By James K. Farley, PE, SE

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented all of us with once-in-a-lifetime, unusual circumstances. This will likely be the most bizarre era of our careers as structural engineers. And, this will be a challenging era for SEAW without a doubt.

But when I think about a structural engineer’s work in the Covid-19 context, one situation comes to mind. How many times have our clients presented us with unusual conditions that absolutely must be included in the final design? How often do we confront these unusual conditions with a wish that we could utilize a simpler, easier design solution? Unfortunately, in these situations we are required to accommodate these unusual conditions and make the best of it.

I have come to the conclusion that the unusual conditions presented to SEAW by the Covid-19 pandemic can be met with the same attitude and professional integrity. This is what structural engineers do best. Within SEAW, for the 2020-2021 year, we can find solutions to problems no one ever anticipated would need to be solved. Until swapping stories over a drink at our favorite dinner meeting venues becomes a reality again, we will need to redesign the function of SEAW.

The most important thing that all SEAW members can do is to embrace connectivity via the virtual platforms that are available to us. Dinner meetings will need to take the form of webinar-style meetings. Chapter Board meetings will need to do the same. You may have already seen this happen with your Chapter, or perhaps this will be a new experience for you this fall.

Now, more than ever, emails from SEAW and from your respective Chapters is an important way that SEAW Leadership can inform members. I know sometimes the last thing any of us wants to see is another email. But when connecting in person is not possible, emails are important.

The benefit of these current circumstances is the lack of required travel time. This year no one will need to rush from work to the dinner meeting. Or worry about taking time off work to attend educational events. The upside of webinar formats is that the event comes to your home or your office.

Now is a great time to take part in Chapter meetings and Board meetings on a regular basis. And while the webinars are coming your way, take advantage of the continuing education opportunities they present. Even the NCSEA Summit is entirely virtual this year. If you have never had the opportunity to attend the NCSEA Summit due to cost or travel concerns, now is your best chance to learn from the Summit event and bring that knowledge and experience back to your Chapter and to your office.

I encourage all SEAW members to recognize the positive outcomes of our current circumstances. And while we all wish things would return to normal, we can find a new course of action until normality is restored. While the circumstances are certainly unusual, I am pleased to be the SEAW President. And I look forward to finding a working solution to fit the current situation.

By Nathalie Boeholt

The SEAW Education Committee is looking for a new chair or co-chairs. The current chair (Nathalie Boeholt) has decided to step down after over 4 years of volunteering in this position. This is a great leadership opportunity to chair a committee composed of dedicated individuals from different companies and agencies in the region. In the last year, the committee has grown from 3 to 7 members.

The purpose of the Education Committee is to plan and organize structural engineering seminars for the SEAW and the AEC community. These events represent a significant portion of the revenue for SEAW. In the last few years, seminars have expanded to webinar options and the latest event on May 16^th, the 2018 IBC Structural Updates, was webinar-only due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The benefits of joining are the following:

We are looking for one individual to chair or two individuals to co-chair for a minimum of 1 year. Nathalie will remain on the committee and be available to coach the new chair(s). We use a website for sharing a schedule and documents which will help make the transition seamless. Organizing seminars is just like “throwing a big party” as the previous chair would say…and you get the benefit of going for free, being surrounded with very smart people and learning something along the way!

Please email nathalie.boeholt@seattle.gov if you are interested. We are also always looking for new members so feel free to email about that too.

By Angela Gottula Twining

The Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington is pleased to announce details for its 10th Annual Fall Forum, to be held virtually on Thursday, November 12, 2020. “Bridging Washington: The History, Structure, and Innovation of Washington State Bridges” will be presented by Maureen Elenga, local author and historian, and John Stanton, PhD, professor of civil engineering at the University of Washington.

The 7,300 bridges in Washington state are full of stories. Some are stories of history and culture, necessity and politics, or the challenges and marvels of engineering. Learning these stories connects communities more closely to their built environment and honors the design, engineering, and legacy of these significant spans. Ms. Elenga will share the cultural, quirky, and even surprising histories of several local bridges, while Dr. Stanton will reveal engineering mysteries and bring them to life for the technical observer. The event will be of interest to designers, engineers, students -- and anyone who travels over bridges.

Tentatively, the free event will broadcast live from Seattle Town Hall and include an interactive question and answer session. Registration for the event is requested and is open at www.sefw.org

SEFW is particularly eager to personally invite and engage SEAW members statewide, who each have an opportunity to participate in this momentous event!

The details in summary:

Corporate partnership opportunities are available and will be sent to firms later this month. Individuals are also invited to become “Friends of the Foundation” with a $100 donation. All partners and Friends will be recognized at the virtual event.

