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Structural Steel Corrosion in Masonry Buildings: Assessment, Repair, and Prevention Strategies

Structural steel embedded within masonry walls has served as a reliable load-bearing system for over a century, yet corrosion remains a persistent threat. When moisture contacts unprotected steel, oxidation produces rust scale occupying up to ten times the original metal volume, damaging both steel and masonry. Understanding corrosion mechanisms, assessing section loss, and implementing maintenance […]

AISI Publishes New Cold-Formed Steel Research for Mid-Rise Building Design

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has released three new research reports on cold-formed steel specification for shear wall systems in mid-rise construction. These studies, conducted at McGill University, represent a significant step forward in understanding how cold-formed steel (CFS) framing behaves under lateral loads, enabling engineers to design taller, more efficient buildings with

Loadbearing Masonry Wall Failures: Lessons from a Historic Building Structural Assessment

Loadbearing masonry walls have been a foundational element of building construction for centuries, offering durability, fire resistance, and thermal mass that few modern systems can match. However, the structural behavior of these walls depends on continuous load paths and proper support conditions — factors that are easily compromised during renovations. When loadbearing masonry walls are

Precast Concrete Box Culvert Standards: What ASTM C1786 Means for Infrastructure Construction

Infrastructure construction demands materials and methods that balance structural integrity, cost efficiency, and long-term durability. Among the most widely used components in drainage and conveyance systems are precast concrete box culverts, which carry stormwater, sewage, and industrial waste beneath roads, railways, and developed sites. Until recently, designers and engineers lacked a dedicated standard for the

How the ACI Foundation Fellowship Strengthens Structural Engineering Education and Construction Standards

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has long been a cornerstone of structural engineering standards, providing the technical foundation that guides how concrete is specified, tested, and placed in construction projects worldwide. When the ACI Foundation launched a dedicated fellowship for the Carolinas chapter, it signaled something important about the future of the industry: professional development

How Modern Structural Standards Are Mitigating Earthquake Impacts on Residential Buildings

For professional home builders, understanding how structural standards have evolved to address seismic risk is no longer optional — it is a fundamental requirement for delivering safe, durable homes. Recent seismic events in regions not traditionally associated with earthquake activity have underscored the importance of modern building codes. The experience of Oklahoma, which recorded 623