This is the sixth issue of the newly focused Structural Engineering & Design magazine. Since many readers are still becoming familiar with our goal, I wanted to discuss it in terms of the content of the July issue.
As I explained in the January issue, Structural Engineering & Design serves the core needs of structural engineers with coverage of the building codes, design techniques, new and relevant technology — including building information (BIM) — market trends, and structural products. In addition, our robust coverage will include examples of successful team collaboration, especially well-designed and coordinated project details, integrated design and project delivery, and sustainable design. It will also educate structural engineers on the architectural issues pertinent to their work.
This month our cover story describes the challenges of the structural engineering team at Forell/Elsesser Engineers as they collaborated on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life — a 8.5 acre "brownfield" redevelopment providing a mixed-use, intergenerational community center in urban Palo Alto, Calif. Interviews with the structural engineer and architect of record present a personal account of the project delivery and sustainability goals, while stunning photography from professional photographer Vito Palmisano offers a visual tour beginning on page 10.
In addition to the cover story, feature articles are deliberately selected to cover market trends, structural design, and new technology. The exclusive article, "A spotlight on top revenue: Fifty firms prosper despite weak economy," by Tara Richards is the result of in-house research and an example of our efforts to provide industry data to you so that you can better assess your firm's position in the market place. Did we pique your interest? The article begins on page 20.
Not only do structural engineers look for savings in the structures they design, but practitioners can be instrumental in eliminating significant costs by investigating the loads and codes that affect the structural design. One area where the structural engineer can add extreme value is geotechnical testing. Author Stephen Metz, P.E., discusses the AIA contracts that describe the geotechnical engineering relationships as well as provides a case study where his firm saved the owner $1-2 million because of his team's knowledge and advice around geotechnical testing. Read "How to help an owner save on project costs" on page 24.
Feedback from the first few issues of the year included concerns that technical articles were not going to be included in Structural Engineering & Design. Of course, this is not the case. In fact, practitioners still need to keep up with the technical details of structural engineering despite the need to learn more about other business and aesthetic aspects of design. To meet the expectation of technical content that was established with Structural Engineer, authors of this month's concrete feature, "So similar, yet still different," suggest a new method for flexural design based upon established methods and research and they get very technical in the process; see page 26.
I believe that the BIM evolution has settled into a "how" rather than an "if " decision. My recent trip to Orlando, Fla., for the joint NASCC: The Steel Show and the ASCE/SEI Structures Congress confirmed this. With practitioners and structural design engines fully embracing BIM, the new developments are from building system and product manufacturers. Addressing the established discussion around BIM, "Collaborative steel joist design: Early teamwork can bring cost reductions to most steel projects" begins on page 32. This manufacturer perspective piece brings to light how the whole industry is continuing to embrace this relevant technology.
The columns round out the coverage and inform practitioners on business and project management and legal issues. Don't forget to read Richard Weingardt, P.E.'s "The View From Here" on page 42 — he has been educating structural engineers for a decade about the history of the profession.
I don't spend a lot of time describing the editorial intent of each issue, but wanted to reemphasize some of our goals so that you are all well aware of our strategy and can continue to provide excellent feedback.
Jennifer Goupil, P.E.,
jgoupil@stagnitomedia.com
