TSEC-The Structural Engineering Channel

TSEC 10: The Design of Amusement Industry Roller Coaster Projects

October 3, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In episode 10 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk to Richard C. Maloney, PE, Discipline Leader for Bridges and Structures at Maser Consulting, about the design of amusement industry roller coaster projects. Rich talks about the design of these interesting projects, and also discusses some of the roller coaster projects that he and his team at Maser Consulting have worked on which include some of the world’s tallest and fastest roller coasters and thrill rides in the world.

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Rich in This Episode:

What is different about these roller coaster projects versus other structural projects, if any?
What does the design process for roller coasters look like?
Tell us about the process of determining and designing the load of foundations for roller coasters.
Tell us more about The Six Flags Great Adventure Joker roller coaster.
What type of foundations do you use for uplift loads?
Tell us about the Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom ride?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About The Design of Industry Amusement Roller Coaster Projects:

TSEC 09: The New ASCE Prestandard for Performance-Based Wind Design with Don Scott

September 20, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In this episode of The Structural Engineering Podcast, we talk to Don Scott, PE, SE, F.SEI, F.ASCE, who is the Senior Principal at PCS Structural Solutions. Don will be breaking down ASCE’s new Prestandard for Performance-Based Wind Design. He also provides some great examples of when you should use this prestandard and explains the importance of why you should use it.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Don in This Episode:

SEI received a research grant from the Charles Pankow Foundation for $150,000 with co-funding from the ACI, AISC, ASCE Industry Leaders Council and the MKA Foundation. Can you tell us a little bit about the Charles Pankow Foundation?
What is the purpose of the ASCE/SEI Pre-standard for performance-based wind design?
What should structural engineers know about these prestandrad?
How does performance-based design differentiate from traditional prescriptive procedures?
Do you see this trend with performance-based design expanding across structural engineering and possibly into other industries of civil engineering?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the New ASCE Prestandard for Performance-Based Wind Design:

TSEC 08: CROSS (Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety) Is Now Here in the United States

September 5, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In episode 08 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk to Alastair Soane, C.Eng, Ph.D., FICE, FIStructE who is the Director at Structural Safety. They are the group that oversees CROSS (Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety) and SCOSS (Standing Committee on Structural Safety). We then speak to Glenn R. Bell, P.E., S.E., C.Eng, F.SEI, F.ASCE, Senior Principal at SGH and President-Elect for ASCE SEI.

First Sloane gives an overview of CROSS-UK and CROSS-International, and then Bell, discusses the expansion of CROSS in the US and how this amazing program is providing great value to structural engineers all over the world.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask our Guests in This Episode:

What is CROSS?
Can you tell us more about the processing and publication of reports?
What are some lessons that can be learned from the development of CROSS in the United Kingdom?
Are you planning on expanding your research to other countries and regions?
Were you involved in the Hyatt Regency project?
What motivated you to get involved with the CROSS program?
What is the plan for implementing CROSS in the United States?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the CROSS:

TSEC 07: Drones and Structural Engineering Inspections – A Marriage in the Making

August 22, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In episode 07 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk to Luis Duque, EIT, A.M. ASCE, A.M. SEI who is a structural engineer at DLK Engineering. We talk about the use of drones in structural engineering inspections and more specifically about how drones will impact bridge inspections. This is some really interesting stuff!

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Luis in This Episode:

What made you interested in bridge inspections?
What are the benefits of using UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)?
Is it safer to use UAVs for inspection than doing it in traditional ways?
How do you see UAVs and similar technologies related to bridge inspection in the future?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Drones and Structural Engineering Inspections:

TSEC 06: The Emotional Side of Structural Engineering

August 8, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In episode 06 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk to Zohaib Alvi, P.E. who is a civil, structural, and forensic engineer and principal of za/engineering. We talk about sustainability in structural engineering and more specifically about the emotional side of structural engineering and how important it is to embrace and understand it as an engineer.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Zohaib in This Episode:

Where did your interest in sustainability come from?
In terms of policies, guidelines and regulations – has it been reflected in codes and guidelines in the recent history?
Can you give us an example of how resiliency needs to start with us?
How does smart technology play into all these trending issues?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Emotional Side of Structural Engineering

