Continuing Education

Designing with Masonry:
What Engineers and Architects Can Learn from Each Other

Presented by Alexander Newman

Masonry design straddles the border between architectural and structural disciplines. In a typical project the architects depict masonry in their drawings and prepare masonry specifications. Structural engineers design masonry for gravity and lateral loads but do not necessarily show this work in their drawings. The engineers also typically provide input to the architects related to structural aspects of masonry specifications.

Since the architects and engineers are concerned about different facets of masonry performance, their design details tend to emphasize certain information and omit other. Quite often, the same condition (say, at the window head) is shown slightly differently on the architectural and structural drawings. Some contractors exploit the apparent inconsistencies and submit RFIs and change orders, claiming conflicting or insufficient information.

This seminar bridges the gap between the architectural and structural-engineering agendas related to masonry, covering the issues that are of interest to both design disciplines. Drawing on more than 30 years of design and forensic experience, the instructor examines common masonry design issues that invite controversy and misunderstanding. The main goal is to guide the designers toward a comprehensive understanding of these issues and to enable them to learn about the other’s concerns. The topics discussed at the seminar include the conflicts between typical details related to reinforced CMU, details at steel lintels, special provisions for stack-bond masonry, placement of brick expansion joints, improperly specified mortar and grout and many more.This session will conclude with a Questions and Answers time, but asking questions and debating difficult issues is encouraged throughout the presentation. The seminar is conducted in a professional yet relaxed atmosphere. There are no calculations involved, and those who are not engineers or architects can attend safely.

About the Presenter
Alexander Newman

Alexander Newman is a managing engineer in the Natick, Massachusetts office of Exponent Failure Analysis Associates, a national construction failure and accident investigation firm. Prior to joining Exponent, he was a principal engineer with a large architectural and engineering firm, and has held other engineering and managerial positions in design and construction offices.

Mr. Newman is the author of Structural Renovation of Buildings: Methods, Details, and Design Examples, published by McGraw-Hill Book Company in 2001, and Metal Building Systems: Design and Specifications, also from McGraw-Hill, now in its 2nd edition. These text books are an authoritative source of design information on renovation of building structures. During more than 30 years of professional experience he has been involved with design and renovation of numerous buildings and other structures around the country, many of them involving masonry. He has also investigated a number of building failures and served as expert consultant to design professionals, the insurance industry and to attorneys. Mr. Newman has also conducted numerous training programs for the American Society of Civil Engineers, the U.S. State Department, NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the Iraq Reconstruction Team and many other educational and professional organizations around the country.

This program qualifies for 7 CE hours for:
X Professional Engineers
X Licensed Architects
– Land Surveyors

Programs are 8:30am to 4:00pm and include lunch.

NOTE: Ensuring Compliance with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and Applicable Building Codes will run until 5:00pm.

2012 Spring Sessions:

• $235 per person per program before September 15th.
• $285 per person per program after September 15th.