Structural Engineering and Plan Review

I provide structural engineering design, analysis, and independent review for commercial, industrial, and specialty structures. Scope can be a single element or a complete structural system: I adapt to what the project needs.

Hot-Rolled Steel Structures

Design and analysis of hot-rolled steel structures to AISC 360 (LRFD or ASD), including beams, columns, connections, and lateral systems. I work with both new designs and evaluations of existing structures for changed loading conditions or code compliance.

For moment frames and braced frames, I typically model in SAP2000 for the lateral analysis and supplement with hand calculations for connection design. Deliverables include a complete calculation package with code references and connection details.

Cold-Formed Steel

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing to AISI S100 covers a wide range of structural applications: light-frame wall systems, floor systems, trusses, headers, and jamb studs. CFS design is more nuanced than hot-rolled steel because of buckling modes unique to thin-walled sections (local, distortional, and global), and the interaction between those modes.

I design CFS framing members and systems, review manufacturer-provided shop drawings and engineering for code compliance, and provide independent structural analysis where the standard design tables don't apply (long spans, atypical loads, or non-standard end conditions).

Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete design to ACI 318, including slabs, beams, columns, walls, and footings. For specialty structures (tanks, vaults, retaining walls) I incorporate the appropriate ACI or ASCE standards for the application.

I also evaluate existing concrete structures for structural adequacy under new loading conditions, deterioration, or changed use, and provide a written opinion on the governing limit states and any required remediation.

Wood Structures

Light-frame and heavy-timber wood design to NDS (National Design Specification for Wood Construction) and SDPWS (Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic). Wood framing design covers members, connections, and the lateral system: diaphragms, shear walls, and hold-downs.

I work with sawn lumber, engineered lumber products (LVL, PSL, glulam), and prefabricated components. For plan review of wood-frame structures, I check member sizing, connection hardware, drag struts, and the load path from the diaphragm to the foundation. Wood lateral systems are often where the critical details are, and where errors in plan review are most consequential.

Plan Review and PE Stamping

I review structural drawings and calculations for code compliance and engineering adequacy. I provide a written plan review report documenting any deficiencies, required corrections, and open items. Once corrections are addressed, I can provide a PE-stamped letter of review for AHJ submittal or permitting.

PE stamping under Taut Engineering covers structural work within my licensed disciplines in Ohio, Kentucky, and California. For Texas and Florida, I'm currently in the process of obtaining licensure. Additional state licensure is available on request.

Independent Peer Review

Independent peer review means a second licensed engineer reviews the design independently and documents findings. This is different from plan review: peer review is adversarial by design, and the reviewer is looking for errors and omissions rather than just code compliance.

I approach peer review systematically: I document the design basis I'm checking against, run independent calculations for the critical load paths, compare results to the submitted calculations, and report all discrepancies. The deliverable is a written review report with clear documentation of what was checked, what was found, and what needs resolution.

If you have a structural design that needs a peer review, contact me with the project description and I'll provide scope and fee.