Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Staff Participate in ASCE Forensic Congress
Several Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) staff members participated in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Forensic Engineering 8th Congress, held in Austin, Texas, from 29 November to 2 December 2018. The event – centered on the theme “Forging Forensic Frontiers” – brought together engineers, researchers, designers, and project and construction managers to discuss best practices and new approaches to forensic engineering.
The ASCE Forensic Engineering Division recognized SGH Staff Consultant Leonard Morse-Fortier during the congress, giving him the 2017 Forensic Engineering Award for his dedication to the field, the division’s highest honor. He also served on the Technical Program Committee for the event; was an instructor for the short course, “Workshop on the Practice of Forensic Engineering;” and moderated two technical sessions on “Performance of Special Structures” and “Blast and Extreme Loading.”
During ASCE’s technical program, SGH representatives contributed to eight featured papers on the following topics:
- “Two-Way Shear Strengthening of Cast-in-Place Lightweight Concrete Flat Slab Repairs and Remediation,” authored by SGH Senior Staff I Connor Bruns with co-authors Corey Aumiller, Staff II; and Terry McDonnell, Principal
- “Lessons Learned from Recent Failures of Structural Timber Appurtenant Assemblies,” co-authored by SGH Senior Principal Kevin Moore with William Fennell of Engineered Research Group, Inc.
- “Building System Failures Due to Improper Interaction, Understanding How Mechanical Systems and Building Enclosures Must Work Together,” authored by SGH Senior Principal Sean O’Brien with co-authors Brienna Rust, Senior Staff I; and Amrish Patel, Senior Project Manager
- “Heads Up – Flashing Ahead,” authored by SGH Staff Consultant Robert Bateman
- “Sill Crazy – After All These Years,” authored by Robert Bateman
- “Field Experience and Lessons Learned in Bending High-Strength Steel Reinforcement,” authored by SGH Senior Project Manager Kevin Conroy with co-authors Craig Brown of Element Materials Technology and SGH Staff Consultant Neal Anderson
- “Understanding Wood Moisture Movement in Diagnosing Problems with Wood-Frame Structures,” authored by Leonard Morse-Fortier
- “Evaluation of Fire Effects on Precast, Prestressed Concrete Members,” authored by SGH Senior Project Manager Filippo Masetti with co-authors Gloriana Arrieta Martinez, Staff II; and Sean O’Brien
In addition, SGH Principal Nathaniel Smith participated on the “Preconstruction Surveys” panel discussion with James Cohen of James Cohen Consulting and Benjamin Cornelius of LERA Consulting Structural Engineers. John Wylie of Construction Science and Engineering, Inc., moderated the panel.