Wood Vs Concrete

September 2017 Vol.
4 Issue 6
C E L E B R AT I N G T H E D E S I G N E R S O F T H E W O R L D A R O U N D U S
WOOD VS. CONCRETE

THE BATTLE FOR MULTIFAMILY CONSTRUCTION MARKETS
Mass timber high-rise buildings

Refined dam design
Stormwater risks and liabilities
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PAGE
27
THE COVER
Increasing use of timber for multifamily construction faces intense
opposition from the concrete industry — story on page 30.
Design: Donovan Brigham
ON THE RISE
15 Awards, promotions, and new hires
MANAGEMENT FILES
16 NV5 Global tops the Hot Firm rankings
20 Leaders discuss benefits of being a ‘Best Firm’
CHANNELS
SOFTWARE + TECH
22 Streamlined design and analysis of South America’s longest
suspension bridge
24 Leveraging 2D finite element analysis in structural design
26 Structural slab design
27 Mortenson creates augmented reality app for construction
visualization
STRUCTURES + BUILDINGS
30 Timber’s time
36 First U.S. mass timber high-rise cleared for construction
37 Mass timber with a steel core
WATER + STORMWATER
39 Refined dam design
42 Stormwater risks and liabilities
ENVIRONMENT + SUSTAINABILITY
44 Protecting Florida’s springs
45 Permeable, unpaved roads (advertorial)
50 Arup’s total design for sustainability
52 Holistic design process to optimize energy performance
TRANSPORTATION
54 Close coordination helps build key thoroughfare
56 Roadway rehab explores alternative embankment fills
UAV + SURVEYING
PAGE 58 Surveillance and collapse modeling tools support urban search
36
and rescue
59 Connecting field to office
60 Aerial analytics
CONTINUING EDUCATION
61 Arcadis presents free remediation educational series
61 ACI convention includes FRP Concrete Symposium
62 25th Short Course on CFS Structures
62 ASTM upgrades online Learning Management System
62 AASHTO publishes LRFD Tunnel Design and Construction
Guide
63 Keynote speakers announced for Deep Foundations
conference
63 ASCE book: Risk-related decision making
departments
7 Civil + Structural Engineer Online
12 Events
64 Specify
65 Reader Index
Columns
06 From the Publisher: Leadership qualities
By Mark Zweig
08 Engineering Our Future: Enter the fire
By Chad Clinehens, P.E.
PAGE 10 Engineering Front Line: Gangs, earthquakes, and pupusa
39
By H. Kit Miyamoto, Ph.D., S.E.
September 2017 csengineermag.com 3

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6
csengineermag.com
publisher
Mark C. Zweig | 508.380.0469 | mzweig@zweiggroup.com
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Beth Brooks | 479.502.2972 | bbrooks@zweiggroup.com
Production & circulation manager

Olivia Jones | 479.856.6257 | ojones@zweiggroup.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Bob Drake | 616.741.9852 | bdrake@zweiggroup.com
EDITORial
Chad Clinehens, P.E. | 501.551.2659 | cclinehens@zweiggroup.com
H. Kit Miyamoto, PH.D., S.E. | miyamotointernational.com
Will Swearingen | 479.435.6977 | wswearingen@zweiggroup.com
Richard Massey | 479.856.6122 | rmassey@zweiggroup.com
ART director
Donovan Brigham | 479.435.6978 | dbrigham@zweiggroup.com
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CIVIL+STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IS A ZWEIG GROUP PRODUCT
MARK C. ZWEIG, CHAIRMAN, ZWEIG GROUP LLC
Civil + Structural Engineer (ISSN 23726717) is published monthly by Zweig Group, 1200
North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703. Telephone: 800.466.6275. Copyright© 2017,
Zweig Group. Articles may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission
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Arup implements comprehensive energy PAGE

50
strategies at new Northeastern University
Interdisciplinary Science Complex.
4 csengineermag.com September 2017

FROM THE PUBLISHER
leadership qualities
Take these 10 actions to become more ‘leaderly.’
All civil and structural engineers have a chance to be leaders: Leaders in the organizations
that employ you; leaders in professional and technical societies; leaders in your fields;
leaders in your communities. But aside from working hard and being decisive, what are
some other “leaderly” qualities you may want to be developing? Here are my thoughts:
1. Don’t accept every excuse for a lack of results as valid. While some excuses people
have for not performing may be justified, many are not — certainly, all are not. Engineering
project leaders have a tendency to accept every excuse in the name of protecting their
“family” work atmospheres. It hurts the organization and demotivates everyone else — not
to mention it can ruin the project.
2. Value your time. You have to set the example for valuing your time. It means you don’t
get sucked into trivia, don't waste your time doing things other people can do, and do not accept every single interruption as normal, especially if it
keeps you from doing something more important.
3. Take care of yourself. Eat right, sleep, exercise — don’t let yourself go. When you can show some self-discipline and care for yourself, you set a
good example for everyone else. You also show that you don’t let circumstances dictate what happens to you.
4. Don’t let negative stuff destroy your optimism. There is so much negativity — so many negative people you can associate with — and all of it
will suck you down. It doesn’t mean you have to live in a bubble, but it does mean you can turn it off when you have to because you know it is hurting
you and your ability to lead a bunch of other people who are probably exposed to more negative stuff than you are on a daily basis.
5. Don’t be afraid to try something that hasn’t already been done a million times. We are so conforming in the construction industry. If you do
everything just like everyone else, why would you ever be more successful than they are?
6. Tolerate criticism or skepticism yet keep moving forward. Not everyone will like you, trust you, or believe in you. And there will always be
people taking shots at you. Thicken up that skin. Be ready for criticism — expect it, embrace it, and then prove the critics wrong.
7. Make a plan, share a plan, and implement a plan. You will never get out of the woods without a map or at least a good sense of where the “exit”
is. This has to be explained and shared with everyone else in your party because, if not, they will all be worried, fearful, and paranoid.
8. Keep your cool under fire. Losing your temper is never good. You have to remain calm and in control of your emotions no matter what. That said,
I have been able to use what appears to be emotion effectively at times as a communication tool. Be smart about what you “show” people!
9. Be self-critical. Everyone loves someone who knows what they are good at and what they aren’t. It’s especially endearing when you can be self-
deprecating. You cannot be the jerk who honestly thinks he or she is better than everyone else and acts accordingly. You aren’t perfect — acknowledge
it. Work on your weaknesses; maximize your strengths.
10. Be trustworthy. You have to be able to keep a secret. If not, you won’t really know what is going on in your company because no one will tell
you anything.
We have another great issue of Civil + Structural Engineer magazine. And because we aspire to be leaders in our field, we need your feedback! Please
tell us what you like and don’t like about our publication by emailing me at mzweig@zweigggroup.com. Every email will get a response — and I
promise every idea will receive a thorough consideration. Thank you!
MARK C. ZWEIG
mzweig@zweiggroup.com

C+S ENGINEER ONLINE
Civil + Structural Engineer provides news and articles online to
supplement content in this print issue. Visit csengineermag.com daily for
the latest news and check out the following articles posted online with the
September 2017 issue:
BENTLEY
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Project Profitability:
Before the contract is signed QUARTERLY
OVERAGES?
By Howard Birnberg, Association for Project Managers
In the effort to obtain a design contract, many marketers and senior

managers lose sight of the consequences that success brings. It is not
sufficient to market your design firm to a potential client. I have seen
a number of cases of seller’s remorse after a contract is signed. It is
CONTROL
important to fully evaluate your ability to meet contractual obligations,
satisfy your new client, and make money in the process.
Before the contract is signed,

• evaluate your own capabilities;
• understand your own costs and cost structure and your own cost of
doing business, such as multipliers, overhead rates, and profit targets; OVERAGES
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• require a well-written and complete scope of services;
• prepare a complete project budget.
Unfortunately, in the rush or excitement to begin a new project, many

engineers and architects fail to adequately evaluate the challenge ahead
and to objectively examine the cost/benefit of the work.
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september 2017 csengineermag.com 7

engineering our future
Enter the fire

Never has there been a time with so much
opportunity for advancement.
Engineering firms are busier than most of us have seen in our careers. Backlogs are at historic levels along with an
overall economy that continues to set records. What this translates to for many firms is a labor shortage that is causing
lots of long hours for many design and technical professionals.
Recruiting and retention are top of mind for many firm leaders right now, and they are looking hard for any and every
solution to the problem. If firms cannot add staff to address this market demand, they risk valuable relationships
with clients that have significant needs, while also losing dollars that can be used to grow the firm and provide better
benefits.
I get to sit in on many high-level conversations where firm leaders are discussing solutions. One thing that is very
apparent is that there are many gaps in these organizations that need filled. That spells opportunity for you.
Hiring from the outside is challenging but necessary to keep up with the demand in many firms. But what firm leaders
are really looking for is people to step up internally first and then figure out who needs to be brought in after that.
Priority almost always goes to internal candidates who show an ambition for growth and advancement.
Figure out what you need to do to fill any of these immense needs and go do it. Take a risk and throw yourself into
the fire if needed and learn along the way. Never has there been a time with so much opportunity for advancement.
With such a strong economy, you don’t have to switch companies to make a major advancement. Look hard at the
opportunities right down the hall from you. Firm leaders need you to speak up and step up. Seize the day now!
CHAD CLINEHENS, P.E., is Zweig Group’s president and CEO. Contact him at cclinehens@zweiggroup.com.

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engineering front line
We are driving on a bumpy urban jungle road, right behind an armed police escort. Hot equatorial
sun beats down on our black truck, keeping it nicely humid and hot. I am in San Salvador, the
capital of El Salvador, heading to a gang-ridden public housing area.
This is the city where a moderate, M5.5 earthquake killed more than 1,500 people in 1986. We
are on a mission, working together with the government to assess the seismic risk of the city and
identify gaps in earthquake disaster preparedness.
We park in the muddy parking lot in the front of smog-stained, five-story concrete apartments.
As soon as our team gets out of the truck, armed police escorts rapidly scatter around the
perimeter. Many of the buildings are haphazardly out of plumb, either caused by settlement or
cracked concrete. A city engineer explains to me that many of these buildings were damaged
by the 1986 earthquake and red-tagged, but people went back to live there anyway, having no
place else to go.
As we assess the buildings, my interpreter nervously whispers to me, “Kit, you see a teenage
Gangs,
boy around the corner who is looking at us? I guarantee that he is a member of a powerful local
gang group. By now, everybody knows we are here.”
earthquakes,
The first step of the risk assessment is on-the-ground building data collection. Combining this
data with remote sensing satellite images, we can construct an accurate picture of the city’s built
environment and population. As engineers, we sometimes need to expose ourselves to certain
risks. Being in a gang-controlled area is one thing, but being on a normal construction site is
and pupusa Taking risks to be change agents in

also filled with danger. Nevertheless, society needs us to do this; it is our job.
We get back to our ever-more-heated truck and head back to safer city areas. It is a 13-hour day
road trip around the traffic-jammed city with a 15-minute gas station hot dog lunch stop. We are
developing countries. meeting various agencies to understand their preparedness capacity. We arrive at a ministry that
is in charge of multi-hazard risk monitoring. A young researcher greets us with fluent English.
By H. Kit Miyamoto Ph.D., S.E.
A semi-dark room is full of blue computer screens showing real time weather and earthquake
monitoring.
In 2010, the UN ranked El Salvador as having the highest natural hazard risk in the world. But
it is an absolutely beautiful place — untouched jungles, wild beaches, 1,000 volcanoes. It is
also a truly undiscovered place. We saw very few foreign tourists besides rogue surfers and
businessmen escaping the capital city on weekends. Salvadorians are very kind and friendly.
I say, the coffee is the best in the world, and their national dish — cheese-filled pupusa — is
something I dream about.
The young researcher explains how they monitor earthquakes. Later we learned that she is
a director of the agency. Impressive, where male dominance is common in this part of the
world. This is something I often find in many developing countries. Talent and knowledge are
sometimes buried and fragmented. Foreigners like us can help as change agents by breaking
pre-existing social or political barriers, connecting dots, and supporting talents.
H. KIT MIYAMOTO, PH.D., S.E., is the CEO and a structural engineer for Miyamoto International
(http://miyamotointernational.com), a California seismic safety commissioner, and president of the
technical nonprofit Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief. He specializes in high-performance earthquake
engineering and disaster mitigation, response, and reconstruction.

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events
2017 commercial uav expo Conference program topics address understanding specific return
on investment and benefit metrics for using UAVs; integrating UAV
data into current workflows; storing and sharing project data both
Integrating and operating unmanned aerial vehicles — UAVs —
internally and externally; incorporating software for flight planning,
for large asset owners in industrial markets. post-processing, and data analysis; determining alternative options for
when UAVs are not the right tool for an application; and identifying
UAV regulatory, environmental, operational efficiency, and safety
According to organizers of the Commercial UAV Expo, Oct. 24-26, challenges.
2017, in Las Vegas, the event is “geared to data acquisition profession-
als tasked with highly technical projects that fall into one of the ‘4Ds’ In addition to the main conference program, AirGon is offering a Tech-
— dangerous, difficult, dull, or dirty work.” These projects might in- nical Seminar: High Accuracy Mapping with DJI Phantom and Inspire,
clude pipeline monitoring; transmission line inspection; infrastructure and the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
analysis; digital terrain models and digital elevation models; simula- (ASPRS) is hosting a preconference unmanned aerial system (UAS)
tions for asset analysis and risk management; multi-spectral sensing technical symposium. During this full-day symposium eight topics
for complex infrastructure such as bridges, roads, tunnels, rail, and will be presented by ASPRS members and practicing service provid-
utilities; or any work that requires survey-grade data with high levels ers. Each topic will build on the previous, giving attendees a compre-
of accuracy, often in hazardous environments. hensive understanding of UAS mapping in accordance with geospatial
accuracy standards. The symposium will end with a presentation on the
Conference content and exhibits focus on considerations for drone new ASPRS UAS Mapping Certification.
integration in seven industry segments:
• process, power, and utilities; More information and registration details for the Commercial UAV
• civil infrastructure; Expo are available at www.expouav.com.
• construction;
• surveying and mapping;
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• precision agriculture; and COME SAY HI TO US in LAS VEGAS!
• law enforcement, emergency response, and search and rescue.
EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 2017
Hot Firm and A/E Industry Awards Conference
InterDrone Sept. 21-22 — Seattle
Sept. 6-8 — Las Vegas Comprehensive business conference for leaders and aspiring leaders of
UAV conference featuring more than 120 panels, sessions, classes, AEC firms in the U.S. Conference agenda includes topics on technology,
and drone workshops and an exhibition with more than 185 unmanned leadership challenges, business planning, marketing methods, recruiting
system manufacturers and sellers. and retention, and growth strategies.
www.interdrone.com http://hotfirm.com
32nd Annual WateReuse Symposium Rebuilding and Retrofitting the Transportation Infrastructure
Sept. 10-13 — Phoenix Sept. 26-27 — Washington, D.C.
What’s working, what’s new, and what’s next in water reuse policy, Conference highlights best practices and breakthrough ideas for
operations, technology, and public perception, featuring more than 100 transportation infrastructure concepts, designs, and materials, disruption
presentations, panel discussions, and workshops. management, intergovernmental actions and policies, decision making,
https://watereuse.org/news-events/conferences/annual-watereuse- and asset management.
symposium https://www.transportation.gov/utc/utc-spotlight-conference
12 csengineermag.com september 2017

OCTOBER 2017
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Smart Cities Week 2017
Oct. 3-5 — washington, D.C.
Government leaders gather to discuss examples of smart infrastructure
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roundtable discussions, and panel sessions aligned to six tracks, plus an
exhibition hall.
www.smartcitiesweek.com/2017-Washington
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meeting of the minds 2017

Oct. 23-25 — cleveland The Principals Academy 2.0
Tools and best practices working for city leaders across the globe, Oct. 26-27 — san diego
including smart cities, IoT, mobility, climate and resiliency, clean urban Crash course in all aspects of managing a professional service firm,
water and energy, infrastructure, and more. including an expanded focus on business development, strategic
http://cityminded.org/events/motm2017 planning, and financial management.
http://zweiggroup.com/seminars/the-principals-academy
Commercial UAV Expo Americas
Oct. 24-25 — Las Vegas ITS World Congress 2017
Unmanned aerial systems selection and integration; developing Oct. 29- nov. 2 — montreal, canada
enterprise workflows, guidelines, and policies; data management and Brings together global leaders in intelligent and transformative
integration; and legal, safety, and regulatory considerations. transportation to showcase and evaluate the latest innovative concepts,
www.expouav.com active prototypes, and live systems. A pavilion in the exhibit hall will
highlight smart cities from around the world.
25th Short Course on Cold-Formed Steel Structures http://itsworldcongress2017.org
Oct. 24-26 — st. louis
Course provides an introduction to the behavior of cold-formed Designing Cities 2017: Chicago
steel members and connections and how that behavior is addressed Oct. 30-nov. 2 — chicago
by the AISI Specification. The course also is intended to strengthen National Association of City Transportation Officials convenes
experienced engineers’ understanding of the fundamental behavior of transportation leaders and practitioners to discuss key trends in urban
members and connections, as well as provide a better understanding of street design and transportation policy.
cold-formed steel design. https://nacto.org/conference/designing-cities-conference-chicago-2017
http://ccfssonline.org/cfs-short-course
Water Infrastructure Conference
DFI 42nd Annual Conference Oct. 30-nov. 2 — san diego
Oct. 24-27 — New Orleans American Water Works Association conference features five workshops,
The conference features technical presentations focusing on deep five session tracks, and an exposition focused on solutions to utility
foundations and ground improvement, and associated risks and infrastructure challenges.
mitigation practices. www.awwa.org/conferences-education/conferences/water-
www.deepfoundations2017.org infrastructure.aspx
September 2017 csengineermag.com 13

novembER 2017
Autodesk University
Leadership Skills for AEC Professionals Nov. 14-16 — Las Vegas
nov. 7-8 — arlington, VA. Autodesk’s annual user conference features technology keynote
Specifically developed to provide design and technical professionals addresses, an exhibit hall, certification exams, and hundreds of classes
with the skills to become more competent leaders, including strategies for designers, engineers, and industry professionals.
and techniques that will help them grow personally and professionally. http://au.autodesk.com
http://zweiggroup.com/seminars/leadership-skills-for-aec-
professionals AEC Business Development Training
Nov. 16 — Seattle
Greenbuild Specifically developed to help design and technical professionals
nov. 12-16 — orlando, fla. become more comfortable dealing with clients and promoting the firm
Greenbuild, claimed to be the world’s largest conference and and its services.
expo dedicated to green building, includes speakers, networking http://zweiggroup.com/seminars/aec-business-development-training
opportunities, industry showcases, LEED workshops, and tours of the
host city’s green buildings. Excellence in Project Management
https://greenbuildexpo.com Nov. 29 — Charleston, S.C.
Tutorial and case study workshop sessions present critical areas every
International Water Conference project manager should know from the perspective of architecture,
nov. 12-16— orlando, fla. engineering, and environmental consulting firms.
Dedicated to advancing new developments in the treatment, use, and http://zweiggroup.com/seminars/excellence-in-project-management
reuse of water for industrial and other engineering purposes.
https://eswp.com/water decembER 2017
2017 National Accelerated Bridge Construction
Conference
Dec. 6-8 — Miami
STOP WORKING SO HARD! The conference and preconference workshop

is sponsored by the Accelerated Bridge
Construction-University Transportation Center at
Florida International University.
https://abc-utc.fiu.edu/conference
Check online at
http://csengineermag.com/industry-events
for events later in 2017 and 2018. Send
information about upcoming conferences,
GET THE seminars, and exhibitions relevant to

SET AND civil and structural engineering to Bob
SAVE! Drake at bdrake@zweiggroup.com.
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Design examples, time-saving aids, state-of-the-art practices, methodologies, and more!
Visit www.crsi.org for design guides, best practices

documents, field publications, and more!

