error
messages warning of constructability flaws.
Recently there has been renewed focus on
constructability – what it is, how to achieve it
and how to educate practicing engineers on this
lost art. This article focuses on constructability
of steel-framed structures. Figure 1: Simplify base plate geometry where possible.
There are four basic tenets to the practice
of designing constructible steel structures. preferred fabrication and construction practices connections, such as single angle
They are: common within the areas where their projects connections, can usually be used for
1) Simplicity = economy are located. light beam reactions. Single angle
2) Least weight does not always equate to 1) Show all actual reactions, moments connections to column webs offer an
least cost and axial loads for which connections additional benefit of eliminating shared
3) The fewer the pieces, the more must be designed, and permit bolts with the beam connections on the
economical the design fabricators to design and detail the opposing side of the web.
4) Efficient connection design = connections to suit their preferences. 4) Do not prohibit “one-sided” shear
economical design If readers follow only this rule, they will connections, such as single angle
Note that the terms economy and constructible significantly enhance constructability of connections, unless there are valid
are often used interchangeably in discussions the buildings that they design. Showing reasons for doing so. Some designers
of constructability. This is because the most reactions, moments and member forces, arbitrarily prohibit the use of one-sided
economical design is usually one that is also and allowing fabricators to design and connections. Properly designed single-
highly constructible. Constructability problems detail their preferred connections, will sided connections are cost effective,
fall into two general categories – constructa- result in the most competitive bids. strong and safe to erect.
bility flaws due to framing configurations that 2) Use square baseplates with
are difficult to assemble (most often relating 5) Avoid complete joint penetration
symmetrical anchor rod patterns. (CJP) welds when possible. Some
to connection issues) and constructability flaws Square plates, and symmetrical and
due to framing configurations that are in- designers arbitrarily require welds
repetitive anchor rod patterns, are to be complete joint penetration
efficient (such as a floor faming layout with easy to detail, fabricate and erect. This
beams spaced at 6 feet o.c. versus a layout with welds when alternative welds will
is a classic example of “simplicity = work. When designers opt not to
beams spaced at 12 feet o.c.) economy”. (Figure 1)
Below is a list of suggestions which, if fol- design and detail welded connections
lowed, will usually facilitate the fabrication 3) Frame girders to column flanges. on the contract documents, the
and erection of steel structures. Some of these It’s easier to maneuver beams (which best alternative is to provide steel
rules-of-thumb will vary depending on project are usually smaller than girders) into fabricators with the design forces at
location, labor cost and specific fabricator position between column flanges than welded connections and permit the
preferences based on available fabrication equip- it is to frame girders to column webs. fabricator’s connection engineer to
ment. Designers should be familiar with Likewise, beams usually have smaller design the most cost-efficient weld to
reactions than girders. Economical resist the applied forces.

Figure 2: Head off steeply skewed beams to facilitate design and detailing of connections. Figure 4: Orient columns in braced frames to enable square
bracing connections.
6) Avoid specifying that connections The only labor required is that of member at the connection. Welds on
be designed for “full strength of bolting connection angles to beams the acute angle side of steeply skewed
member”. Requiring that connections and columns. Welded connections single plate connections can be difficult
be able to support the full strength of introduce another level of complexity to install. Bolts can likewise be difficult
the member is both vague and usually and increased chances for human to install. When steeply skewed beams
unnecessary. A better solution is to error. While welded connections are cannot be avoided, heading them
show the member reactions on the fine where required, most fabricators off will usually solve the connection
framing plans. with drill line machinery prefer bolted problems that would otherwise occur.
7) Avoid using generic tables requiring connections. Welded connections also (Figure 2)
beams of certain depths to be require a greater level of inspection 15) Orient columns to minimize skewed
designed for conservative reactions. versus bolted connections. connections to columns. (Figure 3)
The use of a table listing beam depths, 10) Favor connections that do not require 16) Orient columns in braced frames
minimum rows of bolts and minimum field welding. Field welding is generally square with braced frame members.
required connection shear capacities more expensive than field bolting. (Figure 4)
is widespread. A better solution is 11) Check that connections are The next QA Corner article will continue the
to show all beam reactions on the constructible and that bolts or welds discussion of constructability of steel-framed
framing plans. Connection cost is a can be physically installed. Engineers structures, with 25 additional tips and sugges-
significant percentage of the total in- who delegate connection design to tions. If you have any comments about this
place cost of structural steel. Requiring the steel fabricator are still obligated article, please email the authors.▪
connections to be designed to have to make sure that their framing is
capacities far greater than the actual configured in a manner that will permit
reactions is wasteful of the owner’s Clifford Schwinger, P.E., SECB is a Vice
the steel fabricators to efficiently detail President and Quality Assurance Manager at
budget and resources. and fabricate the connections. The Harman Group. He may be reached at
8) Size columns to avoid stiffener plates 12) Minimize or avoid skewed cschwinger@harmangroup.com.
and web doubler plates. Stiffener connections where possible. While
plates and web doubler plates are costly Todd R. Campbell, P.E. is an Associate
skewed connections can be fabricated, and Project Manager at The Harman
to install. A better alternative is usually they are generally more expensive than
to upsize columns so that these plates Group. He may be reached at
square connections. tcampbell@harmangroup.com.
are not required.
13) Avoid skewed connections with
9) Favor bolted connections over large reactions. Beams with large end
welded connections. Most large reactions are often most efficiently
fabricators use computer controlled
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framed with double-sided connections
beam and angle drill line machinery. – specifically double angle connections
where the bolts are in double shear.
Double sided skewed connections The easiest to use software for calculating
are more expensive than double- wind, seismic, snow and other loadings for
sided square connections, and bolt IBC, ASCE7, and all state codes based on
installation can be difficult depending these codes ($195.00).
on the angle of the skew. Tilt-up Concrete Wall Panels ($95.00).
14) Avoid steeply skewed beam-to-girder Floor Vibration for Steel Beams and Joists
connections with skew angles less ($100.00).
than 30 degrees. Steep skew angles
often require very large beam copes, Concrete beams with torsion ($45.00).
which can reduce the strength of the
Figure 3: Orient columns to minimize the number of Demos at: www.struware.com
skewed connections.

