Laura Hernandez- Cancelado, a senior at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, pursuing civil engineering, was a recipient of our 2023 Simpson Strong-Tie scholarship. She traces her journey from childhood curiosity to her path into civil engineering. Lara reflects on her scholarship trip visit this summer, highlighting the educational significance of being able to visit our testing lab. She delves into Simpson Strong-Tie’s engineering innovation and the opportunity for networking among professionals and students that the trip provided.
From Intern to Aspiring Engineer — My Internship at Simpson Strong-Tie
Meet Anthony Fung, a lab intern at the Karen Colonias Research Lab in Pleasanton, who joined Simpson Strong-Tie this summer to explore the world of testing and research. Throughout his internship, Anthony gained valuable hands-on experience in the lab, deepening his understanding of structural engineering. Additionally, he had the opportunity to engage in activities hosted at our Pleasanton office, providing him with insights into our company culture and the people behind our endeavors.
Connecting Engineers, Innovation, and Fun: Simpson Strong-Tie’s Topgolf Event in Utah
The Simpson Strong-Tie structural steel team held an event earlier this year at Topgolf in Vineyard, Utah, to host 65 engineers. The view from the green range at this new Topgolf location was breathtaking with snowy peaks, and the view inside was not bad either, since you could see our Yield-Link® moment connection.
Business Owners: “What Else Could Happen?” — Part Two
Remember June 2020? While the pandemic was raging, we produced a blog post entitled “Business Owners Today: What Else Could Happen?” Well, I guess the answer to that rhetorical question is a LOT: the eventual decline of the pandemic, dramatic national government transitions, economic ups and downs, natural disasters and a devasting war abroad.
Simpson Strong-Tie® Yield-Link® Moment Connection Case Study: Rose Avenue Elementary
Structural engineers for the Rose Avenue Elementary School project in Oxnard, California, a high seismic zone, chose to switch from special moment frames requiring welded connections to the Simpson Strong-Tie Yield-Link moment connection, which features bolted connections instead of onsite welding. This case study shares the experiences of structural engineers, fabricators and other project partners utilizing this innovative solution for structural steel construction.
Why Fire-Rated Hangers Are Required in Type III Wood-Frame Buildings
One of the first mixed-use designs I worked on as a consulting structural engineer was a four-story wood-frame building over two levels of parking. Designing the main lateral-force-resisting system with plywood shearwalls was a challenge for this project that required new details to meet the high design loads. The high overturning forces were resisted using the Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Rod™ anchor tiedown system, which incorporates high-strength rods, bearing plates and shrinkage compensation devices.
Common Engineering Technical Inquiries — Part I: Anchors
Over the next few months, I will be doing a short three-part series going over common technical inquiries we receive in the engineering department. There is a wealth of information available on our website and in our literature, but so much content can sometimes be difficult to navigate. It is often said that knowledge is power, so my hope is to empower you with all the technical support you need so you can complete your job quickly and efficiently.
From CEO to Legacy: Welcome to the Karen Colonias Research Lab!
David Huerta, Senior Lab Manager at the Simpson Strong-Tie home office in Pleasanton, California, was present during the renaming of the Karen Colonias Research Laboratory. The lab was renamed in honor of our former CEO, Karen Colonias, who was instrumental in driving our company forward during her 38 years with the company, including 11 as our CEO. David shares his perspective on the lab’s functions and operations, as well as its importance to our company’s legacy.
Empowering Future Engineers: Cal Poly Students’ Journey in the Timber-Strong Design Build Competition
The Timber-Strong Design Build℠ (TSDB℠) Competition is an annual event sponsored by the the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in partnership with the American Wood Council (AWC), APA (the Engineered Wood Association), and Simpson Strong-Tie in which student teams design and build an artistically creative two-story wood light-framed buildings that are sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and structurally durable. The competition enables students to gain experience in common structural engineering design as well as the business management and building practices used in construction environments. The authors of this article are graduating civil engineering students in the Civil Engineering program at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Learn How to Strengthen Your Structural Steel Designs with the Yield-Link® Brace Connection Webinar Series
The Yield-Link brace connection (YLBC) from Simpson Strong-Tie is an innovative solution for isolating damage to ensure that braced frames within structural steel buildings remain intact during a seismic or wind event. With predesigned, bolted connections, the YLBC simplifies design work, eliminates the need for field welding, and is easy to incorporate into new builds or retrofits. Continue Reading