SEAU NEWS News-2006-09... · person you would like to see highlighted in this space, ... SEAU NEWS...

SEAU NEWS The Newsletter of the Structural Engineers Association of Utah

Volume XI- Issue I September 2006

Opinions expressed in the SEAU Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Structural Engineers Association of Utah. Technical information contained herein shall not be used without independent verification by an engineer. Advertising rates and information sent upon request. Acceptance of advertising and informational brochures in the SEAU Newsletter does not constitute endorsement or approval by SEAU of the products or services advertised. SEAU reserves the right to refuse any advertising or editorial comment.

τ This newsletter is a monthly publication of the Structural

Engineers Association of Utah.

Articles or advertisements appearing herein may be submitted by anyone interested in expressing a viewpoint

on structural engineering.

Articles may be submitted to: Richard Seelos, Editor

(801) 486-3883 [email protected] Advertisements may be submitted to:

Jerod Johnson, Advertising (801) 486-3883

[email protected] τ

Wasatch Property Management Corporate Headquarters in Logan, Utah see page 3.

IN THIS ISSUE MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD Message From The Board....... p 1 SEAU Officers .......................... p 2 Focus Article............................. p 3 SEAU Committees ................... p 4 Technical Article ...................... p 5 Bulletin Board .......................... p 7

SEPTEMBER EVENT

SEAU FALL SOCIAL September 29, 2006- See page 10

OCTOBER EVENT

AISC SEMINAR

Seismic Design –Updates and Resources for the 21st Century

October 5, 2006 7:30 AM-5:00 PM

Orson Spencer Hall, U of U See page 8

THE COMING YEAR

By Jeff Miller,

SEAU President

As we begin another year, I first

wanted to thank all of those who work to make a positive contribution to the ongoing activities, and ultimately, the success of SEAU.

We have a lot going on over the next few months. Many members of the association have worked diligently to make these opportunities possible for the membership. Over the next few weeks, we will have the NCSEA national convention here in Salt Lake, the fall social, and an all day seminar on the AISC Seismic Design Manual.

Thanks to all of our members who have supported the NCSEA convention, in both sponsorships and by attending the convention. We have had great response from the membership. Barry Arnold and his committee deserve a lot of thanks for their organizational skills and dedication. From the reports we have heard from the committee, the support from our membership has greatly exceeded the original

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6


PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 2006

SEAU OFFICERS FOR 2006-2007

SEAU Board Members for the 2006-2007 Year Office Board Member Telephone FAX President Jeff Miller 486-3883 485-0911 Vice President/President Elect Barry Welliver 553-0162 553-0163 Past President Julie Ott 333-7676 333-7677 Treasurer Don Barker 355-5656 355-5960 Secretary/Historian Russell Merrill 575-8877 575-8875 Member of the Board Mike Buehner 486-3883 485-0911 Member of the Board Shaun Packer 466-1699 467-2495

Jeff Miller

President

Barry Welliver

Vice President/President Elect

Don Barker Treasurer

Russell Merrill Secretary/Historian

Mike Buehner

Member of the Board

Shaun Packer

Member of the Board



FOCUS

SEAU NEWS intends to highlight some of our most interesting and important buildings in Utah. We also wish to provide biographies of famous structural engineers.

If you have a particular interest in a building or person you would like to see highlighted in this space, please contact newsletter committee member Cameron Empey at (801) 486-3883 or [email protected].

This month the focus is on:

Wasatch Property Management

Corporate Headquarters Article provided by Craig Cartwright, SE, SECB

Edited by Cameron Empey

When Wasatch Property Management Group needed a new corporate headquarters in Logan, they wanted an architectural design that complimented their first class, one-of-a-kind, corporate image. Not to be out-gunned by the architects, the structural engineers designed a steel framing system that, likewise, was one-of-a-kind (at least in Utah). Actually, the steel frame was rather conventional. Wide flange girders and columns, composite beams, and metal deck with concrete topping round out the basic framing system. Lateral forces are resisted using Special Moment Frames (SMF). The use and layout of the building was such that the owner and architect desired a building free of shear walls and braced frames. The moment frame joints are of the bolted type but with a twist. The building is approximately 80,000 square feet over four levels. With a square plan, the geometry was ideal for a perimeter-only lateral frame.