Mahesh Kailasam, Ph.D. Leo A. Fernandez, P.E. Julie L. Labonte Zeynep Erdal, Ph.D., P.E. Jon Helhowski, P.E., LEED AP
Barbara Arens, P.E. Stephen Bonina, P.E. Shannon Williams, P.E. Axel Nitschke, Ph.D., P.E. Luis A. Porrello, Ph.D., P.E. Mel Sears, P.E. Bruce Fairless, P.E.
Kenneth D. Boivin, CHMM Brett Rowan, P.E. Mauricio Posada, P.E. Don Sepulveda, P.E. Mary Jo Hamman Sue Barker, P.E. Rick Robyak, P.E.
Awards, promotions, and new hires named a tunnel practice leader, based in WSP USA’s Washington, D.C.
office, and will lead the firm’s practice using the New Austrian Tun-
neling Method. Luis A. Porrello, Ph.D., P.E., was named senior vice
Mahesh Kailasam, Ph.D., joined Thornton Tomasetti’s Weidlinger president and business development director for the West region of the
Applied Science practice as a vice president and director of the Cu- transportation and infrastructure sector of WSP USA. Mel Sears, P.E.,
pertino, Calif., office. Leo A. Fernandez, P.E., joined the firm’s Wall was named Northwest Pacific district manager and Seattle office area
Street, New York office as a vice president in the Weidlinger Transpor- manager at WSP USA, responsible for oversight of the firm’s opera-
tation practice. He has more than 20 years of experience in the inspections in Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, and the South Pacific.
tion, analysis, rehabilitation, and design of roadway, rail, pedestrian,
and long-span bridges. GZA promoted Bruce Fairless, P.E., to principal, operating from the
company’s Boston office, where he was recently named manager. His
Julie L. Labonte was named senior vice-president and senior program areas of specialization are geotechnical and geothermal well field de-
manager within AECOM’s Design and Consulting Services group’s sign and construction. Kenneth D. Boivin, CHMM, was promoted
Program and Construction Management business. She has nearly 30 to principal and senior vice president at GZA’s Bedford, N.H., office.
years of water and wastewater expertise. AECOM named Zeynep
Erdal, Ph.D., P.E., regional business line leader for its water busi- McLaren Engineering Group expanded its Orlando, Fla., office with
ness in the Los Angeles Metro+ region, which encompasses Southern the addition of Brett Rowan, P.E., senior structural engineer, and
and Central California and Nevada. Randall A. Wotring was named Mauricio Posada, P.E., senior marine engineer. McLaren’s Orlando-
chief operating officer, effective July 1, 2017. He has more than 30 area projects have included work for multiple high-profile theme parks.
years of experience in the engineering and construction industry and McLaren has also engineered marine structures across the state.
was promoted in September 2016 to group president, Technical and
Operational Services. Don Sepulveda, P.E., was promoted to vice president and deputy
national market lead in the Railroad and Transit Practice for Michael
Jon Helhowski, P.E., LEED AP, joined STV as vice president and Baker International’s West region based in the firm’s Los Angeles
chief mechanical engineer. He will be based in the firm’s Douglass- office. Mary Jo Hamman was promoted to office executive, over-
ville, Pa., office where he will lead mechanical engineering efforts for seeing Michael Baker’s two Indiana offices and more than 25 team
STV’s Buildings & Facilities Division. members in Indianapolis and Highland. As part of her 31-year career,
she spent 17 years with the Indiana Department of Transportation as a
Barbara Arens, P.E., was named Central region business manager Design Development Section manger. Sue Barker, P.E., was promoted
of the transportation and infrastructure sector at WSP USA. Stephen to office manager, overseeing 12 team members in Michael Baker’s
Bonina, P.E., was named a vice president in the Newark, N.J. office of Madison, Wis., and Milwaukee offices. She has more than 30 years
WSP USA, where he will serve as the Eastern region fleet manager for of experience in transportation planning, design, construction manage-
WSP’s transit and rail technical excellence center. Shannon Williams, ment, and public involvement. Rick Robyak, P.E., was promoted to
P.E., is a lead water resources engineer in the Portland, Ore., office senior vice president and office executive in Michael Baker’s Moon
of WSP USA, where she will oversee projects involving stormwater Township, Pa., office. This position was created to further drive the
management, drainage conveyance systems, water mains, sanitary firm’s strategic growth in the region.
sewer systems, and pump stations. Axel Nitschke, Ph.D., P.E., was
management files
2017 Zweig Group Firm List. “It says you are the best at what you do — running an A/E/P
or environmental consulting firm in an industry made up of 100,000
companies.”
Hot Firm List NV5 Global tops the rankings with

While the Top 25 were clearly ahead of all the other firms, those that
appeared on the list from 26 through 100 had nothing of which to be
ashamed. Firms in the lower quartile, for example, still grew by an
average of 51 percent and had a dollar growth of nearly $9 million. Not
three-year revenue growth of 107 percent. bad for firms on the “bottom” of the list.
By Richard Massey
The top Hot Firm, however, deserves special mention. NV5 Global
Inc. (www.nv5.com), of Hollywood, Fla., pulled off an amazing feat —
The Zweig Group Hot Firm List and Best Firms To Work For (see page three-year growth of 107 percent, or in terms of dollars, $126 million.
20) will be celebrated on Sept. 21-22 at the Hot Firm and A/E Industry
Awards Conference at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle. The top NV5, with a combined 104 offices across the United States and in Chi-
25 Hot Firms this year (see “2017 Hot Firm List Top 25”) showed the na, Vietnam, and the autonomous territory of Macau, is a truly global
industry what it means to grow. On average, the Top 25 grew by 129 enterprise that serves the infrastructure, construction, real estate, and
percent in terms of three-year percentage growth, and by more than environmental markets. During the last three years, the firm has ex-
$43 million in terms of dollar growth. Hot Firm rankings are based perienced meteoric growth, from 2014 gross revenue of $108 million
50-50 on percentage growth rate and dollar revenue growth rate over to $224 million in gross revenue last year — a 107 percent increase,
the previous three-year period. according to figures published in the firm’s 2016 Annual Report.
This is the 18th year for the list, which began when The Zweig Letter The firm’s chairman and CEO, Dickerson Wright, has more than 35
started ranking firm growth. While this year’s list features newcomers years of experience managing engineering firms. He earned a bachelor
such as Patel Greene & Associates, PLLC, one of the mainstays of the of science degree in engineering from Pacific Western University and
list are firms that appear in the rankings year after year, such as Hill is a board-certified engineer in California and Wisconsin. He took time
International. out of his busy schedule to discuss a few key aspects of running a
powerhouse firm.
“Getting on the list is like winning an Oscar,” said Mark Zweig,
founder and chairman of Zweig Group, and the founder of the Hot What’s the recipe for creating an effective board?

those staples are certainly covered under the umbrella of
the credit, the definition captures a much broader array of
endeavors.
“I unpack what R&D really is in terms of the U.S. Congress’

interpretation,” Fercho says. “When the credit first came
2017 Hot Firm sponsor is led by Dawson Fercho, a business out, it applied well to the widget makers, and they didn’t
development guy who is part ‘social worker,’ part ‘psy- think it could apply to a design package.”
chologist.’
But it does. And in Fercho’s experience, most of the firms
Dawson Fercho says he likes to laugh. And why not? At 46, looking at the tax credit end up qualifying. And word has
he’s co-founder of a growing firm, Corporate Tax Advisors, trickled down from the big firms to the firms that have
is an IRS enrolled agent in all 50 states, and is licensed by around $5 million a year in revenue and around 20 employ-
the U.S. Department of the Treasury. ees. CTA also works with software firms, light manufactur-
ing, aerospace/defense, and construction, among others.
He’s oftentimes out on the road doing his thing – selling
tax and financial services to architecture and engineering Founded in 2014, CTA is based in Huntsville, Alabama, but
firms, and helping them enhance their bottom lines. He has offices in Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, and
also has a wife, three kids, and is a coach of youth sports. Los Angeles. Flexibility, Fercho says, is key for the firm, which
has a staff of 15 attorneys, CPAs and engineers.
So it’s pretty easy for Fercho to laugh. He’s got a lot going
on, and it’s all going his way. “We’re decentralized,” he says. “We go where the clients
are.”
But don’t let the easygoing nature fool you. Fercho is a
hard-charging businessman who knows how to fill a niche CTA is a small firm and wants to grow, but not necessarily
and can walk into a room full of engineers and not meet a by too much.
stranger. Not the easiest thing to do. But for Fercho and his
company, that’s how it has to be. “There’s certain things you lose – aggressiveness and spon-
taneity – when you get big,” he says.
“We want to know the firms we work with,” he says. “We
want to be a valued member of their financial team. But I Fercho worked at two firms prior to co-founding his current
don’t want to always talk about business. There are other company with co-principals Mike Woeber and Rob Kling.
things going on.” While he learned the tools of the trade prior to CTA, he also
figured out what he did not want the new firm to be – “fee-
But when it comes down to business, Fercho and his team centric” rather than “client-centric.”
know the score. Experts in three sections of the Tax Code
– the Research and Development Tax Credit, the Energy “If you’re in it just for the money, you’ll burn out quickly,”
Efficient Commercial Building Deduction, and Cost Seg- Fercho says.
regation – Corporate Tax Advisors finds dollars that firms
didn’t know they had. Clients range from those with $5 million in annual gross
receipts to those with $250 million. Regardless of the size,
“There are 9,000 different code sections, and we focus on Fercho’s approach is the same. A born people person and
three,” Fercho says. “Pick a beach head and be the best a salesman, he gets to use his skills when out on business
at that thing.” development trips.
And the big benefit for qualifying firms? Reduced costs for “You can’t be afraid,” he says. “At some level you’re a
research, labor, and an overall lower taxable income. In a social worker, or a psychologist. You can’t be an introvert.
video embedded in CTA’s website, Fercho says he wants You have to be able to talk and be able to listen.”
to “demystify” the R&D Tax Credit. The biggest mystery for
firms, Fercho says, is simple: “Do they qualify?”
Of the three specialties handled by CTA, efficiencies DAWSON FERCHO is a principal at Corpo-
through the R&D Tax Credit are the most sought after. But rate Tax Advisors. He can be reached at
firms oftentimes consider the R&D Tax Credit and think of dawsonf@corporatetaxadvisors.com.
white coats, petri dishes, and the Scientific Method. While

Wright: In addition to having deep knowledge and a wealth of experi- of access to leadership and our management team is constantly acces-
ence in our specific industry, our board members must understand and sible to our employees.
support the culture of our organization and our growth strategy. Every-
one on our current board brings a different point of view to the table.
They feel very comfortable voicing their opinions if they disagree with
a particular deal or potential decision, but they all understand NV5’s
goals and our business philosophy. Many of our board members also Dickerson Wright,
come from very large successful firms, so their input comes from a
standpoint of growth and looking to the future, which is what we al-
chairman and CEO,
ways want to remain focused on. NV5 Global Inc.
Is there a secret to effective ownership transition?
Wright: Culture, culture, culture. Our definition of culture is very

RICHARD MASSEY is director of newsletters and special publications at
specific at NV5. We are a public company because we want partners,
Zweig Group and editor of The Zweig Letter. He can be reached at
not key employees. We are a company focused on growth. The com- rmassey@zwieiggroup.com.
panies we acquire must agree to be integrated into our shared services
platform so we know everyone’s progress is being measured the same,
so we are all working toward the same goals, and so everyone has the
same protections and resources that will allow them to do the best work
possible. By being a public company and putting stock into our deals,
we also eliminate the polarization of company owners who are seeking
an exit strategy and their employees who have been growing the busi-
ness and the client base and are seeking ownership.
What has your firm done recently to upgrade its IT system?
Wright: Great question because this is something we have been giving

a lot of attention to lately. In addition to making sure we are maintain-
ing the highest standards of safety and protection of our information,
we now have 104 offices throughout the United States and abroad and
that comes with opportunities and challenges of another kind. With 1. NV5 Global, Inc.
such talented experts so geographically dispersed, we want to make 2. CMTA, Inc.
sure that any engineer can support any project, no matter where it is, 3. The Vertex Companies, Inc.
and having cutting edge technology is key to that ability. Eliminating 4. WGI, Inc.
sub-consultant fees where possible is a big focus of ours and we do this 5. WSB
through cross-selling our services among our verticals. Technology is 6. LJA Engineering, Inc.
one thing we can do to make this initiative easy and intuitive for our 7. Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
team. 8. Huckabee
9. Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
What’s the best way to recruit and retain top talent in a tight labor 10. ISG
market? 11. Rincon Consultants, Inc.
12. EN Engineering, LLC
Wright: We drive stock very deep into our organization and that is 13. Maser Consulting P.A.
one key reason we are a public company. It ensures that our employees 14. NWH
own the same shares as our management team, as our investors, and 15. BHC RHODES
that everyone has an opportunity to share in the company’s success, 16. McMillan Pazdan Smith
which can be measured objectively through public disclosures and our 17. ESP Associates, PA
stock performance. Each of our verticals is run by an entrepreneurial 18. Cherokee Enterprises, Inc.
leader who has a particular interest and expertise in his or her specific 19. RTM Engineering Consultants, LLC
practice. They have an opportunity to grow those verticals and shape 20. CRB
the business, but they also get the support needed to spur growth from 21. Ware Malcomb
the other verticals and the corporate organization. For this reason, we 22. Environmental Partners Group, Inc.
tend to attract employees who are interested in a fast-growing, flexible 23. ECS
organization with clear opportunities for autonomy and leadership. Our 24. Long Engineering, Inc.
company is flat and vertically structured, so there are also many points 25. Orchard Hiltz and McCliment, Inc. (OHM Advisors)

We’re all about
superior support.
It’s well known that steel joists, with their impressive Upcoming Webinars
strength-to-weight ratio, provide greater support. What

might be surprising is all the ways the Steel Joist Institute September
provides outstanding support to engineers, architects and Bridging – How It Works and What to
other industry partners. Work Around
October
Part 1: Evaluation and Modification

Through publications, webinars and design tools, our goal is to provide of Open Web Steel Joists and Joist
Girders
information on how to build with steel joists and Joist Girders.
To take advantage of all the education tools created to help you

design with steel joists, visit:
November
steeljoist.org
Part 2: Evaluation and Modification
of Open Web Steel Joists and
Joist Girders
management files
2017
Best Firms
To Work For
Leaders discuss how being a ‘Best Firm’ helps marketing,
Choice One Engineering
“Being named a Zweig Group Best Firm has played a small part in at-
team building, and recruiting. tracting new employees,” said Matt Hoying, president, Choice One En-
gineering (Sidney, Ohio), a 37-person civil engineering firm. “Our new
By Richard Massey
employees have told us, though it wasn’t a deciding factor in coming
to work for Choice One, it was a reason they researched the company
more and ultimately reassured them when making their final decision.”
Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.
“Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc. finds being on the list for Zweig
Group Best Firms extremely helpful in attracting new talent, but more
Results for the 2017 Best Firms to Work For were generated from importantly, helping us gauge how we are doing with our current
surveys of more than 11,300 people in the AE industry — from C-suite employees and in-house talent,” said Dan Houf, president, Harper
executives to administrative staff. This year, seven categories were Houf Peterson Righellis, Inc. (Portland, Ore.), a 90-person landscape
honored: structural, environmental, multidiscipline, civil, geotechni- architecture firm. “We continually strive to be a great place to work,
cal, landscape architecture/planning, and architecture (see “2017 Best and to provide a professional and rewarding experience for all of our
Firms To Work For Top 3”). professional staff. The Zweig Group survey provides an opportunity to
gauge areas of strengths, and to find opportunities to improve our firm.
Of note is the percentage of Best Firms — 40 percent — that offer tu- We use the rankings on our web page as well as advertisements for
ition reimbursements for business school. Engineering and architecture current openings. We also use our Best Firm standing in marketing, as
are one thing, but running a business is another. The Best Firms “get” it provides us with credibility to our clients that we treat our employees
this dynamic, and through tuition reimbursements are clearly grooming fairly, leading to low turnover and consistent client service.”
the next generation of leaders.
Another standout in the survey results was the number of firms that
use open-book management on a regular basis. Of the firms surveyed,
nearly 21 percent said they share financial information with the entire
firm on a monthly basis. But this is not markedly greater than the num-
ber of firms that don’t, at 18.4 percent. Firms that conduct open-book
management say the process instills vision up and down the org chart,
giving employees at every level the information they need to help the
firm succeed.
The combined list of employee-friendly firms reached 141 this year.

The complete list of winners is available at http://hotfirm.com/our- Fitzmeyer & Tocci
awards/best-firms-to-work-for.
“In 2014, we set a strategic objective to have a stellar reputation in the
The leaders of the top Best Firm in each of this year’s seven categories engineering community as the workplace of choice,” said Ted Fitze-
commented on the award and how it is good for marketing, team build- meyer, president, Fitzemeyer & Tocci (Woburn, Mass.), a 40-person
ing, and recruiting. multidiscipline engineering consulting firm. “Being a Zweig Group
Best Firm impartially confirms our commitment to our strategic plan,
our staff, and ultimately to our clients. Receiving this prestigious

award illustrates the commitment we have to our employees and aids ment you want to build for your company, and then pursuing team
in attracting top-notch talent, which is key to our continued success.” members who embody that vision,” said Sonny Kaiser, principal,
Ecosystem Planning & Restoration, (Tomball, Texas), a 21-person
Huckabee environmental firm. “We learned through this process that identifying
the best people to help build our company culture takes time, but is
“We place great emphasis on excellence in everything we do, and this well worth the effort to find the right people. Identifying leaders who
means investing in our team, our offices, and our culture,” said Chris help embody and define our culture has been critical to becoming a
Huckabee, CEO, Huckabee (Fort Worth, Texas), a 218-person archi- Best Firm to Work For, and those leaders help us create an environment
tecture firm. “Where we are today, and the culture we’ve nurtured, is where people desire to work.”
the result of 50 years of practice and focus in the educational market.
We love to talk about our clients and our employees and the great work RICHARD MASSEY is director of newsletters and special publications at
they are doing for Texas communities. Being named Best Firms to Zweig Group and editor of The Zweig Letter. He can be reached at
Work For gives us one more opportunity to spread the word about the rmassey@zwieiggroup.com.
people who make our workplace great. The award is also a message to
our clients that we invest in our team because we are invested in you; at
Huckabee, we are all-in to education, and this means recruiting people
who are going to be all-in with us and with them.”
Civil engineering
1. Choice One
2. Bowers and Kubota
3. Criado & Associates, Inc
Multidiscipline
1. Fitzemeyer & Tocci
2. Garver
3. Bowers and Kubota
Mulhern + Kulp Structural engineering

1. Mulhern & Kulp
“To us, being voted ‘Best Structural Engineering Firm to Work For’ 2. Barrish Pelham
is an affirmation of one of our founding principles — that our people, 3. SidePlate Systems, Inc.
both collectively and individually, are our most valuable asset,” said
Mike Mulhern and Joe Kulp, founders, Mulhern+Kulp (Ambler, Pa.), Architecture
a 60-person structural engineering firm. “We share a genuine concern 1. Huckabee
for their personal well-being, career satisfaction, and overall success 2. Mackey Mitchell Architects
— achieved in a positive, open, friendly, and encouraging environ- 3. Hastings Architecture Associates
ment. We are motivated every day to grow our business so that we
can provide new challenges and career advancement opportunities for Landscape Architecture and Planning
every one of our employees.” 1. Harper Houf Peterson Righellis
2. SCJ Alliance
Comprehensive Environmental, Inc. 3. Hitchcock Design Group
“The formula for happy employees includes the basics of good pay, Geotechnical Engineering
good benefits and good working conditions, but more importantly, 1. Comprehensive Environmental
the daily gratification of a job done well and making a difference for 2. Geodesign, Inc.
our clients and for the environment,” said Eileen Pannatier, CEO and 3. R&M Consultants, Inc.
founder, Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (Marlborough, Mass.) a
30-person geotechnical firm. Environmental Services
1. Ecosystem Planning & Restoration
Ecosysytem Planning & Restoration 2. EHS Support
3. Comprehensive Environmental
“Building a great team starts with visualizing the culture and environ-

software + TECH Channel Sponsor: Bentley Systems Inc. | www.bentley.com
Bentley software streamlined evaluation of alternatives that were prepared under changing design
requirements, and facilitated work sharing and cross checking among team members.
Suspending
As the cabinet-level office in charge of all aspects of public infrastruc-
ture in Chile, MOP is overseeing the international consortium retained
disbelief
to take on the engineering and construction challenges presented by the
highly seismic region, strong currents, deep channel, and high winds.
The consortium, Consorcio Puente Chacao, is comprised of Hyundai
(South Korea), OAS (Brazil), Aas-Jakobsen (Norway), and Systra
(France). MOP’s Department of Roads, which is in charge of Chile’s
Streamlined design and analysis of South road network, is responsible for design verification, structural evalua-
America’s longest suspension bridge. tion, and constructability of the bridge. Local consultants are providing
By Samantha Langdeau an independent design check.
Overcoming site restraints

