Rick L. Teachey, Jr., P.E.
I'm a structural and geotechnical engineer based in Dayton, Ohio, with fifteen years of experience across all fifty US states, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. I started Taut Engineering to offer direct-to-engineer service: I take the project, I run the analysis, I write the report, and I seal it. No juniors doing the work while a senior signs the cover.
My practice covers foundation design, geotechnical finite element analysis in PLAXIS, buried structure analysis in CANDE, solar racking engineering, structural steel and cold-formed steel, plan review and PE stamping, and independent engineering reviews. I also build Python automation tools and apply AI assistance to reduce the mechanical overhead of analysis, so more project time goes toward judgment rather than formatting.
I'm comfortable with smaller engagements larger firms decline, and I bring the same analysis rigor regardless of project size.
M.S.*, Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky
Kentucky
California
* All M.S. coursework completed at University of Kentucky. Thesis not completed; degree not conferred.
Taut Engineering is the right call for:
- Independent peer review and critical review of structural calculations, shop drawings, or design packages
- PE stamping with a documented cover report, for structural work within my licensed disciplines
- Specialized analysis: buried structures and culverts, geotechnical FEA, solar racking, lateral pile design
- Direct-to-engineer engagements where you need a licensed PE who does the work and can explain it
- Smaller projects that larger firms decline or price out of reach
Taut Engineering is likely not the right fit for large multi-discipline projects that need a full firm with multiple sealed disciplines, or for engagements requiring a team and project management infrastructure. I'm one engineer.