Newsletter of the
Structural Engineers Association of Washington
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State Leadership
President
Jim Farley (SW)
Vice President
Jill Shuttleworth (SC)
Treasurer
OPEN
Secretary
OPEN
Past President
Trustees
Mike Visser (SE)
Shalini Prochazka (SE)
Jill Shuttleworth (SC)
Daniel Sumerfield (SC)
Logun Rasmussen (SP)
Colby Litzenberger (SP)
Jim Farley (SW)
Dan Tappel (SW)
In the Issue
- October Meeting is Going Virtual
- News from the SC Chapter President
- Register for the 10th Annual Fall Forum: Bridging Washington
- On the Boards for DCI Engineers: Klickitat County Services Building
- SEAW Wind Engineering Committee (WEC)
- NCSEA 2020 Virtual Exhibit Hall
- Structural Masonry Design Webinar Announced
- Volunteer in a Virtual Elementary School Classroom through SEAW Outreach
- State and Chapter Committee Reports
- Membership Postings
- Employment Opportunities
- Upcoming Events
- From the Editor
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Seattle Chapter's October Virtual Meeting!
"Gusset Plates: The Evolution of Simplified Design Models"
Our in-person October dinner meeting has been moved to a virtual meeting. Join your fellow SEAW members for this webinar!
Date: Tuesday, October 27
Time: 4:00PM - 5:00PM PST
Location: GoToWebinar
Cost: SEAW Members and Students - FREE!
Non-Members - $10
PDH: 1 Hour PDH certificates will be emailed to attendees after the webinar.
Register to Attend: Click here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Presentation:
In the design of steel structures, each member is isolated and evaluated using the appropriate AISC Specification requirements. Similarly, gusset plate connections can be complex structural systems that are separated into several elements for design purposes. The behavior of these gusset plate elements can be captured with simple design models, where portions of the plate are treated as structural members with well-documented and predictable behavior. This presentation will provide a brief history of gusset plate design methods and discuss their evolution over the last century. Current design provisions will be discussed, where column and beam models are used to predict the strength of gusset plates in various configurations, including wrap-around gusset plates.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will gain a historical perspective on gusset plate design.
- Participants will learn about current design methods for gusset plates in various configurations.
- Participants will learn about recent research and new design methods for gusset plates.
Presenter:
Bo Dowswell started in the steel industry in 1985 as a detailer. Since then, he earned B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Auburn University and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. As a professional engineer, his design practice focuses on steel structures. Currently, he is principal of both SDS Consulting, a design firm, and ARC International, which specializes in research and consulting. Bo is also an adjunct professor at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, where his research and teaching is concentrated on steel connection design. Additionally, he provides consulting services for the AISC Steel Solutions Center.
Dr. Dowswell is the author of AISC Design Guide 33-Curved Member Design, and he regularly publishes technical articles on steel design. He is a member of several AISC Committees, including the Committee on Specifications, the Committee on Manuals, the Committee on Research and the Task Group on Industrial Buildings and Nonbuilding Structures. Bo is also a member of Structural Stability Research Council, where his activities are primarily related to connection element and beam stability.
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News from the SC Chapter President |
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By Jill Shuttleworth
We held a chapter board meeting at noon on September 10, 2020 and discussed how to move forward as a chapter as the pandemic continues.
The following items were discussed and decided upon
- During the pandemic, before we can begin to have our monthly meetings at Snipes Mountain Brewery, we will be encouraging our membership to join the Seattle Chapter webinars to receive your continuing education.
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We will plan to hold general SC Chapter membership meetings in October, January, March, and May using Zoom. Hopefully, the spring meetings will not be Zoom meetings but will be in-person meetings. We will continue to evaluate the conditions to determine when we will be able to meet in-person. Our current plan is to hold the October meeting from noon to 1 pm on October 15th. We will send an agenda prior to the meeting so members can be prepared to discuss chapter business. If you have information you would like for me to include in the agenda please email me at [email protected] with the message title SEAW SC Chapter.
I look forward to meeting with you soon even if it is just virtually.