In southern Chile off the coast of Llanquihue Province, the people of Funded by the government of Chile as a public works concession (P3),
Chiloe have cultivated an island culture steeped in history and tradi- Chacao Bridge includes three public works projects: the suspension
tion. This isolated enclave is famous for its coastal towns with colorful bridge, the access roads, and a service area. The aggressive 84-month
houses built on stilts, 17th century churches designated as UNESCO schedule demanded rapid evaluation of design alternatives, stream-
World Heritage sites, and national parks teaming with marine life. Yet lined design studies, highly collaborative workflows, and accelerated
to travel to and from the island, locals and visitors alike must book pas- reviews. MOP implemented Bentley’s RM Bridge to save time and re-
sage on an unreliable ferry for a 45-minute ride across the treacherous duce costs. The application is used to perform bridge design, analysis,
Chacao Channel. and construction simulation to determine resiliency during seismic and
natural events. It streamlines the massive analytical tasks and auto-
Chile’s Ministry of Public Works (MOP) first conceptualized a bridge mates complex design and engineering functions.
to connect the Island of Chiloe to the port city of Puerto Montt on
the mainland in the 1990s. After several false starts, a US$740 million When work began in 2014, the project team confronted several ex-
design-build contract was awarded in February 2014. Upon comple- treme challenges in designing the multi-span suspension bridge across
tion in 2020, the Chacao Bridge will be the longest suspension bridge Chacao Channel. The project site is in a remote area of the Los Lagos
in South America at 2.75 kilometers. The asymmetrical structure will region, 1,100 kilometers south of Santiago. The channel separates the
feature 1,055- and 1,155-meter main spans and three towers that rise 200-kilometer-long island from the mainland, but both land masses are
to heights of 157, 175, and 199 meters. The four-lane carriageway on part of the coastal range noted for high seismicity. The bridge is just
deck will soar 50 meters above the turbulent channel waters. 80 kilometers from the fault zone where a disastrous 9.5 magnitude
earthquake struck Valdivia, Chile, in 1960. In 2010, an earthquake of

Bridge’s parametric analysis capabilities reduced the time required to
evaluate alternatives and verify the structural design. RM Bridge proved
to be a powerful tool for checking complex structural designs and react-
ing quickly to conditions in the field that require design modifications.
“RM Bridge has been a very powerful tool for the challenging design
tasks of the Chacao Bridge, improving the checking process and ensur-
ing quality in the process,” said Matias Valenzuela, Ph.D., Ministerio
Obras Públicas de Chile. “The software is an excellent platform for
innovation.”
Economic bridge design

RM Bridge helped to resolve issues that arose during construction due
to the harsh conditions. Because the bridge is asymmetrical, with two
spans of different lengths, the three pylons carry the burden of balanc-
ing the uneven loads. The central, 175-meter tower, shaped like an
inverted-Y, became the focus of intense mitigation efforts when subsid-
ence of the mid-channel rock formation created a construction chal-
lenge. The problem was solved by using the advanced dynamics and
wind analysis capabilities of RM Bridge. Performing 3D computational
analysis aided in evaluating alternatives and improving the design of
8.8 magnitude struck offshore of Concepción, about 650 kilometers the central tower.
north. Seismicity was the most challenging design criteria for the team.
When construction is complete, MOP will assume responsibility for
Additionally, the channel is prone to critical winds of up to 208 kilome- operations and maintenance of the bridge. MOP instructed the project
ters per hour, and ocean currents reach 9.7 knots or 18 kilometers per team to consider operations and maintenance efficiency and economy
hour, with 8 meter waves. The deep channel plunges 120 meters to the in the bridge design, so the Ministry anticipates that the life cycle costs
sea floor. Mid-channel, rock protrudes enough to provide a base for the of this infrastructure asset will be optimized. Overall, MOP credits the
central support tower, but it presented problems with subsidence. high-quality design for this multi-span suspension bridge to the team’s
using the most advanced bridge engineering applications available.
Fast, accurate analyses
To ensure the safety and serviceability of the bridge under these con- With a 100-year design life, the Chacao Bridge will improve quality of
ditions, and adhere to strict environmental qualifications that protect life, commerce, and tourism for the Island of Chiloe and the port city of
local flora and fauna, archeological zones, and aboriginal communities, Puerto Montt. The bridge will replace the sporadic ferry service across
the project team performed global analysis and time-history analysis the rough channel and shorten the trip to minutes. Improved access and
with RM Bridge based on multiple engineering studies. The analyses mobility between the mainland and the island will encourage an influx
investigated factors influencing linear, non-linear, static, and dynamic of professionals to live and work in the area. The bridge will also serve
behaviors, including bathymetric, geodesic, geologic, geotechnical, as a conduit for water, power, and telecommunication lines, creating the
seismic, topographic, and aerodynamic. MOP implemented gINT to opportunity for new development.
streamline data management and reporting for the geotechnical and
geoenvironmental work. Ultimately, Chacao Bridge will connect the Island of Chiloe to Chile’s
highway system, uniting the island community with the rest of the
Wind tunnel analysis studied the bridge’s aerodynamic stability both country. The Chilean government estimates the advent of improved
in parts (deck, towers, and suspension cables) and as a whole. MOP commerce will result in a 6 percent social return on investment in the
used the advanced wind analysis capabilities of RM Bridge to conduct region.
computational fluid dynamics studies. The seismic analysis focused on
specific response criteria for both bedrock and soil behavior. The effects The Chacao Bridge is an emblematic project, as the first long-span sus-
of wave impacts in the event of a tsunami also had to be considered. pension bridge in Chile. It represents an opportunity for the exchange
This comprehensive probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) de- of technological know-how among MOP and the partners participating
fined the structural response to seismic activity. in the consortium, and demonstrates that Chile provides a favorable
business climate for developing large-scale projects.
The structural design of Chacao Bridge was guided by seismic design
criteria according to AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
SAMANTHA LANGDEAU is the senior product marketing manager - Structural
(2012), in conjunction with Chilean Standards (NCh), Japanese norma- & Bridge for Bentley Systems (www.bentley.com). She has worked in the
tives, and Eurocodes. Given the harsh environmental conditions, RM structural, civil, and geospatial industries for more than 13 years.

sOFTWARE + TECH
lessons learned
from a lost art
Leveraging 2D finite element
analysis in structural design.
By Peter R. Barrett, P.E.
Figure 1: Nonlinear plane stress modeling of reinforced concrete beam
In 1960, the first documented application named “the finite element have to be of constant thickness. Modeling the life of a prestressed
method” was a 2D simulation of a gravity dam (Clough, 1960). This concrete beam, simulating the long-term effects of concrete creep and
civil engineering application was part of the beginning of a new era shrinkage along with thermal-induced cracking, would be an example
in structural analysis and design. Yet in 2017, 2D stress analyses ap- where a 2D simulation is of great value since this type of detailed
pear to have become a lost art. Increases in computational resources analysis requires a time-dependent solution that requires many equi-
and software efficiencies have made 3D simulations the norm. But, librium iterations (see Figure 1 for a 2D model of a standard four-point
many lessons can still be learned via 2D analyses where high-fidelity bend test).
nonlinear structural response or automated design optimization can be
captured in a reasonable time. Plane stress simulations allow for variable thickness inputs that can
be combined with plane strain and/or axisymmetric models. When
Most finite element analysis (FEA) simulations start from CAD draw- combining plane stress and axisymmetric elements, the plane stress
ings (see the author’s blog post, Practical FEA Simulations, at https://
caeai.com/blog/practical-fea-simulations). Since the drawing file is
often a 3D rendering, the analyst will often start by creating a 3D finite
element model. Yet for many problems, a 2D simulation will provide
quicker, more accurate results, allowing for additional design iterations
and even design optimization in the same time required to perform a
single 3D analysis. At a minimum, when the required simulations are
highly nonlinear, lessons learned from 2D simulations can help stream-
line the input assumptions and convergence efficiency of the future 3D
run. Two-dimensional loading can be applied in many forms, including
in-plane forces, moments, pressures, accelerations, and temperatures.
Special-purpose harmonic elements can also be used to represent non-
axisymmetric loading on an axisymmetric FEA model using a Fourier
series-based load case superposition approach.
Figure 2: 2D beams and axisymmetric 2D model of cooling tower
Two-dimensional analyses can be used to model thin-walled structures

using a plane stress assumption, very long construction systems using element thickness must be consistent with the axisymmetric stiffness
a plane strain assumption, and buildings of revolution using an axisym- formulation, which is typically the full 360-degree stiffness. Thus,
metric solution. All three simulation types use the same 2D FEA mesh when representing a planer structure such as ribs or buttresses in a
but different element stiffness formulations to simulate the physical domed or cylindrical structure, the thickness defined for these non-
differences, as summarized below. axisymmetric components should be the combined thicknesses of all
the ribs in the model.
Plane stress modeling
Plane stress is applicable for thin- to moderately thick-walled geom- An explicit example would be modeling an axisymmetric hyperbolic
etry, where zero normal and shear stress perpendicular to the structural cooling tower that includes a base beam foundation superstructure. The
model is assumed. The 2D plane stress FEA model has to lie in a single photo on the left of Figure 2 illustrates the axisymmetric superstructure
plane at Z=0 in most codes, but the geometry it represents does not and the supporting beam framed base, which allows for a clear passage

of intake air. The images on the right of Figure 2 illustrate the 2D finite
element model used in preliminary design. In this case, 2D beam ele-
ments are used to represent the combined stiffness of all the support
beams where increased thickness is used to represent the equivalent
stiffness of the entire array of support beams.
This 2D analysis model would be ideal for computing displacements

and nominal design stresses under construction sequence loading
where concrete curing is accounted for while minimizing the comput-
ing resources needed to simulate the step-by-step nonlinear “birth
analysis” process.
Plane strain modeling Figure 4: Parametric axisymmetric grain silo model
Plane strain assumes the out-of-plane geometry is large and/or con-

strained and that loading does not vary in the out-of-plane direction
(Z) such that Z displacements are neglected. Common applications of • Loading is defined via surface effect elements on the free internal model
plane strain include the analysis of dams and tunnels. The out-of-plane edges (representing the surfaces) utilizing a linearly increasing pressure
strain is either prescribed to be zero or held at a constant value in the representing the silo payload, such as grain.
special case of “generalized plane strain.” The physical geometry does • Material properties can be either linear or nonlinear depending on the
not have to be rectangular, but it must be defined by a zero or constant analysis objective.
rate of out-of-plane response. • Since the model solution time is very fast, a series of simulations were
performed utilizing an automated design of experiments technique
where multiple input and output variables can be monitored.
• In the bottom center images of Figure 4, the impact on the hopper height
and ring beam to wall radii are defined as the input variables for this
example.
• The output response monitored in this case is the maximum wall dis-
placement. The right image shows the variation of displacement in the
Figure 3: Generalized plane strain modeling of composite bridge cross-section
cross-section where the image is expanded to a 3D sector for better
visualization.
• The response surface graph in the top center image illustrates the highly
The generalized plane strain (constant out-of-plane strain) is typically nonlinear interaction diagram documenting the variation in maximum
required for temperature loads that would create near infinite normal displacement versus the associated changes in the parametric input
stresses with the zero Z plane strain modeling assumption. Figure 3 variables.
illustrates a generalized plane strain model of a bridge deck cross- • Utilizing a simple 2D model as shown allows the designer to quickly
section. This simplified model is ideal for developing displacements evaluate the impact of many input design variables that will be used
and nominal stresses under cyclic thermal loading where nonlinear to develop a more stable design. Once the stable design is developed,
material response such as concrete creep and shrinkage might be simu- the 2D model can be easily revolved into a 90-degree or 180-degree
lated. While the model is predominately constructed from plane strain sector upon which non-axisymmetric controlling wind loading could be
elements, the lateral braces are simulated with plane stress elements simulated.
with reduced stiffness.
These are just a few of the many options in 2D finite element model-
Axisymmetric modeling ing. I welcome comments and/or examples that illustrate the value on
For structures of revolution, including domes, pipes, piles, silos, or performing 2D FEA simulations.
tanks subjected to axisymmetric loading, the 2D axisymmetric element
formulation can save considerable computational time with increased PETER R. BARRETT, P.E., vice president of CAE Associates (https://caeai.com),
stress accuracy. A parametric axisymmetric model of a concrete silo manages consulting engineering services and software training. With more than
is used to illustrate the value of this 2D simulation. Figure 4 illus- 30 years of experience in thermal-structural nonlinear and dynamic analysis
trates the design analysis performed, along with an example response applications using the finite element method, his structural engineering applica-
tions include Nuclear, Aerospace, Biomedical, and Offshore structures.
surface interaction plot illustrating the sensitivity of adjusted design
parameters on the structural response of the silo. Highlights from these
design simulations include:
• A fully parametric model of the silo cross section is created as illustrated

in the left image of Figure 4 to allow for variation in any design dimen-
sion.

structural slab
design
Exploring use of finite element analysis over
the traditional strip method.
Design using FEA is faster and more flexible while simultaneously accommodating
irregular slab geometry, significant openings, and irregular loading.
As sophisticated modeling technology has become available and wide- geometry, significant openings, and irregular loading. Reinforcement
ly adopted, the demand for innovative design is growing, leading the can be efficiently placed so that extra bars are only provided where
industry away from box structures and putting pressure on engineers to they are required.
carry out more complex designs. Most engineers today face complex
design challenges involving transfer girders, hanging columns, can- With FE, analysis and design become more of a scientific process with
tilevers, and sloped members. Column layouts supporting structural greater certainty and fewer errors.
slabs are no longer uniform; increasingly irregular layouts and loading
demand more unique and detailed design. Things to consider
Pragmatic design based on FEA still requires consideration of averaged
The need for flexibility in design makes the case for finite element design moments in localized strips. These can also be considered in
analysis (FEA) over the traditional strip method. FEA can help solve the form of rectangular patches with associated reinforcement design.
challenging structural analysis problems, yet adoption has been slow. Problems can arise when trying too hard to extend averaging require-
Why? ments in local strips and patches to exactly match the design strips
considered in the traditional idealization.
With the rise in more complex, irregular structures, the strip method
falls apart. Instead of reverting back to the strip method, engineers The traditional strip method results should not be viewed as “correct”
should focus on the results of the analysis and look at where forces are or totally accurate. Instead, they are simply acceptable and safe design
actually occurring in the slab and then only placing the reinforcing in forces in the regular situations where the method is applicable. This be-
the slab where it is required. comes quite apparent when comparing the similarities and differences
between traditional approaches used in different countries working to
Rethinking strip design methods different codes; all codes embrace a traditional strip method but there
First, there is nothing wrong with strip design methods. With a regular is quite significant variation in the proportioning of forces to the strips.
slab, no significant openings, and regular loading, the traditional ap-
proach of strip design could even prove to be slightly more economic In an FE design, it’s important to embrace the concept behind the
than FE design (although slower in design time). traditional strip idealizations without getting drawn into the need to
replicate the method exactly. You’ll need to accept that averaging over
Difficulties arise when layout and loading are not perfect. In this case, slightly different strip widths is perfectly valid and will be safe, as long
the engineer makes judgements to come up with idealizations that will as you avoid averaging over greater widths than would have previously
result in a safe design. Inevitably these will err on the conservative been assumed acceptable. So, the “art” that remains is using averaging
side. The challenge becomes keeping them safe without being overly to a reasonable degree. In addition, you don’t have to average every-
conservative and potentially wasteful. This approach moves analysis where, just where needed. Basically, keep it simple when possible.
and design toward an art rather than a science, leaving room for inter-
pretation and creating an opportunity to get the design seriously wrong. You’ve run FEA, why not use that to place the reinforcing instead of
being forced into the overly structured and rigid strip method?
On the converse, using FEA breaks those constraints. Design is faster
and more flexible while simultaneously accommodating irregular slab
Information provided by Trimble (www.trimble.com).

experiencing
what is to be
mortenson creates an augmented reality app
for construction visualization.
Augmented reality app users can point their smartphones or tablets at the construction site on campus — or at a
printed handout if off campus — to experience a life-like digital representation of the future CSE2 building.
After pioneering the use of virtual design in construction, Mortenson experience the building’s exterior in AR and can then teleport inside
Construction has developed a first-of-its-kind augmented reality (AR) for an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience in the main lobby,
mobile app to help the University of Washington (UW) community workroom, robotics lab, and offices. The app is designed to generate
“see” the future CSE2 computer science building well before its doors interest and engagement by faculty, students, and visitors during the
open to students in January 2019. Similar to the popular Pokémon Go building’s construction, which is located in a popular area of campus.
game, users can point their mobile devices at the construction site on A preliminary version of the Mortenson AR/VR app is now available
campus — or at a printed handout if off campus — to experience a for download on iPhone and Android devices.
life-like digital representation of the future CSE2 building.
“A typical campus construction project like CSE2 can last two years or
The app was developed by Mortenson's in-house immersive-tech- more,” Kinsman said. “This window presents a tremendous opportuni-
nology team in Seattle, a project led by Marc Kinsman. Users can ty to engage the public and to build excitement around campus. AR and
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Mortenson Construction’s augmented reality mobile app helps the University of Washington community “see” the future CSE2
computer science building well before its doors open to students in January 2019.
VR represent a vast improvement over traditional public engagement Mortenson’s Seattle office — which helps drive VR and AR innova-
methods like flyers, fencing signage, or a website. We are scratching tions across the company nationally — first used virtual design and
the surface of what’s possible.” construction modeling during its work on the iconic Walt Disney Con-
cert Hall in Los Angeles in 2000. Some deemed the project unbuildable
In addition to serving as an immersive public engagement tool, AR due to the architect’s design and its absence of 90-degree angles. In
carries the promise of reimagining the construction site. In this spirit, partnership with Stanford University and Disney Imagineering, the
Mortenson was also among the first companies of any kind to partner team borrowed advanced modeling techniques from the manufacturing
with AR smart-helmet maker DAQRI (https://daqri.com) to test AR and aerospace worlds and applied them to construction.
construction applications last year. AR headsets and goggles have the
potential to provide crews with just-in-time instruction, projections of The next leap came in 2006, when Mortenson used VR to model UW’s
an installation layout on a concrete slab, or a data overlay that shows Benjamin Hall Interdisciplinary Research Building. To inform its de-
how each building system has been performing over time. sign, Mortenson’s Seattle team outfitted a dark room with projectors
that beamed a 3D building environment onto the walls and floor. The
Completion of CSE2 will enable UW to accommodate a growing resulting technology was aptly named CAVE, which stands for Com-
number of computer science and computer engineering students and puterized Automatic Virtual Environment.
faculty, while ultimately bridging the Puget Sound region’s technology
workforce gap. Presently, the bachelors-level workforce gap in com- CAVE was subsequently used by Mortenson offices across the country,
puter science exceeds that of all other high-demand fields combined. including the team that brought Penn State University its Pegula Ice
Arena in 2013. The use of CAVE technology helped avert $475,000
The 135,000-square-foot CSE2 project is designed by LMN Architects, in changes by identifying them in the design phase. Mortenson’s use
the same architecture firm that teamed with Mortenson on the original of VR has also helped shave $1.7 million from the cost of the Atlanta
UW computer science and engineering building that opened in 2013: Braves’ new stadium.
the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering. At a
cost of $105 million, CSE2 is being funded by a mix of public and In Seattle, Mortenson’s in-house integrated design team recently virtu-
private sources. In addition to classrooms, lab space, and workrooms ally modeled the 41-story AMLI Arc high-rise downtown, as well as
for faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers, the the Residence Inn by Marriott hotel. Both projects are nearly complete.
building will include a 250-person lecture hall, seminar rooms, and
conference facilities.
Information provided by Mortenson Construction. See the company’s extensive
virtual design and construction initiatives at www.mortenson.com/vdc.

structures + BUILDINGS
TIMBER's time foot to $36 per gross square foot in the bellwether Washington, D.C.,
market — the concrete industry is trying to tell the world it’s more cost
Increasing use of timber for multifamily construction effective, lasts longer, and, of course, that it’s more resistant to fire than
its wood competitor.
faces intense opposition from the concrete industry.
By Richard Massey But is the message being heard?
Though there is no guess as to when and if it will pass, in March the

