May 10, 2019

Performance and Policy Related to Aluminum Culverts in Wisconsin

By: Jesse Beaver, Brent Bass

Current Wisconsin Department of Transportation policy severely limits the use of aluminum drainage structures (pipe and box culverts) based on the observation of pitting corrosion from deicing salts that led to the failure of an aluminum culvert...

Keywords:Corrosion, Culvert, Metal-Aluminum
April 10, 2019

Development of a New-Generation High-Strength Post-Tensioned Anchor Bar

By: Jared Brewe, Neal Anderson

The new signature, steel arch bridge for I-74 over the Mississippi River is connected to the abutments by high-strength, post-tensioned anchorage bars. To achieve a design 100-yr service life for the anchorage bars in an exposed condition, a...

Keywords:Corrosion, Materials Testing for Design, Metal-Steel, Research/Development
March 26, 2019

Considerations for Custom Facade System Design

By: Scott Bondi, John Jackson
Designing custom glazing systems – such as structural glass walls or unitized curtain walls – is a complex task that varies widely from project to project, often depending on architectural goals and logistical constraints.
Services:Building Enclosure Design
Keywords:Curtain Wall, Glass and Glazing
March 26, 2019

Passive House Design for High-Performance Building Enclosures

By: Cheryl Saldanha, Gert Guldentops

The building enclosure is at the core of Passive House (PH) design – it is the “passive” system that regulates energy transfer. The mechanical and other “active” systems supplement the enclosure design to maintain...

Services:Building Enclosure Design
Keywords:Building Science
March 15, 2019

Thermal Enhancements for Aluminum-Framed Curtain Walls - A Practical Perspective and Some Nonthermal Considerations

By: Mary Arntzen, Derek McCowan

In the March issue Interface – The Journal of RCI, Mary Arntzen and Derek McCowan discuss various modifications that may be made to aluminum-framed curtain walls to improve their thermal performance. This article discusses enhancement...

Services:Building Enclosure Design
Keywords:Curtain Wall, Glass and Glazing, Thermal
March 15, 2019

Window Receptor Frames in 2018: More Than Just Accessories

By: John Karras, Megan Toumanios, Jin Rui Yap

In the March issue of the RCI Technical Journal, Interface, John Karras, Megan Toumanios, and Jin Rui Yap examine window receptor frames. The article takes a close look at the topic, including provisions in window industry standards and...

Services:Building Enclosure Design
Keywords:Windows
March 2, 2019

Facade Inspection and Maintenance

By: Peter Babaian
A well-designed, constructed, and maintained building facade protects the building interior from water leakage, air infiltration, and energy loss. However, environmental exposure and time can degrade facade components. Facade deterioration can lead to a range of issues from compromised performance to potential falling hazards.
Services:Building Enclosure Investigation
Keywords:Condition Assessment, Facade Inspection, Facade Ordinance, Ordinance
February 12, 2019

Welded Steel Moment Resisting Frames

By: Ronald Hamburger, James O. Malley

This is one of a series describing surprising lessons engineers have learned from earthquakes and, in particular, the January 17, 1994, Northridge earthquake. Engineers have been learning from earthquakes for more than 100 years by observing the...

Services:Structural Investigation
Keywords:Frame Moment, Metal-Steel, Seismic Engineering and Retrofit
February 12, 2019

Performance-Based Design is the Future

By: Donald Dusenberry

We, as structural engineers, often find ourselves confined by a situation we created for ourselves. We operate in a design environment with easy access to information, have the ability to collect and analyze extensive data, and have access to...

Services:Structural Design
Keywords:Codes & Standards, Performance-based
January 16, 2019

Designing for Flooding and Sea Level Rise

By: Aaron Lewis, Gregory Doelp
Natural disasters can significantly damage buildings and disrupt operations. With flooding as the nation’s leading cause of disaster, it is important for facility owners and managers to understand flood risk and possible mitigation options.
Keywords:Below-Grade, Below-Ground Waterproofing, Flood, Waterproofing

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