Structural loads series

I just read "How to determine structural loads—Part 1," by David Fanella, Ph.D., S.E., P.E., on snow loading in the July issue of Structural Engineer. I appreciated the clarity and ease of understanding within the article. The thoroughness and insight into items such as the fact that the minimum pf value is intended to account for a single large storm made for a very enjoyable read. Thank you David for the great writing!

Brian Wehmeier, P.E., S.E.

Note that Fanella’s "How to determine structural loads—Part 2" was printed in the August issue. This series will continue with articles on seismic and wind load determination this fall. Look for parts 3 and 4 in the November and December issues of Structural Engineer.

Jennifer Goupil, P.E.

Inspiring words

Thanks to Richard Weingardt, P.E., for his great column "Don’t wish your life away" (printed in the August 2008 issue of Structural Engineer)! What a wonderful way to approach your job and your life. Reading it made me understand why I deeply respect and appreciate fellow workers who exhibit this trait. I have kept a copy for our younger hires. If it inspires just one person to step up and assume greater personal responsibility it will have served a noble purpose.

John E. Quinn

PDH Series

I read and enjoy your "From the Editor" comments each month in Structural Engineer. In the August 2008 issue, you discussed professional development and I wish to make some comments.
I am the project civil/structural lead engineer for a very small, employee owner, consulting firm in a small town in Oklahoma. I am the entire civil/structural engineering department here. I am currently licensed in four states and I appreciate that Structural Engineer is providing me ways to obtain PDH credits by including the self-study articles in the magazine. I would like to see more of these in each month’s issue, certainly, at least one per issue.
Being employed at a small (15-20), multidiscipline, consulting engineering firm, I have a limited budget for PDHs that both the company and myself can afford each year. I wonder if the people who established the number of PDH hours required each year thought about how engineers such as me who are employed in small, low-overhead, firms were going to afford the costs to obtain them.

Graham R. Hacker, P.E.