Utility Damage Prevention: The Growing Role of Broadband
The infrastructure that utilities build and maintain can run the spectrum from convenience for the utility’s customers to critical infrastructure (both for customers and national grids.) The potential damage to the many components of that infrastructure can come from different sources with varying intent.
Masonry Shear Walls – Joint Reinforcement as Primary Shear Reinforcement
Partially grouted masonry shear walls are common in North America. Construction of partially grouted concrete masonry shear walls can benefit greatly by placement of joint reinforcement in bed joints of each or every other course instead of deformed reinforcement in bond beams, because placement and grouting of bond beams slow construction. Joint reinforcement is already used to help control cracking and provide prescriptive horizontal reinforcement. With sufficient area and ductility of wire, joint reinforcement can also provide the tension capacity to span across cracks in shear walls and to act as primary shear reinforcement for in-plane shear forces.
Learn How the Illinois Accessibility Code Changes Can Affect Your Community and Code Officials
Now that the Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC) has been updated for the first time since 1997, it is crucial that your community’s Code Officials, Building Inspectors and Plan Reviewers become knowledgeable about some key changes. The IAC requires certain accessibility standards to guarantee that newly-constructed or renovated buildings are safe and readily accessible to persons with disabilities. Some of these standard have been updated in 2018, and this article highlights the major changes.
Top Changes to the Illinois Accessibility Code – 2018 Update
The Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC) has been updated for the first time in nearly 20 years, and went into effect on October 23, 2018. Established in 1997, the IAC requires certain accessibility standards to guarantee that newly-constructed or renovated buildings are safe and readily accessible to persons with disabilities. This article lists some of the major observations and changes that we noticed.
Classroom Occupant Loading and Egress: What You Need to Know
Occupant loading is not just a matter of how many people can be accommodated in a classroom. It is also how many people can be safely sheltered and evacuated. Whether performing a plan review or inspection, your Code professional does not dictate design, but they should be paying particular attention to this critical part of the overall program, Life Safety.
Leadership Spotlight: Dave Reitz, PLA, on the Importance of Communication & Building Strong Relationships
Our collective backgrounds allow us to look at opportunities from our client’s perspective to help their projects say on schedule with fewer disruptions. We also take time to understand background issues from the investment side and understand the sense of urgency that our clients may expect from a consultant.
Top 5 Ways Municipal Fiber Networks Can Help Communities with Resiliency
While many communities have used fiber optic cables to connect traffic signals and sites, more and more are leveraging their municipal fiber networks to become a robust asset for their community. Municipal fiber networks can help a community provide their constituents with options for high-speed broadband internet service.
sUAS (Drone) Technology – How Can Your Community Benefit?
Drones have been filling our news feeds with uses such as recreational, military, and drone deliveries, but how can a municipality determine how to leverage this rapidly evolving technology? Many communities across the country are starting to research sUAS uses and invest in sUAS technology and applications.
One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P): Process, Insights and Tips for Efficient, Effective and Empowering Plan Building
This article presents local soil and water resource organizations with insights into the One Watershed, One Plan (Plan) development process to assist preparation for planning. It synthesizes the experiences of the author during the Pilot phase of the program, his involvement with the development of one of the Pilot Plans and “lessons learned” from BWSR program meetings and documents.
Achieve Results on Complex Transportation Projects
The challenges to transportation project designers are more difficult today than ever. Right-of-way (ROW), easements, utility adjustments, and the ability to efficiently stage construction while safely maintaining traffic are critical factors to keep projects on track, especially in constrained urban settings. Add to the mix are a broad range of regulatory clearances that must be obtained in a sequential manner during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to keep the project on schedule. These clearances are often based on conceptual and preliminary design that if not thoroughly developed during the location and route studies phase can lead to rework and schedule delays later in the project life cycle.