SEA-MW NEWS

INDUSTRY EVENTS

SEA-MW would like to bring the following industry events to your attention:

On October 12th, the ACI National Capital Chapter presents The Structural Genome of the MSG Sphere at the Venetian. This presentation will focus primarily on the cast-in-place concrete structural systems of The MSG Sphere at the Venetian, describing the journey that was taken to get from paper to reality. The presentation will not only focus on describing the various structural components of the project, parametric modeling and algorithmic design, but also the relationships with the various stakeholders and the people involved. Visit for more information and to register: https://www.nccaci.org/event-5387995.

On October 12th, Structural Technologies and Simpson Strong-Tie are partnering to provide a no-cost workshop titled Strengthening Solutions for Concrete and Masonry Structures. The workshop will include information about how Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP), Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM), as well as other methods, can be used to strengthen masonry and concrete structures. Download the event flyer for more information.

Are you interested in getting more involved?  SEA-MW has two new committees and several existing committees looking for volunteers.  We need you!

Join One of Our New Committees Now Forming

1. Sustainable Design Committee: This committee will promote sustainable design practices in structural engineering through leadership, advocacy, outreach and education in the DC area. Information provided by NCSEA’s Sustainable Design Committee (http://www.ncsea.com/committees/sustainabledesign/) could be used to set goals for our local committee.

2. Outreach Committee: This committee will promote structural engineering outside of our profession, develop partnerships with other local groups in the design and construction industries, raise awareness of structural engineering among students in our area, and give back to D/M/V communities through volunteer and outreach efforts. Please contact Michael Zajac at mdzajac@sgh.com if you are interested in joining or leading any of these new committees.

Join One of Our Current Committees

1. Rebuilding Together: This annual service project is a nationwide home repair and rehabilitation initiative dedicated to keeping low-income homeowners living in safety, warmth, and independence through volunteer service. We are looking for volunteers to help plan SEAMW’s annual build. The call for volunteers to work during the event will be posted separately on the SEAMW website. Read more here: https://www.seamw.org/Rebuilding-Together Contact: Kellie Farster, kfarster@walterpmoore.com

2. Local Building Official Outreach Committee: LBOOC is looking for more volunteers to serve as liaisons between SEA-MW and its member firms and Code Officials in the surrounding region. Read more here: https://www.seamw.org/page-18117 Contact: Justin Domire jtd@rath-goss.com and Dave Smith davidsmith@gpinet.com

3. SE3 Committee: The Structural Engineering Engagement and Equity (SE3) Committee raises awareness locally of the NCSEA SE3 survey data, with a focus on recruitment and retention impact, while promoting engagement and equity in the profession. SE3 is looking for representation from more firms to maintain a broad perspective within the committee. Read more here: https://seamw.org/page-18148 Contact: Jen Greenawalt, jgreenawalt@thorntontomasetti.com

4. SEER Committee: The Structural Engineering Emergency Response Committee is looking for additional members to raise awareness of SEER efforts nationally, and facilitate connections with local jurisdictions. Read more here: https://www.seamw.org/SEER-Committee Contact: Kellie Farster, kfarster@walterpmoore.com

5. Young Members Group: YMG provides a community for young structural engineers to interact with their peers in the structural engineering industry, along with their counterparts in other parts of the community, such as young architects and contractors. YMG is looking for leaders to help plan future events. Read more here: https://www.seamw.org/Young-Members-Group Contact: Christian Parker, cparker@af-engineers.com

SEA-MW recently conducted a Firm Ownership Survey of the membership to gather questions about the varying aspects of firm ownership. We had a great response to the survey and collected many interesting and important questions with topics ranging from “How does one get an opportunity for ownership?”, "What are the financial requirements for ownership?", "What are the responsibilities of an owner?", and much much more. This online discussion allowed us to hear from our distinguished panel of local firm owners.

