MNSEA Monthly Meeting: Designing the Unusual, Together: Three Case Studies with Special Steel Joists (10/7/2025)
Date and Time
Tuesday Oct 7, 2025
7:00 AM - 9:15 AM CDT
Breakfast & Registration - 7:00 AM
General Meeting - 7:30 – 8:00 AM
Presentation & Discussion - 8:00 – 9:15 AM
Location
MNCPA 1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 600,
SouthPoint Office Center - 6th Floor
Bloomington, MN 55431
Fees/Admission
In-Person: $50 for members / $60 for non-members
Virtual: $40 for members / $50 for non-members
$25 for YMG
$40 for unemployed members
Free for student attendees
Description
Presentation: Designing the Unusual, Together: Three Case Studies with Special Steel Joists
Description: Steel joists are often viewed as standard components, but can grow to fit long spans and unusual geometry. This presentation will explore three real-world structures: unique barrel joists in Palmer Bandshell in Detroit, MI; 254’ longspan joists at Ohio Expo Center; and a new event center at John Carroll University Fieldhouse in Ohio, where special scissor joists had to achieve long 190’ spans. Each project’s custom steel joist solutions emerged through close collaboration between engineers, fabricators, and contractors. And the behind-the-scenes stories underscores how proactive communication between structural engineers and joist specialists can solve unique challenges, manage risk, and bring innovative architectural visions to life.
Presenters
Gerald McKenzie, SE (UT), PE (ME, DE, TN) is a Design Engineer in Vulcraft's Indiana division. He has 20 years of experience as a specifying engineer of record, with 13 years as part owner in a consulting engineering firm in the Salt Lake City area. He also has five years of project management experience for a commercial construction company.
Alex Brown, PE (IN), CDT is a Product Champion with Vulcraft/Verco's Innovation Services Group, where he researches, develops, and implements exciting new steel joist & deck solutions across North America. He has twelve years’ experience with Vulcraft, split between his current role and as Sales Engineer for Vulcraft's Chicago territory. Alex is a lifelong resident of the Chicagoland area and a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois’ Young Engineers Committee.