Why Careers in Structural Engineering are in High Demand

Have you been considering a career in structural engineering?

If you’re looking for a career with a high level of problem solving and using cutting-edge technology, this field may be for you.

Not only do engineering careers provide stability for you and your family, but you’re working on challenging projects that solve problems for the community you live in. Structural engineers work on projects with long-lasting community impact and ensure buildings are safe and structurally-sound.

According to Newsweek, engineers are in high demand because “Engineers are highly valued not only for their problem-solving and innovative abilities, but also for their capacity to visualize the big picture and design and facilitate forward-thinking solutions – vital for the creation of a successful knowledge-based economy.”

Getting your foot in the door at a great structural engineering company can be intimidating and challenging. What should you look for in an engineering company before submitting your resume?

1. Relationships with the community – Does the company you’re considering have partnerships with local government officials, state and federal reviewing agencies, or local elected officials?
2. Professionalism – Look for a firm that always treats their clients and projects with respect and professionalism. A company that strives to maintain a good standing in the community and that has a great reputation is a good place to start. 

Learn more about looking for a career in structural engineering on our website!

A Growing Team at IEI

We are privately owned and don't have a board of directors to answer to which means we can run the firm for the benefit of all. There are not many firms that can say this. This being said, we are very selective when adding staff which has led to a very cohesive and supportive team of professionals.

We also offer internships for those still getting their education and who want first-hand experience in the field.

“My first few months at Innovative Engineering Inc. have been my most valuable college experience. I did not have any experience with structural engineering outside of the classroom but with the help of the engineers at Innovative Engineering, I have come to have an understanding of the basics. […] The engineers are more than happy to answer any questions throughout the day, but encouraged the use of the available resources as a first resort. Though intimidating at first, this is a very rewarding system as it allows you to learn about everything you’re doing and provides a sense of accomplishment after completing the task on your own.” – former intern at IEI

If you can picture yourself as part of the future leadership of this growing firm and would like to be a part of our team of professionals, please see the opportunities on our careers page!

Looking for a Career in Structural Engineering? Read This First

Getting your foot in the door at a great engineering company can be intimidating and challenging. What should you look for in an engineering company before submitting your resume?

1. Relationships with the community – Does the company you’re considering have partnerships with local government officials, state and federal reviewing agencies, or local elected officials?
2. Professionalism – Look for a firm that always treats their clients and projects with respect and professionalism. A company that strives to maintain a good standing in the community and that has a great reputation is a good place to start.
3. Track record – Great firms promote quality in the workplace with every project, no matter the size. Projects should be completed on time and on budget. Look for a strong track record of experienced firms that have been successful in working with local contractors and have a reputation of helping their clients over a long period of time.
4. Stability – If there’s a lot of employee turnover at the firm you’re interested in, that might be a red flag. Consider applying to firms that maintain their core team of engineers, architects, and surveyors.

Innovative Engineering Inc. is a trusted structural engineering resource of facility owners and managers of all sizes, including those with the nation’s largest real estate portfolios. Learn more on our website!

A Growing Team at IEI

We are privately owned and don't have a board of directors to answer to which means we can run the firm for the benefit of all. There are not many firms that can say this. This being said, we are very selective when adding staff which has led to a very cohesive and supportive team of professionals.

We also offer internships for those still getting their education and who want first-hand experience in the field.

“My first few months at Innovative Engineering Inc. have been my most valuable college experience. I did not have any experience with structural engineering outside of the classroom but with the help of the engineers at Innovative Engineering, I have come to have an understanding of the basics. […] The engineers are more than happy to answer any questions throughout the day, but encouraged the use of the available resources as a first resort. Though intimidating at first, this is a very rewarding system as it allows you to learn about everything you’re doing and provides a sense of accomplishment after completing the task on your own.” – former intern at IEI

If you can picture yourself as part of the future leadership of this growing firm and would like to be a part of our team of professionals, please see the opportunities on our careers page!

Avoid Costly Repairs by Maintaining Your Parking Structure

Water is the number 1 cause of parking structure deterioration. Water-saturated concrete can freeze, expand, and spall.

Water and parking structures don’t mix! Leaking water is a clear sign that your structure may need repairs. 

The longer leaks are left unattended, the more expensive the consequences can become. Standing water is a huge issue in parking structures that can cause a tremendous amount of damage over time if not addressed early. Drain installation can prevent future, larger problems.

Combined with oxygen, water can also cause corrosion of the concrete reinforcing. Exposure to deicing salts accelerates this process. As reinforcing steel expands as it rusts, this process also leads to concrete spalling. Spalled concrete provides less cover or protection of the reinforcing which leads to further (and accelerated) deterioration if not repaired in a timely manner.

Read more on our website!

The IEI Structural Engineering Advantage

Our engineers at IEI specialize in parking structure restoration. We’ll walk your facility and let you know of any conditions that require immediate attention and what maintenance activities you can perform now to extend the life of your facility. Give us a call today!

Indications You Need Parking Structure Restoration

Do you know how damaging water, ice melt and other moisture is to the structural integrity of your parking structure?

Because reinforced concrete is the primary material used for parking structures, water damage is a major concern, and is often hard to find until it’s too late. Water intrusion is one of the most detrimental issues to parking structures, typically leading to severe structural deterioration. Moisture can freeze and corrode reinforcing steel causing expansion and spalling of concrete.

According to our own Scott Weiland PE., SE., PCC.: “The top level of your parking structure not only provides possibly the least desirable parking spaces; it serves as the roof of the facility. Controlling water in the form of rain or melting snow at this level is the least expensive way to extend the life of your parking structure and minimize maintenance costs. Controlling the water runoff involves shedding water to drains as quickly as possible.”

