SEAMASS News & Member Briefs JULY 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

SAVE THE DATE: September 10, 2019, 8 a.m. - Noon 2019 Annual Meeting Recap Announcing the 2019 SEAMASS Scholarship Award Winner Renew Your SEAMASS Membership or Sponsorship Now Event Recap: Structural Modeling Tips, Techniques & Pitfalls Event Recap: Vibration & Acoustics Meet a Member: Kyle Karschner, PE Young Members Group News & Events NCSEA Updates & Public Outreach Challenge - DUE AUG 16 Career Opportunities - Our Members are Hiring! Welcome New Members and Sponsors

UPCOMING EVENT: Sept. 10, 2019 | 8:00-Noon Advancements in Wood Design & Construction: Examining the Opportunity 4.0 AIA LU/HSW | 4.0 PDH | 0.4 ICC

We are at an exciting confluence in timber construction. The need for sustainable, urban buildings has never been higher. At the same time, mass timber products such as cross-laminated timber have opened the door to many new opportunities, including taller timber structures and the increased use of technology to streamline fabrication processes. This event will feature these three presentations: Tanya Luthi, PE of Entuitive will present The Mass Timber Revolution: Removing Obstacles, Breaking Ground as an introduction to the mass timber products that are driving innovation and changing the way designers view sustainable construction methodologies. This presentation will include detailed information on code applications and real-world project examples. Randall Walter, AIA LEED AP of Bensonwood will present Leveraging Data and Printing Buildings: Design-Build Information Management , which will discuss the use of computer modeling and software integration into design and fabrication will be reviewed, with an emphasis on communication and leveraging benefits to result in precision of material and construction operations. Ricky McLain, PE, SE of Woodworks will present Exploring Tall Wood: New Code Provisions for Tall Timber Structures. He will focus on approved changes to the 2021 International Building Code, which will allow up to 18 stories of mass timber construction. Discussion will include a detailed look at the new code provisions and methods of addressing the new requirements, as well as fire-resistance ratings and allowances for exposed timber, penetrations, sprinklers and connections. Click here to view presenter bios. Registration will open soon.

2019 Annual Meeting Recap

2019-20 SEAMASS Board members, from left: Lisa Davey, PE (Director); David Morand, PE, SECB (Immediate Past President); Doug Antholz, PE (Vice President); Bill Lovallo, PE (President); John Thomsen, PE, Ph.D., SECB (Director); Bassem Almuti, PE, LEED AP BD&C (Treasurer); Aaron Ford, PE (Secretary). Not Pictured: Eric Buckley, PE (Director); Edward Moll, II, PE (Director); Marc Rivard, PE, SE (Director); David Schnerch (Director); Jeffrey Struble, PE (Past President)

Members and guests officially kicked off the new fiscal year at the 2019 SEAMASS Annual Meeting on April 24 in a private club-level room overlooking the field at Gillette Stadium. Participants enjoyed a social hour with refreshments and cocktails, as well as a buffet dinner prior to the brief meeting, which was followed by an exciting soccer game between the New England Revolution and the Montreal Impact

Outgoing 2017-2019 President David Morand, PE, SECB welcomed everyone, summarized the organization’s vibrant 2018-19 year of events and accomplishments, and thanked all SEAMASS Board and Committee members for their dedication and service. Incoming President Bill Lovallo, PE, thanked David for his two years as President, and presented him with a commemorative plaque citing David’s dedication and unselfish service to the industry and our association.

Brian Post, PE, outgoing Chair of the Young Members Group (YMG), recounted the group’s busy year of accomplishments, including national recognition as NCSEA YMG of the Year.  Bassem Almuti, YMG Past President and incoming SEAMASS Treasurer, presented Brian with a certificate recognizing his service.

