FEBRUARY DINNER MEETING
at Harry Caray's in Downtown Chicago

We're sincerely apologize for postponing our January Technical Seminar. We've moved the topic to our first in-person dinner meeting. The presentations are still designed to equip industry professionals with the knowledge and best practices for leveraging modern strengthening techniques, such as Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) systems and external post-tensioning.

Abstracts and Bios:

Presenter: Steven Nolin, Klein & 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.

Presentation Title: Reinforcing the Future: Structural Restoration for the Shedd Aquarium's Next Century

Abstract: The Experience Evolution is a multiphase renovation project, part of the Shedd Aquarium’s $500 million Centennial Commitment strategic plan. Phase II of the Experience Evolution focused in part on a fundamental transformation of the aquarium’s entry experience by converting legacy administrative and back-of-house spaces into a high-capacity, universally accessible circulation hub. To facilitate this transformation, the structural engineering team was tasked with upgrading the original 1930’s-era structure to meet modern International Building Code (IBC) assembly load requirements. This presentation details the structural alterations required—specifically the implementation of new two-way slabs, bonded overlays, and transfer beam alterations—required to support the new architectural layout and increased loading requirements.

Presenter: Matt Thomas, Thornton Tomasetti
Matt Thomas is an Associate Principal with Thornton Tomasetti. He has more than 20 years of experience in the repair, renovation, restoration, repositioning, and retrofit of existing structures, and has been involved with many of Chicago’s most iconic buildings, including Wrigley Field, Union Station, and Navy Pier.

Presentation Title: Concrete Repairs at a 1970s Apartment Building

Abstract: After a 7-story apartment building in suburban Chicago was evacuated in 2021 due to observed cracking, TT was called in to evaluate the structural condition of the existing flat-slab construction. We discovered issues with both mild-reinforced and flat-slab construction, and worked with the owner and the Village to develop repair solutions that allowed for re-occupancy of the building and long-term resolution of the existing issues.

ITINERARY

3:30 PM - 5 PM Board Meeting (All are welcome to attend if interested in joining a committee)

5 PM - 6 PM Networking Hour

6 PM - 7 PM Dinner

7 PM - 8 PM Presentations

We hope to see you there!

(if you have issues accessing the member price, please reach out to [email protected])