• Water leakage: Water and parking structures don’t mix! Leaking water is a clear sign that your structure may need repairs. The longer leaks are left unattended, the more expensive the consequences can become.
• Ponding: Standing water is a huge issue in parking structures that can cause a tremendous amount of damage over time if not addressed early. Drain installation can prevent future, larger problems.
• Expansion joint failure: Detecting expansion joint problems and reacting quickly to make repairs is very beneficial in the long run. Failed joints provide another avenue for water to reach the reinforcing steel and connector plates.
• Horizontally or vertically cracked concrete: Concrete that has spalled or is cracking represents areas of potential structural damage that needs to be addressed. Cracks let water reach the structure’s reinforcing steel causing it to corrode and expand.
• Exposed rebar: If you can see rebar, it deserves immediate attention. Introduced to water, rebar corrodes and expands up to eight times its original size resulting in spalled concrete. This is due to water penetration into the concrete.

Read more on our website!

Avoid Costly Repairs by Maintaining Your Parking Structure

Water is the number 1 cause of parking structure deterioration. Water-saturated concrete can freeze, expand, and spall. Combined with oxygen, water can also cause corrosion of the concrete reinforcing. Exposure to deicing salts accelerates this process. As reinforcing steel expands as it rusts, this process also leads to concrete spalling. Spalled concrete provides less cover or protection of the reinforcing which leads to further (and accelerated) deterioration if not repaired in a timely manner.

The IEI Structural Engineering Advantage

Our engineers at IEI specialize in parking structure restoration. We’ll walk your facility and let you know of any conditions that require immediate attention and what maintenance activities you can perform now to extend the life of your facility. Give us a call today!

Avoid Major Parking Structure Restoration Costs

There are many factors that influence the prediction of how long a parking structure will last and at what point you will need to tear it down and rebuild.

Parking structures are unique in that the structure is directly exposed to the elements, unlike a building structure that is protected by a Building Envelope. Exposure includes moisture, freezing temperatures, deicing salts, thermal expansion and contraction, and dynamic vehicle loads.

Many see the outwardly rugged nature of a parking structure and assume that they are indestructible and require little maintenance. Unfortunately, this is simply not true. Many parking structures lack a true building envelope, and instead leave their structural components exposed to the elements. This leads to deterioration before construction has even completed.

Read more here!

If routine parking structure inspection and maintenance is deferred for too long, the costs will add up exponentially, leading to a situation in which maintenance costs outprice those of demolition and construction of a new structure. This leads to a smaller amount of parking spots for your facility, and potentially unhappy visitors.

Our engineers at IEI specialize in parking structure inspection and restoration. We’ll walk your facility and let you know of any conditions that require immediate attention, require further investigation, and maintenance activities you can perform now to extend the life of your facility. Give us a call today!

Don’t Defer Routine Parking Structure Maintenance!

There are many factors that influence how long a parking structure will last and at what point you will need to tear it down and rebuild.

How can you avoid expensive repairs or a rebuild in the future?

Parking structures are directly exposed to the elements, unlike a building structure that’s protected by a building envelope. Exposure includes moisture, freezing temperatures, deicing salts, thermal expansion and contraction, and dynamic vehicle loads.

Whether your parking structure is a multi-level garage or a few below-grade levels under a high-rise building, proactive condition assessment and diligent maintenance are imperative.

If problems are ignored, the harsh environment in garages will quickly accelerate deterioration into hazardous conditions.

Most parking structures are constructed of reinforced concrete in a few forms:

• Pre-cast: Pre-stressed concrete members fabricated in a plant and erected on site.
• Cast-In-Place: Concrete placed into formwork on site and reinforced with mild steel reinforcement, post tension steel tendons, or a combination of the two. 
• Steel: This type presents a far lower initial cost and accelerated construction schedule as opposed to concrete structures, but the nature of the steel members can lead to corrosion/rusting issues, and therefore higher maintenance costs. Steel structures have a reinforced concrete slab.

Read more here!

If routine parking structure inspection and maintenance is deferred for too long, the costs will add up exponentially, leading to a situation in which maintenance costs outprice those of demolition and construction of a new structure. This leads to a smaller amount of parking spots for your facility, and potentially unhappy visitors.

Our engineers at IEI specialize in parking structure inspection and restoration. We’ll walk your facility and let you know of any conditions that require immediate attention, require further investigation, and maintenance activities you can perform now to extend the life of your facility. Give us a call today!

Construction Fatal Four and How to Prevent Them

Data from 2018 suggests that the top 4 fatalities reported on construction sites (excluding transportation) are:

1. Falls – falls from roofs, ladders, and scaffolding (most fatalities are the result of falls from between 11 feet and 20 feet)
2. Struck by object – flying objects from power tools, falling tools or material knocked off an unprotected edge, swinging radius of cranes, being rolled into or over by heavy equipment
3. Electrocutions – for electrical workers – electrical equipment and wiring; for non-electrical workers – contact with overhead power lines by heavy equipment
4. Caught in/between – caught in or compressed by equipment or objects, stuck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structures, equipment, or material

Read more on our website!

Need Help Establishing Crucial Fall Protection Standards at Your Organization?

We’re a trusted resource of facility owners and managers of all sizes, including those with the nation’s largest real estate portfolios. We strive to be a true partner to our clients, providing them with unbiased, independent assessments, and more importantly, sound solutions.

“Innovative Engineering Inc. (IEI) has been a trusted resource for our structural and parking garage repair and restoration needs for several years. I have personally worked with the firm as long ago as 2001. We have found IEI to be very responsive and easy to work with. Their work has been accurate, thorough, on time, and within budget. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them.”  – Sarah Peek, Emory University Hospital Midtown

Contact us today for our expert advice and knowledge about fall protection, structure and façade inspection, roof inspection, anti-terrorism force protection, and more. Our experts are standing by to help you!