Thanks to a big change in the International Building Code, and a dra- Timber Innovation Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate, and among
matic rise in building costs, concrete is losing market share to timber the nearly 100 organizations supporting the bi-partisan bill are state
in the apartment construction industry — and the concrete industry is forestry groups from California to New England, the National Wildlife
fighting back. Federation, and timber giant Weyerhaeuser. The bill’s introduction in
Washington comes as timber “plyscrapers” are sprouting up across
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), through Europe, and as the era of U.S. plyscrapers begins in Oregon with the
an affiliate named Build with Strength, has mounted a campaign called permitting of a 12-story structure in Portland.
“America is Burning,” in which every fire that takes place at wood-
framed multifamily complexes — more than 50 since 2013 — is docu- But for the NRMCA, the prime focus is not on wood towers but on
mented. Recent multifamily fires in Oakland and in College Park, Md., the low- and mid-rise wood-framed apartment market, where a recent
drew swift criticism from the concrete industry. “Maryland Apartment change in the building code brought about a profound change in the
Fires Renew Calls for Stronger Building Codes,” reads the College density multifamily wood construction can achieve. The change en-
Park release. The subhead for the Oakland fire says, “Fire Highlights abled what’s known as “five-over-two” and “five-over-three” construc-
Vulnerabilities with Wood-Framing, Lax Building Codes.” tion, or five wood-framed levels separated by a concrete slab with two
or three concrete-and-steel levels below (see Figure 1). What’s missing
Racing against the relentless pace of innovation, the building code, and in all this? High-rise construction, the purview of concrete and steel.
a dramatic rise in the raw cost of concrete — from $26 per gross square

Wood products industry at a glance
5
Employment:
• Wood products: 428,500 employees
4 • Forestry and logging: 135,600 employees
• Total: 564,100 employees
3 Manufacturing facilities:
• Sawmills, millwork, treating: 625
2 • Engineered wood and panel: 176
• Other wood products: 101
• Total: 902
1
Timberland (U.S. Forest Service, 2012; in thousands of acres)
• National Forest System: 98,308
3 • Other federal: 14,002
• State, county, and municipal: 48,668
• Private corp.: 111,279
2
• Private non-corp.: 248,896
• Total timberland: 521,154
1
Source: American Wood Council
By some estimates, “five-over-two” can be as much as $70,000 per unit ment complex in College Park, Md. According to local news accounts,
cheaper than high-rise, meaning builders are oftentimes opting for the it was the largest fire in the history of Prince George’s County, causing
more affordable option. The result? A dip in market share for concrete. about $40 million in damage. The building employed “lightweight
And the numbers bear that out. Last year, according to the U.S. Census wood truss construction” in the upper floors, where the fire occurred,
Bureau, of the 13,000 “multifamily buildings completed by framing,” according to local accounts.
11,000 were in wood, 1,000 in steel, and the remaining 1,000 framed
with concrete. Enough said, in Lawlor’s opinion. “We advocate for the use of non-
combustible materials,” he said.
But Kevin Lawlor, a spokesman for Build with Strength, a national
coalition of architects, engineers, and fire officials directly affiliated In terms of price, Lawlor and his organization downplay the idea that
with the NRMCA, is having none of the hype about wood. building with wood is more cost-effective than building with concrete
and steel, citing the key aspects of safety, efficiency, and durability.
“We see a lot of it going up and a lot of it burning down,” he said.
“From the way we see it, it’s that developers see [wood] as a cheap and
And Lawlor has a point. quick way to build,” Lawlor said. “That’s a misconception people are
buying into. We don’t concede the cost argument.”
Based on the list maintained by the America is Burning campaign
(http://buildwithstrength.com/america-is-burning), there have been But Dick Knapp, senior vice president of acquisitions for Washington,
more than 30 fires in low- and mid-rise wooden buildings across the D.C.-based development firm Foulger-Pratt, disagrees with Lawlor.
country just this year. The May fire near Oakland was the second at the And, Knapp said, the concrete industry is only lashing out at wood
same location — a five-story wood-framed retail-apartment complex because wood has made a big move in the market.
still under construction. The fire was huge, too, and nearly caused the
collapse of a construction crane. “They’re threatened by the arithmetic,” Knapp said. “They are re-
sponding to the competitiveness of stick.”
Another massive fire broke out in April at an under-construction apart-

SB 5379 opposition
Build with Strength offered the following rebuttals

to 10 assertions in Washington State’s SB 5379
(Constructing New Public Buildings with Cross-
Laminated Timber):
1. Wood products help with carbon sequestration

— Only 15 percent of CO2 stored in a tree is
actually sequestered. The rest goes up into
the atmosphere as logging/mill waste and
processing emissions.
2. Using timber prevents global warming —
According to MIT, the operational-use phase of
a building represents 88 percent to 98 percent
of its global warming potential, dwarfing climate
change impacts resulting from materials choice.
Mass timber — cross-laminated timber, nail-laminated timber, and glue-laminated timber —
3. Logging is environmentally friendly — Atrazine, a and wood has an appeal for multifamily low- and mid-rise construction. Photo: FPInnovations
known endocrine disruptor and likely carcinogen,
is common in U.S. logging practices.
4. Logging is a sustainable business practice — Knapp, however, said there’s certainly a time and place for concrete — deep in the urban
Focusing on embodied carbon ignores the worst core where steep land prices dictate that only high-rise concrete-and-steel construction
impacts of forest management — ecosystem makes financial sense.
depletion and biodiversity, as well as soil and
water quality. “That’s where concrete shines,” Knapp said.
5. Since we can replant trees, logging is okay —
Clear cutting is “an ecological trauma that has no As it pushes for more restrictive building codes, Build with Strength also monitors local,
precedent in nature except for a major volcanic state, and federal legislation, and is currently opposing SB 5379 in the Washington State
eruption.” senate. The bill, which requires public buildings under 12 stories tall to be constructed
6. New “wood technologies” are better for taller with cross-laminated timber, is currently in committee. Build with Strength opposes the
buildings — Wood burns and doesn’t withstand bill on 10 points, challenging timber’s key assertions that logging is sustainable and that
Mother Nature. It’s a building material that can’t timber buildings prevent global warming (see, “SB 5379 opposition”).
hold up to Washington State’s need for resilient
construction. Build with Strength also opposes the Timber Innovation Act. Lawlor said he doubts the
7. Taller mass timber buildings are safer — Mass bill will pass, and criticizes it for picking “winners and losers” by giving incentives to
timber, including cross-laminated timber (CLT), the wood industry for research and development.
is classified as a “combustible construction”
material in the International Building Code. But timber appears unfazed by concrete’s opposition. Robert Glowinski, president and
8. First responders support taller mass timber CEO of the American Wood Council, brushed off concrete’s criticism, saying, “What
buildings — Heavy timber construction is one of I think you’re seeing is the response of a competing industry. I’m not surprised by it.”
the most dangerous types of construction facing
firefighters and first responders. Research and Glowinski was quick to point out the obvious: “There’s opportunity for all kinds of
experience shows CLT burns hotter and longer construction in the market.”
than even wood frame construction, putting
occupants and firefighters at risk. Biased state Glowinski is right. As the wood industry grows, concrete maintains its established place
legislation shouldn’t replace the ICC process. in the construction market at $40 billion annually.
9. Taller mass timber buildings are code compliant
— Fire and code officials do not have a Still, a plug on the American Wood Council’s website makes it clear how high the stakes
quantitative method for assessing the level of are.
fire safety of CLT buildings. This is why there is
a newly created code committee to study this. “With the global marketplace for green building materials estimated to reach $529
10. This bill will create jobs — A study on the impact billion by 2020, securing a strong place for wood is essential to the wood products
of mandating wood construction in Oregon found industry’s future growth. That means both telling the positive story of wood’s renew-
that a mere 38.1 jobs were created in two years. able, energy-efficient advantages, as well as defending against anti-wood bias in rating
systems. Strong, unified industry support is essential as the green building battlefield
Source: Build with Strength continues to spread from the state to the federal level.”

Fire testing completed on full-scale mass timber building
The American Wood Council reported that five, full-scale mass timber
fire tests in a multi-story apartment building were completed “with
promising results.” The International Code Council Ad-hoc Committee
on Tall Wood Buildings provided the five fire scenarios that were tested
in each of the two, one-bedroom apartments constructed using mass
timber. The test scenarios included various arrangements of exposed
and unexposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) with open doors between
living and sleeping areas. Additionally, automatic sprinkler systems
effectiveness was evaluated.
• Test 1 — A mass timber structure fully protected with gypsum

wall board was subjected to a large furnishings and contents
fire. The test was terminated after three hours without significant
charring on the protected wood surfaces of the structure.
• Test 2 — Approximately 30 percent of the CLT ceiling area
Since 2013, more than 50 fires have destroyed wood-framed multifamily complexes,
according to Build With Strength. in the living room and bedroom were left exposed. The test
was terminated after four hours, providing additional time to
determine if there would be any significant fire contribution from
With nearly 40 years in the industry, Glowinski has seen just about the exposed CLT. Notably, once the furnishings and contents had
everything. What’s come in recent years, however, has been transforma- been consumed by the fire, the exposed CLT essentially self-
tive. Reductions in embedded energy — the energy it takes to produce extinguished due to the formation of char that protected the
a building — as well as air emissions and greenhouse gases have been underlying wood.
considerable. Add to that mass timber — cross-laminated timber (CLT), • Test 3 — Parallel CLT walls were left exposed, one in the
nail-laminated timber, and glue-laminated timber — and wood has an living room and one in the bedroom. Similar to Test 2, once the
appeal it didn’t have not too long ago. apartment furnishings and contents had been consumed by the
fire, during which a protective surface of char formed on the CLT,
“The arc has been a progression,” Glowinski said, referring to the re- the mass timber surfaces essentially self-extinguished.
emergence of timber products. • Tests 4 and 5 — Examined the effects of sprinkler protection.
For both tests, all mass timber surfaces in the living room
The proof of wood’s ascension isn’t hard to find, either. There’s the and bedroom were left exposed. Test 4 demonstrated that
Candlewood Suites in Alabama, the first hotel in the U.S. made with under normal operating conditions, a single sprinkler easily
CLT, and the recently permitted Framework building in Portland, which, contained the fire. For Test 5, the fire was allowed to grow in the
at 12 stories, will be the nation’s tallest timber building when completed compartment for 23 minutes before water was supplied to the
late next year (see “A framework for wood construction” on page 36). sprinklers, which quickly controlled the fire.
Currently, the tallest timber structure in the U.S. is the T3 office building
in Minneapolis. “The results of these fire tests will continue to be studied and will help
inform code change recommendations from the Ad-hoc Committee later
Perhaps the arrival of a new era for timber is best stated by Justin Adams, this year,” said Stephen J. DiGiovanni, P.E., Ad-hoc Committee chair
global managing director for lands at none other than The Nature Con- and fire protection engineer for the Clark County, Nev., Department
servancy, considered the gold standard for environmental protection. In of Building and Fire Protection. “These tests are an important part of
February, he addressed the crowd at a GreenBiz conference in Phoenix. the extensive research data the committee has reviewed to validate the
performance of tall wood buildings.”
“What we have to do is start telling a business story of where the op-
portunities are to unlock the potential [of timber],” Adams said. “There’s The tests were funded in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service’s
a huge opportunity for us to start thinking about and reimagining how we Forest Products Laboratory and the American Wood Council, and
build in the future and how we create a new age for timber.” were conducted at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives Fire Research Laboratory. A General Technical Report FPL-
GTR-247 on the fire tests will be available from the Forest Products
RICHARD MASSEY is director of newsletters and special publications at
Zweig Group and editor of The Zweig Letter. He can be reached at Laboratory (www.fpl.fs.fed.us) in the near future.
rmassey@zwieiggroup.com.

Underneath the 48-foot span Perkins Bridge, crossing between Belfast Reservoirs The 54-foot span Farm Access Overpass in Caribou, Maine, with a stone finish
Number 1 and 2 in Belfast, Maine. Image: Advanced Infrastructure Technologies, Inc. precast concrete MSE wall. Image: Advanced Infrastructure Technologies, Inc.
Inspiring Bridge Innovation through High Performance Composites

University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Compos- InspirArch structures consist of five major steps:
ites Center has spent the last decade taking arch bridge • FRP arch tube units are secured to cast-in-place con-
design and construction to a higher level. Using high- crete footing rebar on both ends of the bridge
performance lightweight Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) • Cast-in-place concrete footings are poured
material, they have created a solution for short and me- • FRP decking is installed along the top of the arch units
dium span bridges that is recognized as one of the great • Concrete is pumped into the top of the arch units
new civil engineering innovations. The composite arch has • MSE spandrel walls and wing walls are installed to cre-
already improved infrastructure deficiencies on roadway ate the roadway grade
projects in more than twenty locations in the Northeast
and Midwest United States. Originally known as Bridge-in-a-Backpack™, the compos-
ite arch system, InspirArch was developed with military
Under a recent partnership between their spin-off compa- applications in mind, due to its lightweight and easily mo-
ny, Advanced Infrastructure Technologies, Inc. (AIT), and bilized material. Other agencies have quickly recognized
The Reinforced Earth Company (Terre Armée Group), the the value of the solution when applied to the Nation’s
composite bridge system is fully-engineered and delivered badly needed infrastructure upgrades.
on-site as InspirArch™. It combines the new composite
arch innovation with a longstanding and thriving innova- The American Association of State Highway and Transpor-
tion, Reinforced Earth® Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) tation Officials (AASHTO) has completed a review of the
retaining walls. The result is an efficient bridge solution with composite arch system and published, “AASHTO LRFD
a 100-year design life. Guide Specifications for Design of Concrete-filled FRP
Tubes for Flexural and Axial Members.”
InspirArch will accommodate a wide range of bridge ge-
ometries and site conditions, from the straight-forward to The Federal Highway Administration has played an active
complex. The profile of the arch tube is custom-designed role in the research and exploration of the use of FRP, and
and fabricated to meet the geometry requirements of specifically the use of composites in bridge construction.
the bridge. They can be easily configured to allow for a
skewed bridge alignment. In addition to receiving an innovation award in 2011
from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE),
The materials and construction sequence are ideal for the composite arch system has been recognized as a
short to medium span bridges, especially when consider- “gamechanger” in ASCE’s 2017 Infrastructure Report Card
ing remote locations and accelerated bridge construc-
tion. The FRP arch units and decking are lightweight and InspirArch has proven to be the high-performance innova-
can be installed with hand labor. The tubes are essentially tion needed to provide long-lasting upgrades to our trans-
pre-fabricated concrete formwork and reinforcement. portation infrastructure.
Visit reinforcedearth.com for more information.

The Reinforced Earth Company
introduces
InspirArch ™
Composite Arch Bridge System

A high-performance and proven bridge solution.
1) FRP arch tube units are secured to 2) Cast-in-place concrete footings 3) FRP decking is installed along the
cast-in-place concrete footing rebar are poured top of the arch units
on both ends of the bridge
Project Photos from Crossroads Drive, Lewisburg, PA - AIT, Walsh Group
4) Concrete is pumped into the top of 5) MSE spandrel walls and wing walls are installed
the arch units to create the roadway grade
© 2017, The Reinforced Earth Company. InspirArch is a trademark of The Reinforced Earth Company. Reinforced Earth, the Reinforced Earth Logo, and the cruciform panel shape are registered trademarks of The Reinforced Earth Company.
When construction is complete, Framework will be the first high-rise building made
from wood in the U.S, the tallest mass timber building in the U.S., and the tallest post-
tensioned rocking wall project in the world. Image: courtesy of LEVER Architecture
A framework for
wood construction
First mass timber high-rise building in the U.S. cleared for
construction following permits approval.
Structural model. Image: courtesy of LEVER Architecture
In early June, the Framework Project, LLC received approval for promoting sustainable building practices and economic opportunity in
a building permit allowing construction of the first wood high-rise rural Oregon and ultimately across the U.S.
structure in the U.S. The permit, awarded by the State of Oregon and
the City of Portland, designates Framework — a 12-story-tall wood The official permit approves a regulatory pathway for Framework and,
resilient building planned for Portland’s Pearl District — as a “shovel potentially, similar projects within the U.S. The building permit for
ready” project, marking a landmark decision for the U.S. construction Framework was approved following completion of a performance-
industry. based review process that included a series of fire, acoustic, and
structural tests and oversight by an expert peer review team. The tests,
“Receiving a permit is a critical juncture for Framework and demon- which were carried out over several months in 2016, have proven that
strates the feasibility of using wood to build high-rise buildings in the buildings constructed with mass timber, including cross-laminated tim-
U.S.,” said Anyeley Hallova, developer, project^. “With our path now ber (CLT) and glu-laminated timber (glulam), can perform to fire and
clear to start building, Framework will start to unlock the demand for life safety requirements and, in some cases, exceed current standards.
mass timber products at all scales, justifying new investment into rural
manufacturing and job creation.” Seismic tests conducted on behalf of the Framework Project at Port-
land State University and at Oregon State University have been com-
Framework, stemming from a collaboration between project^, Home pleted to validate Framework’s resilient structural design, which goes
Forward, Albina Community Bank, and Beneficial State Bank, aims to above and beyond the basic life safety requirements of the building
develop a pioneering model for a sustainable urban-rural ecology by code. This included full-scale tests on the project’s primary beam-to-

column connection, along with tests on the CLT shear wall panels to be
used in the completed building. Structural seismic damage following
a major earthquake is expected to be limited to replaceable “fuses,”
which should allow for the building to be quickly repaired and limit
downtime relative to conventional structures.
“The innovations in wood construction that are part of the design of the
Framework building will help change how America builds in the years
to come,” said Steve Lovett, CEO of the Softwood Lumber Board,
a lumber industry organization that contributed $1 million to the re-
search and development phase of the Framework project as part of the
U.S. Tall Wood Building Competition. “Modern wood-based building
systems create opportunities to increase the use of wood products, Mass timber beam-to-column seismic testing at Portland State University.
which is better for both the environment and rural communities.” Photo: courtesy of KPFF Consulting Engineers
Fire tests also provided proof that a mass timber assembly using CLT on this and other groundbreaking projects,” said Mark Long, adminis-
and glulam timber can be used safely as high-rise construction ma- trator, State of Oregon Building Codes Division.
terials within the U.S. and meet stringent fire code requirements. In
addition, the Framework project has completed extensive fire testing “The Framework project is literally a laboratory for the revival of
and computer modeling to demonstrate that select areas of wood in the building with mass timber, an investment for which Oregonians will
Framework building can be exposed, adding to the overall aesthetic. be grateful for many generations to come,” said Valerie Johnson, presi-
Acoustic testing was also utilized to develop a solution that achieved dent of D.R. Johnson. “The rural-urban divide in Oregon has existed
the required sound insulation between apartment units. This is a depar- too long. We hope our young people (in Douglas County) will now
ture from other high-rise projects around the world, which typically grow up believing there’s a future for them doing this type of work. It
cover all of the wood product with drywall to meet fire and acoustic is inspiring for all of us to know that all together we are providing a
requirements. more environmentally friendly, lower carbon-emitting, renewable and
sustainable product for mass timber construction in urban areas.”
“It is no accident that a first-in-the-nation project like Framework
would be built in Oregon. Oregon’s unique building code system en-
courages innovation while ensuring projects comply with robust safety Information provided by The Framework Project, LLC
standards. We are proud to partner with local governments and industry (www.frameworkportland.com).
Mass timber
(BRB) frame as the lateral force-resisting system, and light frame
partition and exterior walls. The glulam beams and columns and CLT
floor panels are exposed in most areas, allowing residents to experi-
with a steel core ence and understand the structure of the building, so often concealed in
residential construction. Beams and columns are connected with pre-
engineered Ricon beam hangers, which are recessed beneath a sacrifi-
A look into the future of urban residential construction.
cial char layer of the timber to provide a 1-hour fire resistance rating.
By Erica Spiritos and Mike Munzing
The mass timber components, supplied by Structurlam, are integrated

The City of Portland, Ore., is now home to the tallest mass timber with a steel core to create a hybrid structure. This combination of struc-
hybrid building in the United States. Carbon12, the first building tural systems is unique in multistory residential construction and serves
in the country to use timber framing for residential development at to minimize the use of wet materials onsite and decrease the overall
this height, stands tall at 95 feet and eight stories. A hybrid system construction schedule. The BRB system allowed for most of the steel
of cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor and roof diaphragms and steel fabrication to take place offsite and be bolted together floor by floor, at
core, Carbon12 demonstrates the possibilities of mass timber hybrid the same pace as the wood construction, with minimal onsite welding.
construction. This allowed for reduced staging/shoring similar to traditional wood
construction.
Structural design
The primary structure of Carbon12 consists of a glulam post and beam In addition to its lighter environmental footprint, the structure of Car-
with CrossLam CLT floor panels, steel buckling-restrained brace bon12 is also significantly lighter in weight than its post-tensioned con-

