Structural Integration Produces Transparency and Energy Efficiency at Loyola Library

Utilizing the only remaining open space along Lake Michigan, the Richard J. Klarchek Information Commons maximizes views through the building, without increasing energy costs.Transparency and energy efficiency were the key focus for the collaborative design of this innovative bookless library at Loyola University’s Lake Shore Campus.

Radiant heating and cooling were used to optimize the efficiency of the ventilation system. With a large number of computer workstations generating heat, the design team selected a raised floor displacement ventilation system. The barrel-formed soffit of the joist concrete framing system provided the vaulted ceiling. Plastic tubing for radiant heating and cooling is embedded into the concrete to condition the air supply in the raised floor space.

Precast concrete panels on the towers at each end are finished to match the limestone used in surrounding buildings. Read more about the Loyola Information Commons.

Blast Resistant Design Guide for Reinforced Concrete Structures

This guide, which includes a foreword by Dr. Gene Corley, provides structural engineers with a practical treatment of the design of cast-in-place reinforced concrete structures to resist the effects of blast loads. Readers will be able to understand the principles of blast-resistant design, determine the kind and degree of resistance a structure needs, and specify the materials and details required to provide it.

Guidelines are provided for detailing requirements for blast resistance and detailing philosophy and reinforcement splicing are introduced for columns, beams, slabs, walls and joints. Numerical design examples are provided showing the detailed design of reinforced concrete elements under blast loading. The guide also includes a chapter devoted to GSA and DoD design methods to protect structures against progressive collapse. More information and purchase.

Design for Security

Buildings are designed to resist loads prescribed by building codes. These include gravity loads such as building weight and live load, wind, seismic loads and fire. Depending on the building type, configuration, and location other loads such as water pressure, snow, soil pressure, rain, and temperature effect may also need to be accounted for.

In some circumstances other risks such as the effects of blast loads and progressive collapse need to be evaluated. Until recently designing for these risks was limited to military facilities and some governmental buildings. Since the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, however, concern for blast resistance has spread to other sectors as well. These and recent experiences such as the September 11 attacks have taught us that explosive blast, whether accidentally or intentionally caused, is another force that needs to be taken into account. More on designing for security.

Register Now for the Reinforced Concrete Design Course Near You

This intensive two-day course on Reinforced Concrete Design will bring participants up-to-speed with the latest design requirements of the ACI 318-08 Building Code. You will benefit from this seminar if you are designing concrete now, but feel there must be a better way; need to do some concrete design and your skills are rusty; did not take reinforced concrete in engineering school but are now faced with designing concrete structures; are preparing for the Professional Engineers’ or Structural Engineers’ exam; or simply need Professional Development Hours to maintain your professional engineer status (worth 15 PDHs). PCA is teaming up with ACI to sponsor these seminars in several cities across the U.S. during the fall of 2009. Dates, locations and registration on the ACI Web site.

PCA Notes Recognized by SEAOI

PCA’s publication Notes on ACI 318-08 Building Requirement for Structural Concrete with Design Application received the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) 2009 Meritorious Publication Award as part of SEAOI’s Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Program. The award was presented at the association’s Annual Banquet on June 6.

The Notes is designed to assist the design engineer and architect in the state-of-the-art application of the latest American Concrete Institute (ACI) structural concrete design standard (ACI 318-08). The emphasis is placed on “how-to-use” the code incorporating discussions behind the code provisions and fully worked design solutions to real world problems. The 1,000+ page publication adds to the understanding of the art and science of structural engineering through presentation of the latest research and design procedures. By incorporating discussions of the history and philosophy of concrete design, the document strives to inform the reader of both the ‘letter of the law’ and, more importantly, the ‘sprit’ behind the code provisions.

Beaverton Parking Garage Combines Concrete Technologies for the Win

The Beaverton Round Parking Garage in Beaverton, Ore., showed how a combination of precast and cast-in-place concrete can drastically reduce construction time and cost, while giving the owner a nice looking, low-maintenance, durable structure that is user friendly and will last many years. More on the Beaverton garage.

Sunny Isles Community School: Small Site, Big Results

A small site with poor soils doesn't sound like a builder’s dream. However, the builders of Sunny Isles Beach K-8 Community School, in Florida’s Miami-Dade County, easily overcame these limitations by using concrete. More on the Sunny Isles school.

PCA’s Novak Presents Sustainable Design at Teacher Workshop

Lawrence Novak, director of engineered buildings at PCA, discussed how to teach sustainable design at the Green Building Workshop for grade school and high school teachers on May 19 and 20 at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Novak covered building materials, the role of the design professional, green building aspects, LEED, and teaching strategies. More on the teacher workshop.

• The Structural Engineers' Buildings Conference & Expo
November 5-6, Chicago, Ill.

• Design-Build Conference and Expo
November 5-7, Washington, D.C.

• American Concrete Institute Fall Convention
November 8-12, New Orleans, La.

• Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
November 11-13, Phoenix, Ariz.