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      • Paving Consulting Projects
  • News
  • Contact Us
    • Our Team
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    • Engineering Careers
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  • About Us
    • Our Philosophy
    • Our Team
    • Downloads
    • Newsletter
    • Affiliations
    • Engineering Careers
  • Services
    • Civil Engineering
    • Structural Engineering
    • Laser Scanning & Land Surveying
      • ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey
      • Laser Scanning
      • 3D Modeling | BIM
    • Landscape Architecture
    • Roofing & Paving Consulting and BIM
      • Construction Administration
      • Roofing Consulting
      • Paving Consulting
      • BIM
  • Projects
    • Civil Engineering
    • Structural Engineering
    • Laser Scanning & Land Surveying
    • Landscape Architecture
    • Roofing & Paving Consulting and BIM
      • Construction Administration Projects
      • Roofing Consulting Projects
      • Paving Consulting Projects
  • News
  • Contact Us
    • Our Team
    • Directions
    • Engineering Careers
    • Affiliations
Landscape Design

Best ways to integrate biodiversity with urban landscape design

  • 0 comments/
  • July 20, 2021

Some might argue that urbanization is one of the best things that have happened to humankind. Of course, a large number of people living together in concentrated areas come with several benefits. Most notably, it provides the opportunity for more efficient use of resources.

However, urban center development significantly changes the natural landscape. Tall buildings and roads now replace tall trees and shrubs, consequently affecting the lives of several organisms that depend on them.

That’s why preserving biodiversity is a growing concern in urban landscape development. In this post, we explore ways to sustain a variety of plant and animal life in urban development.

Understand, protect and restore

In nature, plant and animal species are sustained in an intricate balance. Tweaking just a part of the ecosystem can have unintended consequences. That’s why it’s important to understand the ecosystem before any landscape design project commences.

A good way to do that is by observing the wild to see the connection between organisms. But more than just understanding, conscientious actions must be taken to protect the ecosystem. Design options with potentially detrimental effects should be avoided.

What’s more, areas that are already degraded should be examined to see if there are ways they can be restored.

Stick with native species – as much as possible.

In today’s day and age, the need to efficiently use resources is greater than ever. Because native species are better adapted to local environmental conditions, they generally require a lesser amount of resources for maintenance.

What’s more, introducing foreign plant and animal species might have better aesthetic appeal or even seem like a great idea. However, foreign species can sometimes disrupt the native ecosystem and pose threats.

That’s why caution should always be taken when incorporating non-native elements into landscape design because it can be difficult to anticipate future impacts.

Diversify

As the name suggests, diversity is at the very heart of biodiversity. You see, diversity allows for a more robust and resilient ecosystem. This, in turn, helps to minimize the impact of diseases and pests. What’s more, it adds better flavor to the design.

As a heuristic, when choosing plants for your design, you shouldn’t select more than 30{ffa1fb9a833dbe70b91c2563ca2a54067368c324c18ffac54b9412388222efff} from the same family, 20{ffa1fb9a833dbe70b91c2563ca2a54067368c324c18ffac54b9412388222efff} from the same species, and 20{ffa1fb9a833dbe70b91c2563ca2a54067368c324c18ffac54b9412388222efff} from the same genus. And remember, diversity is not a leeway to introduce foreign species without proper analysis. You can still achieve diversity with native species.

Minimize light and noise pollution

With the lights from buildings, cars, street lights, buildings, and the noise from speakers, cities are constantly bustling with life. And many times, this can cause psychological stress for not only humans but also animals. For instance, nocturnal creatures will have to deal with lights and even the dangers of crossing the road at night.

Since the goal is to attract – and not repeal biodiverse wildlife – here are some things to consider in the design process. Keep lights away from resting spots like tall trees, ponds, and hedges. Protect certain areas so that they maintain their naturalness.

Provide wildlife corridors and connections between green spaces

Urban development affects the ability of wildlife to travel, find food, water, and even mate. That’s why it’s up to the landscape designer to incorporate options that will enable wildlife to thrive even with the change in the structure of their habitat.

Here are some ideas. Shrubbery or bush provides a physical barrier for people and large animals, but it allows smaller animals like hedgehogs to pass through, under, or along.

Soft engineering techniques can also be used to build wildlife corridors. Wild corridors are areas of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities or structures.

Cut back on lawns

Lawns seem like a great idea. At least, having a vast expanse of short grass can give the impression of “looking green”. However, lawns come with lots of drawbacks.

They consume a whole lot of water from irrigation. And because of their exposure, they offer little benefit to animal species. Hence, they are not a good choice if biodiversity is the goal. That’s why lawns should be limited to recreational areas as much as possible.

Use organic maintenance methods.

To support urban biodiversity, avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides because they can harm good bugs. For instance, bees are very sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers. And because they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, they mustn’t be killed indiscriminately. That’s why only organic maintenance methods should be employed.

Wrap Up

Because we share this planet with several other organisms, we have an ethical responsibility to ensure that we preserve local species and ecology. But if we refuse to do so, we would be harming ourselves in the long run because all life is inextricably linked.

This can easily become a nuanced topic with complexities – but we are here to help. Contact us here today. We look forward to hearing from you!

  • Under : Community, Engineering, General, Landscape Design, Projects, Sustainability, Technology

Building Materials

Types of building materials commonly used in construction

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  • July 8, 2021

Building MaterialsBuilding materials are at the heart of the construction industry. Think about it; no structure can be erected without some form of building materials. These materials are what come together to form a structure.

There are different kinds of building materials used in construction. They range from naturally occurring substances such as clay and wood to man-made substances like concrete and steel.