Jill Shuttleworth
SC Chapter president 2020-2021
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Register for the 10th Annual Fall Forum: Bridging Washington |
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By Angela Gottula Twining
Register today at www.sefw.org for the Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington 10th Annual Fall Forum, to be held virtually on Thursday, November 12, 2020. “Bridging Washington: The History, Structure, and Innovation of Washington State Bridges” will be presented by Maureen Elenga, local author and historian, and John Stanton, PhD, professor of civil engineering at the University of Washington. The presentation will share both the historical stories and the engineering marvels behind several selected bridges from all parts of Washington.
Firms and individuals are invited to sponsor SEFW at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels, and individuals are also invited to become “Friends of the Foundation” with a $100 donation. All sponsors and Friends will be recognized at the virtual event.
Join us! Please contact any SEFW Board member with questions or email the administrator at [email protected]. |
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On the Boards for DCI Engineers: Klickitat County Services Building |
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By Scott Douglas
Construction has begun for a new three-story Klickitat County Services Building in Goldendale, Washington – an office project DCI Engineers is currently supporting as EOR. When complete, the 38,000-sf facility will be the first substantial county building in town constructed in the last 80 years. Klickitat County officials and TVA Architects selected a modern building design to serve the community for the next 80 years. Their building design criteria accommodate several county agencies at one location: Building Inspection & Planning; Juvenile Services; Public Health; and Senior Services.
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Construction recently began for the Klickitat County Services Building. Photo courtesy of Kirby Nagelhout Construction. |
Klickitat County and TVA Architects relied on DCI’s mass timber expertise to bring their idea of a modern Pacific Northwest office environment into reality. With the client’s open floor plan, we evaluated different framing systems, including conventional steel framing.
Klickitat County was drawn to the economical approach of a mass timber building and its aesthetic look of exposed structural components. Our team came up with a hybrid structural framing system incorporating glulam columns, cross laminated timber floors, and light framed steel stud shear walls. To reduce building mass and to get the light framed shear walls to work, we designed floor assemblies without a concrete topping slab. Our close collaboration with TVA Architects resulted in a floor system design that had vibration performance similar to a topped floor system.
One differentiator about mass timber projects is most designs expose the structural system and the elements become architectural features. During the design process, we tried to see the architect’s perspective, the same way architects push themselves to see the design from the structural perspective. It can be a more integrated project experience – and at the end, the built environment expresses that combined effort.
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A closer look at the glulam beams and the columns.
Photo courtesy of Kirby Nagelhout Construction.
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Crew members install light gauge steel shear walls.
Photo courtesy of Kirby Nagelhout Construction.
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SEAW Wind Engineering Committee (WEC) |
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By Thomas Holman, PE, SE, Associate Principal; Chris Ferrera, PE, SE, Senior Project Manager; Eric Rico, PE, Project Manager – DCI Engineers
Wind Engineering Committee (WEC)
After a summer hiatus, the SEAW Wind Engineering Committee has started meeting again every other month, typically on the third or fourth Thursday.
SEAW has partnered with the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO) to identify the specific wind speeds and boundaries of the special wind regions (SWR) in our respective states. These SWR’s are identified in Section 26.5.2 of ASCE 7. To date, $11,750 has been raised out of the $25,500 required for SEAW’s portion of this study. A concentrated effort is being made to fully fund Washington’s portion by this November. Please consider contributing directly to the Special Wind Region Study Fund via the SEFW link at https://sefw.org/donate.html.
Next Meeting: Thursday November 19 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm.