Panelists:

• Marcia Camarda PE, LEED AP – Managing Principal at SK&A Structural Engineers
• Jeff Klaiman, PE – Principal at ADTEK Engineers
• Frank Malits, P.E., F.A.C.I. – Principal at Cagley & Associates
• Justin Domire, PE – Vice President at Rathgeber/Goss Associates

Panelists:

• Steven Spurlock – Quinn Evans
• Peter Baker – Ayers Saint Gross
• John Tingley – EYP
• Jerome Scott – JMSA Architecture

Our speaker: Michael E. Cropper, PE, LEED AP, Senior Associate Thornton Tomasetti

The ASCE 7-16 & 7-22 presentation slides and webinar recording by Emily Guglielmo are available to view.

Presentation Slides:

ASCE 7-16 and 7-22 Wind Webinar Slides.pdf

Zoom Webinar Recoding:

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/SdDiUbm2tLao1g2MZyzzP7HdqyHlwYfD5H9-zPJlWGl2Eiylivzuk3tVC_cKgpki.uteF5kEclWPABZ7j
Passcode: ^l=F@1M3 

The presentation slides for the Building Diaphragm Design webinar are now available for download:

2020-12-02 SEA-MW Diaphragms - Slides with Notes RRJS.pdf

John King of the Rockville, MD Law Firm of King & Attridge died unexpectedly on November 10, 2020.

Joni Mitchell once sang to the effect that:

“....Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?”

While that may be true for some, gladly, for John King, nothing could be further from the truth.

Even if your only exposure to John was within the context of his defense of you or your design firm in a professional liability claim, you knew he was a legal force of nature. In the legal context, he was your advocate and your fierce defender - smart as a whip with a rapier wit and surgical sarcasm in spades when appropriate.

And yet with his calm but intense demeanor, his legal brilliance, and crystalline logic, even his plaintiff’s counterparts had to admit;  “You know, he has a point.”

John was that rare litigation attorney who had full knowledge of the responsibilities and practices of all parties involved in the building construction industry, especially the architectural and engineering aspects of construction disputes. He possessed a unique grasp and understanding of construction law and the entire process of building design and construction.

John supplemented his professional expertise with a keen and quick mind, unique personality, and total sincerity and modesty.

In John King the design community has lost a treasured legal advocate. He will be missed by all who knew him.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=john-king&pid=197096430

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has created personal and professional challenges to all of us.  In many jurisdictions across the country, and here locally, design professionals as well as the construction trades are deemed to be essential 'industries' which continue to function despite many state  'stay at home' orders for nonessential business.

Of all the design phases we perform none is more directly affected by COVID-19 restrictions than Construction Administration.  Concerns for personal safety are paramount compounded by the opportunity to even provide CA service at all.

As SEA-MW members make policy decisions on how to deal with COVID-19 related practice issues, the opinions or positions of other SEA Chapters may be of use to our members.

SEA-MW, in the interests of providing our members with resources to assist them in navigating these difficult times, is providing a link to SEAOC's position paper "On the Critical Function of Structural Engineering During the COVID-19 Pandemic." 

We encourage all our members to read this thoughtful document and consider how it may apply in your firm's response to your projects and your clients.

Please note that the SEAOC document is provided for general informational purposes only.  

Each SEA-MW member firm should verify the jurisdictional orders applicable to their firm's practice and those governing a particular project.   Please use the SEAOC information accordingly.

Be Safe.

Practice smart 

After our successful dinner meeting and panel discussion on the “The DC Permitting Process” on October 17th, SEA-MW members and DCRA have put together a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document to answer common questions we have regarding the DC permitting process. Please feel free to share this document with clients and owners to help educate them on the current permitting process in DC.

• Lynn Underwood – DCRA (Former Chief Building Official) & CCCB
• Garret Whitescarver – DCRA (Acting Chief Building Official) & CCCB: clarence.whitescarver@dc.gov
• Christopher Bailey – DCRA (Deputy Building Official) & CCCB: Christopher.Bailey@dc.gov
• Wayne Ferguson – DCRA (Velocity Team): Wayne.Ferguson@dc.gov
• Jeffrey Reiss – DCRA (Third Party Review Manager): Jeffj.Reiss@dc.gov
• Ian Swain – Commun-ET (Permit Expeditor): iswain@commun-et.com
• Kellie Farster – SEA-MW & CCCB (Structural Engineer): Kellief@skaengineers.com

DCRA Permitting Process - FAQs