Each material has different properties such as density, strength, durability, load-bearing capabilities, stress resistance, and more. These properties define the suitability of these materials based on certain applications.

While there are numerous kinds of building materials, we focus our attention on the most common ones in this post.

  • Steel

Steel is an alloy made up of iron and carbon content that can range from 0.03{ffa1fb9a833dbe70b91c2563ca2a54067368c324c18ffac54b9412388222efff} up to 2{ffa1fb9a833dbe70b91c2563ca2a54067368c324c18ffac54b9412388222efff}. Steel also contains trace amounts of manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and oxygen. The presence of carbon in steel increases its hardness and strength. This makes steel one of the strongest building materials available.

Here are some of the unique properties of steel:

1) Steel is relatively easy and fast to install.

2) It has a high strength-to-weight ratio. This makes it ideal for the structural framework of tall buildings and industrial facilities.

3) Steel is expensive compared to other building materials.

4) It is highly susceptible to corrosion if routine maintenance is neglected.

  • Concrete

Concrete is a composite construction material composed of cement, fine aggregates (like sand), and coarse aggregates (like gravels, stone chips, and pebbles) mixed with water which hardens with time.

As you can easily guess, the property of concrete strongly depends on the proportions of each of its principal components. However, here are some of the general properties of concrete:

1) Concrete can take any shape and form, making it easy to work with.

2) It is highly durable because it is extremely resistant to physio-chemical attacks emanating from the environment (rain, frost, pollution, etc).

3) It has high mechanical strength, in particular compressive strength.

The high strength and durability of concrete make it an excellent material choice for building foundations.

When concrete is combined with reinforcement steel bars, it is referred to as reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete simultaneously utilizes the compressive strength of concrete and the tensile strength of steel. This enhanced property makes reinforced concrete suitable for a wide range of structures like roads, tall buildings, bridges, and tunnels, among many others.

  • Wood

Wood (or timber) is mankind’s oldest construction material. For thousands of years, it’s been used in building houses, bridges, barns, and a whole lot of other structures. When maintained properly, wood can last for hundreds of years.

Here are some of the properties of wood in construction:

1) Because it is naturally occurring, it is readily available and economical.

2) It is relatively lightweight.

3) It is highly machinable, making it easy to standardize in size. Standardized wood is referred to as dimensional lumber.

4) Its excellent insulation property makes it ideal for residential buildings.

5) It has high tensile strength.

6) Wood is susceptible to degradation from water, rot, and insect. That’s why wood needs to be pressure-treated to make it suitable for certain applications.

  • Masonry (or Brick)

Masonry consists of building structures from single units that are laid and bound together with mortar. Some of the most common materials used in masonry construction include brick, stone, and concrete blocks (which are the strongest).

Here are some of the properties of masonry:

1) Because it is made from smaller units, it provides great design flexibility.

2) It has high structural strength.

3) Masonry is fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and highly durable.

4) It can easily withstand high compression loads, making it suitable for load-bearing walls.

5) It is very easy to maintain.

6) It is cost-competitive.

These properties of masonry make it suitable for walls and buildings.

  • Stone

Humans have used stones for a very long time. Remember the Stone Age that lasted for over 2.5 million years, where humans used primitive stone tools. This also makes stone one of the oldest construction materials.

Some of the popular ancients buildings – like Stonehenge and the Ancient Greek Parthenon – were made from stones. And even today, stones continue to play an integral role in construction. Examples of modern stone buildings include Casa Mila in Barcelona and the Taj Mahal.

Here are some of the properties of stone:

1) Stone is very dense and heavy. This makes it difficult to work with.

2) It is a poor insulator.

3) It is fire-resistant and durable.

4) It is hard and tough.

Wrap Up

The construction industry will be non-existent without building materials. We’ve examined five of the most common building materials. But there are a whole lot of materials used in this industry. Some of them include mud and clay, thatch, brush, ice, glass, ceramic, and plastic.

But at the end of the day, the materials of choice for a construction project are determined by its purpose and design constraints.

We’re here to help. Contact us today for more information – we look forward to working with you on your next project!

  • Under : Engineering, General, Projects, Sustainability, Technology

Shake Shack

McNeil Engineering’s Spring 2021 Recap

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  • June 30, 2021

2021 Recap“Bringing science to life” is Engineering in its simplest form. And we are proud to be doing that and more for our customers. The past year was not the easiest; still, we cannot but appreciate our invaluable teams and clients as we rose to the challenges and got better every season.

Our spring was even better than we expected. There was a change in leadership at the top; we took on many amazing projects and saw our discipline and standards pay off in other numerous projects. There are few better ways to express our appreciation than celebrating;

  • Thank you, Outgoing President Ted!

Our utmost appreciation and debt go to Ted Didas as he steps down from the role he volunteered for a decade. Ted has been a sturdy, innovative, and savvy president, and his leadership years were nothing but exemplary. As he proceeds to head the Civil Engineering team, the board has chosen Michael Hoffman to replace him.

Michael has climbed doggedly through many ladders since joining the company in 1995 to become a licensed land surveyor, a bachelor’s degree holder in Civil Engineering (2006). He has until now managed our Survey department for the past 20 years.

  • The tale of the “Father-Son” Bridges

Special moments are never far in McNeil Engineering projects; you only have to look closely.

Structural and Dept. Manager Matt Roblez found his when he got a job to expand on a bridge designed by his father in 1969 (shortly after his birth). More of a generational bridge many would call it.

So here Matt was, expanding the Gunsight Bridge at St George. It begins to get sweeter when he says he got loads of insight from his father, Victor Roblez’s original “hand-calculated” plans/designs.

Matt’s father, Victor, passed on on December 19, 2019. He was a recognized member of the Utah branch of the ASCE as a “Landmark Engineer.”