SEAMASS Announces 2019 Scholarship Award Winner

SEAMASS is pleased to announce that Stephanie Jones is the the 2019 recipient of the SEAMASS Scholarship. Stephanie is currently a junior in the Architectural Engineering program at WPI, with a focus on structural engineering. She plans to graduate this winter and is eager to join the workforce.   Pictured: Stephanie Jones accepts a $5,000 Scholarship award check from SEAMASS Vice President Doug Antholz, PE.

In addition to the $5,000 award, Stephanie also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the 2019 SEAMASS Annual Meeting and Dinner at Gillette Stadium, where she was celebrated by members and guests, and helped cheer on the New England Revolution. The scholarship committee unanimously chose Stephanie’s essay from all essays submitted by WPI students. Next year, the committee will once again invite students from a local university to submit essays, as part of our ongoing effort to advance and support the study of structural engineering.

Renew Your SEAMASS Membership Now

The new SEAMASS fiscal year began on June 1, and all members are reminded to RENEW their membership or sponsorship if they haven’t already done so. Renewal is quick and easy! Simply CLICK HERE to confirm or update your contact information and pay for your 2019-20 membership or sponsorship. View the benefits of sponsorship on the How to Get Listed page of seamass.org. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continued support of SEAMASS.

EVENT RECAP: Structural Modeling Tips, Techniques & Pitfalls

Presenters, from left: Ali Ashrafi, Ph.D., PE, LEED AP BD+C; Richard Henige, Jr., PE, SE ; Alex Bonnar, PE; Mark Webb, Ph.D., M.S.C.E. The SEAMASS May 23 Seminar, Analyze This: Structural Modeling Tips, Techniques and Pitfalls, featured 4.0 PDHs and presentations by four industry experts, including: Performance Based Design: The Rational Method to Design for Hazards was presented by Ali Ashrafi, Ph.D., PE, LEED AP BD+C - Associate Principal at Thornton Tomasetti  Common Modeling Errors was presented by Alex Bonnar, PE - Senior Structural Analyst at McNamara Salvia Static Soil-Structure Interaction of Buried Pipes, Culverts and Buried Bridges was presented by Mark Webb, Ph.D., M.S.C.E, Staff Consultant at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Approximate Methods was presented by Richard Henige Jr., PE, SE, Vice President of LeMessurier The Event Sponsor was Helical Drilling, a geotechnical design/build contractor focused on providing innovative, efficient and adaptable geotechnical engineering and ground construction solutions to general contractors, owners and engineers throughout the Northeastern United States.

EVENT RECAP: Vibration & Acoustics Seminar

Presenters, from left: Benjamin Markham, LEED AP; Jeffrey A. Zapfe, Ph.D.; Michael Wesolowsky, Ph.D., P.Eng. The SEAMASS April 9 seminar, Vibration & Acoustics, featured 3.0 PDHs and presentations by three industry experts, including:

AISC Design Guide 30 – Acoustics of Steel-framed Buildings was presented by Benjamin Markham, LEED AP - Director, Architectural Acoustics Group at ACENTECH Buildings Near Rail Lines - Noise and Vibration Assessment and Mitigation   was presented by Jeffrey A. Zapfe, PhD, President of ACENTECH  Meeting the Acoustic, Noise & Vibration Requirements of the FGI 2018 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals was presented by Michael Wesolowsky, Ph.D., P.Eng., Associate Principal of Swallow Acoustic Consultants Ltd. / Thornton Tomasetti

Meet a Member: Kyle Karschner, PE

Kyle Karschner, PE is a Senior Staff Engineer with more than 7 years of experience in structural design of new buildings. He currently works for Simpson Gumpertz & Heger in Waltham, MA. He earned a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering (Structures Focus) from The Pennsylvania State University. Kyle has answered the questions below, so we may get to know him better.  Thank you, Kyle, for your contributions to SEAMASS and the Structural Engineering profession!

Q: Why did you join SEAMASS? A: I joined SEAMASS because I wanted to get more involved professionally within the industry. Since joining SEAMASS, I have taken a board member position within the SEAMASS YMG, expanded my network within the engineering community, and developed new friendships with other young professionals in the industry. Q: What are your goals as an engineer? A: My goals are to be a well-rounded engineer versed in many different structural materials and project types. I would like to continue learning new concepts and technologies and pass my knowledge on to younger generations of engineers. Before the end of my career, I would like to work on the design of a stadium. Q: Describe a project you're involved with. A: I’m currently involved in a new west wing addition to Scaife Hall at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/School in Pittsburgh, PA. The building is a 9-story steel frame structure with an additional 2-story penthouse. Design challenges include adjacent existing construction, complex foundations, low floor to floor heights, long-span lecture hall framing, and vibration sensitive floor framing. Q: How do you spend your free time? A: In my free time, I enjoy cooking/grilling, outdoor activities (hiking, biking, camping), traveling, gaming, playing recreational sports, and watching football.

Young Members Group News & Events

SEAMASS YMG Officers and members at the 2019 Annual Meeting. From left: Alexander Berry; Robert Kane, PE (Past Chair); Bassem Almuti, PE, LEED AP, BD&C (Past Chair); Kara Kea, EIT; Kyle Karschner, PE (Finance Coordinator); Nikki Byl; Brian Post, PE (Immediate Past Chair); Elisa Livingston, EIT (Record Keeper); Chelsea Hoplin, PE (Current Chair); Jerson Olano; Nisheet Reddy; Daniel Parisi; Matthew McDermott, EIT.

The SEAMASS Young Members Group (YMG) continues to grow and enhance the SEAMASS membership community. Recent events include:

SEAMASS YMG 2019 NCSEA Trivia Night  The SEAMASS YMG hosted an evening of trivia, pizza and refreshments on June 13 as they competed live against YMG chapters from across the country during the 2019 NCSEA Trivia Night. The event was held at LeMessurier in Boston, and participants appreciated the opportunity to meet & network with fellow Boston-area engineers.

SEAMASS YMG Rock Climbing Event The YMG coordinated an Indoor Rock Climbing Event, held on April 17 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at MetroRock Climbing Center in Everett. Participants learned and practiced bouldering (ropeless climbing) and auto belaying (single-person high wall climbing) as they enjoyed camaraderie with fellow engineers after a busy work day. 

LEARN MORE and Participate in the YMG: Contact SEAMASS YMG Chair Chelsea Hoplin, PE to discover opportunities to participate in the YMG as an officer, committee leader or member. Just a few hours of your time and talent can result in new relationships and opportunities, as you help to lead and shape the group's future.

NCSEA News & Updates

Register Now for the 2019 Annual Summit Nov 12-15 | Disneyland Hotel | Anaheim, CA The 2019 NCSEA Annual Summit draws the best of the structural engineering field together for the best practical education with expert speakers, a leading trade show, and compelling peer-to-peer networking at an event designed to advance the industry. Take this chance to be a part of this growing and dynamic event! This year, registration is offered in three different Tiers. Register Now; the next price increase will happen on Sept 13.

How to Update Your Profile & Access Your Benefits in the NCSEA Member Portal The Member Login section in the upper right corner of the NCSEA web site provides no-cost access to the Member Portal, a members-only section of the web site.     If you have never logged in, here's how: Click on the member login link and enter the e-mail address you used when your joined or renewed your SEAMASS membership. Then enter the (case-sensitive) password NCSEA1234. First-time users will be asked to create a new password.  If you've logged in before, and forgotten your password: Enter your email address, and click "forgot password", to receive an immediate email with password reset instructions. How to update your contact info (Name, Email, Mailing Address, etc.): The My Information section of the Member Portal provides you with access to your personal record, including contact information, transaction history and mailing preferences. NOTE: Please also notify programs@seamass.org with any changes to your contact information, so we can update our SEAMASS Roster. The portal also provides access to white papers, member-only tools & resources, discounts to ICC publications, and digital issues of STRUCTURE magazine.

