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FORENSIC ENGINEERING SERVICES
EXPERT WITNESS
SERVICES
EXPERIENCE:
Gerald Spencer is very believable as an
expert witness. His technical expertise along with his sincere honest
appearance, his spontaneity, his forthright manner, his ability to present
simplified explanations to complex issues, and his convincing arguments in
support of his positions are be hard to equal. As the Engineer of
Record responsible for the design and construction or more than 1300 HVAC,
Electrical, and/or Plumbing construction projects, Gerald Spencer, P.E. is
totally qualified to address any problem concerning the HVAC, Electrical,
and/or Plumbing parts of construction projects.
ARBITRATION PANEL
TESTIMONY: Gerald Roy Spencer, P.E. was retained by Mr. Charles Getman, Esq. with the
Houston law firm of Cokins, Bosien & Young, P.C. - 2919 Allen Parkway, Suite 1500 -
Houston, Texas 77019 - (713) 535-5514 as an expert witness for an assignment
where he served as an expert witness for deposition and also an expert trial
witness in support of the denial of a Federal Government Construction
Contract counterclaim before an
arbitration panel. The outcome
for the counterclaim portion of the trial was that the arbitration panel
ruled to completely deny the counterclaim in 100% in support of Gerald
Spencer's testimony.
FORENSIC
ENGINEERING REPORTS: Gerald Spencer,
P.E. has performed many formal Forensic Engineering Reports and reviews of
existing HVAC systems to determine the cause of the malfunctions and to
recommend remedial corrective actions for these systems. The following
is a list of these Forensic Engineering projects:
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REFRIGERATION:
U. S. Army (CESWF), Ft. Polk
Building 4366 (12,000 sf refrigerated warehouse), refrigeration system
replacement, 1995. The U. S. Army in-house engineers improperly changed the
original refrigeration system configuration to cause Ice Build-up within the
existing walls. This Ice Build-up was destroying the building walls. Gerald Spencer prepared a report describing the design
deficiency and then designed a bid package for these remedial system
modifications to correct the deficiency and cause the system to operate
properly. The U S Army funded this construction and the system then
operated without problems.
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CHILLED
WATER PLANT: Gerald Spencer,
P.E. prepared an HVAC Study
of the HVAC
systems for the Lackland
AFB, TX, chiller plant, 1994. The U. S. Army CESWF in-house engineers
improperly designed a 1500 ton Central Chilled Water Plant that would not
pump water to the buildings that it was supposed to serve. The
original system was supposed to be a primary-secondary pumping circulation
system. Gerald Spencer prepared a report describing the specific
design deficiencies blaming the specific ARMY Engineer of Record, and
then was commissioned to design a bid package for remedial modifications to
correct the deficiencies and cause the system to operate properly. The
U S Army funded this construction and the system then operated without any
problems.
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HUMIDITY
CONTROL: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. prepared an HVAC Study
of the HVAC
systems for the Thrift Building no. 6329 at
Lackland AFB,
Texas. The resulting
high relative humidity caused mold, mildew and rust on the relatively new
walls, ceiling grids, the ceiling supply air diffusers, and the return air
grilles. Gerald Spencer, P.E. prepared a formal report defining the problem
and criticizing the Engineers who designed the systems.
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HUMIDITY
CONTROL: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. prepared an HVAC Study
of the HVAC
systems for the Band Building no.
6359 at
Lackland AFB,
Texas. The resulting
high relative humidity caused mold, mildew and rust on the relatively new
walls, ceiling grids, the ceiling supply air diffusers, and the return air
grilles. Gerald Spencer, P.E. prepared a formal report defining the problem
and criticizing the Engineers who designed the systems.
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HUMIDITY
CONTROL: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. prepared an HVAC Study
of the HVAC
systems for the office building 1251 at
Lackland AFB,
Texas. The resulting
high relative humidity caused mold, mildew and rust on the relatively new
walls, ceiling grids, the ceiling supply air diffusers, and the return air
grilles. Gerald Spencer, P.E. prepared a report defining the
problem and criticizing the Engineers who designed the systems. Gerald
Spencer, P. E. has described remedial modifications to correct these
design deficiencies.
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HUMIDITY
CONTROL: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. prepared an HVAC Study
of the HVAC
systems for the office buildings 1355 at
Lackland AFB,
Texas. The resulting
high relative humidity caused mold, mildew and rust on the relatively new
walls, ceiling grids, the ceiling supply air diffusers, and the return air
grilles. Gerald Spencer, P.E. prepared a report defining the
problem and criticizing the Engineers who designed the systems. Gerald
Spencer, P. E. has described remedial modifications to correct these
design deficiencies.
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HUMIDITY
CONTROL: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. prepared an HVAC Study
of the HVAC
systems for the office buildings 1254 at
Lackland AFB,
Texas. The resulting
high relative humidity caused mold, mildew and rust on the relatively new
walls, ceiling grids, the ceiling supply air diffusers, and the return air
grilles. Gerald Spencer, P.E. prepared a report defining the
problem and criticizing the
Architect-Engineer firm who
designed the systems. Gerald Spencer, P. E. has described
remedial modifications to correct these design deficiencies.
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HUMIDITY
CONTROL: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. prepared an HVAC Study
of the HVAC
systems for the office buildings 1352 at
Lackland AFB,
Texas. The resulting
high relative humidity caused mold, mildew and rust on the relatively new
walls, ceiling grids, the ceiling supply air diffusers, and the return air
grilles. Gerald Spencer, P.E. prepared a report defining the
problem and criticizing the Architect-Engineer firm who designed the HVAC
systems. Gerald Spencer, P. E. has described remedial
modifications to correct these design deficiencies.
