14th Annual SEAOI Structures Symposium

October 15th, 2024 at The Franklin

The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois is delighted to offer with the 14th Annual Structures Symposium, which provides a forum for engineers to share analysis, design, and construction information from recent projects in Illinois and across the nation with unique and/or distinguishing characteristics. Attendance typically represents a diverse cross-section of all aspects of the profession, including design, construction management, material suppliers, academia, general contracting, and owners’ representatives.

7 hours of continuing education credit expected.

Program

Shoring Up History: The Journey to Save Old Joliet Prison - Terry McDonald, SE, PE; and Steve Nolin; Klein & Hoffman

Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail - J.W. Murphy Curran, PE, SE; Meyer Borgman Johnson and William McDevitt, PE, SE; Buro Happold

Rehabilitation of O'Hare International Airport Parking Structure -- Predrag Popovic, SE, PE; Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Commonly Uncommon: The application of 'engineering judgment' to real-world scenarios encountered in practice - Devin Huber, AISC

Engineering the Intuit Dome - Brian McElhatten, PE, SE; Walter P. Moore

Wilder Fields - Jan Blok, PE, SE; The Structural Group

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Carol Ross Barney

Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce - Jin Chen, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Perelman Performing Arts Center - Katie Reif, SE; Magnusson Klemencic Associates

Deflecting Disaster: Rehabilitating Chicago's Skyline - Zelina R. Johnson, SE; Klein & Hoffman

(W)rapper Tower - Kermin Chok, SE; Arup

10 Things I Did Wrong with Software - Sam Rubenzer; FORSE Consulting

MSGSphere - Brian Miller, Cast Connex

Keynote Speaker

We are thrilled to announce Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, HON. ASLA, Design Principal and Founder of Ross Barney Architects, as this year's Keynote Presenter!

Location

The Franklin

222 W Adams St

Chicago, IL 60606

Registration

Registration:
Member:   $425
Non-Member:    $525 

Group Registration: Companies with 5+ attendees will receive $30 off each registration fee.

THANKS TO OUR EXHIBITORS!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

PROGRAM SPONSOR

Lunch Sponsor

Afternoon Break Sponsor

Audio/Visual Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsor

Sponsors/Exhibitors

Exhibitor Opportunities -- $1,000 – SOLD OUT

• Dedicated table outside event space
• One admission to event
• Recognition in the program and from the podium
• Access to participants during breakfast, lunch and breaks during the day

Each additional Exhibitor registration is $250

Sponsor Opportunities

Program Sponsor - $2,200 – SOLD OUT

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Program Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• Dedicated back page of program given to all registrants
• Dedicated Welcome Slide
• Two registrations to event

 Lunch Sponsor- $2,000 – SOLD OUT

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the Lunch  Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• 8.5” x 11” Sponsor recognition signage during Lunch
• Lunch served with cocktail napkins branded with sponsor's name/logo
• Dedicated Welcome Slide
• Two registrations to the event

 Platinum - $1,500 – 4 available

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Platinum Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• Dedicated Welcome Slide
• Two minutes of speaking time during the program
• Two registrations to the event

A/V Sponsor- $1,000 - SOLD OUT

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the A/V Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• 24” x 36“ Sponsor recognition poster at event entrance
• Dedicated Welcome Slide
• One registration to event

Breakfast Sponsor- $1,000 - 1 available

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the Breakfast Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• 8.5” x 11” Sponsor recognition signage during Breakfast
• Dedicated Welcome Slide
• One registration to event

Afternoon Break Sponsor- $1,000 – SOLD OUT

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the Afternoon Break Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• 8.5” x 11” Sponsor recognition signage during Afternoon Break
• Dedicated Welcome Slide
• One registration to event

Gold - $1,000

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Gold Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• Sponsor logo and recognition as a Gold Sponsor on all Welcome and Thank You slides
• Two registrations to the event

Silver - $700

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Silver Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• Sponsor logo and recognition as a Silver Sponsor on all Welcome and Thank You slides
• One registration to the event