Prefabrication and assembly
Fabrication of the mass timber structure began in the Structurlam
production facilities in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. Glulam
beams and columns were manufactured and CNC framed for steel con-
nections based on the CadWork 3D model. RICON beam hanger con-
nections were pre-installed into beams and columns prior to shipment
to the site. Custom steel column connections were test-fit in the shop
and delivered as part of the mass timber package. The mass timber
package was shipped from Structurlam to the site on 22 flatbed trucks,
sequenced for installation.
Following excavation and construction of the foundation, three levels

of the steel core were installed. Glulam posts, beams, and CLT floors
followed. Glulam beams and columns and CrossLam panels were
lifted by a tower crane directly from the truck bed into position, with
each component labeled and designated for a specific location in the
structure. Construction proceeded with three crews under a single sub-
contractor — one each for the steel core, the mass timber structure, and
the conventionally framed exterior walls.
During one of the wettest winters on record in Portland, construction

of Carbon12 suffered only minor schedule impacts, while neighboring
concrete construction projects were put on hold until the conditions
allowed for pouring. Speed of assembly for the mass timber structure
The eight-story Carbon 12 uses a hybrid system of cross-laminated timber floor and
increased as the crew became more comfortable with the process. By
roof diaphragms and steel core. Image: Baumberger Studio the fourth level, all glulam was installed in one day, and all CLT panels
were installed the following day. The crane was onsite for two and a
half months, and the structure above ground was complete in eight
Structure by the numbers weeks.
• 234 glulam columns
• 336 glulam beams Unique features
• 242 CrossLam panels On top of a rare hybrid design, Carbon12 features structural compo-
• 556 concealed, pre-engineered Ricon connections nents unique to a building of its kind. The structure sits on drilled piers,
• 56,000 self-tapping wood screws a deep foundation system that is essentially a large-diameter concrete
cylinder constructed by placing fresh concrete and reinforced steel into
a drilled shaft. The robust foundation allowed for a 20-foot-deep base-
ment, which houses a mechanical parking system. The only one of its
crete counterpoint. Consequently, the lateral system did not need to be kind in the U.S., the steel conveyor belt system allows drivers to type
as robust, and the steel braces in the building’s core were significantly in a code and retrieve their car within a matter of minutes. The garage
smaller in dimension. The light weight of mass timber also serves the stores 24 cars within a two-story system.
building in a seismic event. During an earthquake, Carbon12 will need
only to withstand a force proportionate to the weight of its structure, Future of CLT
roughly one-quarter the weight of an analogous concrete structure. As an environmentally responsible building material, mass timber
sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by storing carbon in
Testing the structure during the entire life of the building, while promoting
As Carbon12 is a tall wood building in a high seismic zone on the sustainable forest management practices.
West Coast of North America, it may be subject to dynamic loading
scenarios throughout its service life. A typical post-and-beam glulam Carbon12 offers a glimpse into the possibilities of building with mass
structure will experience story drifts limited to 2 percent by design timber, and the associated benefits. CLT paves the way for a new
codes. The story drift will also subject the respective post-and-beam paradigm of construction centered on renewable building materials, 3D
connection to additional stresses, resulting from gravity load and rota- modeling and coordination, cutting-edge prefabrication technology,
tion of the beams against the post. and quick, clean, quiet assembly with minimal onsite waste.
To ensure that the connections at major glulam structural members ERICA SPIRITOS is mass timber specialist with Structurlam Products LP
would withstand the inter-story drift demands of a major loading event (www.structurlam.com). Mike Munzing is principle at Munzing Structural
such as an earthquake, testing was completed on the KNAPP RICON S Engineering (www.mstructural.com).
VS Connectors under design load.

refined
dam design
Leverage 3D modeling to enhance dam
design and construction management.
By Chad Davis, P.E.; Joseph Kudritz, P.E.; Jared
Deible, P.E.; and Jacob Bench, E.I.
Rendering shows completed dam construction project.

Image: Michael Baker International
Contract drawings — long the backbone of every dam rehabilita- • complex concrete jointing and structures, including labyrinth spillways;
tion and construction project — are often limited because they only • components within concrete, including reinforcement, anchors and
present two-dimensional (2D) information. Designers can counteract dowels, waterstops, pipes and outlets, formwork ties and rods, and
the limitations presented by contract drawings by incorporating three- drains;
dimensional (3D) modeling earlier into the design phase. Understand- • interfaces between components, including intersection of earth em-
ing and utilizing these emerging technologies plays a vital role in bankments and concrete walls; and
helping reduce misunderstandings between the design engineers and • additions to existing structures, including anchors, sheet pile, bridges,
the contractor. railings, and possible conflicts with existing components.
Throughout the life cycle of a project — from the initial design to In practice, Michael Baker International engineers relied on 3D mod-
construction — converting contract drawings into 3D models — both eling during the design of a new control tower to be constructed on a
as renderings and scaled physical models created with 3D printers — new spillway slab. The design of this structure required detailing of the
has proven invaluable for improved visualization, design development control tower exterior walls and interior bulkhead and the interface be-
and refinement, and constructability reviews and sequencing, among tween the spillway slab and control tower walls. The design included
other processes. the sizing of reinforcement, openings in the walls, and waterstop con-
nections.
Enhancing visualization during the design phase
Design engineers can use 3D modeling to refine complex design The initial design drawings for this portion of the project were used
details that are often required in dam construction or rehabilitation. to build a 3D model for the area. As the design phase progressed, the
In the design phase of a project, this proves especially beneficial for model was refined to show waterstops and their tie-ins to the control
visualization and refinement of details, verification of the design, and tower wall, as well as to create additional cross sections, details, and
quantity and cost estimation. an isometric view for the contract drawings for the project.
Specifically, 3D models are being used to develop and refine design The 3D modeling detailed in this project translates across multiple
details for a number of dam construction project elements, including: facets of a project, proving valuable for checking designs developed
• structural components with joints and keys, including spillway walls and represented in 2D on the contract drawings by “constructing” the
and spillway slabs; model from the developing contract documents. While the level of de-

tail inputted in the 3D models is at the discretion of the developer, the
more detailed the model, the more useful it is for checking the design
for a dam rehabilitation or construction project.
Since 3D models can be broken out for specific complex areas of a

project, they prove particularly useful in evaluating reinforcement con-
figurations, waterstop locations and clearances, and other conditions
at joints in complex structures. When reviewing individual elements,
the design can be easily modified to address potential conflicts in a
cost-effective manner prior to construction.
Additionally, another design process benefitting from 3D modeling

is quantity takeoffs for use in preparation of cost estimates. Elements
included in the model are counted or measured, such as the length of
waterstops, number of prefabricated waterstop unions, the volume of
Figure 1: 3D model of control tower and spillway slab developed during design and individual concrete pours, or the number of dowels and reinforcing
construction details developed from 3D model included on contract drawings.
members. The use of 3D models has proven particularly beneficial in
cases where quantity takeoffs based on 2D drawings would be time
consuming or likely to introduce error.
Developing an understanding of the construction sequence during the

design phase of a dam project can be challenging, and a thorough con-
structability review during the design phase is critical for the success
of a project. Developing a 3D model at different phases of the project
encourages the designer to consider the construction sequence in detail
and identify possible improvements or conflicts.
Figure 2: 3D model for complex joints with anchors, waterstops, and reinforcing.
Achieving stakeholder buy-in
With the scope and visibility of dam projects, and the impact a dam
plays on an entire region, receiving support from owners, public stake-
holders, and regulatory agencies is paramount for a project’s success.
As an effective tool to visually create a realistic representation of a
dam construction project prior to construction, 3D modeling is used
to produce 2D renderings that incorporate images of portions of the
project, such as a lake, shoreline, and surrounding area.
Renderings showing the completed dam rehabilitation or construction

Figure 3: 3D model of labyrinth spillway and embankment construction sequence. project are particularly useful for presentations to key stakeholders.
They quickly and effectively convey the final appearance of the project
after construction, reduce the time required for stakeholders to under-
stand the project, and eliminate the need for detailed 2D drawings and
other concepts that can be difficult to understand. These renderings
are created without the need for a separate model, which can be costly
and time consuming. Scaled physical models of the entire project or
individual project components can also be produced from the 3D
modeling to provide a tangible demonstration.
Construction uses
As a dam project moves from the design and presentation phases to
the construction phase, the developed models are carried through with
minimal additional effort and provide a valuable tool for personnel in
the field. With available mobile applications to display 3D models di-
rectly on a mobile device or tablet, construction personnel can rapidly
and efficiently access supplemental information and accurately record
construction information.
Figure 4: Construction of base of control tower and associated 3D model.

A 3D model can help with review of submittals, proposed construction tion occurs, and quantities can be tracked or checked using the model.
sequences, and development of or changes to designs based on field This allows construction personnel to rapidly and accurately review
conditions encountered. Design changes are often required in a short installed quantities, pay applications, and other progress submittals.
timeframe during construction, and 3D models can help to expedite Volumes, surface areas, lengths, and other quantities are available at
the process. the click of a button if a 3D model is properly updated as construction
occurs. Updating the model during construction also allows rapid and
During construction planning, models can include concrete formwork, accurate preparation or checking of as-built drawings, and provides for
equipment positions at various stages of construction, phasing for additional detail to be incorporated into as-built drawings.
water control and diversion, and other features and can incorporate
construction sequencing. This allows engineers to more effectively Life cycle benefits
evaluate work plans, schedules, and other submittals. Three-dimensional modeling provides benefits for dam design and
construction through enhanced visualization of the project during
Three-dimensional models are also helpful tools when performing design, refinement of complex details within the contract drawings,
construction inspections. The model is used by field personnel as a modeling the anticipated construction sequence, and project visualiza-
supplement to the contract documents to develop an understanding of tion for the owner, public, and other stakeholders. This technology is
what to expect in the field prior to construction. With the help of the particularly beneficial for complex components of dam projects such
3D model, the inspector can identify potential errors or conflicts, alert as control tower structures, spillways and training walls, or interfaces
the contractor, and if necessary, develop a solution before the issue between components of structures.
significantly impacts construction.
Ultimately, as designers, engineers, and construction personnel con-
One such example is the detailing of reinforcement around construc- tinue to embrace the use of 3D modeling in the dam construction
tion joints and waterstops. The 3D model is used by field personnel process, the resulting projects will be completed more effectively and
during construction to verify the waterstop orientation, location, pre- efficiently.
fabricated unions, reinforcement locations, formwork locations, and
overall layout.
CHAD DAVIS, P.E., vice president, Infrastructure Practice executive; JOSEPH
KUDRITZ, P.E., civil engineer; JARED DEIBLE, P.E., technical manager; and JACOB
These models are carried through construction to track progress as it BENCH, E.I., civil associate, are all with Michael Baker International (www.
occurs in the field. The model is updated and modified as construc- mbakerintl.com).
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WATER + STORMWATER
stormwater risks
and liabilities
Preventative steps to protect engineers and
contractors from a flood of complaints.
By Sam Arden and Irene Vander Els
Stormwater management is an essential part of real property the developer’s property and the
development. Unfortunately, certain activities can expose engineers neighbors’ properties were flooded
and contractors to potential liability if the site work results in erosion, when the swale overtopped.
runoff, or sedimentation that impacts a neighboring property, despite
implementation of runoff controls. Therefore, it is important for Although the redevelopment
engineers and contractors to understand risks and liability, and plan added stormwater management
appropriately to make sure they stay out of hot water. infrastructure that resulted in a net
decrease in impervious surface after
Time and again, engineers and contractors are surprised to discover new landscaping was added, the
they have exposure for a neighboring landowner’s damage claim even redevelopment also raised the elevation
though the site design was prepared properly and approved by the local of the site. The adjoining property owners argued this design caused the
permitting authority. Even more surprising is that potential liability to overflow from the swale to be directed only to the neighbors’ properties,
neighboring property owners can arise after construction is finished and so flooding increased when the overtopping occurred. Again, this matter
the property has been sold to a third party. was settled only after extensive fact-finding and expert discovery.
For example, a regional retail developer recently faced a lawsuit related Often, when stormwater runoff issues like these arise, the cause of the
to a shopping center north of Atlanta. The developer purchased acreage problem may be unclear. When this happens, the developer, contractor,
in the mid-2000s and developed a 300,000-square-foot retail center, and engineer must work together to resolve the problem. The developer
which it then sold within two years. After the sale, the stormwater will look to the engineer and contractor, as the team members “on
management system was modified pursuant to plans developed by the the ground,” to identify any potential causes of negative impacts to
original design engineer. neighboring property owners, and to make proposals to fix any problems
and otherwise resolve the issues.
In 2014, downstream property owners sued, alleging defects in the
stormwater management system caused or contributed to property When stormwater runoff problems arise in development and result in
damage downstream. Although more than six years had passed since the litigation against the developer/owner, the engineer and contractor are
original design and construction of the stormwater management system, often also brought into the lawsuit. This may be because the adjoining
because there had been a modification of the system, and because the landowner who filed the lawsuit has named the developer, engineer, and
neighbors claimed the development resulted in a continuing trespass of contractor as parties, or because the developer, once sued, then brings
stormwater and sediment onto their property, the claims could not be the engineer and contractor into the lawsuit.
dismissed short of trial or settlement. The matter was settled only after
extensive expert discovery on the eve of trial. In one recent case, neighboring property owners sued the developer,
engineer, and contractor in a lawsuit alleging damage to their
Such risks exist in any development that modifies existing stormwater downstream property because of an upstream development of a
runoff patterns on the property, including redevelopment. In another previously undeveloped 14-acre parcel into a shopping center and
recent case, a national retailer was sued by adjoining property owners retail shops. The plaintiff argued that the engineering plans for the
after the redevelopment of a one-acre parcel into a different retail use stormwater management system were flawed and that there were
in central Georgia. A drainage swale, part of the local municipality’s defects in the construction of the system, and was permitted to present
stormwater management system, ran between the client’s property those arguments to the jury. That lawsuit resulted in a lengthy jury trial
and adjoining property owners’ land and regularly overtopped during in which a verdict was returned against all three defendants.
storms. The neighbors alleged that, before the redevelopment, both

First, review your commercial general liability and
professional liability coverage. Professional liability
insurance for engineers and contractors often has
exclusions for pollution-related claims, which may
encompass the types of damage at issue in these cases.
Next, review your consultant contracts and make sure that

your form agreements require the owner to indemnify
and defend you. While these provisions will certainly
be subject to negotiation, starting from a provision that
is as favorable to you as possible minimizes risk. If the
developer insists on your indemnification of them, ask
to limit the indemnification obligation to the contract
price.
Another way to mitigate risk is to become familiar

with neighboring properties during due diligence.
Being aware of the uses of properties adjacent to a
stormwater retention pond can minimize the exposure
to stormwater liability. Look for potential uses that may
be particularly sensitive to the impacts of stormwater,
erosion, and sediment control, such as ponds and
streams, and carefully account for this during site design
and construction.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, establish a

Even though engineers and contractors have professional liability protocol for addressing neighbors’ complaints during construction.
insurance that may provide coverage for these types of claims, there are A crucial component in establishing liability for punitive damages
still significant costs associated with litigation. In addition to the hard and attorneys’ fees in stormwater cases involves demonstrating that
costs of an insurance deductible, there can be enormous soft costs to the party in control of the work site (which could be the developer,
the insured, such as the time spent by employees working with defense engineer, or contractor at different points) ignored or failed to adequately
counsel to respond to the lawsuit, including factual debriefing, site respond to neighbors’ complaints about damage to their property. A
inspections, review and collection of documents, and preparation for contractor or engineer’s statement, such as, “I thought someone else
and appearance at depositions and trial. was responsible,” will not be well received by a jury — especially in
the context of a lucrative commercial development that is negatively
Relative to other types of litigation, stormwater cases have one of the impacting a neighboring residential property.
highest likelihoods of ending up in a jury trial. These proceedings can
continue for weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case. Make sure that clear lines of responsibility are established for
Engineers and contractors also can be exposed to punitive damages and responding to complaints, and that everyone is kept in the loop. This
claims for the neighbors’ attorneys’ fees for allowing runoff to continue will help determine the best approach for handling a situation. For
after they become aware of it, even if they take steps to correct the example, a silt fence blown away by a thunderstorm is easily fixed by
condition. Such damages create a significant risk. Because the property the contractor. However, if a temporary silt pond is leaking onto the
damage claims that arise from stormwater runoff issues can be time- neighboring property, the engineer should be notified immediately and
consuming and costly to litigate, it is important to get out in front of any consulted if the fix is not obvious. Engineers should arrive to the site to
issues early and aggressively. inspect a serious situation as quickly as possible and individuals onsite
should maintain a record of all conversations.
Indeed, it is in the best interest of engineers and contractors to exercise
due diligence and address complaints on the front end before lawyers Issues arising from stormwater runoff can be tricky and can present
become involved. Unlike developers, the engineer and contractor substantial risk for contractors and engineers. To limit exposure, you
typically exercise more control over the daily conditions of the work must identify and monitor potential impacts on neighboring properties
site. If a neighbor makes a complaint, it is often up to the engineer or and ensure that your team is responding to issues in a timely and
general contractor onsite. It is critical for those responding to complaints effective manner.
to be responsive, attentive, and polite. As issues arise, contractors and
engineers must take complaints very seriously to limit exposure to these SAM ARDEN and IRENE VANDER ELS are attorneys with Hartman Simons & Wood
claims. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to minimize risk. LLP (www.hartmansimons.com), a commercial real estate law firm in Atlanta.

environment + Sustainability Channel Sponsor: Presto Geosystems | www.prestogeo.com
Figure 1: Florida aquifer water cycle and natural springs. Image: Dewberry
Protecting ‘Old Florida’ attractions

Florida’s Springs are best known for their recreational value. These
Florida’s springs
“Old Florida” attractions include Weeki Wachee Springs, a freshwater
spring that has been a mainstay of Florida tourism since 1947. This
first-magnitude spring, which discharges 112 million gallons a day
(mgd) on average and feeds the seven-mile-long Weeki Wachee River,
New projects planned to improve Water Quality is the centerpiece of a 538-acre park near the Gulf Coast.
By Debra Preble, P.E.
Warm Mineral Springs, known as “The Fountain of Youth,” is the only
warm water mineral spring in the state, and the largest in the world.
With more than 1,000 freshwater springs located in the north and cen- Located in Sarasota County, the spring is on the National Register of
tral part of the state, Florida has the largest concentration of springs Historic Places and is among the state’s top tourist attractions. Wakulla
in the world. Much of the Sunshine State’s development throughout Springs State Park near Tallahassee features the world’s largest and
history can be traced to the presence of this unique natural resource. deepest freshwater spring along with more than 80 additional sinkholes
Freshwater springs, a source of drinking water, recreation, and ir- and streams. The park is also listed on the National Register of Historic
rigation for farming, have drawn settlers and tourists to Florida for Places and is a National Natural Landmark.
centuries.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, in Columbia County, is a premier site
Today, these springs continue to provide important economic and rec- for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing, with the rapidly flowing Ichetuck-
reational benefits while also playing a critical role in the health of local nee River stretching for five miles until it joins the Santa Fe River.
ecosystems. However, for several decades Florida’s springs have been Homasassa Springs State Wildlife Park is a showcase zoo for native
threatened by pollution, drought, and increased development. Projects wildlife, including West Indian manatees, alligators, crocodiles, black
now underway reflect a broad-ranging effort to restore and protect bears, and bobcats.
these vital natural resources.