Go to meeting log-in information:
Phone dial in: +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 117-222-389
Please contact the WEC chair, Scott Douglas [email protected], to join the SEAW WEC and to receive information and announcements on Committee activities and actions. |
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NCSEA 2020 Virtual Exhibit Hall |
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As part of this year's Virtual Summit, NCSEA has opened the Exhibit Hall to EVERYONE, not just those registered for the Summit. The Virtual Exhibit Hall offers opportunities to visit, learn, and engage with the companies and resources needed by you, practicing structural engineers. Join us for bi-weekly raffles with amazing prizes, along with opportunities to engage with exhibitor representatives! |
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Visit the 2020 Exhibit Hall for The Chance to Win These Amazing Prizes:
Drawing 1 - Visit the Exhibit Hall Through October 16 for a Chance to Win:
- Ipad Mini: Courtesy of MiTek
- 2021 Steel Joist Institute webinar registration: Courtesy of Steel Joist Institute
- MASS TIMBER BUILDINGS AND THE IBC: Courtesy of International Code Council
- Design Guide on the ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete: Courtesy of CRSI
- Set of SDI Roof Deck & Floor Deck Design Manuals: Courtesy of Steel Deck Institute
- ACI-Branded Hot/Cold Tumbler, Dress Socks, Mug, Backpack, Glass Water Bottle, Grey Knit Hat, Stuffed Tiger: Courtesy of American Concrete Institute
- Leatherman Multi-Tool: Courtesy of CoreBrace
- 20 oz. Yeti Tumbler: Courtesy of Master Builders Solutions
Drawing 2 - Visit the Exhibit Hall October 17 Through November 2 for a Chance to Win:
- Ipad Mini: Courtesy of MiTek
- Manual of Standard Practice: Courtesy of CRSI
- Leatherman Multi-Tool: Courtesy of CoreBrace
- 20 oz. Yeti Tumbler: Courtesy of Master Builders Solutions
- Set of SDI Roof Deck & Floor Deck Design Manuals: Courtesy of Steel Deck Institute
- Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler: Courtesy of RISA Tech, Inc.
- $200 Amazon gift card: Courtesy of Peikko USA
- Complete set of Technical Digests: Courtesy of Steel Joist Institute
- DEWALT Bluetooth jobsite radio: Courtesy of DeWalt
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The Exhibit Hall is open to everyone on a complimentary basis through November 2.
After that date, the Summit online platform will be open only to paid registrants.
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Interested in Attending the Full Virtual Summit? Your Registration Includes:
• Easy Virtual Access to Our Exhibit Hall of Leading Industry Suppliers with Solutions for You
- Open through November 24
- Chances to win prizes before, during, and after the Virtual Summit
- Opportunities to connect virtually with leading exhibitors
-Visit exhibitors to view materials, photos, videos, and to connect via email, chat, or phone
- Online games and raffles before, during, and after the Summit
- 17 Hours Live Education & On-Demand Recordings
- 9 Hours of Bonus Content
- Most Hours Ever Offered!
- Virtual Lounges will be open for topic driven peer-to-peer networking, trivia games, and more!
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Structural Masonry Design Webinar Announced |
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The Northwest Concrete Masonry Association is sponsoring a newly updated three-part webinar series on reinforced masonry design. It will focus on the requirements of the 2018 IBC Chapter 21 and the referenced material standard TMS 402/602 codes. Both working stress and strength design of reinforced concrete masonry will be covered.
Learn how to use and interpret the building code through masonry building element design examples. Participants can earn continuing education credit. The webinar dates are November 19, December 3, and December 10.
This is a practical design webinar for practicing engineers.
Questions? Please call 425.697.5298.
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Volunteer in a Virtual Elementary School Classroom through
SEAW Outreach
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By Gino Mazzotti
Sign up to volunteer to work virtually with a group of 15 elementary school students on a hands-on STEM activity!
We are looking for 2 main volunteers and 1 backup volunteer in case someone cannot make one of the weeks.
Simply email Gino Mazzotti at [email protected] with the Class Slot you’d like to volunteer for.
Program Overview
The goal of the Virtual After School STEM Academy is to give students exposure to industry professionals, to learn about STEM careers and career pathways, and to engage in fun, hands-on learning that helps build 21st Century skills. Students receive individual materials kits so they can participate in the program from home, via a live video meeting.