  • The move to freestanding pads

While the Covid-19 proved challenging, we were always available to help our clients. And of the new trends, consequent of the pandemic was an increase of freestanding pads for business models, including the housing restaurants, coffee shops, and so on.

The freestanding pad innovation has a vast application that exceeds its primary purpose. Our excited client, where our Civil engineering team headed by Rob Poirier has perfected this project, includes; Slim Chicken’s in Herriman, Lehi and Shake Shack in Murray, and co.

The addition is proving useful to dine-in, drive-through, pick-up orders. In the end, we are only improvising like we promise our customers.

  • We went to Texas to LiDAR Scan!

Laser scans and usage are not uncommon in Engineering. Here, unlike some we have undertaken in the past, Savage Sulfur in Galveston requested our services. Michael hopped on the next fight to assess the work to be done.

LiDar scanning services are one of the numerous things our survey team does. And there at Savage Sulfur, we once again employed our efficiency and accuracy to measure existing pipes and the overall structure of the sulfur processing plants. This information will be beneficial to them as they plan an expansion of the facility. We would love to appreciate Michael Hoffman, PLS, who supervised the entire project.

LiDAR scanning is a form of remote sensing technology that gives smaller images of laser scans to create 3D models of objects, maps, and environments.

  • How important is a planned Landscape?

Beautiful things are hardly by accident. And we are happy to transform a mundane community into the best of paradise. Landscape architecture is a growing area in the field that includes prioritizing the space around which we live, work, shop, and play.

Your building can only be as beautiful as its surrounding. How beautiful is your “between buildings”?

Our Landscape architecture team, led by Scott Schoonover (PLA, ASLA), gives the best in all the projects they undertake. We are not only set to plan and transform an area, but we create a perfect interface where humans, nature, technology, and animals blend into a beautiful and “healthy” environment.

Restoring the roof of the Central Utah correctional facility

Nothing bites harder than an inadequate roof. And that is why we have undertaken this project with clear alacrity.

The Central Utah correctional facility is seeing a growing number of inmates across its three housing units. Most of these units also offer multiple services to the community apart from housing the inmates.

Another thing that makes this project special is the fact that new buildings construction are running parallel to the renovation of older ones. However, with Carl Greene (consulting manager at McNeil) in charge of the project, there has been ongoing headway.

At last, the CUCF will get a working roof as soon as possible.

Wrapping Up

The spring has always been a great one for everyone, and not in the least McNeil Engineering. We always appreciate our old and new clients for trusting us with delivery, innovation, and science. Respect, healthy work environments, and growth are priorities here, and that is what makes us great as a family!

Reach out to us today for more information.

  • Under : Civil Engineering, Community, Engineering, General, Projects, Structural Engineering, Sustainability, Technology

Civil Engineers Utah

The Future of Civil Engineering

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  • May 5, 2021

Civil Engineers UtahAs one of the oldest engineering professions, civil engineering has been a major force in the advancement of human civilization. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Roman aqueduct, the ingenuity of civil engineers is made apparent through intricate planning and impressive execution. Even today, we rely on civil engineers for the design and construction of buildings, bridges, roads, and other large-scale structures with unparalleled sophistication. That’s why structures like the Burj Khalifa and the Golden Gate Bridge are a reality.

Over the past two decades, new technologies, including artificial intelligence and nanotechnology are reshaping several fields. In this post, we explore how these new technologies and concepts will shape the future of civil engineering.

  • Transportation of the Future

Transport engineering is a branch of civil engineering involved with the design and construction of structures to aid the movement of people and goods. These structures include roads, bridges, and canals, among many others.

In the last decade, exciting modes of transportation are being made a reality. These include the concepts of electric vehicles and self-driving vehicles. The Nissan Leaf currently holds the world record for a self-navigating, covering a distance of 230 miles. With the widespread adoption of these autonomous vehicles, we would have to rethink our highways.

To cater to the increasing number of electric vehicles, the number of charging stations will also need to increase. Civil engineers will be needed to figure out smart ways to incorporate these new needs into the current transport infrastructure.

However, some new transport technologies will require civil engineers to come up with new designs, the likes of which have never been seen before. For instance, the Hyperloop, as proposed by Tesla and SpaceX, will involve the construction of low-pressure long tubes capable of transporting pods at speeds up to 760 mph. Civil engineering will play a key role in making this a reality.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The word “AI” gets thrown around so often that it might sound banal to someone unaware of the full extent of its capabilities. In simple terms, artificial intelligence is concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. How cool does that sound?

AI has been applied to chatbot technology, healthcare, sports betting, and many other fields. In civil engineering, AI methods have been extensively used in construction management, building materials, hydraulic optimization, transportation engineering, and geotechnical engineering.

As we accumulate more data, engineers can better train AI models to perform these tasks with ever-increasing sophistication. What this means is that many professional tasks that usually require human engineers to make crucial decisions can now be automated. What we anticipate is a great improvement in the speed of project delivery, as well as a drastic reduction in cost and human labor.

  • High-Tech Revolution in Structural Engineering

Structural engineering is a subfield of civil engineering concerned with the strength and stability of buildings, bridges, and other structures. Structural engineering helps to outline the behavior of individual structural members and the most suitable geometries and material requirements for them.

Computer modeling harnessing AI allows for the development of complex structures with minimal human input. Cloud computing makes it possible to make enormous calculations in real-time. Tasks that traditionally took structural engineers weeks to complete can now be done within minutes.

A good example of the application of these technologies was in the construction of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 828 m. Through computer simulation and modeling, engineers could create several iterations with different materials to come up with a final design optimized for minimal wind loads and materials.

  • Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is concerned with the building of materials and devices on the scale of atoms or molecules. Nanotechnology has a wide range of applications, from improving fuel production efficiency to the use of carbon nanotubes for smaller and more efficient microchips.

The field of civil engineering isn’t excluded. Nanomaterials like nano-silica, nano clays, and nano iron particles are incorporated into concrete to improve its pore structure. This also helps to improve concrete’s early stage strength. Copper nanoparticles are used in steel beam production to reduce roughness, corrosion, and fatigue.

  • Sustainable Design

Human actions over the last 250 years have accelerated ozone layer depletion, resulting in global warming and climate change. That’s why over the past few decades, we have been taken conscientious actions to incorporate sustainability into everything we do.

The future of civil engineering is not merely to build – but rather, to do it with the utmost care and consideration for the natural environment. This not only involves the incorporation of green energy, but the incorporation of sustainable planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure.

Wrap Up

The buildings and structures of the future will boast better precision and efficiency – some of which will look like nothing we’ve seen before. Civil engineers will play a crucial role in making it a reality. But more importantly, civil engineers will act as stewards of the environment in design and construction processes.

Contact us here today for more information!

  • Under : Civil Engineering, Engineering, General, Projects, Sustainability, Technology

McNeil Engineering’s winter 2020 project recap

McNeil Engineering’s Winter 2020 Project Recap

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  • February 12, 2021

McNeil Engineering’s winter 2020 project recapFor over three decades, McNeil Engineering has provided sustainable engineering and surveying services to countless clients. We’ve built our reputation to become the very best in the Salt Lake City Area, and we remain true to our commitment.

This winter has been an exciting time for us at McNeil Engineering as we were involved in several impactful projects, where we applied our ingenuity and expertise to bring solutions to engineering problems. In this blog, we explore five of these inspiring projects and developments.

Traeger’s New Home

Traeger Grills recently announced its plan to expand its headquarters into the Post-District of downtown Salt Lake City. We were super excited when we were contacted to join the design team for this project.

This project involves the renovation of the former Newspaper Agency Corp to serve as the extended Traegars headquarters. Led by our president, Ted Didas, we would cater to the civil engineering needs of this project and we look forward to bringing our A-game.

Our goal is to give this new building superior aesthetics and life, just as it will bring life through the 120 new well-paid jobs it will provide.

Bri Village Apartments

This project involved the construction of luxury apartments. This retort-styled four-story timber-framed complex features 166 units above a 209-stall post-tensioned concrete parking garage, as well as several custom designs and amenities.

While the construction was led by Brighton Ventures and Anderson Construction, McNeil Engineering provided structural design services throughout the project phase. Our team, led by professional engineer Walter Travis, was able to provide a cost-effective solution within the budgetary constraints without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

Although McNeil Engineering is relatively new in the structural engineering sphere, our work on this project cemented our reputation as an effective and robust engineering firm.

Blackstone Farms

We were invited to this project by Fig Development, and this was perhaps the most complicated project we worked on this winter. Blackstone Farms PUD is a beautiful 52 unit, four-plex development located in Downtown Provo. We rendered multiple services to the project, ranging from landscape engineering to civil engineering.

The complexity and size of the project made it crucial that we communicated with other engineering firms involved to ensure consistency in site improvements.

Our in-house team involved in this project was led by Survey Manager Michael Hoffman. We began by performing the ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey to provide multiple insights into the property. After the design phase, our Civil Engineering team developed the conceptual plats and engineering plans. Preliminary landscape plans were designed by our Landscape Architecture team.

As you can see, it took all hands on deck to make this project a success. At McNeil Engineering, we love taking on new challenges — and we’re always up to the task!

Designing with STEPPE

After a thorough analysis of our native environment, we decided to incorporate STEPPE plants into our landscape designs.

For sake of clarity, a steppe is an eco-region characterized by grassland plains, and largely the absence of trees. This landscape layout invariably results in a wide temperature variation, ranging from hot dry summers to cold rainy winters.

Sagebrush steppe is the dominant landscape throughout much of Utah. However, it is an endangered ecosystem, due to fragmentation, despite the seemingly large area it inhabits. As a company that believes in protecting the ecosystem, we have started using STEPPE plants in our designs.

This decision comes with several other benefits. First, because we predominately operate in a STEPPE region, steppe plants are better adapted to thrive with less water and maintenance. The result is a seamless growth that brings out the visual appeal of the landscape.

For our clients, utilizing STEPPE in our design saves their time and money without compromising looks. But most importantly, our clients will feel better at home and connected to nature. Our Principal Landscape Architect, Scott Schoonover, leads our STEPPE initiative.

A Roof That Lasts for a Utah State University Chapel

A chapel means different things to different people, but most will agree it’s a place to meditate, get inspired or connect with the divine. That’s why we associate a chapel with tranquility.

This was the case for the church used by married couples at the Utah State University until the roof fell into severe disrepair. It had deteriorated to the point that a large tarp had to be temporarily installed over one of the three shingled roofs. The building housed two-sized chapels, a gymnasium and several other rooms and interconnected walkways, all covered by a flat roof.

A team at McNeil Engineering — led by Consulting Manager, Carl Greene — was able to perform a full restoration. The process started with the design and construction of a better roofing system after the existing roof was removed. We used the highest quality shingle, single-ply roofing membrane, insulation, cover boards and wood deck. The new roof is guaranteed to last over 30 years — that’s why we gave USU a 30-year warranty.

At McNeil Engineering, we are confident in our expertise, and we only deliver the best!

This winter was an exciting time for us at McNeil Engineering — thanks to the intriguing projects we worked on, as well as the new initiatives we explored. Continuous learning and innovation are the heart of McNeil Engineering, and that’s why we always achieve spectacular results for our clients!

