AISI Publishes Report on LRFD and LSD Resistance Factors for CFS Compression Members
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has published a new research report on the recalibration of the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and the Limit States Design (LSD) resistance factors for cold-formed steel compression members when the strength is predicted using the Direct Strength Method. Since the Direct Strength Method statistically provides a better strength prediction, higher resistance factors are realized. A summary of the project, findings and analys...
Video: Restoration and Seismic Strengthening of Gaddi Baithak in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Nepal’s Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli inaugurated the newly reconstructed and seismically strengthened Gaddi Baithak in Nepal on June 27. The former palace is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Resolution at U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Conference Will Result in Steady Building Efficiency Gains for Future Energy Code Updates
The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) has long recognized the many benefits of improving the efficiency of residential, multifamily, and commercial buildings through the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)–also called “America’s Model Energy Code” because of its role in reducing energy waste from our nation’s largest consuming sector: buildings. In addition, as the only I-Code that more than pays for itself in “real dollar” energy bill savings, the IECC’s “whole-house” efficiency mea...
California Assembly Passes Historic Earthquake Resilience Bill, Sending it to Senate
For the first time in more than 30 years, a bill to aid communities in identifying buildings at risk of failure or collapse in an earthquake has been passed by the Assembly and is headed to the California Senate for a final vote, the U.S. Resiliency Council announced today. AB 2681, (Nazarian), passed the Assembly Floor last week by a vote of 51-26It received overwhelming support as it made its way through the state’s Government Organization, Local Government and Appropriations committees. The...
Cementless Fly Ash Binder Makes Concrete 'Green'
HOUSTON – (June 18, 2018) – Rice University engineers have developed a composite binder made primarily of fly ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, that can replace Portland cement in concrete. The material is cementless and environmentally friendly, according to Rice materials scientist Rouzbeh Shahsavari, who developed it with graduate student Sung Hoon Hwang. Fly ash binder does not require the high-temperature processing of Portland cement, yet tests showed it has the same compr...
USG Structural Panel Concrete Roof Deck Earns Approval from Factory Mutual (FM)
CHICAGO — USG Corporation (NYSE:USG), an industry-leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions, has received Factory Mutual (FM) Approval for its USG Structural Panel Concrete Roof Deck. Factory Mutual (FM) Global is widely accepted as the leading organization that sets the industry standard with a rigorous testing process for select commercial building products. An approval from FM assures contractors and building owners that the product performs to the highest sta...
AISI Publishes CFS Design Manual, 2017 Edition
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has published the Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual, 2017 Edition, which is to be used in conjunction with AISI S100-16, North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, 2016 Edition and the Commentary. The design manual consists of two volumes and is available for purchase as a set at AISI’s online Steel Store at https://shop.steel.org/c/41/manuals-and-design-guides. The Cold-Formed Steel D...
Ponce City Market: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Atlanta’s Largest Building
ATGLEN, PA - Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. would like to introduce Ponce City Market: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Atlanta’s Largest Building by Blake Burton. History, industry, and architecture come alive in this book documenting the six-year transformation of one of the Southeast's largest buildings into a mixed-use civic anchor in 2016. The cavernous Sears, Roebuck and Company distribution and retail center, erected in 1925, was last used by the city's public works departments and stored cou...
Western Specialty Contractors Nearing Completion of Facade Restoration for Future Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Crews from Western Specialty Contractors' Los Angeles and Seattle branches are hard at work performing stone restoration and installing new limestone and granite on the iconic Saban Building, the future home of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in L.A. Western is currently complete with 90% of the facade restoration work, which includes making limestone and granite Dutchman repairs, applying waterproofing, repairing window frames, and patching and cleaning the stone. Constructed in 1939, the...
Avoid Lifting Gear Failure
Age Awareness Lifting gear failure can have dramatic consequences for both those directly affected and those held responsible. To ensure safe practice it is crucial that users are fully aware of issues surrounding Design Working Period and maintenance responsibilities, writes Ben Dobbs, Technical Manager at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA). The sad litany of in-service failure of cranes and other lifting gear has many causes, from criminal negligence downwards. One r...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
