Category Archives: Structural Engineering
Posted in Architecture | Communities | Project Management | Site Design & Land Development | Structural Engineering by David I. Balzer, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP+ (Project Coordinator - Brand Architecture) on January 18, 2012
Piollet Mansion, 1950′s
A few months ago Randy Williams, the head of Dandy Mini-marts, came to me and said “I have a really great project for you Dave.” He began to explain how he recently acquired the old Piollet House, a historic Mansion and landmark in Bradford County, PA, and wanted to convert it into a new Dandy store. Dandy is one of our Brand Architecture clients and we’ve worked closely with them on many stores in the past, but none like this. I was pleased that we were given the opportunity, but I also knew the challenges associated with such a big undertaking. However, I shared Randy’s enthusiasm and appreciation towards this historic building and was eager to begin work.
Here’s a little history on the building… > Read the rest of this article
Posted in Architecture | Employees | Structural Engineering by Brad Breneisen (Graphic Design) on December 23, 2011
No comments yet | Permalink |Recently, LDG Receptionist Donna Harrison revealed her creative side with these delicious mice infested Christmas trees
Maybe you’ve seen these before but I was pleasantly surprised by the creativity and simplicity of this project and had to share it. The mice’s ears are almond slices and their bodies are chocolate covered cherries – the rest is pretty simple. Donna explained that these are fun projects to do with kids of all ages (and adults too). We’d love to hear about creative projects that get your family engaged in design over the holidays.
Posted in Architecture | Communities | Current Events | Innovative Solutions | Project Management | Site Design & Land Development | Structural Engineering by David I. Balzer, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP+ (Project Coordinator - Brand Architecture) on December 22, 2011
Recently, we’ve been involved in a unique restoration project in Wysox, PA for Dandy Mini Marts. The project involves the restoration of a local landmark; the old Piollet House. I’ll be devoting a series of upcoming posts that will provide further insight into this exciting project. The following video segment features WVIA’s Bill Kelly interviewing Dandy Mini Marts’ Randy Williams and provides some excellent background on the project. Stay tuned…
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Posted in Bridge Design | Communities | Municipal Services | Project Management | Structural Engineering | Sustainable Design | Transportation by David J. Johnson, PE (Project Engineer, Structural-Bridge ) on September 6, 2011
On July 12, 2011, a historic truss was set in its new location at 4th Street over the Allegheny River in Coudersport. The truss had spent the past 127 years three blocks upstream at 7th Street, carrying traffic to the Borough’s northeast corner and recreation park facilities. The historic bridge will now continue its service life as a pedestrian bridge at its new location.
The 7th Street Bridge was built in 1883 by the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, OH. The bridge is unique because it is one of the first bridges to be built entirely of steel and to still be in service. The bridge was retrofitted in 1983 with the addition of the steel arches. The decision to replace the bridge was made by the borough because it was functionally obsolete. The bridge was a one lane bridge that lacked adequate vertical clearance, proper barriers, or a sidewalk to provide access for pedestrians using the park.
> Read the rest of this article
Posted in Bridge Design | Communities | Education | Employees | Leadership | Municipal Services | Professional Development | Structural Engineering | Transportation by Quentin D. Rissler, PE (Structural-Bridge) on August 24, 2011
At least once a year, I participate in middle school career fairs to talk about being a bridge engineer. While I have many stories I find interesting and enjoy my career and the challenges of each day, I do not want to bore the students. So I developed a fairly simple exercise that I have been doing with each group of students.
I ask for 2 volunteers to help me design the best bridge for this location – which is just a box but could represent any of the thousands of bridges that need to be designed. See photo 1 for the working materials which includes various sizes of wood, a steel tube, a brick, and a cardboard tube.
> Read the rest of this article