Bronze - $500

• Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Bronze Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
• Sponsor logo and recognition as a Bronze Sponsor on all Welcome and Thank You slides
• One registration to the event

About the Speakers

Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, HASLA
Design Principal and Founder - Ross Barney Architects
Carol Ross Barney is the recipient of the 2023 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, and has been in the vanguard of civic space design since founding Ross Barney Architects in 1981. With a career that spans nearly 50 years, Carol has made significant contributions to the built environment, the profession, and architectural education. From the early days in the United States Peace Corps planning National Parks in Costa Rica to recent collaborations with City Governments, Carol has relentlessly advocated that excellent design is a right, not a privilege.

KEYNOTE: The Future of Cities: Big Ideas and Small Solutions
Public Spaces and places are essential infrastructure that makes our cities livable. Besides providing space for essential transactions, our public spaces express our history, values and future vision. The best spaces bring us together to share culture and diverse backgrounds while celebrating our shared values. Design unleashes the potential for public space and architects can foster community and inspires progress. Design is our super power.

Zelina R Johnson, SE
Klein and Hoffman
Zelina Johnson, S.E., a Senior Associate II with Klein and Hoffman, Inc, is a licensed Structural Engineer based in Chicago with nearly 20 years of experience in building modifications and rehabilitation. Her professional experience includes adaptive reuse and structural restoration in all types of building materials, with an emphasis on concrete structures. Zelina’s resume includes an array of concrete projects from parking facilities, vaulted structures, foundation settlement, to facades and balconies.

Deflecting Disaster: Rehabilitating Chicago's Skyline

This presentation will take you through the step-by-step methodology of investigation and repair of an existing concrete framed structure that was exhibiting distress in the form of large deflections, high rate of failed repairs, and significant spalling of concrete balconies. The presentation will provide an overview of destructive and non-destructive testing methods available to determine in-situ properties, using that information to conduct an analysis of the existing flat plate slab, and verifying capacity of the existing structure. We will conclude with an overview of the rehabilitation approach that saved the client downtime and money.

Katie Reif, PE, SE
Senior Associate - Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Katie is a Senior Associate at MKA and a member of the firm's Cultural Specialist Gruop. She ahs worked on projects worldwide, including structures as tall as 55 stories and as large as eight million square feet. Katie leads the firm's Wood Technical Specialist Team (TST) and is active in Analysis and Existing Buildings TSTs. With wide-ranging experience in building types as varied as offices, labs, performing arts centers, and educational facilities, Katie tackles design problems using her diverse array of creative skills and concepts.

Perelman Performing Arts Center
The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) hides a one-of-a-kind, immensely complex structural system beneath its simple form. Designing a performance venue of this caliber is complex in itself; PAC NYC’s uniqueness and triumph are compounded by its immensely challenging below-grade conditions and site sensitivities. Joshua Ramus, Founding Principal of REX and PAC NYC’s lead architect, stated, “If the site were not the absolute right place to build PAC NYC, it would be the absolute wrong place to build a performing arts center.” Still, masterplan architects and New York State/City leaders were clear that this building was vital to bring energy back into Lower Manhattan.

Jin Chen
Associate Principal - Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
During 20+ years of design work in USA and China, Jin has been involved in or presided over the design of more than 30 large-scale super high-rise structures designed by SOM, many of which are located in US and China, the rest in Europe, and the Middle East. Jin is involved in engineering research and development, including structural system innovation, complex connection design, creep and shrinkage time-dependent analysis and earthquake elastoplastic analysis. Jin has extensive practical experience managing and operating large-scale super high-rise structural design, dealing with expert panel reviews, and solving challenging design problems.

Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce - The World's Tallest Offset Core Steel Structure
Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce is the tallest steel tower in the mainland of China, and the world's tallest offset core steel structure. The 44m x 46m column free ground lobby, offset core layout and mega braced frame are the most unique parts of the structural design.

