Development of construction and materials standards serve technical, social and economic objectives. Most significantly, standards are required for theacceptance of materials by the engineering community. This lecture contrasts the characteristics of codes and standards, and their development, for conventional construction materials and those for emerging, nonconventional and vernacular materials. Challenges associated with code and standard development for these materials are highlighted and discussed through case studies. Recommendations for approaches to codes and standards development are presented; attempting to answer the question: material standard or standard material?
Kent is a Professor of Structural Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his doctorate from McGill University. Harries’ research interests include the use of nonconventional materials in civil infrastructure – ranging from FRP to titanium to bamboo, prestressed concrete bridge structures, and high rise coupled structures. Harries serves as a vice-president of IIFC, Senior Editor of Journal of Construction and Building Materials, chair of ACI Committee 440F (Repair of Concrete with FRP) and on numerous US and international codes and standards development committees primarily focusing on FRP or bamboo materials. Harries is the author of over 300 peer-reviewed articles, three book chapters and is the co-editor of Nonconventional and Vernacular Construction Materials. |
Today, many built works utilize materials with well-established precedents, standards, and design guidelines (e.g., steel, concrete, and wood). While these structures may meet strength and/or serviceability criteria, considering a broader range of materials may lead to more sustainable systems. Unconventional materials may offer environmental, economic, and social advantages when used in place of or in combination with well-established materials in building structures. This presentation will include discussions of recent research and design projects that have utilized unconventional building materials such as polyester rope, aluminum cast into cracked clay, and scrap acrylic.
Ted is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering at Hofstra University and he leads the Segal Structures Group. The group engages in material exploration, form generation, and historic analysis related to a range of engineering research, design, and teaching activities. Ted received a Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Structural Engineering Trav¬el Fellowship in 2008 and the ExCEED (Excellence in Civil Engineering Education) Teaching Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2017. In 2019, he was selected to be an ASCE ExCEEd Fellow. From 2008 to 2011, Ted worked at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger in New York City, where he designed glass and metal enclosures. |