Volunteer Commitment
- Classes held online 1-hour per week for 6 weeks
- Volunteer training session via Zoom (see dates below)
- Pick up a materials kit provided by WABS (which I can coordinate for you to pick up at your respective office), or gather your own materials
Training Dates
- Mon, October 12th, 11am
- Wed, October 14th, 3pm
Class Slot Schedules
(If interested in volunteering reply with your preferred slot)
- Gregory Heights Elementary in Highline School District, Tuesdays at 4pm starting Oct 20th
- Samantha Smith Elementary in Lake Washington School District, Mondays at 4pm starting Oct 19th
Fall 2020 Curriculum
To the Rescue: Aid Drop Packages - Elementary students (grades 3-5) learn about how aid drop packages are used in areas impacted by a natural disaster and work to engineer the components including the parachute, protective packaging, and labels. Students will build and test their designs using everyday materials.
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State and Chapter Committee Reports |
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Contact the committee chair if you are interested in learning more or getting involved:
- NCSEA Delegate – Chun Lau
- Earthquake Engineering Committee – Kai Ki Mow
- One of the current main focus and an important topic that the committee hopes to address in the upcoming year is the Increased Seismic Load in the newly published ASCE 7-16.
- Members interested in EEC can find additional information regarding the meeting on the SEAW website calendar or can contact the committee chair.
- Outreach Committee - Gino Mazzotti
- To receive emails about volunteer opportunities please sign up on the SEAW Outreach page
- Sustainability Committee – Chris Jeseritz
- Refresher Committee – Mark Whiteley
- Public Information Committee – Darrell Staaleson
- Disaster Preparation/Response Committee – Joyce Lem
- WABO Liaison Committee – Matt Snook
- The SEAW/WABO Liaison committee is now available for questions from SEAW or WABO members. These questions can be about subjects addressed in the white papers already issued or general questions in the realm of structural engineering practice as it relates to interaction with the various building departments. Comments or questions can be emailed to [email protected].
- Technology Taskforce – Morgan Wiese
- Membership Task Group – Jill Shuttleworth
- Continuing Education Committee – Nathalie Boeholt
- Scholarship Committee – Kevin Solberg
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In accordance with SEAW bylaws, membership applications are vetted by the executive director, granted probationary status by the chapter board, and posted for membership comment. Membership is considered accepted 30 days after posting if current year dues are paid and no member objections have been received. Read More
New Members:
- Mariyam Amir
- Lisa Dunham
- James Austin Fellows
- Felipe Irizarry
- Dalton Lundberg
- Quinn Mackenzie
- Ryan McKinney
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Are you currently seeking employment as a structural engineer, senior manager, or a senior engineer technician? Check out our job board for current employment opportunities. Learn More
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Located across the street from T-Mobile Park, Lund Opsahl is a growing structural engineering firm that provides a wide spectrum of services, including planning, design, seismic and damage assessments, upgrades, additions, tenant improvements, and construction support for a variety of new and existing building types in the Pacific Northwest. Our reputation as creative innovators and technical experts is built on responsive service, collaborative teamwork, and lasting relationships. Our firm's size offers early opportunities to work on challenging projects and encourages exciting career growth uncommon at larger firms, especially for the ambitious.
Currently, we are looking for Structural Engineers with minimum of three (3) years experience.
BENEFITS:
- Competitive benefits and salaries
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance/Health Savings Account
- Performance-based bonuses
- Flexible working hours
- 401(k) with matching contribution
- Profit Sharing Plan
- PTO, and holidays
- Group activities and team events
- In-House education programs
- Free parking
- (Did we say we're next to T-Mobile Park?!)
Please visit our website, for additional information and job descriptions for each of these positions. Inquires and resumes may be sent to [email protected].
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Opportunities for Mid-level Design Engineer and Senior Project Manager
Seattle Structural is looking for qualified professionals to join our talented group practicing across a number of different industries. Seattle Structural offers an excellent opportunity to work on a variety of public and private institutional, healthcare, educational, and commercial projects both domestically and internationally. We offer a competitive salary and a relaxed, collaborative work environment. Benefits include medical insurance, transit reimbursement, and retirement matching. Seattle Structural is a firm that makes it easy to become personally invested in the achievements of your company.