Take the NCSEA Public Outreach Challenge! Entries are DUE by August 16

Calling all Structural Engineering Advocates! Have you written an article about your field of work? Have you been interviewed and quoted in an article about structural engineering? Do you wish the public had a better understanding of how important your work is? Now is your chance to share your expertise and passion with your peers!

NCSEA has introduced the first-ever Public Outreach Challenge. In this challenge, SEAMASS and its members are competing against SEAs in every other state to see who does the most and best outreach. The winning SEA will be announced at the Structural Engineering Summit this November in Anaheim, CA. SEAMASS is looking to YOU - our vibrant members - to help us win this challenge! Please submit eligible published content (news articles, videos, blogs, white papers, etc.) that spread the message about our profession and its critical role in society by completing the brief form below to help us compile the information. CLICK HERE for Details and Submission Form Submissions are due by August 16, 2019

Career Opportunities - Our Members are Hiring!

Senior Structural Engineer   Engineers Design Group, Inc. seeks a Full-time, Registered Structural Engineer with 5-10 years’ experience and a PE Registration.  View Full Position Description Structural Engineer Engineers Design Group, Inc. seeks a Full-time Structural Engineer with 2 to 5 years' experience. Candidates with a professional license or pursuing professional licensing are encouraged to apply.  View Full Position Description

Senior Structural Engineer  Gale Associates, Inc., a national engineering/planning firm celebrating more than 50 years in the industry, has an exciting opportunity for a Registered Structural Engineer to serve as manager of Gale’s Structural Engineering Group, overseeing all junior staff within the division. View Full Position Description

Structural Engineer or Technician LeBrasseur Engineering, a small engineering firm in Newton, MA that specializes in residential and small commercial structures, seeks a structural engineer or technician (minimum 2 years) who is dynamic, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision on a variety of design and inspection projects. Working remotely at times is a possibility. View Full Position Description

Senior Project Manager LeMessurier, an award-winning structural engineering consulting firm, seeks a Senior Project Manager in our Boston Office. LeMessurier works closely with architects, owners, contractors, developers, and artists from around the world on a wide variety of projects. We seek a Senior Project Manager to enhance delivery on our special projects. View Full Position Description

Registered Roofing Consultant/Engineer  Noblin Associates seeks a Full-time Roofing Consultant with an engineering or architectural background and 5-15 years’ experience in Building Technology, with roofing, cladding, siding, and waterproofing design experience, for the firm’s Bridgewater, MA and Hampton, NH offices.  View Full Position Description Staff Engineer Noblin Associates seeks a Full-time Staff Engineer with 5-15 years’ experience in Building Technology; or Structural Engineering; or Architectural Engineering, for the firm’s Bridgewater, MA and Hampton, NH offices. View Full Position Description

This section is a benefit to all SEAMASS Sponsors . Email SEAMASS Secretary Aaron Ford with a brief description (and/or a PDF or link to a description on your website) for publishing consideration in SEAMASS News.

Welcome New Members & Sponsors

SEAMASS welcomes these recent new PROFESSIONAL & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: Susana Vasquez Amaral, EIT | Staff 1 | Simpson Gumpertz and Heger Alex Auditore, EIT | Structural Engineer | Engineers Design Group Inc. Eric Buckley, PE | Associate | Thornton Tomasetti Joshua Dowd, EIT | Structural Engineer | USACE Tim Hill, PE | Structural Engineer | Engineers Design Group Inc. Roger Laistner, EIT | Engineers Design Group Matthew McDermott, EIT | Staff I - Structures | Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Ian Neill | Associate | LeMessurier Filipe Ramos | Structural Engineer | Engineers Design Group Inc.

ANNUAL CORPORATE SPONSORS

SEAMASS is grateful to these Annual Corporate Sponsors for their support and Dedication to our Organization Click logos to view websites