Structural Engineering Blog
Designing for Defense: The World of Blast Design Engineering
Imagine a security system that blends seamlessly with a building’s design, deterring threats without sacrificing aesthetics. This is the realm of physical security design engineering, a field that merges engineering principles with risk assessment to create secure spaces. Security threats come in many forms, from theft to vandalism to terrorism. Physical security design engineers conduct…
Keeping Your Building Dry: The Importance of Water Intrusion Engineering
Have you scheduled an inspection of your facility yet this year? Don’t put off inspections, especially if your facility has experienced a high amount of rainfall this year, or if you’ve had water intrusion issues in the past! Water intrusion is simple: it’s any unwanted movement of water or water vapors into areas of a…
Façade Inspection: How Often Should You Inspect Your Building’s Exterior?
The facade of your building does more than just provide the aesthetic “face” of your building. It’s also a barrier against the elements, and a crucial part of the building’s structural integrity. But like any exterior element, facades are exposed to wear and tear over time. Regular inspections are key to catching problems early and…
Facade Inspection 101: A Guide for Building Owners and Managers
Are cracks showing in your building’s concrete? Have you noticed leaking walls or roofs or peeling paint? Are your sealants working? As buildings age, their exteriors, require maintenance and restoration to preserve their structural integrity, aesthetics, and functionality. If you notice cracks, stains, corrosion, and other forms of damage, it’s time to begin restoration. Façade…
When Industrial Rope Access Reigns: Integrating Industrial Rope Access in Structural Engineering Projects
Fatalities and serious injuries from falls are still among OSHA’s Fatal Four hazards in the workplace. Industrial Rope Access holds an enviable safety record, compared to all other work-at-height methods. According to the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) with over 7.5 million man-hours of work, there have been very few lost-time accidents. Industrial…
Maintaining Your Historic Building: Sidewalk Vaults
Are you a building owner or property manager of a commercial building listed on the National Register of Historic Places? Have you ever wondered what would happen if a project in your neighborhood or on your street affected the stability of your building? You may not even realize your building has a stability issue, especially…
Field Testing for Reinforced Concrete
Want to know the health of your concrete structure? Want to upgrade your concrete structure but don’t have as-built structural drawings? Non-destructive and minimally invasive concrete field testing can determine the health of your concrete structure and predict its useful remaining life. It can also determine or verify the reinforcement in your concrete structure. Non-destructive…
How to Deal with Frozen Pipes in Your Building
Are you prepared to deal with frozen pipes in your building this winter? Most buildings have preventative measures – such as insulation in exterior walls, attics, and crawl spaces – which do a good job of holding in the heat and protecting water pipes, but if you have extended periods of long-term cold weather or…
Top 8 Things Building Owners and Managers Should Do to Prepare for Winter
Is your facility prepared for winter? Winter can be a challenging season for property owners and building managers. Inclement weather can strike without notice, and if you’re not prepared, your building and occupants could suffer costly damage. As the seasons change and temperatures drop, make sure you plan adequately and take these essential steps for…
How to Get the Best Bang for Your Buck with Parking Structure Maintenance
Parking Structure Maintenance Most people, including professionals in the commercial property industry, are either unaware or refuse to accept that parking structures require maintenance. The truth is, they begin to deteriorate before they are open to the public and do so exponentially after just a few years. Unlike the structure of the building or buildings…