Engineering Management Institute

TSEC-The Structural Engineering Channel

TSEC 81: How Engineers Can Find Flexibility in Structural Engineering

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

FlexibilityIn this episode, we talk to Malory Atkinson, CPSM, LEED GA, about how engineers can find flexibility in structural engineering and what company owners can do to retain staff at their firms.

Engineering Quotes:

Flexibility

Flexibility

Flexibility

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Malory:

  • What does flexibility in engineering mean for you?
  • What are some of the things that Shear has been doing to find flexibility in the SE profession beyond working from home?
  • What are some of the challenges you have faced with providing engineers with more flexibility and how do you overcome these challenges?
  • What is some of the feedback you have gotten from employees on how providing them with flexibility increased their quality of life?
  • What are some ways that company owners can incorporate flexibility into their company vision and mission?
  • What are some of the things employees can do to encourage company owners to incorporate flexibility?
  • What is Shear’s perspective on employee retention, and what are some of the other things Shear has done to retain staff?
  • Do you have any advice for young engineers starting out in their career?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Engineers Can Find Flexibility in Structural Engineering:

[Read more…] about TSEC 81: How Engineers Can Find Flexibility in Structural Engineering

TSEC 80: How Engineers Can Help Preserve and Protect Historic Landmark Structures

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Historic Landmark StructuresIn this episode, we talk to René Vignos, SE, a structural engineer and Principal with Forell/Elsesser Engineers in San Francisco, about retrofitting historic buildings and how engineers can help preserve and protect historic landmark structures.

Engineering Quotes:

Historic Landmark Structures

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask René:

  • What interests you about working on projects that preserve historic structures?
  • What are the first steps you take when you start one of these projects?
  • What are some of the challenges with retrofitting historic buildings in seismic zones?
  • Why and how have you used base isolation technology to retrofit historic buildings?
  • What have been some of the challenges in using this technology in a historic building?
  • What challenges did you face in retrofitting Memorial Stadium at UC Berkeley and how did you overcome those challenges?
  • What are some of the things engineers can do to help preserve and protect historical sites?
  • Do you have any advice for young engineers starting in their careers?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Engineers Can Help Preserve and Protect Historic Landmark Structures:

[Read more…] about TSEC 80: How Engineers Can Help Preserve and Protect Historic Landmark Structures

TSEC 79: Structural Changes to the 2021 International Building Code

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

International Building CodeIn this episode, we talk to Sandra Hyde and John “Buddy” Showalter about the significant structural changes to the 2021 International Building Code and how they will affect structural engineers. They also talk about mass timber buildings and how they compare to concrete and steel buildings.

Engineering Quotes:

International Building Code

International Building Code

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Sandra and Buddy:

  • What is mass timber and how tall can a mass timber building be built?
  • What are the main fire safety requirements for this type of construction?
  • Can you describe the research that went into the development of these new code provisions?
  • What are some of the significant load changes to the 2021 IBC?
  • What are the changes to structural observation and special inspection, and how will these changes affect structural engineers?
  • How do mass timber buildings compare to concrete and steel buildings?
  • What are the changes to concrete, steel, masonry, and wood requirements?
  • Do you have any final advice for young engineers starting in their careers?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the 2021 International Building Code:

[Read more…] about TSEC 79: Structural Changes to the 2021 International Building Code

TSEC 78: Transmission Line Design in Structural Engineering

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Transmission LineIn this episode, we talk to Cody Forell, Structural Design Engineer at Sunflower Electric Power Corporation,  about transmission line design and what it is like working as a structural engineer at an electrical utility.

Engineering Quotes:

Transmission Line

Transmission Line

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Cody:

[Read more…] about TSEC 78: Transmission Line Design in Structural Engineering

TSEC 77: Top Career Takeaways From Two Successful Engineers

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Career TakeawaysIn this episode, Mat and Cara talk about three career takeaways that stood out for them throughout their careers, and how those experiences helped them to grow as engineers.