Great achievements
notable structural engineers
Gustav Lindenthal
By Frank Griggs, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., P.L.S.
Gustav Lindenthal was one of the premier bridge over three river piers, with the two
bridge builders in the United States between central spans being 330 feet.
1877 and 1935. He was born in Bruun, In 1885, he was asked to prepare a plan to
Austria May 24, 1850 and attended classes carry Pennsylvania Railroad tracks across the
at the Provincial College of Brunn and the Hudson River from New Jersey into lower
polytechnical schools of Brunn and Vienna Manhattan. Lindenthal surveyed the river and
before beginning his engineering career on the later wrote, “The great railroad bridge over
Austrian Empress Elizabeth Railroad in 1870. the Firth of Forth in Scotland was then under
He moved to Vienna in 1872 as an Assistant construction. The question was, could a similar Gustav Lindenthal.
Engineer for the Union-Baugesellschaft. He bridge be built over the Hudson River?” In
immigrated to the United States in 1874, where 1886, he presented a proposal for a four-track St. Lawrence River. Theodore Cooper was
he anticipated greater opportunities. Finding suspension bridge with a 3,000-foot central selected to review the plans. Cooper met with
no work in New York, he went to Philadelphia span. He estimated his bridge and Manhattan Lindenthal and John Sterling Deans, Chief
looking for a job in the construction of buildings Terminal would cost approximately $22,000,000. Engineer of the Phoenix Bridge Company,
for the Centennial Exposition. After working The cost of his project was more than the to discuss Lindenthal’s/Phoenix Bridge’s sus-
as a mason, he was moved up to draftsman Pennsylvania Railroad could support. pension bridge design. Cooper indicated, “he
and later engineer on design and construction The Engineering News noted, “there is prob- would not give Mr. Lindenthal’s plan careful
of several of the main buildings. ably no one on either side of the ocean who and detailed consideration due his estimated
He then went to Pittsburgh where he worked could be counted on more confidently to deal cost.” Cooper recommended the cantilever pro-
for three years with the Keystone Bridge successfully with the intricate engineering prob- posal of the Phoenix Bridge Company “as the
Company. In 1879, he started a two-year em- lems involved than Mr. Lindenthal. Certainly, ‘best and cheapest’ plan and proposal of those
ployment with the Atlantic and Great Western no one of the eminent engineers who have submitted to me...” Construction started in July
Railroad. One of his biographies indicates that already constructed great long span bridges 1905. The bridge collapsed during construction
he “reconstructed or strengthened some hundred could have been justly regarded as better on August 28, 1907, killing 75 men.
old bridges and built at least a half a hundred equipped for his work at its inception.” Lack In 1902, Lindenthal was appointed New York
new iron bridges throughout the Middle West.” of funding delayed the start of construction City Bridge Commissioner. At that time the
In 1881, Lindenthal went into business on his for another several years. Then the financial Williamsburg Bridge was under construction,
own as a consulting engineer in the Pittsburgh panic of 1893 to about 1900 and the bank- the foundations were under contract on the
area. He built four major bridges in the area ruptcy of several railroads that signed onto the Blackwell’s Island Bridge and the design of the
over the next several years. The Herr’s Island, bridge, caused further delay. Manhattan Bridge was well along. The next
30th Street, Bridge was his first chance to ap- In 1890, Gustav moved his office to New two years were tumultuous ones for Lindenthal,
ply the continuous bridge principle. He next York City. In 1894-95, when the New York and as he was at odds with Leffert L. Buck, Richard
replaced John A. Roebling’s Smithfield Street New Jersey Bridge Company was proposing a S. Buck, O. F. Nichols, Wilhelm Hildenbrand,
Suspension Bridge over the Monongahela competing 2,000-foot span cantilever bridge, Washington and Charles Roebling, etc.
River. For his channel spans, Gustav chose Pauli and later a 3,000-foot span suspension bridge He greatly modified the design of the Black-
(lenticular) Trusses. This was the first long by T. C. Clarke and Charles Macdonald across well’s Island Bridge, changing it from a
span bridge of this type built in the United the Hudson River, he revived interest in his conventional cantilever with suspended spans
States. His bridge opened in 1883 and still bridge. Neither bridge company was able to to one with no suspended spans making it
spans the Monongahela River. A parallel span raise funds to build their bridges during the fully continuous under live loads. The Mayor
was added, with a new portal, in 1891. economic downturn that took place between called in a special panel of engineers to report
He next showed his versatility in building 1893 and 1900. on his proposed changes. The panel compared
a suspension bridge over the Youghiogheny In 1898, he was asked by the Phoenix Bridge the earlier design of R. S. Buck and Lindenthal’s,
River at McKeesport (1883). The Seventh Company to prepare an estimate and design and came up with a design of its own which
Avenue Bridge that opened in 1884 over the for a wire link, braced chain suspension bridge was accepted. The bridge opened in 1909 after
Allegheny River was an eye bar braced chain for the proposed Quebec Bridge across the many delays.
Lindenthal’s Manhattan Bridge Design.

When Lindenthal came into office, the
Manhattan Bridge had been designed and was
under construction. However, he determined
“the original design made by the department
engineers was unattractive in appearance, and
devoid of a definite outline and expression
of purpose.” Lindenthal changed the towers
from three-dimensional to ones pinned at the
base, changed the anchorages and substituted
a chain of nickel steel eye bars for the wire
cables of Buck.
Mayor Seth Low called in a panel of promi-
nent engineers to report on the changes. The
panel made its final report on June 29, 1903.
It determined that the “design contains three Sciotoville Bridge.
features which, though not properly novel, are
departures from the common practices with all types of bridges that had been used to carry entire project in jeopardy. After unsuccessfully
suspension bridges; they are the cables, the heavy railroad loadings over long spans. He urging Lindenthal to scale back his project,
stiffening trusses and the metal towers, each determined that a continuous truss with two Ammann decided to prepare a design of his
of which may be considered by itself ” and ap- spans of 775 feet best met the site conditions. own and submit it to the Governor of New
proved all three. Despite support of Mayor With the help of Ammann and D. B. Steinman Jersey. The Governor submitted it to The
Low the necessary funds were not approved by it was, in 1916 when opened, the longest Engineering Record, which published it with
the Board of Aldermen. He also attempted to continuous riveted span in the United States. a small drawing and brief description in the
modify the design of L. L. Buck’s Williamsburg It continues to serve the Chesapeake and January 3, 1924 issue. The article mentioned
Bridge, but was not successful. Ohio Railroad. the drawings were by Ammann and the bridge
In January 1904, Gustav returned as Consult- In 1920, Gustav revived the North River Bridge was estimated to cost $30,000,000. Ammann’s
ing Engineer and Architect to the Pennsylvania Company and, with the assistance of his long- George Washington Bridge was completed
Railroad and a plan for the New York Con- time assistant Othmar Amman, he designed and opened October 24, 1931 in a grand
necting Railroad to link New York City and a massive suspension bridge at 57th Street in ceremony, with Lindenthal riding in the
the Pennsylvania Railroads with New England Manhattan. His new bridge carried 16 lanes of dedication parade with Ammann.
via the New York, New Haven & Hartford traffic, four rapid transit lines on the top deck Lindenthal was awarded the first Thomas
Railroad. While working on this project, he and two promenades. The lower deck had 12 Fitch Rowland Prize by ASCE in 1883 for his
also designed the replacement bridge for C. tracks for railroads and rapid transit. paper on the Monongahela Bridge replacement
Shaler Smith’s Kentucky High Bridge originally The bridge maintained its 3,240-foot central and again in 1922 for his paper on the
built in 1877. The railroad was looking for a span, with flanking spans of 1,590 feet and Sciotoville Bridge. He was made an honorary
bridge to go across the Kentucky River with 825-foot tall towers. He estimated the project member of ASCE in 1929. His memoir in the
two tracks on a much higher elevation than could be built for $100,000,000. Once again, Transactions of the ASCE stated:
existed. His replacement bridge, built around he did not get the backing of the railroads or “It was often said of Mr. Lindenthal, during
Smith’s bridge, was constructed in 1910-1911 city officials to build his bridge. his lifetime and with truth, that he never built
without stopping traffic on the old bridge. In 1922-23, Lindenthal was called to the two bridges alike…An innate love of beauty
While working on the Kentucky River Bridge, Portland, Oregon area to review designs of the in engineering works went hand in hand with
Lindenthal continued work on the New York Sellwood, Ross Island and Burnside Bridges. this seeking for the structurally best form. In
Connecting Railroad. The largest of three He modified the designs of all three bridges, part it seemed to spring from a conviction that
bridges on the connection was the Hell Gate making the first two continuous trusses. a form satisfying the eye will also satisfy the
Bridge. He looked into several designs before Ammann was Lindenthal’s chief assistant on demands of strength…”
arriving at the style he considered most eco- these bridges. For the Sellwood Bridge over He was described as “big and broad-shouldered
nomical for the site, finally choosing a spandrel the Willamette River, he used 246-foot spans with deep-set, blue twinkling eyes and iron
arch. In June 1907 Scientific American was flanking 300-foot central spans. The bridge gray hair and bushy beard. He is genial and
running articles on the bridge with the head- opened December 15, 1925. The Ross Island good tempered in his moments of relaxation
line “The Largest Arch Bridge in the World.” Bridge also spanning the Willamette River, from the tremendous problems he wraps
The Engineering Record wrote, “Besides planning was significantly different than the Sellwood himself up in.” He died July 31, 1935 at the
a bridge of ample strength, the company has Bridge. The central span was 535 feet with age of 86 at his Metuchen, New Jersey home.▪
endeavored to make it a thing of beauty…Mr. the two flanking spans of 321 feet. It opened
Lindenthal’s conception is that of an impos- December 1, 1926. The Burnside Bridge had Dr. Griggs specializes in the restoration of
ing portal, or gateway…just as the Brooklyn two 268-foot steel flanking spans and a 252- historic bridges, having restored many 19 th
Bridge forms a gateway from the harbor.” His foot double-leaf Strauss bascule draw span. Century cast and wrought iron bridges. He
design made it the longest and most heavily It opened May 28, 1926 and is currently was formerly Director of Historic Bridge
loaded railroad bridge in the world when it undergoing restoration. Programs for Clough, Harbour & Associates
opened in 1916. Ammann returned to New York in early 1923 LLP in Albany NY, and is now an independent
While working on the Connecting Railroad and sensed Lindenthal’s insistence on a North Consulting Engineer. Dr. Griggs can be reached
and its bridges, Lindenthal designed the Scioto- River Bridge of his design, especially with a large via email at fgriggs@nycap.rr.com.
ville Bridge over the Ohio River. He looked at commitment to the railroads, was placing the

InSIghtS
new trends, new techniques and current industry issues
HSS Connections
By Leigh Arber and Erika Winters-Downey, S.E., LEED AP
“Although HSS have been used in structures of required weld sizes and lengths, through-bolt
throughout the world, some designers and strength, W-shape to HSS moment connec-
fabricators are still reluctant to use HSS be- tions, and many other types of connections
cause of unfamiliarity and concerns regarding and configurations. The design guide presents
connections,” says Don Sherman, professor general tips and guidelines, such as the appro-
emeritus at the University of Wisconsin- priate slenderness ratios for main and branch
Milwaukee, who has been involved with research members, to help engineers make good design
and design of HSS for many years. choices that facilitate HSS connections. Ex-
Hollow structural sections (HSS) are often planations and photographs of the applicable
used because of their elegant appearance as limit states, including chord pastification and
architecturally exposed members. punching shear, help illuminate the possible
HSS are also strong in torsion and compres- failure modes.
sion, and beneficial because of their reduced Because of the complex three-dimensional
surface area and weight compared with open geometry, proprietary and custom connections
sections. However, connections between HSS may be used in HSS connections. More of
can be a challenge. The complex, unusual con- these connections are used in Europe and Figure 1: Cast Connex® Universal Pin Connectors™
figurations of connections can pose geometry Asia, where HSS represent about 30% of all used in the Air National Guard Operations and
and access problems for fabricators, and steel construction, approximately double the Training Facility, New Jersey. Courtesy of Carlos de
reinforcement such as stiffener plates may be market share they represent in the U.S. Cast Oliveira, Cast Connex Corporation.
impossible to include on closed sections. Connex Corporation is an example of a North
Chapter K of the 2005 AISC Specification for American company that manufactures several connection configurations for each will be
Structural Steel Buildings addresses the design types of cast pin connectors. Their Universal identified. Other goals of the research are: to
of HSS and box member connections. The Pin Connectors™ are clevis-type connectors establish limits for the development of plastic
chapter covers concentrated forces on HSS, especially suited for round HSS elements in hinges with adequate ductility, to understand
HSS-to-HSS truss connections, and HSS-to- architecturally exposed applications. These the limit states relevant to flexural deforma-
HSS moment connections. The commentary connectors, used in the Air National Guard tion in CFT beam sections, and to provide
to Chapter K describes the limit states in Operations and Training Facility in New Jersey detailed design guidelines for HSS and CFT
greater detail, and also cites important studies at the ends of 12.750-inch diameter HSS moment connections, including parameters
carried out by the International Committee columns, are shown in Figure 1. Cast pin such as weld/bolt details, continuity plates,
for the Development and Study of Tubular connections are an aesthetically attractive alter- and optimal configurations.
Construction (CIDECT). native to the traditional slotted HSS-to-gusset HSS continue to be an attractive choice
AISC Design Guide 24: Hollow Structural Sec- plate connection. The castings are attached because of their structural properties and aes-
tion Connections, written by Dr. Jeffrey Packer, to the HSS members in the fabrication shop, thetic appeal. The forthcoming AISC Design
Dr. Donald Sherman, and Dr. Maura Lecce, eliminating the need for expensive and labor- Guide 24, ongoing research in the industry,
will be available in the summer of 2010. The intensive field welding. and the availability of proprietary connec-
design guide is based on the 2005 AISC Speci- AISC continues to encourage research on tions can help designers make wise decisions
fication for Structural Steel Buildings and presents HSS for designing members and connections. about HSS connections.▪
detailed information about HSS connections, The AISC Faculty Fellowship, an annual
including mechanical fasteners, methods of program that provides research funding to a Leigh Arber is a structural engineer with
welding, and critical concerns such as notch promising university faculty member for four the American Institute of Steel Construction
toughness and internal corrosion. Practical de- years, has recently been awarded to Profes- in Chicago. She works on the development
sign problems show, for example, calculations sor Jason McCormick of the University of of new design guides, and acts as secretary
Michigan. Professor McCormick will study and to the technical committees which develop
develop the use of HSS connections in high the Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel
seismic zones, including HSS connections in Buildings and the Seismic Design Manual.
intermediate moment frames (IMF) and special
Erika Winters Downey, S.E., LEED AP,
moment frames (SMF). Unlike most prior
is the Great Plains Regional Engineer for
research on HSS connections, Professor Mc-
AISC. Erika helps assess the viability of
Cormick’s study will investigate connections
structural steel framing options on upcoming
in which both the column and beam are HSS
projects. She is also an educational resource
or concrete-filled tube (CFT) sections. HSS-
on technical and economic aspects of building
to-HSS, CFT-to-HSS, and CFT-to-CFT
with structural steel. Erika can be contacted
connections will be studied, modeled and tested
at wintersdowney@aisc.org.
and, with industry input, the most viable

