Industry Axis

Jeremy Stech joined Needham DBS in January 2003 after graduating with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Architectural Engineering Technology from Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska. In August of 2004 he began taking courses at Johnson County Community College using the tuition reimbursement benefit that Needham DBS offers. The coursework would establish a foundation to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. Jeremy worked full time, got married and started a family while taking one or two classes each semester. He applied to and was accepted to KU School of Engineering and in January 2012 he began the rigorous engineering coursework.

After several hard years balancing work, school and family, Jeremy graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from KU in December 2015. He graduated with honors and was recognized by the civil engineering department staff, receiving the “Outstanding Graduating Senior in Civil Engineering” award and was nominated for the Locke Award.

Needham DBS 2016 Advertising Campaign - Ad 2

Needham DBS 2016 Advertising Campaign - Ad 1

In a May 26, 2015 The New York Times article titled “A House of Worship, Converted",  Andrew Keh describes the resurgence of minor league baseball in South Bend, Indiana.  The focus of the article is the conversion of a Jewish Synagogue into the South Bend Cubs team store.  It is a fun article and a great example of repurposing an existing building.

Contained in the article is another story, the construction of the team training facility that is behind right field in the articles' photos.  This typical looking building is not really typical at all.  It took the creative engineering skill of the Needham DBS staff in Fort Wayne to "pull one out" in the bottom of the ninth.  When a major pre-engineered building company had to back out the contract for this building due to their delivery problems, Ancon Construction of Goshen, Indiana, called on Needham DBS in the ninth to "pitch hit".   And boy did they!

Needham DBS attended and exhibited at the 2016 International Tilt-Up Convention and Expo.  The event was held at the Colorado Convention Center in Downtown Denver Colorado on October 10 through October 12, 2016.  

The convention kicked off on Monday October 10, 2016 with a buildings tour followed by the Awards Gala.  The Gala event began with a cocktail hour with drinks and live music followed by dinner and the awards program.  Awards presented during the event included the Alphonse Engelman Safety Awards, Tilt-Up Achievement Awards and the TCA Professional Awards.  The entertainment was provided by Rocky Mountain Bluegrass offering a great selection of traditional bluegrass and contemporary newgrass.  Needham DBS recieved an award for Warren Theatre Broken Arrow.  Jason Blankenship, Karen Hand and Craig Scherschel of Needham DBS were in attendance to receive the award.

High-strength welded wire reinforcement (WWR) mats offer a viable alternative to traditional tied rebar mats in tilt-up concrete panels.  Using WWR can result in overall decrease in reinforcing steel tonnage for the project, and allows much faster placement.  Both of these factors can improve the project schedule and budget.  However, there are critical differences in the panel design that must be considered.

When properly designed, the use of WWR can improve the economy and performance of a tilt-up project.  For engineers, specifying WWR can result in a more precise reinforcement design with better confinement and control of shrinkage cracking.  For contractors, the use of WWR can simplify installation and result in significant labor and schedule savings.  Material savings for single mat panels are typically minor, but are more significant for double mat panels.  Involvement of the tilt-up engineer is always critical to ensure the WWR utilized is appropriate for slender wall design.

There was excitement and anticipation for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of The Andersons new $54 million Corporate Headquarters in Maumee, Ohio. On October 3, 2016, the wait was over and The Andersons opened the doors to their 128,000 square foot facility. The building emphasizes openness with exposed structural steel members and a large open interior atrium space with an expanse of natural light. The open atrium space was a main design feature that allows better collaboration and interaction between the various divisions within the company. The building also features expansive windows, cantilevered conference rooms into the main atrium space, trading pits and a boardroom with outdoor patio. A common theme utilized in the building was agricultural features such as the use of lighting made from sections of corrugated steel grain silo and reclaimed wood.

Needham DBS was chosen as Engineer of Record after successfully completing work on another Headquarters office with the same architect. Needham DBS worked with the client and the architect, The Collaborative, Inc. to design an expressive open building that integrates the exposed structural steel framing and bracing into the building architecture. Needham DBS created a 3D Revit structural model that was then integrated into the architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing models to provide better coordination, a smoother transition and efficiency in the design, detailing and construction process.

Karen S. Hand, Needham DBS, Appointed to ACI Committee 551

Karen S. Hand, Needham DBS, was recently appointed to the ACI Committee 551, Tilt-Up Concrete Construction.

The Warren Theatre is a beautiful art deco inspired Hollywood Glam theatre, featuring 18 cinema screens and extraordinarily lavish architectural features and vibrant colors.  At $20.9 million, the project is both the largest and most elaborate movie theatre in the country. The project was completed in December 2014.

Exterior walls for the auditorium “wings” and the taller central core structure utilized load-bearing tilt-up panels.  The tilt-up concrete was self-performed by Crossland Construction. The structural design was based on a redundant cellular diaphragm concept, similar to its sister project in Moore, Oklahoma, which withstood an EF-5 tornado in May 2013. 

I am always surprised how owners select the structural engineer for a project. 

Very often the selection is based on a long-standing, trust-worthy relationship.  This approach is most similar to the selection of an attorney, accountant or other professional service.  The personal relationship remains a valid way to approach the engineering selection process.