Permeable, Unpaved Roads Offer Fast Site Access—Even Over Soft Subgrades.
The 3D cellular confinement technology was developed Low Environmental Impact Design Solution
by Presto Products Company and the U.S. Army Corp of Pavement designs requiring highly-permeable surfaces
Engineers in the late 1970’s for building roadways over also benefit from the GEOWEB technology. High-porosity
poor subgrades using on-site sand. Ultrasonically-welded aggregate infill promotes stormwater infiltration, reducing
strips of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) form the 3D surface runoff. On-site stormwater containment systems
GEOWEB® System—transforming infill by giving cohesion may be eliminated as the pavement performs double duty
and additional strength to non-cohesive soils—through as an on-site water detention/retention storage "basin” to
confinement. This translates well for remote areas such as manage stormwater at its source.
the Canadian Oil Sands and Amazon Basin where soft sub-
grades and limited access to aggregate resources makes Permeable pavements are incorporated for problematic
building roads especially challenging. soft soil, high traffic areas, such as intermodal yards and
auxiliary parking lots, where hard-surface pavements are
GEOWEB roads are often the chosen solution for these highly susceptible to degradation and maintenance.
challenging conditions as they greatly reduce the cross- With many environmental attributes, permeable pave-
section required—often replacing a 1.5 m section with a ments also contribute to green building credits--such as
200 mm section. Additionally, reject screenings from crush- the USGBC’s LEED® program--and are viable options for
ing operations (coarse sand <5 mm) can be used as infill sustainable Low Impact Development (LID) and Green
rather than having to import expensive aggregate to the Infrastructure (GI) design.
site. The road sections are shipped in efficient collapsed
bundles, ready for fast deployment and installation on site. The GEOWEB system improves the load distribution charac-
teristics of unpaved roads and pavements, reducing long-
Confined in the GEOWEB cellular network, infill remains term maintenance requirements and costs and delivering
extremely stable under heavy loading. With dynamic and numerous environmental benefits. GEOWEB pavements
static loading surface pressures distributed across the con- can handle site challenges—and have been for over 35
finement system, concentrated rutting and maintenance years—allowing access even over the toughest site condi-
requirements are virtually eliminated. Differential and tions.
overall settlement impacts are also minimized, even with
low-strength subgrades.

Swim ladders and stairs were installed to discourage swimmers from climbing on the shoreline to enter and
leave the swimming area, stabilizing the spring banks to control erosion. Photo: Dewberry
Adventurous visitors are drawn to parks such as Manatee Springs lons per day of fresh water to Florida’s springs. More than 750 Florid-
State Park, Ginnie Springs, and Blue Spring State Park, which are well ian springs are part of the system, and the health of these springs is a
known for cave diving, scuba diving, and snorkeling. With 28,000 feet strong indicator of the quality of the aquifer.
of explored passageways, Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park in
Suwanee County has one of the longest underwater cave systems in Florida’s unique geology
the continental U.S., an attraction to many experienced and ambitious A freshwater spring occurs where water flows directly from the aquifer
cave divers. to the earth’s surface (see Figure 1). When the aquifer fills, the subsur-
face pressure causes water to flow up to the land surface through open-
Many springs that were originally operated privately are now owned ings called spring vents. Florida’s unique geology, including its layers
by the state and under the care of the Florida Park Service. Twenty state of highly porous marine limestone, contributed thousands of years ago
parks feature freshwater springs. In addition, numerous local parks and to the prevalence of springs in the state. The porous limestone forma-
recreation areas are centered around springs. Visiting springs in Florida tions hold and transport more water than formations elsewhere in the
is a way of life for both residents and tourists. Springs protection ef- country. The capacity of these formations, combined with relatively
forts must take this into account and allow for this continued use while high rainfall amounts and subsurface water flow, resulted in the cre-
providing protection. ation and ongoing sustenance of Florida’s freshwater springs.
An essential natural resource Water flow can vary considerably, based on aquifer water pressure,
While Florida’s freshwater springs have long helped to sustain the rainfall, size of the spring basin, and the size of spaces, including
state’s tourism and recreation industries, with an estimated direct eco- caves, within the rocks. Groundwater withdrawal for consumer use can
nomic value of more than $300 million per year, their most important also greatly impact the flow of springs. Some springs flow only after
role lies in their ecological value. The springs, along with the rivers, significant rainfall events, while others flow at the rate of hundreds of
lakes, and bays that they feed, are home to numerous species of plants millions of gallons per day. Florida has 33 magnitude 1 springs, defined
and animals, ranging from eelgrass, lilies, and bald cypress trees to as a spring that discharges water at a rate of 100 cubic feet per second.
freshwater shrimp, birds, turtles, otters, alligators, and Florida’s trea-
sured manatees. Challenges and threats
Healthy springs are typically characterized by adequate flow, water
Springs are also a vital component of the Floridan Aquifer System, clarity, dense aquatic vegetation, and the abundance and diversity of na-
which supplies most of the state’s drinking water. This vast groundwa- tive wildlife. Unsustainable water consumption, runoff from farms and
ter source spans 100,000 square miles in the southeastern U.S., includ- residences, damaging invasive species, unrestricted recreational use,
ing all of Florida, and supplies potable water to millions of people as and the abundance of onsite sewage and disposal systems are among
well as water for agricultural irrigation and industrial purposes. The the many threats to the preservation and health of natural springs.
Floridan Aquifer System has historically supplied about 10 billion gal-

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) created a Nearly $270 million has been committed in state and local investment
detailed list of specific threats to Florida’s springs, including: during the last four years to protect the state’s springs. Thirty-five proj-
• landscaping and lawn care, including excessive water use and the use ects of all sizes and scopes were identified for FY 2016-2017. While
of fertilizers and pesticides; the funding commitment has been encouraging, Florida’s springs res-
• sprawl and development, including encroachment on natural spaces toration and protection efforts will be challenged to keep pace with
that serve as important recharge areas for the aquifer and springs; anticipated population growth, increased water use, and growing agri-
• stormwater runoff, which often carries clogging sediments and chemi- cultural fertilizer use.
cal pollutants into waterways;
• water consumption and overuse resulting from the demands of people, Funded initiatives currently include measures that fall into three cat-
agriculture, and industry; egories:
• illegal dumping, including disposal of garbage and chemicals into sink- • projects in and around springs to prevent and repair physical damage,
holes that contaminate springs and the aquifer; including shoreline stabilization, erosion control efforts, access control,
• row crop agriculture, leading to the use of harmful fertilizers and pes- and improving recreational infrastructure;
ticides; • projects that are remote from springs but reduce pollution in the spring-
• livestock farming, resulting in tons of animal wastes that contaminate shed, including replacement of septic systems with central sewer sys-
springs and the aquifer; tems, improving drainage systems, enhancing groundwater recharge,
• golf courses, which occupy approximately 200,000 acres of land in retrofitting drainage retention areas, replacing stormwater pipes,
Florida, requiring excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides; rehydrating wetlands, water conservation measures, and incentivizing
• recreational impacts, including trampling of native vegetation, erosion low-nutrient land use; and
of shorelines, littering, and damage from motor boats and other vessels; • projects that conserve water.
and
• invasive species, often encouraged by nitrates in the water, leading to The following case studies represent two of these three types: a septic-
damage to springs and spring runs. to-sewer project near Wakulla Springs and a physical restoration proj-
ect at Wacissa Springs.
Degraded springs may have higher water temperatures and nitrate
levels and lower levels of dissolved oxygen and water clarity. The Wakulla Springs
most common form of pollution is nitrate, a form of contamination that Wakulla Springs, south of Tallahassee, is another Old Florida attraction
results from many of these threats, including septic systems, sewage that has long been a destination for tourists. The spring and its sur-
plants, agriculture, and fertilizer. rounding 2,860 acres were purchased by the state in 1986, creating the
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.
According to Robert L. Knight, Ph.D., founder and president of the
Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, “At higher concentrations In 1997, the first of the “choking” hydrilla began to appear at the
[of nitrate], what we see is a flip where the system stops supporting the springs. Apple snails and limpkins also began to disappear. The water
submerged aquatic vegetation — like the tape grass and the eelgrass is now rarely clear enough to permit the park’s popular glass bottom
— and it starts supporting more and more algae and a different kind of boat rides. Since the 1970s, scientists have documented a decline in
algae: filamentous algae.” water quality, particularly with regard to nitrates.
More than 60 percent of Florida’s springs are currently impaired by Until 2010, the City of Tallahassee’s wastewater treatment plant was
nitrate, according to FDEP standards. The overwhelming presence of the largest source of nitrate pollution in the Wakulla Springs Basin.
algae, often in the form of the dense algal mats, can ultimately lead After a $200 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant and
to the demise of the native aquatic plants, fish, and wildlife that typi- additional water quality improvement projects in the springshed, septic
cally thrive in the springs-based ecosystems, while also dramatically tanks may now be the main contributor to the nitrate pollution in the
degrading the quality of water in the aquifer. These environmental Wakulla springshed.
degradations also reduce the recreational and economic value of these
resources. In some rural areas with large lots, septic tanks are geographically
separated in a way that precludes the economic viability of wastewater
Restoring the health of springs collection and transport to a centralized treatment system. In these cir-
FDEP, the Florida Springs Council (a consortium of 36 organizations), cumstances, plans are underway for enhanced onsite sewage treatment
the Florida Springs Institute, and water management districts (WMDs) and disposal methods. These systems can be active or passive. Active
across the state clearly recognize the critical importance of Florida’s systems typically rely on aeration, while passive systems typically
springs and the need to pursue a variety of restoration and protection involve an enhanced drainfield media.
initiatives. Several spring restoration projects have been completed
or proposed. These initiatives focus on pollutant reduction, water Four projects in the springshed — two in Wakulla County and two in
conservation, and more recently, land purchases, land easements, and Leon County — have ongoing springs protection projects to connect
agricultural conversions. homes on septic systems to central sewer. The two neighborhoods in
Wakulla County where the density of lots and proximity to centralized

Large boulders are used to prevent vehicles from approaching Wacissa Springs. Similar boulders
are used to ring the shoreline and designate access points for swimmers. Photo: Dewberry
treatment systems were identified as suitable for a “septic-to-sewer” wastewater system revenues. Additionally, this project will increase
type of springs protection project are Wakulla Gardens and Magnolia the treatment level of the wastewater to provide for a higher level of
Gardens. nutrient removal, which increases the overall environmental benefit.
Wakulla Gardens is a residential neighborhood in Wakulla County Shell Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Abandonment — This project
located in the Wakulla springshed. Some lots have access to city water, includes abandonment of an existing wastewater treatment plant in the
but most are on wells, and all 3,000 lots are on septic tanks. The county coastal community of Shell Point. Talquin Electric Cooperative owns
plans to expand the wastewater collection system in phases to abandon this plant and is constructing a conveyance system to connect to the
septic tanks and connect these lots to an expanded collection system. county’s existing conveyance system. This project, nearly complete,
will provide the county additional revenues for the wastewater treat-
Magnolia Gardens is a similar neighborhood in Wakulla County, also ment system and will provide the environmental benefit of removing
in the Wakulla springshed. Magnolia Gardens is closer to an existing the wastewater effluent discharge from the sensitive coastal area.
conveyance system, so the project can remove more lots for the same
budget since the offsite conveyance system is shorter. Wakulla County, Wildwood Reuse Line — This project includes construction of an
in partnership with the Northwest Florida Water Management District, 8-inch reuse main from the wastewater treatment plant to a local golf
is working to bring these two neighborhoods into the centralized waste- course. The new reuse main will allow for a minimum of 300,000 gal-
water treatment plant. The project is being funded in phases. Phases lons per day of reuse irrigation water for the golf course. The project
I and II will remove 716 residential lots from septic to a centralized reduces groundwater consumption for irrigation and allows for effec-
treatment system out of the springshed. tive disposal of wastewater effluent. The project has been constructed
and is awaiting upgrades at the Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment
For years, Wakulla County has also been proactively working on plans Plant before it can be put into service.
to improve groundwater quality by reducing pollutant loading. The
county is continuing this effort by identifying large sources of potential Removal of existing septic systems, stormwater retrofits, and other
negative impacts, and working on plans to reduce these impacts. These water quality improvement projects have significantly reduced nitrate
efforts include wastewater treatment plant upgrades, identification and concentrations in Wakulla Spring. During the last 20 years, nitrate con-
elimination of inflow/infiltration, implementation of a reclaimed water centrations have been reduced by about 50 percent. This reduction does
system, and expansion of the collection system to reduce septic tanks. not yet include the work at Magnolia Gardens and Wakulla Gardens. In
Three county projects have been identified for the Wakulla Gardens Wakulla County, the Magnolia Gardens and Wakulla Gardens septic-
and Magnolia Gardens communities: to-sewer projects will help protect Wakulla Spring, one of the largest
and deepest freshwater springs in the world.
Otter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade — This project will
upgrade the existing plant capacity from 0.6 mgd to 1.2 mgd, and is Wacissa Springs
currently being designed and permitted. The upgrade will also provide The Wacissa River Springs project in Jefferson County, located within
for filtration and disinfection to Public Access Reuse Standards. The the Suwannee River Water Management District, reflects another ap-
existing plant is at capacity and cannot support any new connections, so proach to springs protection. Over the years, access to the spring for
this project will allow for future development, which will also increase recreational use has been unlimited. The spring and spring run have

been the sites of “mudding” by locals, a popular activity where trucks Phase II of the springs restoration has been funded and is expected to
enter the water and spin in the mud. This use as well as other typi- begin in the fall of 2017. This phase will include additional shoreline
cal uses have contributed to the degradation of the spring. There are stabilization, sediment removal, exotic plant removal, stormwater
no stormwater management facilities and the parking lot is dirt. Over management facilities, shoreline boardwalk, and impervious parking.
time, the banks have eroded and sediments have filled the spring vents Phase II is estimated to remove 59,431 pounds per year of nutrients.
from both bank erosion and lack of stormwater management facilities. Additional grant funding has been secured to provide composting rest-
Invasive species are choking the area, making swimming and boating rooms, picnic shelters, and additional shoreline boardwalks.
a challenge.
Protecting springs: Florida’s unique legacy
The Board of County Commissioners created a citizens’ panel to The commitment to funding during the next several years is an op-
develop an improvement plan, now being implemented in phases. portunity to make substantial and lasting improvements to Florida’s
Working in partnership, the Jefferson County and the Suwannee River springs. The challenge lies in selecting the most beneficial projects and
Water Management District (SRWMD) are removing sediment and using resources wisely, while keeping pace with population growth.
stabilizing the spring banks to control erosion. The project involves
removal of vegetation, silt, and debris; and protecting the spring bank Florida is fortunate to have strong alliances between state and local
by defining access points and stabilizing the shoreline in the vicinity of partners, as well as the advocacy and support of groups such as the
the spring head and run. Florida Springs Council and the Florida Springs Institute. Many water
management districts throughout the state are taking the initiative to
Debris was removed from the spring head, including concrete rubble implement meaningful projects that will restore and protect freshwa-
and old railroad ties. Invasive plant species were also removed. Large ter springs. These projects will be instructive in continuing this effort
boulders were used to prevent vehicles from approaching the spring. and protecting Florida’s vital and unique natural resources for future
Similar boulders were used to ring the shoreline and designate access generations.
points for swimmers. The shoreline along the spring run was stabilized
and a floating dock installed to discourage boaters from climbing on DEBRA PREBLE, P.E., is a senior associate in the Tallahassee, Fla., office of
the bank. Swim ladders and stairs were also installed to discourage Dewberry (www.dewberry.com).
swimmers from climbing on the shoreline to enter and leave the swim-
ming area. Phase I of the Wacissa Springs restoration was completed
in 2015 with funding from both Jefferson County and the SRWMD.
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Using advanced computer modeling to integrate the design of the building systems and façade,
Arup significantly reduced operational costs and improved energy efficiency. Photo: © Warren Jagger
Total design Ambitious energy goals

“The facilities department at Northeastern wanted the most energy-
for sustainability
efficient building possible,” said Mark Walsh-Cooke, Arup principal
in charge. By using advanced energy modeling software and building
information modeling (BIM) early in the design process and holding
Arup implements comprehensive energy strategies at new biweekly workshop meetings with the architects and university
Northeastern University Interdisciplinary Science Complex. representatives, Arup empowered the client to make better, more
informed decisions about the design, enabling them to reach their
sustainability goals.
Arup recently celebrated the opening of the Interdisciplinary Science
and Engineering Complex (ISEC) at Northeastern University in The Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code calls for new buildings to
Boston. Architecture firm Payette selected Arup to provide mechanical, perform 20 percent better than required by base code. The ISEC
electrical, and plumbing engineering, as well as energy modeling, surpasses this requirement, achieving 33 percent energy-cost savings
façade consulting, sustainability, and lighting design services for the over code and 75 percent energy savings compared with typical
234,000-square-foot project. The integrated design process resulted in laboratory performance. To accomplish this, Arup engineered several
a high-performance laboratory facility for Northeastern. major energy conservation measures.
“We are extremely pleased to be a partner in such an extraordinary The cascade air system is the biggest contributor to energy savings at
project at Northeastern University.” said Julian Astbury, Arup project the ISEC. “This technology was new to the client and contractor, so
manager. “Sharing Arup’s resources and expertise in sustainability our advanced energy modeling software studies were critical,” said
and technology with the team made the experience a true collaborative Astbury.
process — a work of total design.”

In a typical scenario, laboratories have a dedicated HVAC system, an
expensive feature to construct and operate. At the ISEC, the cascade
system recovers conditioned air from the offices and atrium of the
building, then transfers it to the lab, saving energy and reducing
costs.
Arup used performance and life-cycle analysis to optimize the façade

design, ensuring both occupant comfort and energy efficiency.
The northern part of the ISEC complex, which houses the energy-
intensive labs, is the focus of thermal improvements; at the southern
exposure (where low-energy functions such as offices are located),
triple-glazed windows and a shading system work to maximize
daylight while minimizing energy consumption.
Using active chilled beam technology significantly reduces the

energy consumption compared with conventional air conditioning.
In this system, supply air to the space is directed through nozzles on
either side of a heat exchanger coil, creating a pressure difference.
This pressure difference pulls air from the space over the coil, cooling
or heating it, and then mixes with the supply air to be delivered to the
space. Arup’s comfort-modeling software balanced the downdraft
and the ambient temperature to ensure a pleasant environment.
Arup designed a hydronic run-around coil system to recover energy

from the lab exhaust air to precondition the outdoor air, targeting the
heating as needed to either the offices or labs, and optimizing the
efficiency of the system. The coils are designed to minimize the size
of the fan motor and extract as much energy as practical before the
exhaust is discharged.
To optimize the efficiency of the chiller and heating system, Arup

installed a heat-recovery chiller, which simultaneously generates
heating hot water and chilled water. This reduces the run-time of the
boilers for laboratory re-heat in the summer and shoulder seasons
and for pre-heat of the domestic and laboratory hot water systems.
The winter outdoor air heating demand to the atrium is reduced

by using a passive solar collector to preheat the outdoor air using
radiant energy from the sun.
The ISEC will be open to outside researchers in the interrelated

fields of computer science, basic sciences, health sciences, and
engineering. Attracting talent from beyond the campus raises the
university’s profile and diversifies the academic leadership and
curriculum.
The project benefits the surrounding community as well. A

pedestrian bridge (currently in design by Arup’s structural engineers
in collaboration with Payette) spans the commuter-rail tracks to
allow residents, workers, and students to easily and safely navigate
their way through the site.
Watch a video about design of the Northeastern University

Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex at https://youtu.
be/2OXIuVTaqSk.
Information provided by Arup (www.arup.com).