Prior to starting the construction document phase, the design team worked with regional steel service centers to choose wide flange sizes that were readily available or that had frequent rolling schedules. Local fabricators

assisted the design team by value engineering the connections to optimize shop and erection time. Beam spacing was increased to reduce pieces, reduce shop and erection time, as well increase mass to each beam. The increased tributary mass to each beam greatly reduced floor vibration potential. Interior floor beams around the perimeter bays run parallel to the exterior moment frame beams. This beam orientation reduced the demand on the exterior beams that, in turn, made beam/column capacity ratios achievable.

Fabricator consultants insisted that welded moment frame joints were a significant burden to the schedule and budget and Reduced Beam Section (RBS) joints came with an excessive tonnage penalty. The design team researched alternatives and concluded, along with the steel supplier, fabricator, and erector consultants, that bolted connections would make the best joint. However, fabricated bolted connection devices were, likewise, shop-time intensive. To take advantage of the bolted joint without the disadvantages associated with a shop fabricated bracket, the design team selected a cast steel bracket marketed as the Kaiser Bolted Bracket by Steel Cast Connections. This bracket comes in various sizes and bolt patterns to match the demand required for strength and ductility. This bolted bracket is actually a hybrid bracket that is shop welded to the beam and field bolted to the column. The bracket has been through the gauntlet of testing required by the AISC 341 standard but is not yet pre-qualified by the AISC. The bracket was tested and passed without the use of continuity plates. Design iterations created column and beam combinations that did not require web doubler plates.



FOCUS (cont.)

To be certain the Kaiser Bolted Bracket contained the savings that the design team anticipated, two designs were created. The first design was the RBS joint system and the other used the steel cast bolted bracket. The savings per joint exceed $3,000 or $250,000 for the

entire structure. The savings came from reduced beam tonnage, no complete-penetration field welding, no doubler plates, no continuity plates, and no ultra-sonic testing.

SEAU COMMITTIES

Looking for a way to make a difference? Contact any of the 2006-07 SEAU Committee Chairpersons listed below and get involved!

Programs Larry Reavealey (801) 581-6931 Seismic Stephen Cohen (801) 328-2726 Codes Mark Harris (801) 486-3883 Legislative David Brown (801) 943-5555 Newsletter Richard Seelos (801) 486-3883 Technical Scott Pettit (801) 355-5656 By-Laws Brent Maxfield (801) 240-1529 Professional Practices & Ron Dunn Ethics/Standard of Care (801) 575-8877 Structural Licensing Kelly Calder (801) 328-2726 BSSC Parry Brown (801) 486-3883

UEC Delegate Mike Buehner (801) 486-3883 USSC Jake Watson (801) 328-2726 Audit Jeremy Achter (801) 782-6008 Membership John Charchenko (801) 355-5656 NCSEA Craig Cartwright (435) 753-2850 PR-Web Page Jake Watson (801) 328-2726 Emergency Response Blake Hoskisson (801) 255-0578 Residential Design Scott Wilson

(801) 466-1699 Existing Buildings Barry Welliver (801) 553-0162

SEAU MEMBERSHIP APPLICANT

The following individual has submitted an application for approval by the SEAU membership committee for new members:

Craig Ellingson – Professional Cody G. Nunley – Professional David Winn – Professional Glen Bancroff – Associate Joseph Jorgensen – Associate Gerald R. McKenzie – Associate Travis Mortensen – Associate

Jeff Morton – Associate Travis Shields – Associate Kyle Twitchell – Associate Korin McDonald – Student Joseph W. Stuart – Student Henning Ungerman – Student



TECHNICAL ARTICLE by JEROD JOHNSON

Full Height Blocking – A Reprisal

The May 2006 issue of SEAU News contained the article “Full Height Blocking – Pick your battle”. This is now my fifth year on the SEAU Newsletter Committee and never in that time has an article generated such voluminous feedback from members of SEAU. Hence, for this month’s technical article the full height blocking issue will be re-visited. Feedback is still solicited.

Many of those providing feedback supported the position of the article and were pleased to see this as an issue of discussion. Some agreed with my contentions but thought that I was a little extreme or forceful regarding the roll of building officials. Below are excerpts from emails regarding the article:

“Your short article in the SEAU Newsletter dated May 2006, entitled, "Full Height Blocking-Pick Your Battle", was well stated. I firmly believe that the solution to most problems, such as the one you described, is ‘communication and education!’”

