Kansas City Chapter EDUCATIONAL Meeting

Topic: David Booth Memorial Stadium, University of Kansas

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025, 12 - 1 PM

Location: HNTB Corporation, 715 Kirk Drive, KCMO, Conference Room 252

Abstract:

Built in 1921, David Booth Memorial Stadium was constructed to honor the 129 students and alumni who died in World War I, making “the world safe for democracy.” Major renovations in the 1960s and 1990s added more seating, suites, and a press box. The latest vision includes a transformed stadium, renovated Anderson Family Football Complex, and a new state-of-the-art conference center. These changes aim to create a world-class experience for fans and student-athletes. Phase 1 includes completed renovations of the weight room and locker room at the Anderson Family Football Complex, a complete rebuild of the southwest, west, and north sides of the stadium, and the new conference center on the north end. This presentation will provide an overview of the project, discuss the approach to the compressed construction schedule, highlight structural challenges, and offer recommendations for design professionals based on lessons learned.

https://kugatewaydistrict.com/david-booth-kansas-memorial-stadium/

Speaker:

Jeff Adams, P.E., S.E.

Structures Group Director, HNTB Corporation, HNTB Architecture

Mr. Adams has over 25 years of experience in project management, structural engineering design, and construction administration. His expertise spans sports, aviation, transportation, recreational, convention, parking, and industrial projects. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in multiple states and a Structural Engineer (S.E.) in Georgia. He is a member of the ACI 362 Parking Structures Committee and professional organizations including the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the American Concrete Institute (ACI).

Publications & Presentations:

• Field Instrumentation and Monitoring of KDOT Fiber Composite Bridge for Long-Term Behavior Assessment (2006)
• Big Draw, Modern Steel Construction (February 2009)
• University of Illinois Memorial Stadium, 54th Annual Structural Engineering Conference, University of Kansas (March 2009)

Fees:

SEAKM Member - $0.00

Non-Member - $30.00

Join us at HNTB for lunch, networking and socializing starting at 11:30 AM. The presentation will begin promptly at noon.

REGISTER HERE

Thank you to HNTB for being the luncheon sponsor!

Topic:   Case Study: Four Story Assisted Living Facility Alleges Unacceptable Design and Construction Defects. What Can We Learn? 

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 12 - 1 PM
Lunch, networking and socialization from 11:30 am - Noon

Location:

KU Edwards Campus | Best Conference Center, Room 130

Abstract:
A four story, 22,200 m2 (239,000 ft2) wood light-framed assisted-living residential structure was examined for the causes of multiple alleged construction and design defects. The structure was framed using certain "advanced framing" techniques. Observed defects included uneven floors, window and door operation problems, misaligned I-joists and detailing problems with the building envelope. Alleged design defects related to structural engineering included wood shrinkage, uneven and excessive settlement and inadequate design documents.

We discuss our approach and methods towards the investigation, including steps taken to ensure fairness in our examination. We present the possible defects in design and construction that we discovered which were easily preventable. We will present recommendations for practicing design professionals and code officials including:

• Reasonable tolerances for light framed wood construction,
• Additional details or specifications to clarify design intent,
• Examples of design errors that could occur in a complex wood structure,
• Risks and errors that can occur in advanced framing systems that might be avoided by careful detailing by the design team.
• How litigation proceeds in a complex project.

Conclusions and recommendations can be applied to any light-framed wood structure but are particularly applicable to buildings in North America. Designers and Code Officials should gain a better understanding of the problems and solutions for complex, light, wood-framed structures. Wood construction can be quality construction with the right approach! 

Speaker:

William Kirkham,  Ph.D., P.E.*, S.E.**, APT Engineering, LLC 

I am a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, KS, MD, MO, NC, NY, TX, VA, WA and Structural Engineer (S.E.) in AZ, HI, IL, OK, OR, UT. (Only 14 states presently have SE licensing. The remaining states license structural engineers as PEs.)  I am a member of the ASCE Infrastructure Resilience Division/Risk And Resilience Measurements Committee, and the ASCE Infrastructure Resilience Division/Social Science, Policy, Economics, Education Decision Committee.  My professional organizations include the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In the past, I have been a member of the American Wood Council, the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon, the Forest Products Society and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.  I have been chosen Outstanding Reviewer, ASCE Journal of Architectural Engineering. (2020) and Outstanding Reviewer, ASCE Practice Periodical for Design and Construction. (2022).  My major conference presentations include: - The Statistical History of US Tornadoes. ASCE/SEI Structures Congress (2022) - How Levels of Fabrication Precision Can Lead to Improved Quality in Light Frame Wood Construction. ASCE/SEI Structures Congress (2019) - Reducing Construction Defects and Design Errors in Timber Buildings. ASCE/SEI Structures Congress (2018) - Case Study: Four Story Assisted Living Facility Alleges Unacceptable Design and Construction Defects; What Can We Learn?. ASCE/SEI Structures Congress Conference (2015)  My research publications have been cited 101 times by other researchers, according to Google Scholar. 

Fees:

SEAKM Member - $20.00

Non SEAKM Member - $30.00

THIS HYBRID SESSION IS ELIGIBLE FOR 1.0 PDH CREDIT. CERTIFICATES WILL BE EMAILED OUT TO ATTENDEES ONE-WEEK AFTER THE MEETING.