More than zero
A holistic design process is necessary
to optimize building energy performance.
By Megan Saunders
Energy modeling software can be used to help to determine the size of a renewable energy system for a project,
whether it be photovoltaics, wind turbines, biomass, geothermal, or hydroelectric. Photo: Jud Haggard
Buildings consume almost half of the energy provided in the United users to set a goal for reduction in energy compared to the median build-
States and are responsible for nearly half of the carbon emissions. Sus- ing or a specific Energy Star score.
tainable building trends have progressed rapidly since the adoption of
LEED in 1993, which set the bar for high-performance buildings. Dur- More sophisticated modeling techniques can be used throughout the de-
ing the last 25 years, more stringent criteria have been adopted with in- sign process to ensure the building maintains the targeted EUI while ex-
creasing environmental concerns in order to drive the industry. Net-zero ploring different measures as the project moves through critical design
buildings are part of the latest movement of building with the future in stages. Energy modeling software can be used to provide an estimate
mind. of real world conditions of the building once fully operational. This
number will also help to inform the size of the renewable energy sys-
The term “net zero” can be used to describe a variety of elements in a tem for the project, whether it be photovoltaics, wind turbines, biomass,
building. One of the most common definitions, adopted recently by the geothermal, or hydroelectric.
U.S. Department of Energy, describes buildings designed to be ener-
gy-efficient and produce as much energy as is delivered to the project. Once a building is constructed, a simplified measurement and verifica-
Other interpretations make distinctions between site and source energy. tion process can be employed to determine whether net zero has been
Site energy refers to energy used in the building whereas source adds achieved. At least 12 months of utility bills through the performance
in the cost to deliver energy to the building. Additional standards have period should be collected to review actual energy use compared to the
also been proposed that would require buildings to be net neutral to the total renewable generation, on an annual basis. In some cases, a third-
environment as a whole. These often include carbon production and party auditor is required to certify performance.
offsets, as well as ensuring water and waste are self-sufficient systems.
Two key organizations in the net-zero movement — the International
To ensure a building achieves net-zero energy status, a holistic design Living Future Institute (ILFI) and the New Buildings Institute (NBI)
process must be employed. Early in the design phase, a commitment — recently joined forces to concentrate their efforts. ILFI, a non-profit
must be made to optimize energy performance. However, this should organization focused on creating healthy and sustainable design, has
not focus entirely on the energy-generation part of the equation. created several certification programs and labels for buildings, includ-
ing the Zero Energy Building (ZEB) certification. NBI, which provides
The purpose is to balance production with efficiencies. While there are guidance and tools for net-zero buildings, will now act as the lead cer-
buildings claiming to be net zero by supplying enough onsite renew- tification auditor and administrator of the data. Taking it a step further,
able energy to offset their typical loads, a true net-zero building focuses ILFI also runs a program called the Living Building Challenge, which
first on tightening the envelope and maximizing efficiency. In fact, sev- promotes net-positive buildings that produce 105 percent of the energy
eral certification bodies require a minimum Energy Use Intensity (EUI) use of the building using renewables.
measured by kbtu/square foot/year for the building to be considered for
net-zero status. In many parts of the country there are real opportunities for net-zero
construction. Areas with abundant sunlight, for instance, should al-
Over and above the certification aspect of net zero, there are real eco- ready be prioritizing this kind of construction. As battery technology
nomic incentives in achieving this goal. Assuming your local electricity improves, increasing areas of the country will find this an economically
grid allows the facility to sell energy back to the grid, the cost of the viable alternative to traditional forms of construction, and a pathway to
project can often be offset through energy sales over time. In the long- resiliency. Downward pressure on pricing and increasingly accessible
term, the building can actually generate income for the owner or tenants technologies will also drive construction in this area.
on the energy side.
Several tools exist to determine the target EUI of the building. One of
MEGAN SAUNDERS is the director for sustainability for PBK Architects
the most simplistic is the Energy Star Target Finder, a free online tool
(www.pbk.com) with nearly 10 years of experience in green building consulting
from the EPA that allows designers to enter basic assumptions about the and sustainability leadership, advocating for high-performance and resilient
building and location before a project begins. Target Finder also allows design for building owners and cities.

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transportation
spurring development the road and bridge portions of the project with construction anticipated
to be complete in February 2018. Webber completed construction of the
rail portion of the project in February 2017.
close coordination helps city of sugar land build key thoroughfare.
By Lauren Van Andel, P.E.
Stakeholder coordination
From developer to city council, this project was under intense
focus and required significant stakeholder coordination to achieve
The City of Sugar Land, Texas, was named for the 150-year-old Imperial success. Coordination was required with UPRR, Texas Department of
Sugar Company that is headquartered in the city. This company built the Transportation (TxDOT), Nalco Champion, Johnson Development, and
foundation of what is known today as Sugar Land and has influenced the various smaller entities.
culture of the city. While the headquarters is still located in Sugar Land,
the refinery closed in 2003. Since the refinery has long been an integral An agreement was made with UPRR prior to project development.
part of the community, the city and its developers have made it a priority In this agreement, UPRR would gain the easements needed for a new
to preserve, enhance, and bring economic development to the area, now double-track along US 90A and close two crossings while developing
known as the Imperial District. a new crossing for University Boulevard. Typically, UPRR requires
closing three crossings when opening a new crossing, so this agreement
Providing new connectivity is essential to spurring growth in this area. proved to be a pivotal success factor that was mutually beneficial to the
University Boulevard provides access from US 90A into the heart of the city and UPRR.
Imperial District and to one of the city’s biggest attractions, Constellation
Field. In addition, University Boulevard is a major north-south connector One of the UPRR crossings that was closed was a private drive into
through the city that provides relief to the congested State Highway 6. Nalco Champion. To accommodate this loss, the city entered into an
agreement with Nalco to locate two driveways on University Boulevard
To further improve mobility to this district, the city is currently into their new headquarters adjacent to the project.
constructing the University Boulevard North Extension, a $21 million,
0.5-mile, four-lane, divided connector between US 90A and South The UPRR tracks were 60 feet from and 3 feet higher than the edge of
Stadium Drive in front of Constellation Field. The road is adjacent to US 90A. Since US 90A was built with a standard crown cross-slope,
Nalco Champion and crosses Oyster Creek and Union Pacific Railroad there would be a bump in the road travelling over the tracks unless a
(UPRR) tracks in two locations. The project includes reconstruction of a major portion of US 90A was reconstructed. Coordination with TxDOT
portion of US 90A, track work with UPRR, an at-grade rail crossing with for modifications to US 90A, a major thoroughfare through the city that
traffic signal preemption near US 90A, a grade-separated overpass over a carries more than 60,000 cars daily, allowed more than 800 feet of US
UPRR spur and Oyster Creek, a side path and sidewalk, retaining walls, 90A to be reconstructed to reverse the slope of the roadway and provide
and a bridge-supported water line. a smooth ride over the UPRR tracks.
With this extension, new opportunities are available to developers. “The Finally, Johnson Development, the developer of the Imperial District,
property to the west (of University Blvd) was really not looked at by the was committed to working with the city to provide connectivity to the
developer as being really worth a whole lot until the agreement with UP Imperial District and ensure the overall vision of the district was present
came about and the extension project started,” said Chris Steubing, P.E., in the aesthetics of the project. To this end, Johnson was a major funding
city engineer with the City of Sugar Land. “Now they have a valuable 16 partner in the project and was consulted on all discussions of project
acres of land that they have been able to put on the market and, from the aesthetics.
city’s perspective, will be able to draw increased revenues.”
With all of the stakeholder agreements and coordination, the city
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN), a national civil engineering expected this project to take as long as 10 years to complete. Due to hard
firm, is the project’s engineer-of-record. Harper Brothers is constructing work from city staff and the design team, as well as collaboration with

each of the stakeholders, the project is anticipated to be completed within One of the primary challenges with the aesthetics was detailing the precast
five years. stone trim elements. The bridge columns were inset into the bridge deck,
allowing the pedestrian rails to terminate into the face of the columns at
“It was a large collaboration and coordination project between several the ends of each span. To accommodate this scenario, special attention
different parties,” said Steubing. “It’s the most expensive stretch of road was given to the precise dimensions of the trim elements that wrapped
that I think I’ve ever been a part of, but it’s going to be a great asset to the around the columns.
city when it’s done.”
A 3D model of the precast stone trim around the columns and along
Sandy soils the deck was developed to visualize how each piece would fit together.
The city’s proximity to the Gulf Coast influences geotechnical parameters Furthermore, the deck plans required block-out details to accommodate
at the site. The very soft, loose, sandy and silty soils with little to no the column inset. Special consideration was given to ensure the precast
bearing capacity and high settlement potential makes any civil project stone trim elements wrapping around the columns were isolated from the
complicated. As such, the soils require a robust foundation for the rail, bridge deck so that the bridge deck could thermally expand and contract
road, and even drainage elements. without cracking the precast stone trim.
Most notable was the soil’s effect on the bridge and retaining wall Another challenge with the aesthetics was accommodating the pedestrian
foundations. The flat terrain and vertical clearance required over the rail posts that required anchorage to the bridge deck. To provide the
UPRR spur (23 feet, 4 inches) required embankments as tall as 23 feet. If contractor with more flexibility for installation, LAN detailed the rail
founded on the in situ soils, the embankment would experience as much posts’ anchorage so that the base plates could be post-installed instead of
as 5 inches of settlement over time, causing significant maintenance cast-in with the concrete deck. The precast stone trim complicated these
issues for the city. To mitigate this, two foundation improvement options details because rail posts had to extend through the trim pieces. Block-outs
were evaluated: Remove and replace soil with cement-stabilized sand or in the precast stone trim were provided so that the pedestrian rail posts
use rigid inclusions. could be installed after the precast trim installation. Close coordination
between the contractor, the precast stone fabricator, and the rail fabricator
While the cement-stabilized sand option would be the most cost effective, will be required during the construction phase so that these elements tie
it did not fully mitigate the settlement potential of the embankment and together appropriately.
required preloading of the structure, which would delay construction
of the project. The rigid inclusion option involved placing a grid of Conclusion
small-diameter grout columns throughout the embankment area. This LAN’s team of dedicated engineers, in coordination with the city,
foundation improvement option penetrates the entire depth of low bearing provided high-quality solutions to the various challenges faced on this
capacity soils and minimizes long-term settlement of the embankment. project to bring a much needed connection to the city. Once completed,
To preserve its investment in this structure, the city opted for the rigid the roadway will improve access from north Sugar Land to south of US
inclusions despite the higher cost. 90A while also providing an alternate route to alleviate traffic congestion.
Aesthetics “This approximately 700 acres Northeast of the intersection of SH 6 and

Aesthetics for this project were a high priority for the client. The vision US 90A turned out to be a very prime spot and has really stimulated the
of the Imperial Redevelopment District featured an aesthetic scheme area,” said Steubing.
influenced by the historic Imperial Sugar Plant’s building architecture.
The dominant aesthetic features included a dark, earth-tone brick veneer
accented with pale precast stone trim elements. These features were most LAUREN VAN ANDEL, P.E., is the North Texas Bridge Section leader for Lockwood,
prominent on the exterior bridge and retaining wall columns that were Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN; www.lan-inc.com), a national civil engineering
clad with the brick veneer and extended above the deck as pilasters and firm. She can be reached at lvvanandel@lan-inc.com.
included lighting features above.

transportation
material
difference
Texas roadway rehabilitation explores
alternative embankment fills.
By Tom Huempfner
Kiln-processed lightweight aggregate was used as fill on one side of the bridge;
geofoam blocks were used on the other side. Photo: Ed Bell Construction
Large-scale construction requires making many decisions far in advance

of the onsite construction work. Engineers and architects guide clients
through many decisions while creating the drawings and specifications
during the design phase of the project. Ultimately, successful projects are
about making good decisions prior to moving the first shovel of dirt and
then putting detailed plans and drawings into the hands of skilled people
to do the work.
“Building roads and bridges is often about solving problems,” said

Phillippe Falkner, operations manager for Ed Bell Construction, a
north Texas heavy/highway and municipal contractor based in Dallas.
“Experience is always a great asset in building confidence in the choices
we make.” Once the bridge was sound, the embankments were excavated in
sections roughly 6 feet deep and 120 feet long, giving builders a fresh,
Ed Bell was working on a highway rehabilitation project for the Texas wide trench on either side of the bridge to fill with the alternative fill
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in 2010 when Falkner was materials. After each trench was filled, it was to be paved over with new
presented with a rare opportunity. road, reconnecting both sides to the rehabilitated bridge.
“The US 67 bridge over SH 174 outside of Cleburne needed to be Working with two different structural fills, Ed Bell’s assignment on the
rehabilitated and they asked Ed Bell to add it to our scope of work on the embankments was to plan and complete the work on each side of the
adjacent section of highway,” Falkner said. bridge. They would also install electronic pressure monitors beneath the
restructured embankments so any future settlement could be monitored
The bridge header was settling because deteriorating embankments independently on each side. For Falkner, the project seemed like a great
at either end were causing the pavement to bunch up where the road learning experience as well as a chance to rethink construction processes
connects to the bridge. TxDOT had already attempted to rehabilitate the he’d completed many times before with soil embankments.
embankments using traditional soil stabilization methods but moisture
issues and settlement continued. TxDOT indicated it wanted to compare a kiln-processed lightweight clay
aggregate and solid, lightweight geofoam blocks as alternative fills. On
“Since traditional methods hadn’t worked, they asked us to do a side-by- the surface, Falkner’s early expectation was that the aggregate materials
side comparison of two different fill materials, sort of an R&D project,” would behave similarly to soil. Thinking about the geofoam block side,
Falkner said. however, he had some concerns.
The first task on the add services contract was to rehabilitate the bridge “The lightweight aggregate really only comes from one manufacturer
over SH 174, which was being diminished by the failing embankments. in north Texas, so there wasn’t a lot to consider,” Falkner said. “Using

geofoam, however, seemed so different from typical roadway
building that I needed to know quite a bit more before I could
order it.”
Falkner engaged two geofoam suppliers to gain as much insight as he went a lot differently than expected,” Falkner said. The road plan called
could while competitively securing the materials. “The costs between for a crushed limestone base subgrade, covered with hot mix asphalt
the suppliers was about the same, the big difference was the technical and topped with a 10-inch concrete pavement. “I was worried about the
support ACH Foam Technologies offered in response to my concerns geofoam side, but it was rock solid under the equipment as we pushed
about building with geofoam.” the base out with a dozer. Then on the aggregate side, everything was
kind of squishy and it took a lot longer than we expected to get a smooth
ACH Foam’s in-house drafters produced shop drawings of the block surface.”
configuration pattern to fill in the embankment for structural soundness
and numbered each block to ensure it was easy to place precisely Falkner, still concerned about damaging the embankments with heavy
according to the plan. construction equipment, decided to use a lightweight truss screed bridge
paver rather than a traditional concrete paver to put in the final topping.
With traffic diverted, the bridge remediated, and the trenches dug, all that
was left to do was build the embankments and document the work. Both More than five years since the original embankments were built,
trenches were lined with a filter fabric before the new fill materials went data suggests both alternative fills have performed adequately. On
in. On the lightweight aggregate side, a truck simply backed up to the the lightweight aggregate side, the fill settled slightly more than was
hole and dumped in the material, which Falkner said is similar to kitty originally expected, but was still within TxDOT’s acceptable tolerances.
litter in texture. The aggregate was graded flat and covered with more On the geofoam side, there was a quick initial settlement and then no
fabric, performing largely the same way soil would under the grader. further movement at all, performing better than originally expected.
Special sensors were placed beneath both types of fill to allow TxDOT to Falkner said that he continues to work on TxDOT projects with the
closely monitor each material’s settlement post construction. area engineer and that the department has been satisfied with the work
and the lack of need for return maintenance since the rehabilitation was
On the geofoam side, first a sand leveling course was put down to get completed in 2012.
a nice flat surface. The geofoam blocks were laid in by hand with no
specialized equipment or skilled labor involved. Two men were easily Since geofoam comes in several different grades, plank sizes, and can
able to move blocks as large as 8 feet by 4 feet, weighing less than 100 also contain termite-resistant treatment, there are variables that need to
pounds. Most of the blocks required no modification, but workers were be explained when quoting a project. ACH Foam took the time to explain
able to customize blocks quickly to fill in around the superstructure using the differences and developed a series of options that helped Falkner
a hand-held hotwire cutter. With the geofoam stacked and wrapped in select the right materials for the application.
fabric just like the aggregate side, Falkner was looking at two ready-to-
pave embankments made from very different materials.
TOM HUEMPFNER is vice president, sales and marketing for ACH Foam Technolo-
“With the embankments built, it was time to lay the road down and that gies, Inc. (www.achfoam.com).

UAV + SURVEYING
earthquake response
Field tests demonstrate surveillance and collapse INACHUS collapse simulation software model (left) and scan of collapsed structure.
modeling tools to support urban search and rescue teams.
The second INACHUS field test, held on May 31, 2017, in Lyon, France,
demonstrated the project’s wide area surveillance solutions and collapse
modeling tools to an audience of more than 16 users specialized in urban
search and rescue (USaR) operations and structural engineers from
Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.
In collaboration with CARDEM demolition company, INACHUS partners

identified a building in Saint-Fons appropriate for the second field test and
created a scenario for its collapse that mimicked earthquake conditions.
One of the goals of the field test was to demonstrate that INACHUS
technological solutions could help USaR professionals improve their
situational awareness. This should be achieved by creating 3D models of
the target building, which could in return:
• aid in damage assessment,
• identify the location of potential voids in an easier way,
• assess the stability of the structure, and Frames from a video sequence of the actual collapse (right) and INACHUS collapse
simulation software.
• aid in determining possible rescue paths.
Surveillance tools and 3D mapping tools that simulate building collapse caused from an earthquake or
During the field test, users observed the imagery and 3D models created by explosion. INACHUS partner Applied Science International (ASI)
INACHUS tools. Two unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flights — one with created a pre-demolition 3D model of the target building based on precise
a laser scanner and another with an optical digital camera — took place measurements taken from a site visit. Applying within the INACHUS tools
over the collapsed building. The same set up could easily be applied for the known variables of the explosion provided by the demolition company
wide-area surveillance of an entire affected area following an earthquake. led to a model that matched in a very large scale the actual rubble pile. The
Data was also collected from a ground-based laser scanner. The three data tool’s purpose is to aid USaR teams in finding possible survivable spaces
sets were then combined, and each served to highlight different features of within a collapsed structure when applying the phenomenon variables in
the collapsed building. the INACHUS simulation tools.
The laser scanners were using their ability to distinguish between The primary goal of the field test was to determine if INACHUS
different types of objects, for example, people, various building technological solutions could identify possible voids in the rubble where
materials, vegetation, even precipitation, and identifying large pieces victims may be able to survive, or which rescuers could use when entering
of (building) material within the overall rubble pile. the rubble.
Consequently, users were provided with the ability to identify and highlight After a visual investigation of the building, users could evaluate whether
items in various colors and thus have a clearer understanding of the rubble the pile of rubble and the present voids corresponded with the INACHUS
pile. This can help rescuers get a clear view of the rubble and assist in models and simulation results. Participants could experience that the
determining the stability of the structure. models offered a realistic view of the collapsed building and the possible
voids within it. Participants in the event agreed that INACHUS could aid
On the other hand, the UAV imaging tool quickly provides an image in decisions related to victim localization and structural integrity during
of the collapsed building, identifying the damaged areas, establishing a USaR missions.
percentage of destruction, and helping to prioritize the zone of intervention Finally, progress on the Emergency Support System (ESS) was shown,
for USaR teams. allowing participants to digitally complete the INSARAG forms required
during large-scale response missions. With INACHUS, data is shared
Building collapse simulation software instantly and can be used by various levels of command to greatly improve
In the field test, participants could also get a glimpse of the INACHUS situational awareness and response coordination. Further aiding in these

areas is the Common Operational Picture (COP) interface, which shows The focus of the first field test, held in Ågesta, Sweden in June 2016, was
sectors and corresponding activity within sectors. on victim localization tools. The focus of the second field test was on wide-
area assessment tools and collapse modeling tools. A third field test will be
Moreover, the 3D point clouds and simulation models could be visualized held in April 2018 in the Netherlands, demonstrating the first integrated
in the post-processing stage of the pilot demonstration, which demonstrates version of the INACHUS tools. The project’s final field test, to be held
the effort that is made within the project with regard to integration of the along the French and Italian border in Winter 2018, will demonstrate the
project tools. Participants were interested in development of these tools, fully integrated INACHUS system.
which they anticipate adding significant value to their current operations.
For more information about the INACHUS project, visit www.inachus.eu.
Participants reacted positively to project developments shown in Lyon.
They offered useful feedback for continued progress and expressed interest Information provided by Applied Science International, LLC
in remaining involved in the project’s development. (www.appliedscienceint.com).
connecting
Trimble is collaborating with
Propeller Aero to distribute
its unmanned aircraft system
(UAS) analytics platform to
field to office measure surface geometry,

track trends and changes
across time, and perform
Trimble introduces Android app and announces UAS colaboration. visual inspections.
Trimble introduced Trimble Penmap for Android, a cloud-connected their field crews. They can simply use a phone, the Penmap application, a
application for field surveying and high-accuracy GIS data collection that Catalyst subscription, and the DA1 antenna.”
works on mobile handhelds, smartphones, and tablets. Trimble Penmap
for Android focuses on core survey and mapping tasks such as cadastral Trimble Penmap for Android includes the Penmap Project Manager, which
and boundary surveys, establishing local control, stake-outs, quality is used to set up projects, create templates, and add team members. Penmap
checks, and asset management for utilities. It provides both professional Project Manager works with the Trimble Connect platform for storing and
surveyors and field workers with a map-based interface to manage features transferring data between the field and office. Trimble Connect, which is
and attributes for high-accuracy GIS and complete survey documentation. also included in the Penmap subscription, is a collaborative cloud-based
platform that enables organizations to set up and deploy projects to their
For example, the application is ideal for use in the energy distribution field users. Information collected in the field is synced back to the office
industry for locating infrastructure and recording critical information on in real-time where it is stored, managed, and communicated to team
encroachments, clearways, and existing monuments, the company said. members. Data can also be exported from Penmap Project Manager into
The application runs on a variety of Android devices, including the rugged back-office systems in a variety of file formats for viewing and sharing.
Trimble TDC100 handheld, and supports full-featured Trimble Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers such as the Trimble R10, Trimble Penmap for Android is available for download from the Google
R8s, and R2 receivers. Play Store. For more information, visit https://geospatial.trimble.com/
products-and-solutions/Penmap-Android. Trimble Catalyst is available to
Trimble Penmap for Android is optimized to integrate with the new Trimble purchase. For more information, visit www.catalyst.trimble.com.
Catalyst service, a software-defined GNSS receiver that connects to the
small, inexpensive plug-and-play DA1 antenna, and allows surveyors to UAS analytics platform
choose an accuracy level from meter to centimeters to suit their application Also in July, Trimble announced that it is collaborating with Propeller
needs. Together, Penmap and Trimble Catalyst — both purchased through Aero to distribute its unmanned aircraft system (UAS) analytics platform.
a fixed monthly subscription — offer an on-demand, lightweight, and low- Propeller, based in Sydney and Denver, provides collection, visualization,
cost professional surveying system, Trimble said. and analysis of data from UAS. Propeller’s automated ground control
targets, cloud-based visualization, and rapid analysis platform will also
“Surveyors using the Penmap application with Trimble Catalyst can easily be integrated with Trimble Connected Site solutions to bring an end-
manage seasonal shifts in survey activity by scaling up or down without a to-end cloud-based UAS solution to civil engineering and construction
capital investment,” said Matt Delano, general manager of Trimble’s Land contractors.
Administration solutions. “Survey managers will find it an efficient way
to carry out field checks without tying up expensive equipment used by Pairing Propeller’s web-based interface with Trimble Connected Site
solutions gives users access to simple tools to measure surface geometry,
track trends and changes across time, and perform visual inspections.
Both technical and non-technical professionals are now able to gather
insights remotely and collaborate, driving significant improvements in
safety, efficiency, and reducing environmental impact across a construction
worksite, Trimble said.
For more information, visit www.propelleraero.com/trimble.

