SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, USA, March 15, 2024 –
The ACI Northern California/Western Nevada Chapter hosted its annual SJSU Night at Dave & Buster’s in Milpitas on March 15, 2024. Dr. Akthem Al-Manaseer, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at San José State University and author of one of the best-selling textbooks on structural concrete, invited PASE to present alongside TYLin. Representing PASE were Dave Lo and Drew Kimball. Dave Lo is a Principal and the Multi-Family Studio Chief with over twenty years of experience designing multi-story projects. Drew Kimball, a Project Manager at PASE, brings over sixteen years of experience specializing in concrete structures.
Drew Kimball Presenting on Multi-Family Projects
During the event, Dave and Drew spoke with students about the use of concrete in multifamily construction. Dave kicked off the presentation with an overview of PASE and the various multifamily building types that incorporate concrete, such as podium structures supporting wood-frame superstructures and multi-story parking facilities. Drew followed with a deep dive into a current project in Santa Cruz, CA, highlighting how the ACI 318-19 code impacts the structural design of concrete components.
Dave Lo Presenting on Concrete Design
After the presentation, Dave Lo answered a few questions about the future of concrete and his experience in the field:
What advancements do you see in concrete design over the next few years?
“I think there will be more focus on sustainable and alternative use of concrete materials. Some of our clients have been looking into carbon-neutral concrete construction and we have been active in implementing them in our projects.”
What is your experience like in the construction versus the design of concrete?
“We put great emphasis on delivering contractor-friendly design with the hope of reducing labor costs and field conflicts. During the design phase, we spend numerous hours analyzing the potential RFI’s in our details and how we can avoid them.”
For most of the attendees, this event presented a first glance at what the industry is like. What advice would you give to students just starting their journey in structural engineering?
“Structural engineering, and civil engineering in general, is all about our community. From the apartments and homes we live in, to the roads we drive on – it impacts our daily life. There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping address society’s basic needs-such as providing shelter and efficient transportation-while simultaneously saving lives through sound building and bridge designs. One aspect of Structural engineering that particularly appeals to me is its tangible nature; you can see your design frequently, sometimes on a daily basis. There is currently a shortage of talent in both design and construction aspect of structural engineering and I want to encourage our young engineers to seize this great opportunity to bridge those gaps. It is an amazing field to pursue for those who want to make a direct positive impact in society.”
Dinesha Kuruppuarachchi, Dr. Akthem Al-Manaseer, and Bishal Nayak
PASE assistant engineers Bishal Nayak and Dinesha Kuruppuarachchi also attended the event. Bishal, currently pursuing his master’s at SJSU, shared his excitement:
“It was very well organized, and I learned more about both companies. It was also my first time meeting Dr. Al! It was amazing because I studied his concrete book but he is retired from teaching and I did not have a chance to take his class.”
The event was a great opportunity for PASE to share our work, connect with students and industry professionals, and inspire the next generation of structural engineers.