Seattle Structural is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We are filling two positions. Candidates must meet the following requirements:
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Mid-level Designer: 5+ years’ experience.
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Senior Project Manager: 10+ years’ experience.
- BS or MS in Structural, Civil/Structural, or Architectural Engineering.
- Experience in steel and concrete buildings, lateral analysis, deep foundations, and marine projects are desired.
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Working knowledge of CAD and Revit preferred.
- Strong emphasis on client service.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong technical skills.
Please address inquiries to:
Howard Burton, President
Seattle Structural PS Inc.
3131 Elliott Ave STE 600A
Seattle, WA 98121
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MLA Engineering has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Structural Engineer to join our consulting and design firm in Seattle, WA. Our diverse projects require critical thinking and creativity that is cultivated through our problem-solving approach in a small group environment.
We design new buildings and renovate existing structures in concrete, structural steel, masonry, and wood-framed structures. Our projects vary from small to large-size buildings and facilities. In addition to our building design and governmental projects, including county and state infrastructure, MLA specializes in the structural design of national and international zoos and aquariums.
Qualifications required for this Structural Engineer position include:
- Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering with Structural emphasis;
- Minimum of 3 years of experience working in a consulting design office;
- PE license preferred;
- Strong technical and analytical skills;
- Intuitive and practical;
- Practical use of REVIT as a design tool;
- Proficient with structural software such as RISA, ETABS, SAP2000;
- Excellent communication skills;
· Motivated to advance your effectiveness as an engineer.
Our work environment encourages creativity, teamwork, and professional growth. To learn more about MLA, please visit our website at: www.mlaengineering.com
Location: Convenient Downtown Seattle location with excellent public transit options; potential opportunities in New York City.
Benefits: Top line Medical, Dental & Vision insurance, generous HRA account, 401K Plan w/4% matching, PTO & Sick LV, and professional training
Work Schedule: Flexible
Salary: Competitive + bonuses
Projects: Diverse and often unique
MLA Engineering is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage women and minority candidates to apply.
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October 27: Virtual October Meeting
November 12: 10th Annual Fall Forum:Bridging Washington
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October 2020
Equilibrium Publication Team:
John Gunn, Editor
Darrell Staaleson, Past Editor
Zohrah Ali
Allison Tran
Blaine Sanchez
Lisette Terry
Shivang Gupta
Chase Young
Alisha Khadka
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I am sad to say that the October edition is my last as editor. My wife and I have decided to move to the East Coast to be closer to family there. But I am pleased to announce that Shivang Gupta will be the new editor! Please send your submissions to Shivang and welcome him into the role. Thank you all for making my job easier these past two years.
ACTION ITEMS:
1.All members are welcome to submit articles to Equilibrium. To help you with your writer's block, here are a few topics: Write “Engineer's Notes from Afield,” summarize an interesting technical design you worked on, write about how you have been successful and increased productivity with an accounting procedure or marketing technique, write about your experiences doing community service, or share some construction site photos and talk about lessons learned.
2.“A Picture and a Paragraph.” Please use the article submittal form provided and the picture needs a caption along with the names of the people in the photo.
3.Please submit your articles in Word format using the Article Template. [Article Template]
CORRECTIONS:
None.
October Puzzle:
Which word is the Guinness World Record holder for having the most meanings in the English language?
Clue: The number of meanings is based on the Second Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, published in 1989.
Bonus: As of 2011, which word has the most meanings in the Oxford English Dictionary?
Look on the SEAW Facebook Page for a picture clue!
The first SEAW member to respond on our SEAW Facebook Page – with a correct and full answer - will get a prize.
September Puzzle:
What animal forms the Latin root for the word “vaccine”?
Clue: The animal was associated with a virus that was used against smallpox.
Bonus: What common food is used to grow influenza for flu shots?
Picture Clue:
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Answer:
The root of vaccine is “vacca”, which is Latin for cow. Cowpox was used as the first vaccine against smallpox. And chicken eggs are used to grow influenza for flu shots. Congratulations to Rob Holland for his correct answer!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine
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Structural Engineers Association of Washington
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