Trimble Penmap for Android is a cloud-connected application for field surveying
Information provided by Trimble (www.trimble.com). and high-accuracy GIS data collection that works on mobile devices.
uav +
surveying aerial analytics
Site Scan now provides cut and fill calculations
and infrastructure inspection.
3D Robotics announced that its Site Scan drone-based aerial analytics

platform can now calculate cut and fill volumes directly without exporting
drone data into other platforms. Cut and fill analysis provides the The Site Scan best fit base plane gives precise fill volumes.
information needed to effectively grade and level a jobsite and prepare
it for construction. An accurate cut and fill helps save time and money,
reduce risk, and better manage resources onsite, the company said. Integration with Pix4D
3DR also announced that it integrated Site Scan with Pix4D, a
Calculating a cut and fill properly, however, has long been a time- photogrammetry processing engine, to help users create more accurate and
consuming process, with significant time spent in the field performing a detailed data products. Site Scan is already integrated with the Autodesk
topographic survey and back in the office analyzing the data. While drone ReCap processing engine, so with the addition of Pix4D the company is
surveying has significantly reduced time onsite, calculating cut and fill now offering multi-engine photogrammetry processing for data products.
volumes has still been needlessly complex; it requires using multiple tools
and specialized earthworks software. According to 3DR, multi-engine processing, combined with the high-
resolution photos from Site Scan’s Sony R10C camera, delivers results
Site Scan users can open the app and with the tap of a button get precise, that consistently rival LiDAR and traditional surveying when it comes
actionable volume measurements. Site Scan’s cut and fill calculations to accuracy. With this combination, one of 3DR’s customers was able to
are based on data collected by the Sony R10C drone camera and three achieve accuracy levels within a tenth of an inch of terrestrial LiDAR.
base planes available that account for the underlying terrain: lowest point,
highest point, and best fit. The company said that it also made improvements that deliver processed
data three times faster, allowing users to process five times more photos at
The lowest point base plane finds the lowest elevation in the vertexes of a once — 2,500 photos in total.
boundary and creates the base plane from that point. This is best suited for
stockpiles on a flat surface — or with walls or other stockpiles nearby — Infrastructure inspection
that users plan to cut. A new flight mode called Inspect Mode allows users to fly Site Scan
manually and take high-resolution, geotagged photos of infrastructure and
The highest point plane will work from the highest vertex of the assets such as bridges, dams, cell towers, cranes, and more. Inspect Mode
boundary, and is appropriate in cases where users plan to fill, such as keeps fields crews safe on the ground while capturing jobsite details and
a trench, hole, or ditch. making it easy to monitor and share progress. The 20.1MP Sony R10C
camera includes an E-mount 3X optical zoom lens with image stabilization
The best fit base plane, which is the default plane in Site Scan, automatically to help take the best photos possible.
determines the most appropriate fit for the selected area.
Information provided by 3D Robotics (www.3dr.com).

CONTINUING EDUCATION
Arcadis presents free This presentation covers the pros and cons eight years and with substantial cost savings.
of various treatment methods, including This presentation describes how dynamic
remediation educational series Advanced Oxidation Processes, In-Situ groundwater recirculation can overcome
Chemical Oxidation, Natural Attenuation, back diffusion. The webinar features Arcadis
Arcadis is offering a free webinar series on Ex-Situ Bioreactor, Bioremediation, and experts Kelly Houston, P.E.; Scott Potter,
the latest technologies in environmental Synthetic Media. The webinar features Ph.D., P.E.; and Suthan Suthersan, Ph.D., P.E.
remediation. Advancements in environmental Arcadis experts Caitlin Bell, P.E. and Joe
remediation are happening at an accelerating Quinnan, P.E., PG. Big Data and Environmental Remediation:
pace. Outdated scientific techniques have Gaining Predictive Insights reviews the
been replaced with unconventional treatment Smart Characterization Methods that evolution of data capture and how new
methods and cutting-edge tools to successfully Increase Return on Investigation (ROI) analysis methods will reveal patterns, trends,
address some of the world’s most complex explains new site investigation methods that and associations that provide predictive
environmental challenges. narrow the focus to expand the impact of insights about complex environmental
remediation methods and provide a significant issues and identify areas that could deliver
To explain how these innovations will affect ROI. This presentation shows how new additional value to the corporate bottom line.
corporate and community remediation modeling methods and technology not only The webinar features Arcadis experts Margy
projects, Arcadis developed the following improve accuracy, but significantly decrease Gentile, Ph.D., P.E. and John Horst, P.E.
series of free educational webinars that cover investigation time and cost. The webinar
emerging issues and evolving investigation features Arcadis experts Nick Welty, CPG, PG These webinars were previously recorded and
and remediation methods: and Joe Quinnan, P.E., PG. are available now. For more information and
to access this free webinar training series,
Innovations in the Management of Successful Innovations for Achieving Large visit http://arcad.is/air-webinar-ec.
1,4-Dioxane describes the impact of this Plume Closure provides an in-depth look at
contaminant on public water supplies, what the framework used to evaluate and optimize
to expect from regulatory agencies, and remedial performance to successfully clean Information provided by Arcadis
new cost-effective ways to manage this risk. up a large-scale DOD plume in less than (www.arcadis-us.com).
convention theme of Making Connections. • 10th Anniversary ACI Concrete

ACI convention includes FRP Concrete Convention highlights include: Sustainability Forum;
Symposium • International Workshop on Structural • Third-Annual Excellence in Concrete
Concrete: Technology Advancement Construction Awards Gala; and
and Adoption in the Americas; • An industry exhibition showcasing
More than 2,000 engineers, architects, • 13th International Symposium as many as 70 exhibitors.
contractors, educators, manufacturers, and on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
material representatives from around the Reinforcement of Concrete Structures; Throughout the convention, ACI will
world are expected to convene in Anaheim, • Women in Concrete Alliance Summit; hold more than 300 committee meetings,
Calif., Oct. 15-19, 2017, to collaborate on • ACI Chapter Fall Roundtable; 30+ technical sessions, an industry trade
concrete codes, specifications, and standards. • International Lunch with special guests exhibition, networking events, and more.
Technical and educational sessions will Jae-Hoon Lee and Hong-Gun Park; Registration is open online through Sept.
provide attendees with the latest research, case • Student Egg Protection 25, 2017, and discounted rates are offered
studies, best practices, and the opportunity Device Competition; until Sept. 17, 2017. To learn more about the
to earn Professional Development Hours • Inaugural Student Eco ACI Convention and to register, visit www.
(PDHs). Concrete Competition; aciconvention.org.
• NASA Centennial Challenge
The Southern California Chapter of the Demonstration;
American Concrete Institute (ACI) will host • Student Lunch with speaker Information provided by the American Concrete
Institute (www.concrete.org).
the convention this fall as an opportunity to Conrad Paulson;
showcase the companies, projects, current • Contractors’ Day Lunch with
events, and landmarks that inspired the speaker Kent Estes;

continuing education
the course will provide an introduction to The instructors are Roger A. LaBoube,
AISI and CFSEI co-sponsor 25th the behavior of cold-formed steel members Ph.D., P.E., Curators’ Distinguished Teaching
Short Course on CFS Structures and connections and how that behavior is Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering
addressed by AISI S100, North American at the Missouri University of Science and
Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Technology and director of the Wei-Wen Yu
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Steel Structural Members. For experienced Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures;
and the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute engineers, the course will strengthen their and Sutton Stephens, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., chief
(CFSEI), in cooperation with the Wei-Wen understanding of the fundamental behavior of engineer (retired-advisor) at Pacific Northwest
Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures cold-formed steel members and connections.” Engineering, Inc.
at the Missouri University of Science and
Technology, are co-sponsoring the 25th Short The following topics will be covered during Additional co-sponsors of the Short Course
Course on Cold-Formed Steel Structures in the short course: include the Metal Building Manufacturers
St. Louis, Oct. 24-26, 2017. The short course • Mechanical properties of steel and Association, Metal Construction Association,
provides information on the behavior of cold- effect of cold-work of forming; Rack Manufacturers Institute, Steel Deck
formed steel members and connections for • Local buckling and postbuckling Institute, Simpson Strong-Tie, and Steel
both commercial and residential applications, strength of thin flat elements; Framing Industry Association.
including wall studs, floor joists, purlins, • Flexural members — bending strength,
girts, decks, and panels. It is eligible for lateral-torsional buckling, and deflection; For more information or to register online, visit
2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). • Tension members; the 25th Short Course on Cold-Formed Steel
Registration is required by Oct. 10, 2017. • Compression members — flexural, Structures web page at: http://ccfssonline.org/
torsional, and flexural-torsional buckling; cfs-short-course.
“This comprehensive course benefits all • Bracing requirements;
engineers interested in cold-formed steel • Design based on test results; Information provided by the American Iron and
design,” said Maribeth Rizzuto, LEED AP – • Direct strength method; and Steel Institute (www.steel.org) and the Cold-
BD+C, managing director, CFSEI. “For those • Shear wall design. Formed Steel Engineers Institute (www.cfsei.org).
unfamiliar with cold-formed steel design,
seamless transition to the new platform. The print certificates. In addition, courses can be
ASTM International upgrades migration was expected to be completed by downloaded and completed offline.
online Learning Management System Aug. 31. The new LMS features:
• an expanded search tool, There will be continued updates to the LMS,
ASTM International debuted a new learning • 24/7 access to ASTM including the addition of a “video wall,”
management system (LMS) designed to International training content, where learners will have easier access to
enhance user experience and functionality. • accessibility to training training videos.
Since 2012, the number of learners has modules from any device,
grown from 500 to more than 4,000. Usage • enhanced reporting capabilities, and Learn more at www.astm.org/train or contact
increased by more than 174 percent last year • customized curriculums. the learning management team at lms_
alone, prompting the need for a more robust support@astm.org.
platform. From the new homepage, learners will be
able to find new training modules, access Information provided by ASTM International
Existing customers will begin seeing a completed training, browse catalogues, and (www.astm.org).
AASHTO publishes LRFD Tunnel Design and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and National Cooperative Highway Research
construction of road tunnels. The LRFD Program (NCHRP).
and Construction Guide Tunnel Design and Construction Guide
Specifications, available on the AASHTO The specifications are intended for the
The American Association of State Highway website (www.aashto.org), is the result of design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) a five-year research effort by WSP USA road tunnels constructed using cut-and-
published new guide specifications on Load performed under a task order from the cover, bored, mined, and immersed tunnel

construction methodologies. In developing underground engineering in the United States. publications. Limited calibration of the
these specifications, consideration was given load factors was performed based on results
to safety and operations, maintenance, and The recommended LRFD-based tunnel design from the analysis of a circular bored tunnel.
inspection of tunnel systems. The publication, methodology used to develop the guide is A summary of the calibration procedure is
the first national design and construction presented in the final NCHRP research report. presented in the report.
specifications for road tunnels, represents A literature search was performed to review
groundbreaking work to advance and support existing design codes and standards, project-
the professional practice in tunnel and specific design criteria, reports, and technical Information provided by WSP USA (www.wsp.com).
DFI announces keynote speakers levee safety modifications performed as part a professional civil engineer who served as
of USACE dam safety management activities. chief engineer at the Port of New Orleans for
for 42nd Annual Conference 27 years. During her 40-year career, she has
Eric C. Halpin, P.E., special assistant for Dam directed design and construction of nearly $1
and Levee Safety for the USACE, references billion in public works projects.
Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) announced Hurricane Katrina and the recent situations at
four keynote speakers for the 42nd Annual Oroville Dam and Mosul Dam in the keynote Ralph W. Junius, Jr., P.E., president of Linfield,
Conference on Deep Foundations, being held lecture, “Being Approximately Right or Hunter & Junius, is delivering a lecture on
in New Orleans, Oct. 24-27, 2017. Precisely Wrong: Risk Informed Lessons in legal issues in the industry entitled, “The
a Standards-Based Industry.” Halpin leads Intersection of Engineering, Construction,
David B. Paul, P.E., special assistant for Dam safety programs for the USACE and is the Litigation and Ethics.” Junius has professional
Safety with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers senior advisor to leadership on all dam and experience with a wide range of infrastructure
(USACE), is providing an update on the levee safety issues and decisions. He is the projects, including transportation, water,
“USACE Oversight of Remediation of the primary agency safety representative on port and flood protection systems, as well as
World’s Highest Risk Dam.” This keynote is interagency, congressional, and international foundations. As a lawyer, he has served as an
a continuation of a lecture that was delivered safety organizations. His primary emphasis engineering expert in appropriate cases.
at the 2016 DFI Annual Conference in New has been on incorporating concepts of
York. Paul is responsible for managing the engineering risk into all facets of safety Visit www.deepfoundations2017.org for more
USACE’s portfolio of 709 dams. He is a programs. information.
national specialist on critical infrastructure
design, dam design, levee design, construction Deborah D. Keller, P.E., CEO of D.D. Keller
engineering, engineering risk assessments, & Partners, is sharing insight on “Fostering Information provided by the Deep Foundations
interim risk reduction measures, and dam and Multi-Generational Work Teams.” Keller is Institute (www.dfi.org) .
ASCE’s new book helps with risk-related Topics include probabilistic cost estimating, drawings, and exercises to illustrate and
decision making in construction contingency analysis, cause-effect diagrams, reinforce these concepts. In addition, the
FAST diagrams, and decision trees, as well as common techniques can be executed by
information on the available tools to quantify business and construction managers for
A new ASCE Press book, Quantitative Risk risks such as payoff matrices, Bayes’ theorem, practical construction risk assessment.
Management and Decision Making in matrix analysis, and analytical hierarchy
Construction, focuses on identifying, process. In addition, the author shows how To purchase online, visit the ASCE
quantifying, and mitigating risks associated the information gained from analysis can be Bookstore at http://www.asce.org/templates/
with construction projects. The author, Amarjit applied to mitigate risks using a risk analysis publications-book-detail.aspx?id=24824.
Singh, Ph.D., P.Eng., C.Eng., professor of card game, monitoring performance, and
civil and environmental engineering at the managing inventory.
Information provided by the American Society of
University of Hawaii, Manoa, introduces Civil Engineers (www.asce.org).
valuable techniques for weighing and Intended for graduate and upper-level
evaluating alternatives in decision making undergraduate students, each topic is
with a focus on risk analysis. accompanied by numerous examples,

SPECIFY
03. Corrosion protection

According to Covestro LLC, during the last decade,
02. Fire wall hanger more than 150 steel bridges in Virginia have been
01. Linear surface drains repainted with two-coat polyaspartic urethane coating
Simpson Strong-Tie said its new DG fire wall hanger technology. The results show the polyaspartic urethane
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS) acquired series is ideal for Type III multifamily, multi-level two-coat coating systems offer corrosion protection
Duraslot, Inc., a manufacturer of stormwater collection building construction and easily installs on a two- equivalent to conventional three-coat systems. Two-
surface drains. Duraslot linear surface drains are made hour wood stud fire wall during framing — before coat polyaspartic urethane coatings also have the
by incorporating a heavy-duty aluminum inlet slot the drywall is in place. The new series includes three added benefits of providing cost reduction in painting
mounted on top of ADS N-12 corrugated HDPE pipe. models of top-flange hangers that connect floor joists operations, accelerated painting schedules, and
The slotted inlet at grade intercepts sheet flow across to the wood wall and feature enough space for two less traffic congestion. Studies have shown that the
a paved area or is installed against a curb or barrier in layers of 5/8-inch drywall to be installed later. The application of these fast-throughput systems can save
a gutter-type application. These high-capacity drains completed fire wall assembly remains continuous transportation departments as much as 20 percent on
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September 2017 Vol.

WOOD VS. CONCRETE

Mass timber high-rise buildings

PAGE 58 Surveillance and collapse modeling tools support urban search

September 2017 csengineermag.com 3

Production & circulation manager

For subscriptions or change of address,

CIVIL+STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IS A ZWEIG GROUP PRODUCT

MARK C. ZWEIG, CHAIRMAN, ZWEIG GROUP LLC

Arup implements comprehensive energy PAGE

4 csengineermag.com September 2017

6 csengineermag.com September 2017

In the effort to obtain a design contract, many marketers and senior

Before the contract is signed,

Unfortunately, in the rush or excitement to begin a new project, many

Read the entire article at http://tinyurl.com/diversions-sept17.

september 2017 csengineermag.com 7

Enter the fire

8 csengineermag.com September 2017

Introducing the Simpson Strong-Tie® DG fire wall hanger

© 2017 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. DGFIREWALL17

and pupusa Taking risks to be change agents in

10 csengineermag.com September 2017

[ Combining an uncompromising vision for innovation with proven engineering ]

12 csengineermag.com september 2017

meeting of the minds 2017

September 2017 csengineermag.com 13

STOP WORKING SO HARD! The conference and preconference workshop

GET THE seminars, and exhibitions relevant to

GUIDANCE FOR THE DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS AND STRUCTURES.

Visit www.crsi.org for design guides, best practices

14 csengineermag.com september 2017

Hot Firm List NV5 Global tops the rankings with

16 csengineermag.com September 2017

“I unpack what R&D really is in terms of the U.S. Congress’

september 2017 csengineermag.com 17

Wright: Culture, culture, culture. Our definition of culture is very

What has your firm done recently to upgrade its IT system?

Wright: Great question because this is something we have been giving

18 csengineermag.com september 2017

strength-to-weight ratio, provide greater support. What

Part 1: Evaluation and Modiﬁcation

To take advantage of all the education tools created to help you

Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.

The combined list of employee-friendly firms reached 141 this year.

20 csengineermag.com september 2017

Mulhern + Kulp Structural engineering

september 2017 csengineermag.com 21

Overcoming site restraints

22 csengineermag.com september 2017

Economic bridge design

september 2017 csengineermag.com 23

Figure 1: Nonlinear plane stress modeling of reinforced concrete beam

Two-dimensional analyses can be used to model thin-walled structures

24 csengineermag.com september 2017

This 2D analysis model would be ideal for computing displacements

Plane strain modeling Figure 4: Parametric axisymmetric grain silo model

Plane strain assumes the out-of-plane geometry is large and/or con-

• A fully parametric model of the silo cross section is created as illustrated