Feel free to reach out to us today for more information. We are looking forward to working with you.

  • Under : Civil Engineering, Community, Engineering, General, Projects, Sustainability, Technology

7 Reasons to hire a structural engineer

7 Wonders of Modern Architecture

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  • January 18, 2021

7 Reasons to hire a structural engineerIf you’ve stood in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza or seen a picture of the Colossus of Rhodes or any of the seven wonders of the ancient world, it’s indescribable the awe it elicits from viewers.

These structures served as inspirations for modern architects to build wonders of their own. Armed with sophisticated knowledge of engineering, material science, and more, unnatural designs can be conceived and implemented like never before.

We’ve compiled a list of our top 7 wonders of modern architecture in no particular order. But be warned, this list is in no way exhaustive because countless breath-taking structures exist in our world today.

Millau Viaduct

Located across the gorge valley of Tarn in Southern France, Millau Viaduct is a multi-span cable-stayed bridge. Since its completion in 2004, it has remained the tallest bridge in the world with a height of 336.4 meters. Designed by engineer Michel Virlogeux and architect Norman Foster, this bridge cost about $424 million to construct, and over 3,000 workers were involved. Builders of the Millau Viaduct claim that the bridge will last for at least 120 years. Surely, this structure will provoke jealously from the ancient Roman builders, who were in no small way, masters of their craft.

Incheon International Airport

Incheon airport is no ordinary airport – it’s the world’s best! This largest airport in South Korea opened in March 2001 with a construction cost of about $1.3 billion. The brainchild of Curtis W. Fentress and Terry Farrell, it is considered an architectural jewel.

The roof of the airport resembles a Korean temple, with futuristic detailing, as well as a plethora of facilities, including a golf court, spa, rooftop, meeting rooms, ballroom, casino, ice-skating rink, interior garden, and more. Little wonder Airports Council International has named the airport the best in the world for seven years in a row for its quality service.

Palm Islands

Plam Islands consist of three artificial islands – Palm Jumeriah, Deira Island, and Palm Jebel Ali – on the coasts of Dubai, UAE. The simplistic yet appealing design of these islands was conceived by the Rule of Dubai. At the moment, only Palm Jumeirah has been completed. It hosts over 60 luxury hotels, 5,000 apartments, 4,00 residential villas, spas, movie theaters, thematic parks, malls, and more. Unsurprisingly, Palm Jumeriah also has the only 7-star hotel in the world – Burj Al Arab Hotel.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

While simplicity is at the heart of iconic architectural designs, this design is in opposition to that. Yet, its icon status is unparalleled. It was designed by the Pritzker prize-winning architect Frank Gehry. Its majestic space is built from glass, limestone, and titanium that naturally aligns with the contours of the Nervion river.

The structure has received praise from countless reputable architects, like Philip Johnson, who described it as “the greatest building of our time.” Little wonder over $500 million was generated from tourism alone, three years after it was opened.

The Marina Bay Sands

The Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort located in Singapore. When it was opened in 2010, it was the most expensive casino property in the world, valued at S$ 8 billion. From distance, the Hotel’s towers appear straight. But upon close inspection, the columns are slanted at 26 degrees. That number ‘26’ has a cultural significance to it – it adds up to ‘8’, which is a lucky number in Chinese culture.

The architecture of the Marina Bay Sands is more than its aesthetics. The ArtScience Museum comprises 10 fingers anchored by a unique round base in the middle that illuminates the dramatically curved interior walls. The Museum’s roof channels rainwater to create a 35-meter water drop used in the building’s cooling system. The energy-efficient elevators also convert kinetic energy into electricity. The Marina Bay Sands is simply an architectural and engineering wonder!

Capital Gate

Also known as the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi, this skyscraper is over 160 meters tall. While it’s nowhere near the tallest building in the world, what’s striking about it is that it was designed to incline 18 degrees west.

The Capital Gate’s slope, leaning strikingly westward, is almost five times that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It currently holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s furthest-leaning man-made tower. The loft houses a hotel while the other floors are home to several businesses.

National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)

Known by its nickname, ‘The Giant Egg’ because of its distinctive flattened-dome shape, NCPA is located in the center of Beijing. The building is situated in the middle of a 35,000 sq.m artificial lake, around which a green ring of 39,000 sq.m is intended to isolate the building from the noise of the city.

This awe-inspiring design was conceived by French architect, Paul Andreu. The building houses an opera house with a capacity of 2,398 seats, a concert hall with 2,019 seats, a theatre with 1,035 seats, and a smaller multi-function theatre.

Contact us today for more information!

  • Under : Community, Engineering, General, Roofing, Sustainability, Technology

Landscape Architect

7 Reasons to Hire a Landscape Architect

  • 0 comments/
  • January 13, 2021

Landscape ArchitectHaving a well-designed yard that fits seamlessly with the surrounding landscape will enhance your home’s aesthetics. As humans, we are innately drawn to good design so a beautiful landscape will strengthen your connection to nature. What’s more, redesigning your outdoor space can increase your home value by up to 10{ffa1fb9a833dbe70b91c2563ca2a54067368c324c18ffac54b9412388222efff}, which is more than you’ll get from internal renovations.

However, to reap these benefits, your ideas have to be expertly designed and executed. Consequently, a DIY approach to such an important project is not recommended. Even if you’re enthusiastic about being involved, you need a professional landscape architect. This post explores the reasons you need one.

They are licensed professionals.

Becoming a professional landscape architect takes years to master – at least four years of college education plus one to two years of apprenticeship, after which they take a series of exams before they are granted a state license.

