D&K’s Robert Durfee presented Code Provisions for Covered Bridges at SEAM’s seminar on IBC changes.
On May 23, the Structural Engineers Association of Maine (SEAM), hosted a seminar: 2015 and Beyond – International Building Code Changes. The event took place in Saco and featured seven panelists discussing various topics related to the changing building codes. Maine is transitioning from the 2009 to the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and the seminar was focused on the most dramatic code changes and future code changes impacting structural engineering in the state.
DuBois & King’s Robert H. Durfee, PE, SECB, a nationally recognized expert in covered bridge repair and restoration, presented Code Provisions for Covered Bridges. Code review for covered bridges presents interesting challenges, as the glory years of covered bridge construction were prior to established building codes, and currently there is no specific code for covered bridges. Most covered bridges are considered historic structures and repair and restoration strategies need to: retain the historic fabric, repair first and then replace, and additions need to be reversible.
Robert Durfee works out of the firm’s Laconia, New Hampshire office. Bob can be reached at rdurfee@dubois-king.com.