Please contact any SEFW Board member with questions or email the administrator at admin@sefw.org. 

Fall Forum Speakers

The SEAW Wind Engineering Committee will again start meeting every other month, typically on the third or fourth Thursday.

Next Meeting: Thursday September 17 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm.

  Go to meeting log-in information:

 Phone dial in: +1 (408) 650-3123

 Access Code: 198-612-421

Please contact the WEC chair, Scott Douglas sdouglasscott@gmail.com, to join the SEAW WEC and to receive information and announcements on Committee activities and actions.

The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) recently voted to further delay the implementation date of the 2018 I-Codes to February 1, 2021. Given this delay, there may be some uncertainty as to which codes local building departments (AKA, authority having jurisdiction - AHJ) will accept for projects currently planned to be submitted between the previous implementation date of November 1st and the new date of February 1st. The recent impacts related to Covid-19 have presented unique circumstances and challenges for design professionals.

For projects designed to the 2018 Washington State Construction Codes that will be submitted prior to February 1, 2021, the WABO/SEAW Liaison Committee recommends that a code alternate request be submitted for evaluation by the local AHJ.  This recommendation is based on the fact that the 2018 Codes have already been approved by the SBCC. As always, you should reach out to the AHJ beforehand to confirm that this is an acceptable path for the submittal of your project.  Keep in mind, if your project is designed to comply with the 2018 I-Codes you must use the entire suite of codes and the standards referenced within. You will not typically be able to use the provisions from any other code edition.

By Tom Young and Carolynn Moody

Northwest Concrete Masonry Association (NWCMA) is pleased to announce that the Central Spokane YMCA/YWCA and Parkrose Middle School (Portland, OR) recently achieved the U.S. Resiliency Council (USRC) Silver Rating. The USRC Building Rating System describes the expected impacts of an earthquake or other natural disaster on buildings. The Silver Rating indicates achievement of key performance targets including limited building damage and a shortened operational recovery time after a major seismic event. Most importantly, loss of life caused directly by building damage is not anticipated.

Tom Young, Executive Director of NWCMA, explains, “A resilient building is an asset to a community. In addition to being a good long-term investment it can often serve as a recovery operations center or provide shelter to a community impacted by a natural disaster.”

The Central Spokane YMCA/YWCA is a two-story load-bearing masonry building designed by ALSC Architects and Coffman Engineers. It utilizes both 8” and 12” concrete masonry shear walls.

Achieving the USRC Silver Rating recognizes the inherent resiliency of these reinforced masonry buildings which were the first two rated under the USRC Getting-to-Silver initiative. Resilient buildings perform well and contribute to resilient communities.

The Outreach committee is actively planning to participate in virtual events this school year. We are looking into schools and organizations that might be hosting such events. If you know of any, please pass along the information to the committee at SEAWOutreach@gmail.com. If you are interested in engaging with students, teachers and parents about Structural Engineering virtually with tools like Zoom, please sign up as a volunteer at SEAW Outreach page.

By Ishani Singal

On July 23rd, 2020, the SEAW YMG hosted a technical talk by Cast-Connex, as part of the Cast-Connex series. The topic covered “Castings in Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel”. This was quite informative as it is outside the norm of topics covered in schools or colleges. Brian Miller from Cast-Connex went over a variety of different projects that had utilized Cast-Connex systems, how they were formed and the benefits of using them. It was definitely interesting to learn about how complicated, yet aesthetic, structures can be cast using structural steel while making construction easier. The event was a huge success based on our participant feedback and we hope to hold more of these technical talks in the future. Special thanks to Brian Miller from Cast-Connex for presenting.

The SEAW YMG also hosted a PE info session on Aug 19th, 2020. Like info sessions in the past, the aim was to provide young engineers a chance to get answers about the upcoming PE exam. However, this entire event was held on Zoom and it was the first such event that the YMG organized. The event was moderated to make sure it ran smoothly. We had (4) panelists, one from each of the following firms: Magnusson Klemencic Associates, DCI, KPFF, and Jacobs. Panelists were asked a list of standard questions to get insight on their experience and study tactics, after which the floor was opened to the audience. We had about (30) participants who were actively engaged, asking the panelists a variety of questions ranging from the PE application process to how to study for the PE. Thank you to all the panelists who helped make this event a success.

Contact the committee chair if you are interested in learning more or getting involved:

·    NCSEA Delegate – Chun Lau

·    Earthquake Engineering Committee – Kai Ki Mow

·    One of the current main focus and an important topic that the committee hopes to address in the upcoming year is the Increased Seismic Load in the newly published ASCE 7-16.