During the course of their training, landscape architects learn about multiple fields – including engineering, horticulture, artistry, and designing – and how they integrate. This intensive education gives landscape architects the skill set needed in the design and construction of arbors, fountains, lighting, irrigation, retaining walls, and more.

Budget management

Because landscape architects work with contractors, materials, and different plans on a day-to-day basis, they have a pretty good grasp of the options available to you in terms of material selection and design. With this, they can accurately assess the cost of your preferred design and even make necessary adjustments to ensure the total completion cost lies within your budget.

Furthermore, by harnessing their relationship, you can get easy access to the best construction team, as well as material suppliers, who may even charge less than the standard price. If you’re doing it yourself, you need to spend lots of money on tools and fitting. Landscape architects, on the other hand, will already have these tools – thereby saving you cost. With a professional landscape architect, you get top-notch results within your budget.

Incorporating your designs

For most people, designing is a personal thing. A good landscape architect understands the emotional investment you have in the design process. Therefore, they will keep you within the loop so that your taste and preference will be incorporated into the plan. The human mind is quite capable of coming up with grandiose, albeit impractical designs. A landscape architect will try their best to realize your vision within practical constraints.

A holistic vision and consummate result

When a landscape architect is assessing the property, they put into consideration many factors, including elevation changes, soil condition, surrounding landscape, interior to external transition, and more. Their goal is to create a plan that is not only environmentally friendly but will also fit seamlessly into the grand vision.

This may include strategically placing trees where they’ll lower energy bills. It could also be incorporating permeable paving solutions for driveway flooding while adding beauty to patios and sidewalks. All this improves your home efficiency while adding immense value.

Access to Sophisticated Tools and Training

Landscape architects have access to specialized tools and training that are not available to the average DIY-er. With the use of sophisticated landscape design software, they can produce detailed blueprints and construction plans that adhere to building codes. Moreover, this software allows them to accurately estimate the materials required and pricing based on variables like perimeter, area, and more.

Zero Stress

Landscaping is not as easy as most people think. It involves designing and overseeing the creation, regeneration, and development of external land areas like gardens, recreational centers, and more. Making that a DIY project will take an immense toll on you. What’s more, you’re not even guaranteed of obtaining an optimal result.

Landscape architects will not only help in the design but will also remain involved with the construction and follow through for the few weeks it’ll take.

Wrap Up

You would never think of building a house without hiring an architect! Why in the world should you then compromise when it comes to landscaping? A great landscape can only be accomplished through incisive resolution between artistic vision and engineering realities. A landscape architect is trained to do just that!

When looking for a landscape architect, make sure you opt for one with a proven track record of producing mesmerizing designs. If possible, speak to their previous clients to get a scene of their workflow. Also, looking for the lowest possible price when it comes to choosing a landscape architect is a terrible idea. Some ‘so-called’ professionals are malicious, and they use cheap pricing to lure unsuspecting homeowners.

The priority should be a landscape architect that brings your ideas to life, enhance your home aesthetics, and increase your property value.

Questions or comments? We are here and happy to help. Contact us today – we look forward to working with you on your next project!

 

  • Under : General, Landscape Architecture, Projects, Technology

Civil Engineering Structures

Becoming a Civil Engineer

  • 0 comments/
  • January 2, 2021

Civil Engineering StructuresCivil engineering is the most prevalent and perhaps, oldest engineering profession. From the Greek Acropolis to the Roman aqueducts, man has long sought to create enthralling structures. Even relatively modern structures like the Panama Canal, Empire State Building, and the Channel tunnel highlight the marvelous feats made possible by civil engineering.

In today’s world, civil engineers design and oversee the building and maintenance of tunnels, bridges, buildings, roads, water supply systems, and many other infrastructures. The demand for highly-qualified civil engineers has been on the rise for two main reasons. First, as older infrastructure gets out of phase, they need to be renovated or replaced. Second, the global population has been increasing exponentially. As a result, new infrastructures are needed to accommodate this tremendous growth.

For individuals that want to get into this profession and create structures that will help humanity, this post explores the steps you need to take to become a civil engineer.

Research the Field

The first step is to determine if the field is the right fit for you. This means knowing if you have the necessary skills, and also determining the field you’ll love to specialize in.

Civil engineers use science, math, nature’s forces, and materials to advance humanity. Therefore, at the very least, you must be maths and science-oriented. Furthermore, you must be able to effectively work in a team as complex projects often mean you have to work with others. Other skills you need include decision-making, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Common fields in civil engineering include construction, environments, geotechnical, hydraulic, structural, and transportation engineering.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering (4 years)

A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is the base level of education required before you can begin working in the field. Civil engineering undergraduate programs expose students to a variety of core concepts in math, engineering, fluid dynamics, statistics, and architectural design. Aside from classwork, students also undergo internships or co-ops, as well as onsite fieldwork.

Earn a Master’s Degree (Recommended; 1 to 2 years)

In the past few years, employers are beginning to prefer civil engineers with a master’s degree. Unsurprisingly, one in five civil engineers has a master’s degree. Having a master’s degree makes it easier to secure employment, earn more, and quickly climb the corporate ladder.

A master’s degree in civil engineering often offers specialty tracks. This enables you to gain high-level knowledge in the particular area you wish to work professionally. Common specialty tracks include:

  • Structural engineering and geomechanics
  • Environment and engineering sciences
  • Sustainable design and construction
  • Atmosphere and energy
  • Environment fluid mechanics and hydrology

Get Professional Experience (1 to 4 years)

Before you can become a credentialed civil engineer, most states and national licensing boards require a bachelor’s (or master’s) degree, also with varying levels of experience. Civil engineering is a practical field, so the hands-on experience is crucial. Internships and apprenticeships roles that teach business and government regulations, communication skills, and risk assessment, are ideal.