Terry McDonald, SE, PE
Principal - Klein and Hoffman
Terry McDonald SE, PE is Principal with Klein & Hoffman and leads the firm’s structural engineering department. Terry has over 23 years of experience in the investigation, design, and analysis of building structures with emphasis on adaptive reuse of existing buildings. He holds a professional registrations as structural engineer in Illinois and as a professional engineer in numerous states. Some of his recognized projects include work at Chicago Union Station, Shedd Aquarium, Loyola University, and the Old Joliet Prison.

Steve Nolin
Klein and Hoffman
Steven Nolin is an Associate IV in the structures group at Klein and Hoffman. He holds a B.S. & M.S. in Civil Engineering (Structures) from the University of Illinois and is a licensed professional engineer. Steven has assisted the firm across a variety of multidisciplinary projects involving investigation, design, and analysis of building structures with an emphasis on adaptive reuse and renovation of existing buildings.

Shoring Up History: The Journey to Save Old Joliet Prison
This presentation explores the complex technical and logistical challenges faced during the assessment and stabilization of the abandoned Old Joliet Prison. K&H will detail innovative methods used for the condition assessment and the stabilization design that addressed severe structural deterioration, resulting from years of neglect and partial collapse. This project represents a critical step toward transforming the Old Joliet Prison into a premier tourist destination.

J.W. Murphy Curran, P.E., S.E.
Meyer Borgman Johnson
Murphy leads multiple projects and corporate initiatives for MBJ. As a project Principal, Murphy oversees a diverse range of projects in multiple markets including civic, cultural, educational, healthcare, and science. As business development director across all MBJ’s offices, Murphy collaborates with other leaders and staff on a range of pursuits, and spearheads communication of MBJ’s expertise, vision and differentiation. He has specialized structural expertise with mass timber, existing buildings, and leadership of complex projects. Murphy is a licensed structural engineer in the state of Illinois, and a licensed professional engineer in Minnesota and multiple other states.

Will McDevitt, P.E., S.E.
Buro Happold
With 13 years of experience as a structural engineer, Will is a driven problem solver who is responsible for leading projects and business development. His diverse experience includes work in the higher education, healthcare, government, mission critical, commercial, hospitality, and aviation markets, with numerous high-rise and low-rise building structures. Experienced in design using multiple building materials, throughout his career he has developed an extensive knowledge of the design and construction of concrete and post-tensioned concrete systems. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and Structural Engineer in the state of Illinois.

Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail
Opened in July 2023, the Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo is the ultimate adaptive reuse project. The project transformed the Zoo’s existing monorail track into an 8-foot-wide pedestrian walkway that is now the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop. Supported by this 1970s, Corten weathering steel structure, the trail weaves its way through the zoo on a 1.25-mile journey, over wildlife exhibits, lakes, and marshes and through the forest canopy. The structural engineering design was delivered in partnership by Buro Happold as design engineer and Meyer Borgman Johnson as local engineer and EoR.

Susendar Muthukumar, PhD, SE,
Walter P Moore
Susendar is a Principal & Senior Design Manager at Walter P Moore with twenty years of industry experience. Based in Los Angeles, he provides technical leadership, engineering guidance and design oversight on structural projects in Southern California. His experience encompasses sports, aviation, parking structures, and themed entertainment.

Engineering the Intuit Dome
Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California is the new basketball home for the Los Clippers of the NBA. This presentation outlines the unique design approaches utilized for the various structural elements, including an iconic steel diagrid shell, the sunken seating bowl, arena long span roof and a one-million-pound videoboard.

Brian W. Miller
Technical Sales + Customer Experience Support - Cast Connex
Brian W. Miller is a Technical Sales representative and has been with Cast Connex since January 2014. He provides support to engineers, architects, fabricators, and project stakeholders who specify and work with Cast Connex products and services. Before joining Cast Connex, Brian was with AISC for fifteen years serving as Regional Engineer and Director with the AISC Certification group.

The MSG Sphere: Solving Design, Fabrication and Construction Challenges with Cast Steel Connections
Behind the visual phenomenon of the massive MSG Sphere, exists a structural steel grid-shell structure complete with cast steel nodes. Discover the reasons why project stakeholders chose to use steel castings, and the effective means that steel castings were integrated into the design, simplified fabrication, and streamlined construction activities on site.

