Kansas City Chapter EDUCATIONAL Meeting

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

REGISTER HERE

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

Join fellow Kansas City chapter members for this two-part in-person event!

Topic: HSS Manufacturing

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Lunch and Networking: Noon to 12:30 PM
Presentation: 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Steel Mill Tour: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM (limited to 14)

Location:

Lunch/Presentation (12:30 PM to 1:30 PM)

Aloft North Kansas City

1875 Diamond Parkway

North Kansas City, MO 64116

Mill Tour (2:00 PM to 3:00 PM)

Atlas Tube

1000 Burlington St

North Kansas City, MO 64116

Speaker: Paul Brasileiro

A structural engineer with over 10 years of experience. Paul has worked with engineered products for his entire career. After serving as a technical sales engineer for design-build companies in the Midwest and Southeast, Paul’s latest move to Atlas Tube in 2023 was a natural fit. He enjoys utilizing his extensive professional network and diverse experience throughout the building process to assist customers in designing unique HSS solutions for their projects. With a strong background in steel products and customer service, Paul is a valuable resource for those seeking to establish a fruitful business relationship with Atlas Tube.

Abstract:
Atlas Tube is thrilled to welcome engineers to our plant for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at HSS manufacturing. Guests will witness the process of creating Hollow Structural Sections (HSS), from flat sheet steel being cold-rolled into shape, to steel being cut into strips and formed into hollow sections through cold roll forming. Finally, they'll see the formed sections cut to length and inspected for quality, experiencing firsthand the precision and innovation that define our industry-leading process. Join us for a day of discovery, networking, and inspiration! The presentation will cover the process of how HSS is manufactured, touching on essential considerations for designing with HSS, the latest in engineered products that best complement HSS applications, and the tools and resources that are available for engineers to aid them in designing with HSS.