Before starting any of these roles, most states require you to attain an “Engineer in Training” (EIT) status. Therefore, you first need to take the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. This status confirms that you’ve mastered the fundamental skills and principles in the field. This requirement is for most engineering professionals, include civil engineers.

Get Professional Credentials

EIT is just the start of the credentialing you’ll need to secure. Some of the common licensures you can pursue are:

Civil Engineering Licensure by State

Before assuming formal titles like a structural engineer, general engineering contractor, and erosion specialist, most states require that you obtain a license. The requirement for this license varies from state to state, so you have to check with your state’s board of licensing to know what’s required of you.

Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)

As a civil engineer, it’s advisable you become a licensed professional engineer (PE). Employers tend to prefer candidates that are PEs because it speaks to having advanced knowledge and a broader experience. Furthermore, some tasks can only be carried out by PEs. By being a PE, you also get to earn more and advance your career at a faster rate.

ASCE Board Certification

Aside from being a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, you can seek out specialized certifications they offer. Here are some of the available specializations:

  • Ocean engineering
  • Coastal engineering
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Water resource engineering
  • Navigation engineering
  • Ports engineering

Career Outlook For Civil Engineers

In terms of income prospects, civil engineering is attractive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for civil engineers was $87,060 in May 2019. The lowest 10{ffa1fb9a833dbe70b91c2563ca2a54067368c324c18ffac54b9412388222efff} earned less than $55,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $144,560.

Earnings widely vary based on education, certification, and experience level. The company you’re working in, as well as your position, will also determine how much you make.

Ready to start your next project? Contact us today. We look forward to working with you.

  • Under : Civil Engineering, General, Projects, Technology

Civil Engineering

Why is civil engineering important?

  • 0 comments/
  • September 22, 2020

Civil EngineeringFrom the ancient pyramids of Egypt to the complex Roman road networks to the Great Wall of China, humans have long sought to build momentous structures to show our dominance on the planet. All these amazing feats couldn’t have been possible without an adept knowledge of the basic principles of physics and mathematics. Little wonder civil engineering is regarded as one of the oldest engineering disciplines, second only to military engineering.

In this post, we’re going to explore what makes civil engineering important to human society; how it shaped human civilizations, and how it continues to influence our lives in more profound ways.

What Is Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and natural environment; including public works like roads, dams, sewage systems, bridges, airports, railways, pipelines, and structural components of buildings.

Roles or Civil Engineers

Civil engineers make use of the principles of civil engineering to design the many structures we see around us. They are responsible for planning and overseeing different construction efforts and applying civil engineering principles to ensure that constructed structures are safe and sturdy.

Assessment

A civil engineer is responsible for analyzing the factors regards a construction project; including land feasibility, and the processes required to complete the job.

Preparation

After the situation has been analyzed in the planning phase, the civil engineer then prepares a detailed report that highlights all factors that must be considered before construction commences.

Planning

The civil engineer creates a concrete construction plan, ensuring that all regulations, guidelines, and laws are adhered to.

Monitoring

During the construction phase, the civil engineer meticulously follows the project from start to finish. He or she also makes the necessary changes along the way. They also make sure the safety features of the project are maintained.

The Importance of Civil Engineering

Human civilization rests on the staunch back of civil engineering. Here’s are some of the aspects of human society that would be impossible without civil engineering.

Construction

Construction engineering involves the planning and execution, transportation of materials, site development based on hydraulic, environmental, structural, and geotechnical engineering. Anytime you see tunnels, airports, railroads, skyscrapers, dams, utilities, telecommunication lines, and many more, just know that without civil engineering, they’ll all be impossible. Civil engineers apply complex engineering principles that ensure those structures stand.

Environment Preservation

Our actions have led to massive pollution on our planet. Environmental engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that deals with the treatment of chemical, biological or thermal waste, and the purification of water and air. Environmental engineers administer pollution reduction, industrial ecology, and green engineering. They help us understand the consequences of our actions on the environment.

Urban Development

Urban centers are known for their municipal infrastructure. From sidewalks to water supply networks, street lighting, sewer system, waste management systems, civil engineers are responsible for all of that. Civil engineering plays a crucial role in the development of underground utility networks, the distribution of electrical and telecommunication networks, bus service networks, and more.

Water Resources Management

Water resource engineering, a sub-discipline of civil engineering, is concerned with the collection and management of water resources. It also involves the prediction and management of both the quantity and quality of aquifers and surface waters like rivers, lakes, etc. This area of civil engineering finds useful applications in the construction of dams, water pipeline networks, and more.

Transportation Networks

Transportation engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that concerns itself with the efficient, conducive, and safe movement of goods and people from one point to another. This involves the design, construction, and maintenance of streets, rail systems, airports, mass transit, canals, and more. We all have civil engineering to thank for that.

Coastal Protection

When it comes to managing coastal areas, it cannot be done without the principles of civil engineering. It helps in designing defense mechanisms against flooding and erosion.

Material science

Many of the world’s civilization depends on materials like ceramics, concrete, asphalt, strong metals like steel and aluminum, thermosetting polymers. Material science is closely linked to civil engineering and it attempts to understand the fundamental properties of these important materials. Moreover, this sub-discipline has been at the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology, materials that will continue to have a greater impact in the future.

Understanding Earthquakes

The complex structures that cover our landscape have to be able to withstand forces from within the earth. Thanks to earthquake engineering, we can understand the interaction of structures to shaky grounds. This ensures that structures are built to perform well in the event of an earthquake.

Surveying

Surveying is the process of analyzing and recording the characteristics of land areas span to help design a plan or map for construction. Surveyors lay out the routes of highways, railways, pipelines, roads, streets, and the position of other infrastructures like harbor before construction commences.

