In the wake of Sept. 19’s magnitude-7.1 earthquake that killed at least 369 people in Mexico, geotechnical engineers are calling for routine site-response analyses during design to ensure structures in high seismic zones are not “in tune” with their soil.
On the 32nd anniversary of the magnitude-8.1 earthquake that devastated Mexico City on Sept. 19, 1985, 41 U.S. seismic experts were in a workshop near Los Angeles, polishing a new tool to identify "killer" buildings.
This year, seven major new-
construction fires at four- to six-story wood-framed residential sites caused property loss exceeding $400
million, says the National Fire Protection Association.
A dual steel-plate composite shear-wall system, currently undergoing physical testing, has the potential to replace reinforced concrete cores in high-rise office buildings.
Earthquake-prone San Francisco’s 1,070-ft-tall standout, a decade in the making, outlives the Great Recession, a height reduction, foundation woes and construction delays
The writers of an upcoming e-book aimed at demystifying the reuse of on-site nonpotable water have some advice for architects: Don’t go to building-permit officials with a confrontational attitude.
Successful performance in fire tests of three types of off-the-shelf metal connectors for glue-laminated-timber column-to-beam assemblies will make it easier for designers to get approval for GLT structural systems in buildings up to 85 ft in height, says the Softwood Lumber Board, which sponsored the tests.
Structural engineer John V. “Jack” Christiansen, a leader in the design of thin-shell concrete structures, died on Aug. 16 on Bainbridge Island, Wash. He would have turned 90 on Sept. 28.