“I have to respectfully disagree with your code interpretations…partial blocking, not necessarily full height.. prevents rotation of the roof framing element. I am convinced that most single family dwellings don't require full height blocking.”

“Interesting article…but maybe a little heavy in regards the proposed resultant of not following the code to the letter. On one of the first pages of the IRC…you will find a paragraph entitled Engineered Design. This will show that it is not necessary to follow the code in complete conformance.”

“I am a plan reviewer for… City. I provided a training seminar to the city building inspectors. We discussed the lateral load paths and typical wood-framing details that are essential for maintaining a proper lateral load path on buildings. One of the many items we discussed was the requirement for full-depth blocking and ridge blocking. Our inspectors should be enforcing this now.”

“There is no apparent code argument that can be taken contrary to the position you took in your SEAU article. There are other mechanisms in typical residential structures that transform the loading from the roof diaphragm and the supporting shear walls, including H1 ties, partial height blocking, the truss tails, perimeter fascia members, etc.. I believe that in a university type debate you would win.”

There are clearly differing opinions regarding the full height blocking issue. The variation in opinion and practice is due in no small part to the somewhat ambiguous nature of the code. Perhaps future code provisions will provide further clarity to this issue. FEMA 232 “Homebuilders Guide to Earthquake

Resistant Design and Construction” became available in June of this year and may provide a more clear direction regarding the full height blocking issue (available electronically at http://www.bssconline.org/). According to section 6.3: “Rafters and ceiling joists having depth to thickness ratios exceeding 5:1 (e.g., 2x10) need blocking at their points of bearing to prevent rotation or displacing laterally from their intended position…However when the nominal size of the ceiling joist or rafter is 2x10 or smaller, blocking over the exterior wall may be omitted.” Figure 1 is a copy of an illustration depicting this condition. FEMA 232 further states: “Although blocking may not be required for 2x10 and smaller rafters, there still must be a load path for lateral loads in the roof sheathing to reach the exterior braced walls immediately below the roof. The most direct load path is for the roof sheathing to be edge nailed to blocking between each rafter. That blocking is then nailed to the wall top plate…”

Figure 1 – Full Height Blocking Detail from FEMA 232.

It seems clear that the best approach for defining the lateral load path from the roof diaphragm to the walls is to provide full height blocking. Many argue that this is a costly and difficult detail that serves more to elevate costs than to provide a safe structure. In my own experience, this is not the case. Two days after asking for full height solid blocking (shaped to match the roof slope), I arrived at my home-site to find several 2x6 members, sawn lengthwise near one edge with the blade tilted to match the slope of my roof in preparation to become blocking. Many of the blocking members had already been installed and had been connected exactly as I (and the engineer of record) had requested. Occasionally a blocking member was omitted to provide for attic ventilation. I had prepared myself for a battle regarding this matter. It amounted to little more than a special request to which the framer readily responded and provided without argument. The whole episode was virtually hassle-free and as far as I know, did not result in a significant addition to the cost of framing.

The feedback from the majority of SEAU members with whom I have discussed this issue is clear. Most



TECHNICAL ARTICLE (cont.)

agree that full height blocking is the most appropriate method for providing a continual lateral load path. Few have witnessed an alternate load path which can be supported both logically and analytically. The calculations in support of an alternate load path seem to be quite rare or non-existent. It is the opinion of this

author that full height solid blocking ought to become a standard for any wood structure required to resist lateral forces. It is not difficult, it is not costly, and alternate approaches simply do not appear to measure up. Your feedback and input is still requested. Please direct comments to Jerod Johnson at [email protected].

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD (continued from page 1)

expectations. The NCSEA convention presents a great opportunity for us to support NCSEA and improve our knowledge of the profession.

On a related note, Barry Arnold just returned from a meeting to discuss structural engineering licensing issues with representatives from NCSEA, SEI, ASCE, NSPE, and NCEES. One of the long term goals that has been established for SEAU is to obtain passage of an S.E. practice act in our state rather than the current title act. The group of representatives at the meeting agreed to lend their full support in helping SEAU push forward an S.E. practice act in Utah. They will act as advocates and help us explain to legislators the benefits of establishing a practice act in the state. Other states with practice acts have also agreed to help in this effort and lend their expertise to the cause. If we are successful in this endeavor, and I hope we are, we as an organization will then need to help other states that desire to obtain a practice act. I guess you could term it “pay it forward”.

This development of support from national organizations will require that the establishment of a practice act now be more of a short to medium term goal rather than a long term goal. The Structural Licensing and Legislative committees will have a much larger and more urgent task on their hands to capitalize on this support and take advantage of this window of opportunity. We will also need help from the general membership in contacting legislators and explaining the benefits of a practice act. As a whole, we engineers don’t seem to be a highly political group, but we will all need to get behind this effort. Given our past experience with the legislature, it most likely won’t happen quickly and won’t be an easy task. We will need to commit our efforts for the long haul and persevere. I’m confident that if we stick to it, we can get it done.

Kelly Calder chairs our Structural Licensing Committee, and Dave Brown chairs the Legislative Committee. When we consider the task at hand, I’m sure they would welcome some help in this effort. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in politics and advancing the cause of an S.E. practice act to contact Kelly or Dave and help us with this effort. We are still in the early phases of developing a strategy and agreeing on a course of action with the national

organizations. The board and the committees involved will keep everyone posted as things develop.

I hope everyone will support the seminar on the AISC Seismic Design Manual to the same degree that the AISC seminar was supported last spring. Thanks to all who attended that seminar. We have received a number of positive comments from AISC on the attendance at these seminars. I want to express my appreciation for the assistance that AISC and other organizations give us in presenting these important seminars at a reasonable cost, and the financial support we receive from DOPL. This support makes these seminars the best deal I know of. Let’s keep on taking advantage of these great opportunities

One area where I think that we as an organization could improve is in our attendance at our monthly Thursday night seminars. The Programs Committee has done a great job at organizing valuable and informative monthly seminars. For whatever reason, attendance over the last one or two years has suffered somewhat, and at times has been pretty sorry. I would encourage everyone to support the Programs Committee in their efforts and take advantage of the opportunity we have to better ourselves as professionals. I would ask that we all commit to better and more regular seminar attendance for the coming year.

The last thing that I would like to mention is something I have realized very quickly over the last few months. It is the simple fact that the officers cannot do everything that needs to be done to be an effective organization. Committees are the vehicles by which most of the important work gets done. Please lend your efforts and support to one of our committees where you have interest if you haven’t done so already. Our desire is that every member of the organization serve on a committee. This will help us be a more effective organization. I think I’m safe in saying the chairs of each of our committees would welcome any help that the membership is willing to give. Contact one of the committee chairs or one of the board members if you would like to serve on a committee.

I hope the coming year is a great and eventful year for SEAU. With everyone’s help I know we can continue to improve and make SEAU a great organization for it’s membership. I want to thank all those who volunteer their time to advance the interests of the organization and make it better.



BULLETIN BOARD

SEAU – EXISTING BUILDINGS by BARRY WELLIVER

A new committee has been created for SEAU members interested in existing buildings. The envisioned work of the committee will include the review of available codes and standards; study of available retrofit measures; preparation of

strategies and recommendations and other actions deemed important for improving the safety of existing buildings.

This group will rely upon the work of other SEAU committees who have studied the International Existing Building Code, ASCE 31, and other standards for existing buildings. Moving beyond the technical issues, it is hoped that the Existing Buildings Committee can touch upon such diverse issues as performance based standards and historic structures.

If you have an interest in sharing your knowledge about existing buildings, or would like to learn more, please contact Barry Welliver at [email protected]

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 14-16, 2006 The NCSEA Conference will be held in Salt Lake City this year at the Marriott Galavian Center. It is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the greatest engineers in the country, leaders from all the Structural Engineers Associations and your local peers. See http://www.seau.org for further information. September 29, 2006 SEAU Fall Social at Miller Sports Park in Tooele. See page 10 for additional information and the payment form at the bottom of this page. October 5, 2006 AISC SEMINAR: Seismic Design –Updates and Resources for the 21st Century. See page 8 for additional information

November 4-9, 2007 The Third Structural Engineering World Congress - 2007 (SEWC 2007) will be held in Bangalore, India. Please contact [email protected] for further info.

