A conversation with:
Byoung-Jun (BJ) Lee, PhD, PE, SE
WDP & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc., Manassas, VA
Non-structural elements of a building include components such as exterior walls, veneers, windows, curtain walls, partitions, interior finishes, ceilings, roofing systems, etc., which are constructed using a variety of materials. Distress and deterioration of these components are often overlooked because they are not part of the primary structural system. However, structural evaluation of non-structural components is sometimes necessary to determine the root cause of observed distress and to develop appropriate repair or retrofit measures.
In the West Virginia Capitol Building, several cracks were observed on the interior surface of the plaster dome. An in-depth investigation revealed that the dome was constructed using gypsum plaster reinforced with coconut fibers. The use of coconut fiber as a reinforcing material in building construction is extremely rare, and no published literature was available regarding its mechanical behavior or performance in this application. To address this knowledge gap, a series of material tests and detailed analyses were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composite material, assess the structural behavior of the dome, and determine the extent of retrofitting required.
1 hour PDH will be offered.
Schedule:
12 p.m. Membership Meeting
12:10 p.m. Presentation followed by Q&A
Speaker:
Byoung-Jun (BJ) Lee is a senior structural engineer of WDP and Associates located in Manassas, Virginia. He specializes in architectural engineering and structural engineering services including failure investigations, analysis, and repair design. He has expertise in structural analysis and repair, evaluation of existing structures, and non-destructive testing of concrete structures. He is involved in forensic field and laboratory investigations, condition assessments, façade and building envelope investigations, development of design documents, and repair recommendations in reinforced concrete, steel, composite, masonry, wood, and cold form steel constructions. He has also written more than 20 technical papers in technical journals and proceedings.
This is a virtual event. The Zoom link will be sent to all registrants prior to the program.