Others

Civil engineering is also important in many other fields like geotechnical engineering, forensic engineering, and structural engineering. In short, a large part of our day-to-day life can be traced to civil engineering.

Conclusion

From the water we drink to the pavement we drive on to the buildings we reside in, the work of civil engineers surrounds us all. Complex transport systems connect points within a community. Road, air, sea, and rail networks span the entire globe – thanks to the hands of civil engineers. Civil engineering makes trade, travel, the exchange of ideas and information, healthcare, education, industry, and more possible.

Over the past few decades, our electricity demand has skyrocketed and it will continue. Civil engineers will be at the forefront of developing structures that consume as little energy as possible. As the world population surges, civil engineers will be responsible for building structures that will support us all.

Without civil engineering, it’s hard to imagine how the world we live in would look like, but we can be certain that marvelous man-made structures that fill our landscape will be absent. And as it stands, civil engineering will continue to play a role in human civilizations far into the future.

We look forward to working with you on your next project. Contact us today!

  • Under : Civil Engineering, General, Projects, Technology

Roofing Consultation

When do you need a roofing consultation?

  • 0 comments/
  • May 27, 2020

Roofing ConsultationAre you currently in the market for a new roof for your home or office or any other property? Best to begin the process with a roof consultation to get the projected started on the right foot.

A Professional roofing consultation will thoroughly cover the following components regarding your next project update and implementation:

1. New roof system designs and construction oversight

Roofs also need unique and effective designs that can be fabricated and engineered to offer the property water-efficient protection along with the good exterior appeal. An expert is essential for the designing phase that can address the design according to the location, weather, architectural plan, material, budget, and other potential factors. They work with the architect to collaboratively agree on flashing, membrane components, attachment modes, compatibility with other products, installation sequencing, and the total layout all to offer adequate protection and proofing.

2. Design and Construction Oversight for Replacement of Existing roof systems

A roofing consultant can deduce the need for a new roof and the possibility of replacement of the current roof system. It is generally observed that roofing repairs incur only unnecessary expenditures, so an expert can give you direct insight into the mass total regarding the replacement and the following maintenance to keep roof life intact post a thorough verification of the situation.

Some of the aspects assessed by the roof expert are current roof system among other aspects:

  • life
  • location
  • occupant needs
  • construction mode
  • building use for a short or long term
  • cost
  • physical and technical aspects like the possibility of roof repair, moisture assessment, roof recovery and replacement of the roof.

Replacement of the roof is generally recommended by the expert when there is a mandated tear-off, deteriorated roof system beyond recovery, too much moisture, steel corrosion, and no possibility of safety.

3. Roof overbuild design

Once the need for a roof is assessed, its design has to be framed and finalized to ensure that it fits the structural system either as a protective barrier or even as roof space. A roof is both functional and an aesthetic / designer appeal to the property, so certain aspects like the ones listed below will play a major role in the overall design of the building:

  • roof pitch/angle
  • roof shapes like flat or curved
  • with or without incorporated decks/garden
  • proper insulation in rafters/trusses
  • roof structure
  • types of trusses like Fink Truss Roof/Attic Truss Roof
  • loft coverage with fire escape and windows
  • different roof types such as Monopitch Roof, Duopitch Roof, Hip Roof, or Mansard Roof

4. Existing roof condition analysis

A roofing expert can offer an unbiased assessment by evaluating any defects, deterioration, damage and the underlying roof condition using an indexing system.

Fun fact: A scale is used in index systems from 0-100 where 0 to 30 implies replace, 50 imply restore and 70 to 100 implies repair following maintenance.

5. Project scoping and opinion of probable costs

The opinion of Probable Costs, also known as “cost estimate” will provide an idea on budget and flexibility regarding various cost-effective solutions based on which project scoping is carried out. It is also imperative to understand that this is an estimate and never an exact invoicing number. However, a knowledgeable expert can provide the closest and cost-effective estimate with low cost reworks.

6. Recommendations and instruction for roof systems maintenance

Once everything is finalized, a professional expert will also provide you different suggestions and cost-effective options for the maintenance of these new roofing systems for their longevity. This is essential to maintaining the functionality, operational performance, and overall effectiveness.

Follow the care instructions with timely or monthly maintenance, while adhering to necessary inspections to make sure the roofing protection is fully optimized.

7. Humidity / Condensation analysis

It is essential to remember that condensation and humidity meddle with comfort, resident’s health, and finishing the interiors, and while elevating costs.

A proper roofing system gives the right amount of insulation, avoids moisture, consists of the right humidity set point, and offers passive ventilation and flow of air with appropriate ventilation systems in place.

The appropriate humidity level is from 40-60 percent. Condensation can result in the growth of mold and occurs due to improper insulation. By minimizing humidity and using double glazing windows that are thermal efficient can curb condensation. Making use of composite frames made of timber or aluminum, fiberglass/uPVC, and inbuilt passive ventilation window frames will all collectively assist to curb condensation buildup.

Final Thoughts

A roofing consultation will save you money (especially in the long-run) and will also provide you solutions to get an efficient and long life from your roof.

Our roofing consultants here at McNeil Engineering offer a full service firm readily available to help our clients navigate the complexities of roofing and construction compliance. We understand that undertaking a new roofing project can be daunting, at best. By allowing our solutions driven team of experts to assist will not only mitigate risk, but will streamline the implementation process thus resulting in a successful completion.

If you have any questions regarding your current roof situation, please feel free to reach out to us today. We look forward to chatting with you!

  • Under : Construction Administration, Consultant, General, Roofing, Structural Engineering, Sustainability, Technology

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