SEAU NEWS SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

October SEAU News deadline is September 28th. We expect updates from the following committees:

Seismic Committee Ethics/Substandard Care Committee Structural Licensing Committee NCSEA Representative

FALL SOCIAL REGISTRATION FORM

NAME: FIRM: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP: PHONE#: FAX#: E-MAIL: NAME OF SPOUSE/GUEST:

PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM AND PAYMENT BEFORE SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 TO: SEAU P.O. Box 581292, Salt Lake City, UT 84185-1292

E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 355-5950

Total Amount Enclosed $_______ Check Visa Master Card When paying with credit card, please provide the following information, Name on card: Credit Card Number: CVN Number (3 digits on back of card at signature line): Expiration Date: Billing Address: Zip Code:



THE FISHING LINE by BARRY WELLIVER

With so many information sources available to us it is almost impossible to read every newspaper or magazine, or attend every legislative or city council meeting to pick up ideas about issues potentially affecting our profession. This new column is intended to briefly report on trends and directions in Utah which are just beginning, or may influence the practice or business of structural engineering. The wish is that you may find something of interest in your community or state, and lend your experience to the public discussions. Please feel free to contribute items which you become aware of and hopefully some of this “fishing” will turn into “catching”. • Utah State Office of Education

o Finance committee proposes a ten year mitigation plan to improve the seismic safety of all Utah’s schools. This years budget request may include a request to begin by funding a “rapid visual screening” of schools.

o Oversight of School Inspections. Recent legislative meetings have resulted in a revised school inspection program. See discussions at the Utah State Board of Education meeting agenda for August 4, 2006. www.schools.utah.gov

• Draper City Council discusses landslides. Presentations to the council included a report by Landslide Technology and the Utah Geologic

Survey. See Draper City council agendas in July and August and landslide preparedness or prevention link on the Draper home page. www.draper.ut.us

• Roots is Coming to Utah. A Utah version of the California publication “Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country” is being developed by the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, the Utah Geological Survey, the Utah Office of Emergency Services and the Structural Engineers Association of Utah. To view the California documents point your browser to www.scec.org.

ADVERTISEMENT

BHB Consulting Engineers is looking for 2 engineers with a minimum 1 to 4 years experience to add to their present staff of 11 engineers to help with the structural design of schools, warehouses, retail buildings, multi-story office buildings, hotels, restaurants, churches, etc. Please fax your resume to 801-355-5950 or

email it to [email protected].

OCTOBER MEETING

October 5, 2006

7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Orson Spencer Hall Building (OSH)

Waldermer P. Reed (WPR) Auditorium University of Utah Campus

Salt Lake City, Utah

Thomas A. Sabol, PH.D., S.E, Principal, Englekirk & Sabol Consulting Engineers, Inc. will be the speaker.

The purposes of the seminar is to: introduce the 2005 AISC Seismic Design Manual.

address quality assurance and special welding requirements for steel seismic systems. introduce the 2005 AISC Moment Frame Prequalified Connection Standard

introduce the 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions

Includes a copy of the 2005 AISC Seismic Design Manual (which contains the 2005 ASIC Seismic Provisions and the 2005 AISC Moment Frame Prequalified Connection Standard) and a copy of the course notes and design examples.

Cost $150 with partial funding provided by Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing.

See the website seau.org for further information.



SEAU Presents:

September 29, 2006 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Miller Motorsports Park 2901 N. Sheep Lane, Tooele, Utah 84074

Cost: $0.00 for current SEAU members. All others $30.00.

RSVP with payment no later than Friday, September 22, 2006.

Activities include go-cart racing, tours of park, dinner, and socializing. Racing begins at 4:00 pm and goes to 7:00 pm. Buffet dinner begins at 5:00 pm. Directions: Take I-80 to exit 99 and head S. for 3.2 miles

Turn right on Highway 138 for 4.8 miles Turn left on Sheep Lane for 0.7 of a mile.

SEAU will also hold its annual golf tournament on Thursday, September 21, 2006 at Bountiful Ridge Golf Course. The results will be announced at the Fall Social and in the October issue of SEAU NEWS.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION OF UTAH

P.O. Box 581292 Salt Lake City, Utah 84158-1292 www.seau.org

Board of Directors

Jeff Miller, President Barry Welliver, Vice Pres./Pres. Elect Julie Ott, Past President Don Barker, Treasurer Russell Merrill, Secretary/Historian Mike Buehner, Member of the Board Shaun Packer, Member of the Board

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