RBA Engineers Contribute Article to Masonry Construction Magazine

Troy, NY – March 2007 – David T. Biggs, P.E., Principal, and Jack C. Healy, P.E., Principal Associate, of Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., in Troy, NY, authored an article titled “Splicing Options for Masonry Construction” for Masonry Construction magazine. The article, featured in the January 2007 issue, examines construction options for lap and mechanical splices when used with masonry reinforcement.

Traditionally, reinforcement uses lap splices. However, the code-required lengths have steadily increased as a result of research studying the performance of lap splices. Increased lap lengths affect constructability as well as cost, particularly for low-lift construction which relies heavily on splices. This article discusses lap splices and mechanical splices and offers a method for cost comparison which contractors may refer to when developing data for specific applications.

David Biggs is a masonry specialist with over thirty years of experience. He was elected an Honorary Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2005 based upon his engineering expertise with historical restoration and forensic evaluation of structures. Some of Mr. Biggs current restoration projects include the Jean Hasbrouck House (c 1680) in New Paltz, NY, Fort Ticonderoga (1754) in Ticonderoga, NY, Hacienda Santa Elena (c 1790) in Puerto Rico, and the Bennington Battle Monument (1889) in Bennington, VT. Mr. Biggs is also working as a consultant to the Supreme Council of Antiquities for the Republic of Egypt. He is part of a six-member international team providing restoration guidelines for use throughout Egypt.

Jack Healy manages many of the firm’s masonry restoration and forensic engineering projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont. Jack currently serves as president of the Capital District Chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers and is professionally licensed in NY and MA. His project experience includes the restoration of the north tower of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Albany, NY); Rensselaer Rail Station (Rensselaer, NY); Alfred E. Smith Building Front Entry Stone Repairs (Albany, NY); and SUNY Systems Administration Building Tourelle Restoration (Albany, NY).

About Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C.
Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., is a consulting engineering firm specializing in structural engineering. Since 1973, they have been providing design services from their main office in Troy, New York, and branch offices in Skaneateles, New York, and West Chester, Pennsylvania. Ryan-Biggs Associates has been involved with the restoration of over 300 historical buildings and structures in the United States. Over 80 of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, which is part of the US Department of the Interior, and 10 have been designated “Save America’s Treasures,” a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service.

About Masonry Construction Magazine
Masonry Construction brings together the complex and fragmented components of the masonry industry — contractors, general contractors, architects, engineers, and producers — providing technical advice, innovative methods and materials, state-of-the-art projects, and essential product information. Masonry Construction's mission is simple: to provide solid, impartial, immediately useful information on the materials, methods, and equipment needed to build in masonry. The magazine is designed to be the single source masonry contractors need, no matter what information they require.