TSEC 05: Community Resilience in Structural Engineering with Dr. Therese McAllister of NIST

July 25, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In episode 05 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk with Dr. Therese McAllister, P.E., F.SEI, M.ASCE who is the community resilience group leader and program manager in the materials and structural systems research division of the Engineering Laboratory (EL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We speak with Dr. McAllister about what the NIST Community Resilience Program is and why community resilience is so important in structural engineering and beyond.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Our Guest in This Episode:

What does NIST do?
How does the community resilience program fit into NIST’s mission?
What is community resilience?
Who is addressing resilience in structural design now?
Why is community resilience important to structural engineers?
How does performance-based design intersect with community resilience?
How can community resilience be implemented by structural engineers?
What is the most exciting thing right now in the structural engineering industry to you?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Community Resilience in Structural Engineering:

TSEC 04: Mass Timber in Structural Engineering – It’s Not as Boring as It Sounds

July 11, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In episode 04 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we talk with Mikhail Gershfeld, S.E, a Professional Practice Professor at Cal Poly, Pomona, CA. We talk about mass timber in structural engineering and some of the new and innovative things happening with this material that has been around for a very long time.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions Asked in this Episode:

Tell us about how wood has been evolving in the last 20 years?
The panels are new to the US but have been used in Europe extensively. Why is it taking longer for US to use them?
How do these new panels offer aesthetic benefits?
Can you talk about the environmental benefits of wood?
How did the testing go with mass timber in regard to fire resistance, and is this a concern?
What organizations can provide assistance with using Mass Timber on projects?
Tell us about the new code changes that will take effect in 2021 with mass timber?
Can you talk about manufacturing facilities for mass timber?
What does the collaboration between the architect and engineer look like in regard to CLT?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mass Timber:

TSEC 03: Here’s Why Base Isolation is Rarely Used in the United States — It Doesn’t Sell Units

June 27, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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The picture above features the The Los Angeles City Hall. This building was renovated which included seismic strengthening, life safety and accessibility code upgrades, and preservation of historically significant building elements. The plan also included base isolation of the structure.

In this episode of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we will be taking to Ronald O. Hamburger, SE who is a Senior Principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and Evan Reis, SE, co-founder of the U.S. Resiliency Council. We will be talking about recent articles in the New York Times on the concept of base isolation, including the article: Buildings Can Be Designed to Withstand Earthquakes – Why Doesn’t the U.S. Build More of them?

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Our Guests in This Episode:

TSEC 02: The State of the Structural Engineering Industry from the ASCE SEI Structures Congress Part 1

June 13, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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In episode 02 of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we will be taking you with us back to the ASCE SEI Structures Congress in Orlando where we interviewed some guests on the current state of the structural engineering industry. This is actually one of two episodes from ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute(SEI Structures Congress). The other episode will be published on June, 19 on The Civil Engineering Podcast, in an effort to give the Congress more visibility.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Our Guests in This Episode:

What are some of the things that excite you about structural engineering?
How do you determine what you need to focus your time and energy on?
Talk about your thoughts on structural engineering being a commodity?
What is it like being a professor and working with students in the real beginnings of their engineering careers?
Do you think it’s important for structural engineers to gain practical experience in the field?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Structural Engineering Industry:

TSEC 01: Introduction to The Structural Engineering Channel

June 11, 2019 By Anthony Fasano

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Structural Engineering Channel

In this first episode of The Structural Engineering Channel podcast, we would like to introduce the show, the hosts, our goals for this show and give you an opportunity to provide us with topics or guests for future episodes.

TSEC-The Structural Engineering Channel

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Rich in This Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About The Design of Industry Amusement Roller Coaster Projects:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Don in This Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the New ASCE Prestandard for Performance-Based Wind Design:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask our Guests in This Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the CROSS:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Luis in This Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Drones and Structural Engineering Inspections:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Zohaib in This Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Emotional Side of Structural Engineering

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Our Guest in This Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Community Resilience in Structural Engineering:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions Asked in this Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mass Timber:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Our Guests in This Episode:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Our Guests in This Episode:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Structural Engineering Industry:

Engineering Quotes:

This Is How the Podcast Came to Be: