Located in Moline’s Overlook District, the Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center were constructed in 1872 and 1892, respectively. These neighboring, historic mansions are now managed by a non-profit organization. Working with the...
With the Littleton Trials, students at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design investigated New England forestry practices, mass timber construction, and wood’s heat transfer behavior. They conducted studies on three timber-...
Adapted in the 1970s, the Mercantile Wharf Building now includes four levels of apartments over ground-floor retail space. SGH completed a condition assessment of the timber-framed and masonry bearing wall structure.
Previously part of the Boston Rubber Shoe Company, the mill buildings at 1000 Stone Place date back to the late 1800s. Wood Partners wanted to redevelop the property as luxury apartments. The project included preserving the two mill buildings and...
Formerly a textile mill, Washington Mills Lofts is now a trendy apartment building taking advantage of the mill’s tall ceiling heights and large windows. With exposed brick and timber framing, the apartments offer modern amenities with nods...
In August 2011, the apartment building at 1625 North Ode Street experienced differential settlement and damage after the excavation support at an adjacent construction site failed. SGH assessed the condition of the existing four-story building...
Built in 1937 as Doris Duke’s Hawaiian estate, Shangri La is now open to the public for viewing the heiress’s extensive collection of Islamic art. One of Hawaii’s most architecturally significant homes, the complex is inspired...
Needing more student housing, the university undertook developing a new residence hall on Berkeley’s south side. The architects’ design, which maximizes natural light and ventilation, integrates a contemporary building with the...
Match Charter Public School (Match), a free public school in Boston, sought to renovate an existing building at 215 Forest Hills Street to house their middle school. Working for Match, SGH performed a due diligence survey of the structure and...
During February 2011, heavy snowfall with a sustained period of below-freezing temperatures resulted in significant snow accumulation in the northeast United States. SGH investigated reported fractures in glue-laminated (glulam) timber roof beams...
Abstract: Integrating sill pan window flashing can be challenging using block-frame windows or installing flashings within a recessed opening in a concrete wall. Two case studies summarize the details of design and retrofit installation for sill...
Abstract: Our practice in forensic engineering includes wood structures. Over time, we have received many calls about buildings with metal-plate-connected wood-roof trusses (trusses). Trusses are used extensively, both within the housing industry...
Abstract: Wood-destroying fungi are the predominant damaging biodeterioration agents affecting the performance of untreated wood piles supporting historic buildings today. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, when this type...
When wood foundation piles deteriorate, they can become incapable of supporting the buildings founded on them. This article, Part 1 of a 3-part series on pile biodegradation, discusses the available investigative techniques aimed at quantifying,...
Abstract: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) W33 Cage Building is a 32,000 square foot athletic facility, located on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The facility is a functional space for many of MIT's athletic...
Abstract: The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), formerly the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), is charged with maintaining the Bernie King Pavilion. Built in the late nineteenth century, this open timber...
Abstract: A longstanding and excellent client called with a unique problem. The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) was charged with maintaining the Bernie King Pavilion. Built in the late nineteenth century, the structure is an open pavilion...
Abstract: This paper applies the emerging concept of Design for Disassembly (DfD) to building structural systems. DfD benefits the environment by simplifying building modifications and end-of-life disassembly. Buildings are more likely to be...
Abstract: This paper presents case studies to illustrate the importance of wood-engineering education in actual engineering projects and applications. The case studies are based on real projects from our engineering practice and include...
Abstract: The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the effect of reference displacement on wall behavior under fully reversed cyclic loading using the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE) test...