Engineering Quotes:

Career Takeaways

Career Takeaways

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Their Career Takeaways:

[Read more…] about TSEC 77: Top Career Takeaways From Two Successful Engineers

TSEC 76: Mass Timber in Structural Engineering: Seeing the Bigger Picture

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Mass Timber in Structural Engineering
In this episode, we talk to Michelle Kam-Biron, P.E., SE, F. SEAOC, SECB, mass timber specialist at Structurlam, about mass timber in structural engineering and how engineers can become more involved in the industry.

Engineering Quotes:

Mass Timber in Structural Engineering
Mass Timber in Structural Engineering

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Michelle:

  • What does a career in mass timber entail, and what should people considering a career in mass timber know about it?
  • What would you say is the secret to being successful in the industry with the rise of mass timber?
  • How can engineers become more involved in the industry and support future engineers?
  • What are a few innovative projects that you have worked on in the past, and some of the new uses of mass timber in structural engineering?
  • What are some of the ways that engineers can gain more information on mass timber?
  • Do you have any final advice for structural engineers considering working more with mass timber?

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

[Read more…] about TSEC 76: Mass Timber in Structural Engineering: Seeing the Bigger Picture

TSEC 75: Engineering Safer Skies With Performance-Based Seismic Design

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Performance-Based Seismic DesignIn this episode, we talk to Joe Maffei, SE, Ph.D., LEED AP, an internationally recognized expert on the seismic evaluation, design, and retrofitting of structures, about the SFO Air Traffic Control Tower, for which his company, Maffei Structural Engineering, also received an excellence award. He talks about their involvement in the project and how they designed the first-ever control tower that used a nonlinear analysis performance-based seismic design.

Engineering Quotes:

Performance-Based Seismic Design

Performance-Based Seismic Design

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Joe:

[Read more…] about TSEC 75: Engineering Safer Skies With Performance-Based Seismic Design

TSEC 74: Structural Steel Design Explained

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

structural steel designIn this episode, we talk to Alex Morales, Assoc. AIA, EDAC, PMP, LEED Green Assoc., about structural steel design and how he went from architecture to falling in love with steel. He also talks about some of the latest innovative steel systems and how they are helping structural engineers.

Engineering Quotes:

structural steel design

structural steel design

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Alex:

[Read more…] about TSEC 74: Structural Steel Design Explained

TSEC 73: Post-Tensioned Concrete Structures: Advantages of Using Post Tensioning

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

post-tensioned concreteIn this episode, we talk to Michael Hopper, P.E., an Associate Partner at LERA Consulting Structural Engineers, about post-tensioned concrete (PT) structures, what they are, some of the advantages of using post-tensioning, and what he thinks the future holds for PT.

Engineering Quotes:


Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Michael:

  • What is post-tensioning, and why is it important?
  • What are some of the advantages of using post-tensioning in structures?
  • How has PT structure design evolved over the last 10+ years?
  • How does a post-tensioned concrete perform in seismic events?
  • What are void-formers and when should they be used?
  • How has concrete technologies made the construction industry more efficient?
  • What trends are driving innovation in construction?
  • Is PT concrete environmentally sustainable, and what does the future holds for the PT concrete industry?
  • Do you have any advice for engineers considering a career like yours?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Post-Tensioned Concrete Structures:

[Read more…] about TSEC 73: Post-Tensioned Concrete Structures: Advantages of Using Post Tensioning

TSEC 72: Why This Structural Engineer Chose to Go Back to Business School

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

business schoolIn this episode, we talk to Derek Loush, P.E., who has worked as a senior project engineer for the past seven years and then decided to go back to business school to get his MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. We talk about why he chose to go back to business school, what he hopes to accomplish by doing it, and how his structural engineering background fits into all of that.

Engineering Quotes:

Business School

Business School

Business School

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Derek:

[Read more…] about TSEC 72: Why This Structural Engineer Chose to Go Back to Business School