Spotlight
award winners and outstanding projects
Project FROG Leaps Ahead in High-

Performance Learning Environments
By Alethea O’Dell
Degenkolb Engineers was an Award Winner in the 2009 NCSEA Annual Excellence
in Structural Engineering program (New Buildings under $30M category)
The days of marginally constructed, unat-

tractive, and uninspiring trailers segregated Learning and Technology
to the back of schools are fading in favor of Center, Sonoma, California.
dynamic, high-tech, environmentally friendly
spaces that respond to schools’ and students’ One of the first modifica-
needs. The industry leader is Project FROG. tions to the process was creating a three-
FROG has invented a state-of-the-art building dimensional computer model of the design. Project Team
kit that provides schools, among many other The model allows the project team to analyze
commercial uses, a brighter, healthier environ- wind, gravity, and seismic loads for various Structural Engineer: Degenkolb Engineers
ment which inspires better performance. Frogs styles of the building and for various environ-
ments. One of the challenges was the lack of Architect: Project FROG
are also safe and structurally sound, exceeding
seismic codes. anchorage of foundations exhibited by modular General Contractor: B&H Engineering
In California alone, there are more than systems. In order to achieve maximum stability
two million students learning in temporary in the structure, Degenkolb’s engineers used
a standard foundation system with concrete
classrooms, and the need for fast, flexible, and
grade beams supporting the gravity and lateral
Meeting the Green
reasonably priced facilities is growing – espe-
cially in places struck by natural disasters and loads. This allowed for simple construction High Performance,
overwhelmed by population growth. methods and improved performance of the Affordable Challenge
This pre-engineered approach offers educa- modular system. Green elements help to create the ultimate
tional institutions a quick-to-deploy, high- Pugliesi and Johnston developed a lateral learning space with minimal impact on the
performance, reasonably priced middle ground system of diagonally braced metal deck roof external environment. The buildings are con-
between the traditional design/bid/build construc- diaphragms and steel braced frames to meet structed using highly recycled materials and
tion process and modular trailers. Degenkolb the requirements of a pre-approved product. low/no volatile impact organic compound
Engineers designed the structural system for The roof diaphragm bracing is atypical for a (VOC) interiors. Additionally, occupancy and
this innovative building kit. modular system, especially one intended to daylight sensors reduce the amount of elec-
be one-story. While schools are usually built tricity used, while clerestory allow abundant
with solid walls, the steel frame structure of
Structural Innovation the FROG units allow for all the seismic needs
natural daylight. Optional solar panels, living
and Complexity roof, and sunshades offer additional energy
without interrupting the openness and free and environmental benefits.
To achieve maximum flexibility in the system, form of the space. Units are easily assembled with a small crew
Degenkolb’s engineers Ray Pugliesi and Kirk The structural steel lateral system ensures the and simple installation equipment, with al-
Johnston redefined how a modular system safety of occupants in the event of an earth- most zero site waste. The entire building can
could be constructed. Degenkolb designed the quake, with minimal damage to the structure. be purchased, permitted, delivered, assembled
structural system for the FROG kit with light Return to operations is expected to occur soon and ready for occupancy in approximately 6
gage and structural steel to improve the lifespan after an earthquake. months. FROG buildings are priced below
of the structures, comparable to traditional All connections are bolted for easy field as- the cost of a similar structure using traditional
buildings that last 25 to 50 years. sembly, with no field welding required. At construction methods.
FROG’s highly engineered building frames the roof, double angle steel roof trusses sup- The smart modular system can be easily con-
exceed California seismic codes and wind loads port metal deck and aluminum joists over figured to create labs, administration spaces, and
over 90 mph. The Division of State Architects the central portion of the unit, and light gage a variety of other classroom types. Its flexibility is
(DSA) has awarded FROG several PCs (Pre- built-up headers support the framing at the low key to owner satisfaction. Project FROG brings
Check certifications) for use in California. roof eaves. The trusses and headers are sup- the construction industry into the twenty-first
This over-the-counter permit process allows ported by a combination of light gage and century with a new way of building.▪
the units to be installed without a structural structural steel tube columns. Light gage
plan check every time, which greatly speeds up tube steel joists and steel wide flange beams
the process. “Meeting the state’s requirements make up the floor framing system. Around the Alethea is the Director of Marketing and
for a pre-approved school building was one of perimeter are optional cantilevered sunshades Business Development at Degenkolb Engineers.
the biggest engineering challenges we faced – that are designed integrally with the aluminum
and we did it,” says Pugliesi. window wall.

National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
Eighteenth Annual Conference
September 30 – October 2, 2010
News form the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
Hyatt Regency on the Hudson

Jersey City, New Jersey
Plan your fall to include the NCSEA Annual Conference at the Hyatt on the Hudson, Jersey
City, NJ, September 30 – October 2, 2010. Enjoy a great meeting and, after the lectures, be
able to cross the Hudson River via ferry or the PATH train in only a few minutes, to view
construction at the site of One World Trade Center, or send your spouse or guest to enjoy
sightseeing and mid-town shops, theatre and museums. Visit www.ncsea.com now to see
the full program and register in time to obtain the early-bird discount (before August 21).
Courtesy of Sarah McGee Photography.
Don’t Miss the Saturday

Afternoon Plenary Session on Exhibitors
NCSEA’s 2011 – 2015 Strategic Plan American Institute of Steel LINDAPTER North
Construction America, Inc.
Discuss NCSEA Goals for the Future with the NCSEA Board Azz Galvanizing Services Singer Nelson Charlmers
1. Promote the Practice CMC Steel Products Powers Fasteners
a. Promote to the Media and General Public Construction Tie Products QuakeWrap, Inc.
b. Promote to Structural Engineers ConXtech, Inc. RedBuilt, LLC
c. Promote to Students
d. Promote to Allied Professionals and Potential Clients
CSC Inc RISA Technologies, LLC
e. Promote to Regulators DESIGN DATA SidePlate Systems, Inc.
f. Promote to Elected Officials Fabreeka International Inc. Simpson Strong-Tie
Fenner & Esler Professional Steel Cast Connections LLC
2. Represent the Profession
a. Increase our representation and effectiveness in influencing Liability Tekla, Inc.
Building Codes and Standards FYFE Company, LLC TurnaSure LLC
b. Strengthen our SEER Committee and its work Grace Construction Products USP Structural Connectors
c. Strengthen the additional (other than CE) Membership Hardy Frames, Inc. Valmont Industries
Services and Programs provided Hilti Vector Corrosion Technologies
d. Provide effective Continuing Education programs ITW Red Head Voight & Schweitzer, Inc.
e. Broaden and strengthen our liaisons with related organizations
Wheeling Corrugating
3. Improve the Profession
a. Obtain separate structural engineering licensure in all 50 states
b. Establish a structural engineering degree program in at least Sponsors
one University
Cives Steel Company Thursday Lunch Sponsor
c. Increase Member Organization Involvement in all states
d. Raise the Quality of Practice Girder-Slab Technologies LLC Friday Breakfast Sponsor
e. Establish or regain qualification-based selection in 5 states Steel Institute of New York Friday Lunch Sponsor
4. Enhance Communication with
the Member Organizations PLATINUM Friend
NCSEA News
a. Annually determine MO’s at-risk and develop an action plan

to provide them with additional attention
Steel Institute of New York Concrete Industry Board, Inc.
b. Enhance MO communication thru semi-annual conference ITW Red Head
calls and Board Member liaison annual (or semi-annual) visits GOLD Nicholson & Galloway Inc.
c. Enhance communication thru NCSEA website improvements, ACEC – New York Powers Fasteners
the “MO Delegate Handbook”, and monthly e-newsletters sent Langan Engineering and SE Solutions, LLC
to all MO members Skyline Steel
Environmental Services, Inc.
5. Energize Committee Activity West NY Restoration of CT
a. Write, or review and re-write, Committee charges and post SILVER Wheeling Corrugating
on website Bentley Systems, Inc.
b. Select Effective Committee Chair for each Committee Simpson Strong-Tie
c. Select Effective Committee Members Urban Foundation
d. Improve Committee Operation Effectiveness USP Structural Connectors
e. Increase Committee Communication
f. Increase Interaction Between BOD/Committees/Parallel
MO Committees To become a sponsor of this event, please contact Erica Fischer
g. Perform Committee Evaluation (ericacfischer@gmail.com) or Melissa (Melissa@ncsea.com).
6. Ensure Financial Security

NCSEA News
Next NCSEA Webinar August 17
Load Testing of Existing Structures – Presented by F. Dirk Heidbrink
This webinar will describe the current static load test procedure load test procedure, this new specifi-
contained in Chapter 20 of ACI 318, provide information on the cation would also include an optional
proposed quasi-static load test procedure to be included in the quasi-static load test wherein a series of
ACI 437 specification, and present a few load test case studies. increasing load increments are applied
Load testing of an existing structure typically occurs when a and removed to the structure using
building official calls into question the serviceability of a struc- hydraulics in order to better understand
ture, a change in building usage occurs, or major modifications its elastic and inelastic behavior.
to the structural system are made. Procedures for conducting The webinar will be presented by F.
a static load test typically follow the requirements set forth in Dirk Heidbrink, Associate Principal with Wiss, Janney, Elstner
Chapter 20 of the American Concrete Institute ACI 318 – Build- Associates, Inc. (WJE) in Northbrook, Illinois. During his 30-
ing Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. year tenure at WJE, Mr. Heidbrink has conducted numerous
A new ACI code is currently in the development stages for repair load tests on existing structures. He is a licensed Professional
of existing structures (ACI 562 – Evaluation, Repair, and Reha- Engineer in many states. Mr. Heidbrink has written articles and
bilitation of Concrete Buildings). ACI Committee 437 – Strength given presentations on load testing at ACI, ASCE, and International
Evaluation of Existing Concrete Structures is preparing a load test Structural Engineering and Construction conferences. He is an
specification that is planned to be referenced in the new ACI active member of ACI Committee 437 and a member of the
562 code. In addition to including the current 24-hour static subcommittee currently developing the load test specification.
September 9, 2010: Wind Design for Storm Shelters and Critical Facilities – Bill Coulbourne
News from the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations

September 14, 2010: Wood and Cold Formed Steel Trusses – Ed Huston
October 19, 2010: ATC-58 – Ron Hamburger
Upcoming October 28, 2010: Design Considerations for Ponding Loads on Roofs – Tom Wallace
November 9, 2010: Geometric Axis and Principal Axis Bending of Single Angles – Whitney McNulty
NCSEA November 4 & 11, December 2 & 9: Practical Design of Structures for Blast Effects – Jon Schmidt
Webinars November 4, 2010: Design Criteria
November 11, 2010: Design Methods 1
December 2, 2010: Design Methods 2
December 9, 2010: Progressive Collapse
NCSEA has published a new design guide… Guide to the Design

Guide to the Design of Out-o
Based on the
2006/2009 IBC ® f-Plane Wall Anch
by Timothy W. and ASCE/SEI
Mays, Ph.D., P.E. 7-05 orage
Published by
Guide to the De
ICC and NCSEA
of Out-of-Plane
Wall Anchoragesign of Out-of-Plane

Packed with
example problem
detailing requirem s, this one of
ents. a kind guide
The 2006/200 is the solution
9 International to out-of-plane
cladding anchora Building Code ® wall anchora
(IBC) and ASCE/SE ge analysis
in the code ge systems to and
resist out-of-p
Purchase it from ICC’s website today. Attend the course and receive the book onsite!
and/or lane wind and I 7-05 contain
building configur referenced standards, seismic load detailed design
requirements
ations. This book are material effects.
requirements solves this problem specific, and are often These provisions are not for wall/
Wall Anchorage
each conside
separately for
seismic and and breaks down challenging
to apply
easily located Based on the 2006
red separate
ly as required
wind loads. the
Structural walls, out-of-plane anchorage for many practical /2009 IBC® and
Key Features
:
by governing
code provisio
ns.
nonstructural
walls, parapets
analysis and
detailing ASCE/SEI 7-05
• Solutions are , and cladding are
provided for
SDC D. each example
problem for high
• Example anchora wind areas,
ge problems Seismic Design
diaphragms are presente Category (SDC)
Based on the 2006/20
composed of
• Special provisio various material d for connecting concrete A, SDC B, and
ns s. , masonry, timber,
and wood ledgers. are included for subdiap and precast
hragms, continuo walls/panels
• A detailing us ties/struts, to
Guide to the Design of Out-of-Plane Wall Anchorage:

example is presente pilasters, straps,
• Comprehensive d for econom eccentric connect
examples are ical tilt up wall ions,
framing and provided for anchorage using
metal decking subdiaphragms just the metal
on steel joists. composed of
This guide is
an ideal referenc wood structur decking.
It addresses e for al panel sheathin
09 IBC ® and ASCE/SE
many issues the practicin g on wood

frequently encount g civil and structural
ered during out-of-p engineers as
Also availabl lane well as college
e from ICC: wall anchora enginee ring students
ge design. .
• Guide to the
Design
• 2009 IBC Handboo of Diaphragms, Chords
Based on the 2006/2009 IBC and ASCE/SEI 7-05

and Collecto
• Structural Load k: Structural Provisions rs: Based on
the 2006 IBC
Determination (#4001S09) and ASCE/SE
Under 2009 IBC I 7-05 (#7042S0
and ASCE/SE
I 7-05
I 7-05 (#4034S0 6)
9)
Course Instructor: Timothy Wayne Mays, Ph.D., P.E. is

Courses Scheduled For August 2010:
Item No. 7043S0
President of SE/ES and an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering

9
Timothy W. Mays
(Visit www.ncsea.com for recent additions)

, Ph.D., P.E.
at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Dr. Mays currently serves

as Chairman of the Structural Technical Group for ASCE SC August 2, 2010 – Albuquerque, NM
Section and NCSEA Publications Committee Chairman. He is August 5, 2010 – Little Rock, AR
a prolific speaker who sits on several code writing committees. August 9, 2010 – Atlanta, GA
His areas of expertise are code applications, structural design,
seismic design, steel connections, structural dynamics, and civil provisions. Solutions for high wind areas, Seismic Design Category
engineering aspects of antiterrorism. (SDC) B, and SDC D are provided for each problem presented
Course Description: The 2006/2009 International Building in the course. Example anchorage problems for connecting con-
Code (IBC) and ASCE/SEI 7-05 contain detailed design require- crete, masonry, timber, and precast walls/panels to diaphragms
ments for wall anchorage systems to resist out-of-plane wind composed of various materials are presented. Special provisions
and seismic load effects. However, the provisions are scattered for subdiaphragms, continuous ties/struts, pilasters, straps, eccentric
throughout the code and/or referenced standards, are mate- connections, and wood ledgers are included. A detailing example
rial specific, and are often challenging for practicing structural for economical tilt up wall anchorage using just metal decking
engineers to apply for many practical building configurations. is presented. Comprehensive examples are provided for subdia-
Using concept oriented instruction, Dr. Mays breaks down the phragms composed of wood structural panel sheathing on wood
analysis and detailing requirements separately for seismic and framing and metal decking on steel joists. If your member
wind anchorage. Structural walls, nonstructural walls, parapets, organization would like to schedule this 8 hour course, please
and cladding are each considered separately as related to governing contact Dr. Mays directly at timothymays@bellsouth.net.

Structural Fire Resistance Design Seminar
Register Now For a One-Day Seminar:
Best Practice Guidelines for Structural Fire Resistance Design of Concrete and Steel Buildings
New York City – September 10 San Francisco – September 13 Chicago – September 29
The Newsletter of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE
Over the past four years, the National Institute of Standards approach for concrete and steel buildings. The guidance includes
and Technology (NIST), working through the National Institute key concepts and examples for identifying performance objec-
of Building Sciences (NIBS) and in collaboration with industry tives, conducting risk analyses, selecting design fire scenarios and
experts, has prepared a comprehensive document providing fire exposure curves, and implementing heat transfer and struc-
guidelines on designing structural fire resistance. tural response analyses for the structural fire-resistant design of
The Guidelines contain the current “best practices” for fire- concrete and steel structures.
resistant design of concrete and steel structures including a review
of existing U.S. and international guidelines and design standards, EARN 6.0 PDHS
which use approaches that range from simple prescriptive meth-
ods to sophisticated software programs with advanced methods of
analysis under a wide range of realistic fire conditions. Visit www.SEInstitute.org for more
This seminar will provide general guidance on the approaches information and to register
to, and practical aspects of, implementing a fire-resistant design
Committees Call For New Members

Athletic Field Lighting Structures Performance Based Design
Standards Committee of Structures Committee
The newly authorized Athletic Field Lighting Structures Standards The recently renamed Performance Based Design of Structures
Committee is seeking members. The committee is developing Committee is seeking new members. Their new mission is “To
a national consensus guideline for the proper specification, de- identify and assess the performance-based design methodologies,
sign, installation, and on-going maintenance of athletic field, or tools, procedures, and engineering practices for new and existing
other similar large area lighting system support structures. Those structures with regard to strength serviceability or survivability
interested in serving on the committee should apply online at: criteria under extreme events.” To apply, visit the SEI website at
www.seinstitute.org/committees/codeform.cfm. For more www.seinstitute.org/committees/tadjoin.cfm.
information, please contact Lee Kusek, ASCE Standards Ad-
ministrator at lkusek@asce.org or 703-295-6176.
Proceedings Available Errata

Structural Columns
Structures Congress 2010 SEI posts up-to-date errata information for our
publications at www.SEInstitute.org. Click on
This set of proceedings con- “Publications” on our menu, and select “Errata.”
tains more than 380 papers If you have any errata that you would like to submit,
presented at the 2010 Struc- please email it to Jim Rossberg at jrossberg@asce.org.▪
tures Congress and the 19th
Analysis and Computation
Specialty Conference held in
Orlando, Florida from May
2011 Ammann Call
12-15, 2010. This collection
contains papers on topics
for Nominations
that are redefining structural The O. H. Ammann Research Fellowship in Structural En-
engineering in the areas of gineering is bestowed annually to a member for the purpose
bridge and transportation of encouraging the creation of new knowledge in the field of
structures, buildings, strategies for today’s global economy and structural design and construction. The O. H. Ammann Fel-
advances in research. The papers presented here cover: analysis lowship was endowed in 1963 by O. H. Ammann, Hon.M.
and computation; bridges; building design; buildings – seismic; ASCE, and was increased in 1985 by Klary V. Ammann (widow
business and professional practice; concrete and masonry of O. H. Ammann).
structures; education and educational reform; extreme loads and The deadline for 2011 Ammann applications is:
loading; non-building structures; research; and tall buildings. November 1, 2010
Order 2010 Structures Congress online at www.asce.org/bookstore For more information and to download an application visit
or by calling 800-548-ASCE. the SEI website at:
http://content.seinstitute.org/inside/ammann.html

Structural Columns
Call for 2011 SEI/ASCE Award Nominations
Nominations are being sought for the 2011 SEI and ASCE Structural Awards. The objective of the Awards program is
to advance the engineering profession by emphasizing exceptionally meritorious achievement, so this is an opportunity to
recognize colleagues who are worthy of this honor.
Nomination deadlines begin October 1, 2010 with most deadlines falling on November 1, 2010.
Visit the SEI Awards and Honors page at http://content.seinstitute.org/inside/honorawards.html for more information
and nomination procedures.
American Society of Civil Engineering Structural Awards:

Jack E. Cermak Award and endowed in 1954 by Mrs. Howard in honor of her husband,
This award was created by the Engineering Mechanics Division/ Ernest E. Howard, Past President of ASCE.
Structural Engineering Institute to recognize Dr. Jack E. Cermak’s
lifetime achievements in the field of wind engineering and in- Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prizes
dustrial aerodynamics. In July 1946, the Board of Direction authorized annual awards
on the recommendation of the Society’s Committee on Research
Norman Medal and J. James R. Croes Medal to stimulate research in civil engineering. In October 1964,
The Norman and Croes Medals recognize papers that make a Mrs. Alberta Reed Huber endowed these prizes in honor of
definitive contribution to engineering science. The Norman Medal her husband, Walter L. Huber, Past President of ASCE. Up to
was instituted and endowed in 1872 by George H. Norman, M. five prizes may be awarded for notable achievements in research
ASCE. The Croes was established by the Society on October 1, related to civil engineering and are often seen as helping to
1912, and is named in honor of the first recipient of the Norman establish careers of the top researchers in civil engineering.
Medal, John James Robertson Croes, Past President of ASCE.
Moisseiff Award
Shortridge Hardesty Award The Moisseiff Award recognizes a paper contributing to
This award was instituted in 1987 by the firm Hardesty & structural design, including applied mechanics, as well as the
The Newsletter of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE

Hanover to honor the contributions of Shortridge Hardesty theoretical analysis or construction improvement of engineering
as the first chair of the Column Research Council (Structural structures, such as bridges and frames, of any structural
Stability Research Council since 1976). The Shortridge Hardesty material. The award was established in 1947 in recognition of
Award may be given annually to individuals who have contrib- the accomplishments of Leon S. Moisseiff, M. ASCE, a notable
uted substantially in applying fundamental results of research contributor to the science and art of structural engineering.
to the solution of practical engineering problems in the field of
structural stability. Raymond C. Reese Research Prize
The Raymond C. Reese Research Prize may be awarded to the
Ernest E. Howard Award author(s) of a paper published by ASCE that describes a notable
This award may be presented annually to a member of ASCE achievement in research related to structural engineering and
who has made a definite contribution to the advancement of recommends how the results of that research (experimental and/
structural engineering, either in research, planning, design, con- or analytical) can be applied to design. The prize was established
struction, or methods and materials. This award was instituted in 1970 in honor of Raymond C. Reese.
Structural Engineering Institute Awards:

(Contact SEI directly for more information on these awards-visit the SEI website at www.seinstitute.org)
Dennis L. Tewksbury Award contribution may have been in the form of papers, presentations,
The Tewksbury Award recognizes an individual member of the extensive practical experience, research, committee participation,
Structural Engineering Institute who has advanced the inter- or through other activities.
ests of SEI through innovative or visionary leadership; who has
promoted the growth and visibility of SEI; who has established Gene Wilhoite Award
working relationships between SEI and other structural engineering The Wilhoite Award recognizes an individual who has made
organizations; or who has otherwise rendered valuable service to significant contributions to the advancement of the art and science
the structural engineering profession. of transmission line engineering. The SEI Technical Activities
Division Awards Committee makes recommendations regarding
Walter P Moore, Jr. Award who should receive the Gene Wilhoite award. However, they
This award honors Walter P Moore, Jr. for his dedication to seek the opinions of the members as to which papers are meritori-
technical expertise in the development of structural codes and ous. If a reader encounters a paper that s/he believes is outstanding
standards. The award is made annually to a structural engineer for any reason, please convey this information along with a
who has demonstrated technical expertise in and dedication statement as to why s/he considers the paper exceptional to Susan
to the development of structural codes and standards. The Reid at sreid@asce.org.

CASE Risk Management Convocation
Comes to Puerto Rico This October
The next CASE Risk Management Convocation will take place during
the ACEC Fall Conference, October 17–20, 2010, at the El Conquistador
Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. For more details and to register go to
www.acec.org/conferences/fall-10/registration.cfm. On October 18, the
CASE Convocation will include the following confirmed sessions:
The Newsletter of the Council of American Structural Engineers
• Avoiding the Pitfalls in Working with Architects By Using AIA C401

• Using Commercial Software Effectively for Building Structural Designs
• Lessons Learned from Actual Claims (Key Cases)
SEI Challenges A/E Leaders CASE Offers Web Seminar

New Class Starts in September Series on AIA C401
In the course of five separate five-day sessions over an 18-month Do you know the important changes to make to AIA’S C-401
timeframe, ACEC’s Senior Executives Institute (SEI) participants Agreement between Architect and Consultant? Now that architects
acquire new tools and high-level skills and insights to prosper in our are using C401, it is essential that your project manager is
changed – and challenging – A/E/C business environment. familiar with both C401 and AIA B101 Agreement between
Since its inception, SEI has attracted public and private sector Owner and Architect. Learn to work with these and more by
engineers and architects from firms of all sizes, locations, and attending the following web seminars:
practice specialties, who are drawn to a highly interactive, Thursday, October 7 – Project Management for Structural
energetic, exploratory and challenging learning opportunity. Engineers as a Sub-Consultant
Class 16 begins in September 2010. Thursday, October 14 and 28 – Understanding and Using AIA
Course size is limited, and registrations for Class 16 are being C401, Agreement between Architect & Consultant, AIA (This is
accepted. Executives with at least five years’ experience managing being offered in two parts, Part I will be October 14 and Part
professional design programs or businesses are invited to register Two will be October 28)
for this highly regarded leadership building opportunity. Thursday, November 11 – Retirement Plans - Which is Best
For an overview of the full SEI program and to register, visit for Your Firm
www.acec.org/education/sei/. To inquire, contact Deirdre To register for these seminars and receive special pricing reserved
McKenna at dmckenna@acec.org. for CASE, SEI and NCSEA members, go to:
www.acec.org/case/news.cfm.
Scarborough, Altschuler, ACEC Offering New Course

Yarema Lead All-Star Line-up on Coping with Changes in
of Conference Speakers Federal Procurement
A battery of leading industry and national experts will provide With the federal government in the midst of implementing
market information and critical insights on challenges facing the most far-reaching procurement reforms in a decade, ACEC
CASE in Point
engineering firms at the upcoming 2010 ACEC Fall Conference presents a unique program of experts for a timely exploration of
in Puerto Rico, October 17-20. up-to-the-minute insights on probable and potential changes in
Featured speakers include: federal procurement practices.
• “Morning Joe” Scarborough, MSNBC, on national politics Coping With Key Changes in Federal Procurement and Project
• Barry Worthington, executive director of the U.S. Energy Delivery is a wide-ranging discussion of new public safety and secu-
Association, on energy markets and opportunities rity requirements, contractor disclosure rules, performance-based
• Geoffrey Yarema, National Surface Transportation contracting, measureable contract performance standards and
Infrastructure Financing Commission, on the future of the outsourcing versus in-sourcing debate from the government
transportation funding source perspective, as well as ACEC’s own procurement experts.
• Mick Morrissey, Morrissey Goodale, on M&As and This one-of-a-kind course includes speakers from important
consolidation in the engineering industry awarding agencies, as well as contracting and legal experts who
• James Walsh, CIO of AECOM, on leveraging intranets practice in Washington, focusing daily on public acquisition and
and social media federal markets. For firms pursuing federal work as well as those
• Daniel Altschuler, former director of the Arecibo Radio contemplating entry into this market, this 1½-day course is of
Observatory in Puerto Rico, on life in the universe vital importance. To review the agenda for this course or to find
For more information on the 2010 ACEC Fall Conference and additional details, go to:
to register, www.acec.org/conferences/fall-10/registration.cfm. www.acec.org/education/eventDetails.cfm?eventID=1061

CASE in Point
CASE Summer Meeting Planned for Boston in September
The CASE Summer Meeting will take place on Thursday and
Friday, September 16-17, 2010, in Boston, Massachusetts.
On Thursday, the CASE committee breakout meetings will CASE committees have been the reason behind CASE’s
be held for the National Guidelines, Contracts, Programs & success for over 20 years and they remain vital to CASE’s
Communications, and Toolkit committees to continue work future. As part of the committees’ ongoing activities, face-to-
on their respective assignments and planning for future CASE face meetings and informal discussions are held twice a year
products. The CASE Executive Committee will meet on Friday. to explore current issues and work on projects like new and
A CASE roundtable on structural engineering issues will be revised Risk Management Tools, Guidelines and Contracts,
held in conjunction with the Boston Association of Structural as well as Publications and Risk Management Convocations.
Engineers (BASE) dinner/meeting on Wednesday, September These meetings also allow the various CASE committees to
15 at the MIT Faculty Club. The theme of the evening will be interact across all of CASE’s activities. For more information
Risks for Engineers, and the roundtables will focus on the following: on the CASE committees and CASE in general, visit their
website at www.acec.org/CASE. Contact CASE Executive
• Risk vs. Award with Integrated Project Delivery
Director Heather Talbert (htalbert@acec.org or 202-682-
• BIM Investment vs. Payback
4377) if you are interested in joining.
• Sustainable Design and the Risk for Structural Engineers
• How to Collect Your Money Without Getting Sued
CASE is a part of the American Council of Engineering Companies

Government
Affairs Update
ACEC Achieving Success against S Corporation
Tax Increase in Senate
ACEC, and its coalition and Senate allies, has been successful in
recent weeks in turning back a proposed tax increase that would
have affected many A/E firms organized as S corporations.
Congress to Consider ACEC-Backed The tax provision was included in the American Jobs and
Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213), which the
Good Samaritan Bill Senate has dropped from consideration after three failed
House leaders are poised to reintroduce legislation that will attempts at passage.
provide Good Samaritan protection for engineers who volunteer The increase would have applied payroll taxes to S corporation
their services after a major disaster. distributions in cases where (1) an S corporation is engaged in
The ACEC-backed Good Samaritan Protection for Construction, a professional services business where 80 percent or more of the
Architectural, and Engineering Volunteers Act would give archi- gross income of the business is attributable to the service of three
tectural, engineering and construction companies qualified or fewer shareholders, or (2) a professional services S corporation
immunity from liability when providing services or equipment is a partner in a partnership.
on a volunteer basis in response to a declared emergency or di- While these provisions would have affected smaller firms,
saster. ACEC is also working to advance H.R. 847, legislation ACEC had earlier eliminated broader language that applied
that would limit the liability of engineering firms that worked to large, as well as small, S corporations. Council President
at Ground Zero after 9/11, as well as broader efforts to provide Dave Raymond emphasized the importance of the Council’s
liability relief to emergency responders. For more informa- continuing vigilance on this matter, as the tax provision could
tion on the new health care law, contact Katharine Mottley at re-emerge in future legislation.
kmottley@acec.org. “If it does, we’ll nip it in the bud,” he said.

Project Specific Peer Review Guidelines
A Professional Odyssey
By D. Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E., F.ASCE, SECB
As a result of my exposure to project spe- position at Lehigh University in the fall
cific peer reviews (PSPRs) over the course of 2008. I. Background
of my 33-year professional career, I became After my obligation was satisfied at Lehigh, II. Definitions
aware of the lack of industry guidelines for I contacted Andy in 2009 and was asked III. Objectives
structural peer reviews. My interest in this to submit an outline for the development IV. Purpose
subject led to the acquisition of a compila- of a peer review guideline to the Com- V. Scope
tion of available material on peer review mittee. I agreed, and at the same time VI. Qualifications, Liability and
guidelines. This in turn led to the presen- recommended that he contact Tom DiBlasi Compensation
tation of a paper on the topic at the 2006 with the Structural Engineers Coalition of VII. Procedures
Structures Congress in St. Louis. Portions Connecticut (SEC/CT) about participat- VIII. Check Lists
of the same paper appeared in the January ing, as well, because of Tom’s experience IX. Reports
2007 issue of STRUCTURE® magazine. with the development of the peer review X. Resolution of Conflicts of
After the 2006 Structures Congress, Jim guidelines associated with the Threshold Interest
Rossberg of SEI approached me about Review requirements in Connecticut. Tom XI. Certification of Review
chairing a Standards Committee for the also agreed to participate and submitted a Figure 1: Primary Outline Sections.
development of a peer review guideline. I separate outline of his own.
subsequently submitted a formal proposal Developing an outline for the CASE com- community for some time. This
to the SEI Codes and Standards Activities mittee gave me a chance to revisit all of the track record of success bodes well
Division Executive Committee. Unfortu- material that I had compiled prior to 2006. for the ultimate acceptance and
nately, the proposal was rejected. As a result, for the first time, I was able to implementation of the proposed
I subsequently wrote a follow-up article develop what I believed was a comprehen- structural peer review guidelines.
on peer review guidelines that appeared sive summary of the critical components If you have an interest in this topic and
in the June 2007 issue of STRUCTURE required for a PSPR guideline. The entire have a desire to participate in the devel-
magazine. This article discussed the critical outline is provided with the online version of opment of the proposed new CASE peer
issues that needed to be addressed by any this article (www.STRUCTUREmag.org). review guidelines, I encourage you to
guideline, as well as the benefits that a The primary outline sections are also contact Andy Rauch (arauch@bkbm.com).
standard guideline would provide to the identified in Figure 1. If, however, you feel that the development
structural engineering community and It is my sincere hope that this next step of a structural peer review guideline is not
the public as a whole. In addition, the in the process of developing a peer review a worthwhile endeavor, then I ask that you
rationale behind the need to concentrate guideline for the structural engineering consider the following. PSPRs will continue
Structural Forum
on PSPRs over all other types of peer reviews community, which has been ongoing for to occur in our industry, whether they are
was also discussed. some time – since at least the late 1970s mandated by a governmental agency, dic-
In an attempt to find an alternate path – will result in the publication of standards tated by a state law or happen voluntarily
for the development of a set of guidelines, that can be referenced and used by struc- at the request of an owner, attorney or
I reached out to the Risk Management tural engineers, architects, owners, attorneys other interested party. With this in mind,
Division of ASTM to see if that organization and all other stakeholders in our industry. at the very worst we should consider them
opinions on topics of current importance to structural engineers
would be interested in developing a set of At the same time, I believe that CASE as a necessary evil, and recognize that it
structural PSPR guidelines. Unfortunately, is the right organization to develop peer is in everyone’s best interest to agree to a
this approach also led to a dead end. At review guidelines for the following reasons: set of acceptable guidelines to help better
the same time, I was invited by CASE 1) The majority of SEI Standards are control the process.▪
Minnesota to make a presentation on peer technical documents, whereas most
reviews at one of the monthly meetings in of the CASE guidelines are geared
Minneapolis (April 2008). more toward business practices. D. Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E., F.ASCE,
At the CASE presentation, Andy Rauch, This is an important consideration, SECB (mstuart@pennoni.com)
Chairman of the CASE Guidelines Com- because even though the material currently works as the Structural Division
mittee, became aware of my body of work being reviewed in a PSPR is Manager at the Corporate Headquarters
on peer review guidelines. Andy subsequent- technical in nature, the process itself of Pennoni Associates, Inc., which is
ly asked me to participate in the CASE involves considerable professional located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
committee with the purpose of working business practice acumen.
towards the development of a peer review 2) Secondly, the various existing
The online version of this article
guideline. Unfortunately, at the time I was CASE guidelines have been
contains an extensive outline. Please
unable to make a commitment because of well-accepted, respected and used
visit www.STRUCTUREmag.org.
a prior obligation to fill an adjunct teaching by the structural engineering
Structural Forum is intended to stimulate thoughtful dialogue and debate among structural engineers and other participants in the design
and construction process. Any opinions expressed in Structural Forum are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views
®
of NCSEA, CASE, SEI, C 3 Ink, or the STRUCTURE magazine Editorial Board.

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STRUCTURE A Joint Publication of NCSEA | CASE | SEI

Special Section: Engineering Software

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