Learn, Innovate, Excel
#68
September 2020
WELCOME to Learn, Innovate, Excel! Our goal with this newsletter is to provide useful information and tips that will help you save time, be more productive, and also reduce risk. This information complements our SE University program, by introducing you to tips on a wide variety of topics affecting structural engineers.
  
If you have any tips you would like to share as part of a future Learn, Innovate, Excel newsletter, please email Lisa Willard or Brian Quinn. 


IN THIS ISSUE...

  • Expert Tips on Reducing Fabrication Costs for HSS
  • 10 Steps for Optimal Email Communication
  • SEU Speaker Inspires Organizations: Friends of Perryville Battlefield and JPII Healing Center
  • States with Upcoming License Renewals
  • Coming Next to SE University
Expert Tips on Reducing Fabrication Costs for HSS

HSS is often perceived to be more expensive than traditional wide flange sections. Engineers tend to stick with tried and true designs and may not delve into the many reasons why their HSS designs rack up big bills. Steel Tube Institute has explored the many causes of why HSS is perceived to be more expensive than wide flange shapes and has shared their findings to educate engineers on creating more efficient designs with HSS.

In the July 2020 SE University session, Kim Olson, PE, from Steel Tube Institute, presented What Your Fabricator Wishes You Knew About HSS. Kim offered several valuable tips during her presentation which can really have an impact on the cost of HSS fabrication

Tip #1: HSS trusses designed to be the lightest possible do not equate to the lowest cost.

Fabrication costs tend to drive up the prices of trusses when the connections become excessive or not well planned. The goal should be to achieve a structure without stiffeners or reinforcement...
10 Steps for Optimal Email Communication

Email communication has become the primary way engineers communicate with clients, contractors, and consultants. It can become habitual to send off a hasty request or an immediate reply without careful consideration of the language used and whether the topic should be handled via email or whether a phone call may be more appropriate. What standards do you use when deciding what gets addressed via email and how can you use emails appropriately and without unnecessary risk?

In the August 2020 SE University session, Jamie Piercy, from PCIA, presented 7 Deadly Email Sins. Jamie explained some best practices for writing well-crafted emails that are clear, concise and actionable. Jamie also presented examples from actual claims cases and disputes to identify inappropriate text and discussed alternative language in emails. She helped participants to recognize email communication which could create a misunderstanding, exacerbate an issue, or implicate the sender in a claim. Alternate methods of communication were also discussed and recommended in some instances.

Jamie offered 10 steps for best practices when writing emails...
SEU Speaker Inspires Organizations: Friends of Perryville Battlefield and JPII Healing Center
In March 2020, SE University welcomed Matthew Rechtien, PE, Esq., from Walter P. Moore, to present 2020 Engineering Ethics Update. Matt designated Friends of Perryville Battlefield (https://www.friendsofperryville.org) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Matt shared, “On October 8, 1862, nearly 8,000 Americans fell in the drought-parched Chaplin Hills of Kentucky during the Battle of Perryville. Perryville played a pivotal role in our nation’s most impactful event. Although the clash is oft-forgotten, those Americans should be remembered and that sacred ground, one of the most pristine civil war battlefields remaining, should be protected. The Friends of Perryville Battlefield is committed to both missions, which I am humbled to advance.”
In April 2020, SE University welcomed Sam Rubenzer, PE, SE, from FORSE Consulting, to present Masonry Checklist: Reviewing Structural Drawings. Sam designated JPII Healing Center (https://jpiihealingcenter.org/) for our SEU Speaker Inspires donation for the month.

Sam shared, “JPII Healing Center brings teaching, healing and equipping to bring transformation to the heart of the Christ’s church. JPII transforms lives helping people set the world on fire with the love of God.”

Thank you, Matt and Sam, for helping structural engineers with your SE University session, and for your designations of Friends of Perryville Battlefield and JPII Healing Center as our SEU Speaker Inspires Organizations of the Month!
STATES WITH UPCOMING LICENSE RENEWALS

In preparation for the end of the year, we'd like to remind you that upcoming SE University sessions can be used to help you meet your continuing education requirements. If additional hours are needed, please contact Lisa Willard to discuss how we can help you. 

The following states have license renewals on November 30:

Illinois SE (November 30)

ALL engineers in the following states have license renewals on December 31st:

Alabama
North Carolina
Georgia
Washington*
Mississippi

SOME engineers in the following states have license renewals on December 31st:

Arkansas
New Mexico
Iowa
North Dakota
Missouri
Oregon
Nebraska

*These states do not have continuing education requirements.

In addition to the states listed above, there are other states that may require renewal based on your initial date of licensure or other rules for that state. Please check your license information to confirm your renewal dates.   
  
For more information about license renewal, please visit our Continuing Education Requirements by State page, where you can click on states in which you are licensed to see the license renewal date, as well as the continuing education requirements for that state. If you would like a complete summary of all 50 states, a PDF file is available for download below the map. This option can also be selected if you are viewing the page from a mobile device.
 
We hope that you find this information beneficial. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Willard.
COMING NEXT TO SE UNIVERSITY

EMBODIED CARBON

On October 14th, Megan Stringer, PE, SE, and Gina Kope, PE, from Holmes Structures, will present Embodied Carbon for SE University. This session will be held from 12:30 - 2:00 pm EDT.

Handouts and registration emails for this session will be sent to SE University companies on Friday, October 9th.

SEU BIM FORUM: TIPS & TRICKS IN REVIT STRUCTURE

On October 28th, Betsy Werra, from E.L.Werra Consulting, will present our SEU BIM Forum: Tips & Tricks in Revit Structure for SE University. This session will be held from 12:30 - 1:30 pm EDT.

Handouts and registration emails for this session will be sent to SE University companies on Friday, October 23rd.


PONDING ON STEEL JOIST ROOFS

On November 11th, Mark D. Denavit, PhD, PE, from University of Tennessee - Knoxville, will present on Ponding on Steel Joist Roofs for SE University. This session will be held from 12:30 - 2:00 pm EST.

Handouts and registration emails for this session will be sent to SE University companies on Friday, November 6th.

To learn more about subscribing to SE University, please contact either Lisa Willard at (805) 482-8436 (Lisa.Willard@LearnWithSEU.com) or Brian Quinn at (616) 546-9420 (Brian.Quinn@LearnWithSEU.com).
Thank you for reading our Learn, Innovate, Excel Newsletter - we hope you found this information useful. If there are any questions we can answer, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email. 

Additionally, if you would be willing to help other structural engineers by sharing tips that you have, please email your tip to Tips@LearnWithSEU.com. If we choose your tip to publish, you will have your choice of a $50 Amazon gift card or a $50 donation sent to the Structural Engineering Association of your choice. 

Regards,
 
Your SE University Team