Sam Rubenzer
Owner and Structural Engineer - FORSE Consulting
Sam started FORSE in 2010, were he works as a delegated designer for other structural engineers on designs involving steel, concrete, PT concrete, masonry, and wood construction. He often speaks on the topics of software use and best practices in masonry design. Sam has over 20 years of experience and is a licensed Structural Engineer (SE) and a Professional Engineer (PE) in many of the Midwestern states.

10 Things I Did Wrong with Software
Instead of learning for your own mistakes, learn from mine! It’s easy to assume that all structural engineering software solves engineering problems correctly. As an engineer, understanding where things can go wrong is crucial for reliable results.

Jan I. Blok, S.E., P.E.
President, The Structural Group, Ltd.
Jan Blok is a founder and President of The Structural Group, Ltd. As a practicing structural engineering for over 25 years, his experience includes analysis and design of a wide range of low mid- and high-rise commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-unit residential and specialty structures.

Wilder Fields
To turn a former Target store into an indoor farm near Chicago, TSG had to rethink the structure from the top down. The agricultural use depended on substantial mechanical systems, best placed on a roof that had been designed to cover operations, not support them. Big box stores are designed efficiently. Thus, extra capacity in the structure is not something one can easily find, unless you understand where to look. A big box roof is not meant to carry a lot of construction equipment. Reinforcing an existing bar joist roof structure for the type of equipment that was envisioned would be expensive. Reinforcing open web steel joists from the inside from the inside would require a lot of labor. But reinforcing from the outside needed to address the limited roof capacity for staging and construction loads.

Kermin Chok, SE
Associate Principal - Arup
Kermin is an Associate Principal with Arup. He currently leads the structural discipline in Chicago and is also the regional computational design network leader for the Americas. He has worked on numerous geometrically and analytically complex projects globally including tall buildings, stadiums, base isolated structures and museums. His project portfolio has led him to consistently work at the intersection of computational design and structural engineering for successful project outcomes.

(W)rapper Tower
(W)rapper is a 17-story office building that features a striking steel exoskeleton comprised of 5,000 ft. of curvilinear, built-up plate boxes, the Bands. Arup provided structural engineering services and leveraged digital tools to analyze and design a base isolated, unclassified, occupied sculpture in the highly seismic region of Southern California. (W)rapper is the only commercially available office building in the country that is base isolated and is one of the safest and most resilient office buildings in the world. 

Devin Huber, PE, PhD
Director of Research - American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
Devin received his PhD in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 2008. Since then, he has worked for more than 15 years in various civil and structural engineering roles in the energy, industrial, and commercial sectors throughout the world. He has spent the past 6 years as the Director of Research for AISC and oversees the institute’s technical research activities related to structural steel systems.

Commonly Uncommon: The Application of Engineering Judgment to Real-World Scenarios Encountered in Practice

Predrag L. Popovic, S.E., P.E.
Vice President and Senior Principal -  Wiss, Janney, and Elstner Associates
Predrag Popovic is an internationally recognized expert in concrete repair. He has investigated, tested, and designed repairs for more than one thousand parking garages, buildings, and bridges. He has investigated structural collapses of a number of structures, determined the causes and sequence of collapse, and provided expert testimony. Mr. Popovic has also investigated problems with building facades and designed repairs for those systems. He designed numerous water and wastewater retaining structures. His experience includes the design of foundation underpinning for distressed structures and the design of temporary shoring and earth-retaining systems for bridge, building, and underground construction.

Rehabilitation of O'Hare International Airport Parking Structure
The parking structure serving O’Hare International Airport was opened in 1973 with over 2,600,000 square feet of supported slabs. As part of a modernization project for the airport, a comprehensive restoration project for the garage was undertaken to address structural and waterproofing deterioration consistent with its age and exposure conditions. Rather than replacement, restoration of the garage was the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable option.