·    Members interested in EEC can find additional information regarding the meeting on the SEAW website calendar or can contact the committee chair.

·    Outreach Committee - Gino Mazzotti 

·    To receive emails about volunteer opportunities please sign up on the SEAW Outreach page

·    Sustainability Committee – Chris Jeseritz

·    Refresher Committee – Mark Whiteley

·    Public Information Committee – Darrell Staaleson

·    Disaster Preparation/Response Committee – Joyce Lem

·    WABO Liaison Committee – Matt Snook

·    The SEAW/WABO Liaison committee is now available for questions from SEAW or WABO members. These questions can be about subjects addressed in the white papers already issued or general questions in the realm of structural engineering practice as it relates to interaction with the various building departments. Comments or questions can be emailed to matts@cplinc.com.

·    Technology Taskforce – Morgan Wiese

·    Membership Task Group – Jill Shuttleworth

·    Continuing Education Committee – Nathalie Boeholt

·   Scholarship Committee – Kevin Solberg

In accordance with SEAW bylaws, membership applications are vetted by the executive director, granted probationary status by the chapter board, and posted for membership comment. Membership is considered accepted 30 days after posting if current year dues are paid and no member objections have been received. Read More

Are you currently seeking employment as a structural engineer, senior manager, or a senior engineer technician? Check out our job board for current employment opportunities. Learn More

Stephanie Wood | HR and Safety Manager

Fisher Construction Group

sw@fishercgi.com | 625 Fisher Lane, Burlington, WA 98233

Desk: 360.757.5677 | Cell: 360.630.6880 |Fax: 360.757.3159

Learn more about our services at www.fishercgi.com

Please visit our website, for additional information and job descriptions for each of these positions. Inquires and resumes may be sent to careers@lundopsahl.com.

Seattle Structural is looking for qualified professionals to join our talented group practicing across a number of different industries. Seattle Structural offers an excellent opportunity to work on a variety of public and private institutional, healthcare, educational, and commercial projects both domestically and internationally. We offer a competitive salary and a relaxed, collaborative work environment. Benefits include medical insurance, transit reimbursement, and retirement matching. Seattle Structural is a firm that makes it easy to become personally invested in the achievements of your company.

Seattle Structural is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please address inquiries to:

Howard Burton, President

Seattle Structural PS Inc.

3131 Elliott Ave STE 600A

Seattle, WA 98121

MLA Engineering has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Structural Engineer to join our consulting and design firm in Seattle, WA. Our diverse projects require critical thinking and creativity that is cultivated through our problem-solving approach in a small group environment. 

Qualifications required for this Structural Engineer position include:

Our work environment encourages creativity, teamwork, and professional growth. To learn more about MLA, please visit our website at: www.mlaengineering.com

Apply: Send PDF (resume and cover letter) to info@mlaengineering.com

Location: Convenient Downtown Seattle location with excellent public transit options; potential opportunities in New York City.

Benefits: Top line Medical, Dental & Vision insurance, generous HRA account, 401K Plan w/4% matching, PTO & Sick LV, and professional training

Work Schedule: Flexible

Salary: Competitive + bonuses

Projects: Diverse and often unique

Equilibrium is back! I hope this newsletter can help keep us connected in our new normal.

ACTION ITEMS:

1.All members are welcome to submit articles to Equilibrium. To help you with your writer's block, here are a few topics: Write “Engineer's Notes from Afield,” summarize an interesting technical design you worked on, write about how you have been successful and increased productivity with an accounting procedure or marketing technique, write about your experiences doing community service, or share some construction site photos and talk about lessons learned.

2.“A Picture and a Paragraph.” Please use the article submittal form provided and the picture needs a caption along with the names of the people in the photo.

3.Please submit your articles in Word format using the Article Template. [Article Template]

4.Please send your articles to jmg485@cornell.edu

CORRECTIONS:

None.

What animal forms the Latin root for the word “vaccine”?

Clue: The animal was associated with a virus that was used against smallpox.

Bonus: What common food is used to grow influenza for flu shots?

Look on the SEAW Facebook Page for a picture clue!

The first SEAW member to respond on our SEAW Facebook Page – with a correct and full answer - will get a prize.

A Triscuit gets its name from the combination of what two words?

Clue: One word relates to how they are baked.

Bonus: What is triskaidekaphobia?

Picture Clue:

Answer:

The name Triscuit is a combination of the words “electricity” and “biscuit”. An early advertisement claimed they were “Baked by Electricity”.

Triskaidekaphobia is not the fear of triscuits (despite their sharp edges), but the fear of the number 13.