Structure Magazine

07/10/2025

The coordinated embassy bombings in East Africa in 1998 served as a wake-up call for structural engineers, driving new approaches to designing secure compounds. In this detailed article, Chris Heckmann, Achraf Ayad, and Leslie Duffy break down the structural considerations that go into designing facilities that can withstand blasts, forced entry, and progressive collapse—all while navigating the real-world challenges of budget, architectural intent, and carbon impact. From anti-ram barriers to blast-resistant facades, this article shows how thoughtful engineering can protect lives in the face of deliberate threats.

📖 Read the article: https://www.structuremag.org/?p=25669

07/09/2025

Steel, stone, sunlight, science. Wesleyan’s New Science Building is as smart as the minds it’s built for.

📖Continue reading: https://www.structuremag.org/article/scientific-growth-of-a-campus/

07/08/2025

📢 The July edition of STRUCTURE Magazine is here! This month’s issue features innovative projects, material insights, and real-world structural challenges — including a special section on Connections. Take a look at what’s inside:

🔹 Nature-Inspired Hybrid
Kresge College’s new Academic Center takes hybrid timber design to the next level.

🔹 SPECIAL SECTION: CONNECTIONS
From bolted plates to welded frames, industry leaders share how material trends and real-world challenges are reshaping connection design.

🔹 Trial by Fire
Converting a 179-year-old Maryland academic building into a boutique hotel wasn’t easy — but structural creativity made it possible.

🔹 Mass Timber and the Power of Reuse
The University of Houston’s RAD Center shows how mass timber and smart reuse can go hand in hand.

📖 Dive in now: https://www.structuremag.org/issues/2025-digital-issues/july-2025/

07/07/2025

🛠️ BEHIND THE SCENES at STRUCTURE Magazine: On June 13, the STRUCTURE Magazine Editorial Board gathered in person at NCSEA’s Chicago office to help shape the future of the publication. This dedicated group of volunteers brings diverse insight and technical expertise to every issue—ensuring STRUCTURE continues to inform and inspire the structural engineering community.

👉 Want to meet the board or get in touch? Click here: https://www.structuremag.org/about/

07/03/2025

AI is no longer a future concept—it’s a present-day opportunity for structural engineers. Through its inaugural Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISE) grant, the NCSEA Foundation is providing a roadmap to help firms of all sizes begin (or continue) their AI journey. From pilot projects and sample policies to real-world case studies and a clear strategy for adoption, this initiative tackles the practical and cultural hurdles of integrating AI in structural engineering practice. It’s not about chasing hype—it’s about adding value.

📖Read the article: https://www.structuremag.org/article/towards-ai-adoption-in-the-structural-engineering-profession/

07/02/2025

What does it take to bring a 1930s Art Deco tower into the 21st century? At 100 McAllister Street, it’s a seismic retrofit that respects history while preparing for the next generation of students, scholars, and city life. From nonlinear time-history analysis to a new concrete core and permeation grouting deep beneath the foundation, this full-team effort reinforces not just a building—but UC Law’s commitment to community, sustainability, and long-term impact.

📖Continue reading: https://www.structuremag.org/article/100-mcallister-street-san-francisco/

07/01/2025

At Mumbai’s Maker Maxity, structure meets strategy. Engineers replaced a steel-based design with a hybrid concrete system—cutting reshoring time by up to 75% and meeting a firm client directive: no expansion joints. Add in a rooftop pool, a full-height transfer truss, and a basement resisting hydrostatic forces, and you’ve got more than a hospitality complex—you’ve got a masterclass in adaptive structural design.

📖Continue reading: https://www.structuremag.org/article/maker-maxity/

06/30/2025

Seismic safety isn't just about geography—it’s about legacy construction. In Part 4 of the Seismic Retrofit Ordinances series, John Dal Pino explains why certain pre-1977 concrete buildings and pre-Northridge steel moment frame structures are under scrutiny. From brittle welds to lightly reinforced columns, these vulnerabilities have prompted mandatory retrofits in cities like Los Angeles and could soon influence policy in San Francisco. The article weighs structural realities against the practical challenges of retrofitting buildings that have yet to fail—but may not withstand the next big quake.

📖Continue reading: https://www.structuremag.org/article/seismic-retrofit-ordinances-part-4/

06/26/2025

Shoring plays a crucial but often behind-the-scenes role in construction within existing buildings. This article explores the many factors Specialty Structural Engineers must consider when designing temporary support systems—from accommodating ongoing occupancy, to navigating limited access, to working with under-documented existing conditions. Through detailed project examples at Chicago’s Union Station and Navy Pier, the authors shed light on the complexities and critical thinking behind successful shoring designs that ensure both safety and continuity during construction.

📖Read more: https://www.structuremag.org/article/shoring-considerations-in-existing-buildings/

06/25/2025

Bradford K. Douglas, Vice President of Engineering at the American Wood Council (AWC), has dedicated nearly four decades to advancing the design of wood buildings. From his early work with the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau to overseeing AWC’s standards development program, Douglas has played a pivotal role in the evolution of wood design, contributing to critical standards in wind, seismic, and fire design. His leadership in the development of the Wood-Frame Construction Manual and Fire Design Specification for Wood Construction has significantly influenced how wood structures are built to withstand natural forces. A true advocate for the profession, Douglas continues to inspire future engineers with his commitment to ongoing learning and improvement.

📖Read the article: https://www.structuremag.org/article/structural-influencer-bradford-k-douglas/

06/24/2025

For structural engineers looking to share their expertise, STRUCTURE magazine provides an excellent platform for article submissions. With clear guidelines, story pitch forms, and a detailed editorial calendar, authors can contribute content that resonates with the profession. Whether you're writing about concrete, steel, or the latest in seismic design, your insights could reach a wide audience of industry professionals. Learn more about how to get published:

Thank you for your interest in STRUCTURE® magazine. As a premier publication of the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of ASCE, and the Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) of ACEC, STRUCTURE communicates with every m...

06/23/2025

How do you span 60 meters in midair—between two 310-meter towers—and still keep your structure light, resilient, and elegant? The Hangzhou Century Center does just that, blending catenary geometry, smart seismic design, and a meticulously engineered suspended roof. Jin Chen, PE, SE, details how form and function come together in this standout global project.

📖Continue reading: https://www.structuremag.org/article/hangzhou-century-center-engineering-a-landmark/