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ELECTRICAL
GROUNDING:
At NASA Johnson
Space Center Building 16, Gerald R. Spencer, P.E. field analyzed ground loops were causing
circulating currents on the single-point ground (Mecca grounding system) for
the shuttle mock-up. This caused the zero reference for instrument
calibration to float, or change when an item of equipment was turned off or
on. We revised the electrical distribution system and the grounding system.
Gerald R. Spencer, P.E. designed
remedial corrections to minimize problems. Set standards for
technicians to minimize future problems.
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CHRISTIAN
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
was comissioned to prepare
a
construction cost estimates in support of a claim against the Insurance
Company for fire damages for the replacement cost of the destroyed facility
for the Metropolitan CME Church; 7553 South Freeway (288 at Holly Hall),
Houston, TX 77021-5928; (713) 524-9556; Rev. Ed Lockett,
Pastor.
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FAILURE OF THE POTABLE WATER
SERVICE PIPELINE serving the Parkway Holdings Office Building at 200
Concourse; 1062 Highland Colony Parkway; Ridgeland Mississippi 39157.
Vance Daly' Esq. or D. James Blackwood, Jr., Esq.; Attorney;
Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A.;
600 Concourse, Suite 100; 1076 Highland Colony Parkway; Ridgeland, MS
39157. Gerald Spencer, P.E. also testified
in Deposition.
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PREFABRICATED STUDENT HOUSING for Tulane University, New
Orleans, LA. Gerald Spencer, P.E. testified
in Deposition.
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PREDOMINANT ENERGY USE STUDIES FOR RETAIL SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has prepared and filed retail two to six Retail Sales
Tax Exemption Certificates per year for local Industrial and Manufacturing
facilities.
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ELECTRICAL FAULT AND CURRENT PROTECTION
DEVICE STUDY FOR NASA-JSC MISSION CONTROL CENTER BUILDING: Gerald Spencer, P.E. provided
a formal report that defined the device interrupting capacity, bus
reinforcement bracing requirements, and breaker trip coordination criteria
for the existing switchgear and controls serving the four existing 1350 KVA generators
that are in
parallel with
two 3000 KVA transformers for the Mission Control Center at NASA-JSC.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has also
provided new switchgear and controls for the four generators and the
parallel transformers for the Mission Control Center at NASA-JSC power
supply.
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EXXON
PRODUCTION RESEARCH LABORATORY BUILDING: We performed an
analysis of the HVAC system and recommended several energy conservation
measures such as Variable Volume Chemical Hood Exhaust, Chilled Water
Reheat for OSA Make-up, and several other unique HVAC modifications for
that project.
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USPS SMALL
HVAC ANALYSIS SYSTEMS: Gerald Spencer, P.E.
has
performed many (more than 20) analysis of small existing HVAC systems for
the US Postal Service. Contact Mr. Marshall Cantor (713) 226-3471 with
the USPS.
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
has all of the
tools & instruments to analyze HVAC systems, and regularly uses these
instruments to determine non operation problems, and operational problems
with HVAC systems.
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M D
ANDERSON CANCER CENTER - SMITH RESEARCH BUILDING - HOUSTON, TEXAS: Gerald Spencer, P.E.
prepared a
formal report that studied and documented the existing HVAC, Electrical
Service, Air, Vacuum, Deionized Water, Instrument Air, Steam Supply,
Chilled Water Supply, and other services to the laboratory. We documented
the present, future, and ultimate requirements for these utilities as
required to serve the existing and proposed laboratories, and the future
ultimate building utility requirements for these services. Our study
documented specific modifications to the building that allowed the
building to be fully developed into laboratory space plus the addition of
60,000 SF of new research laboratory space.
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POSTAL
SERVICE:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
prepared a
formal report that studied and documented the existing Main Post Office,
Houston
HVAC
systems to
replace open
drive motors, replace the existing transmissions, revise chilled water
piping for variable chilled water flow, reconfigure plant for
primary-secondary pumping, start-up & commissioning, operating procedures,
and balancing.
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
was later the Engineer of record for the construction of these
modifications.
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National Imagery and Mapping
Authority (now NMA):
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
prepared a
formal report that investigated, studied and documented the existing
problems with the existing site sanitary collection systems and solutions
that solved the problems.
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NASA-JSC - STUDY OF SITE ELECTRICAL
SERVICE RELIABILITY TO ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT.
RELIABILITY AND REDUNDANCY REQUIREMENTS: The reliability requirements for
each building or load served needs to be determined and defined.
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
performed a study DEFINING THE RELIABILITY OF
THE EXISTING ELECTRICAL SERVICE TO CRITICAL DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS AT NASA-JSC
according to U. S. Army Reliability
report requirements for communications networks. This involved
a review of operational and maintenance logbooks to develop a data base of
power failures MTBF and disturbances MTBD (Mean Time Between Failures or
Disturbances) to data processing equipment caused by the power supply.
Some disturbances were unexplained and we were not able to determine the
origin/cause of the disturbance. The data base was analyzed to
determine mean time between failures for the power serving each critical
system.
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NASA-JSC PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORTS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
prepared more than six preliminary engineering reports that defined the
requirements for
construction of a facility that was needed for accomplishing a certain
mission. These reports were used to apply for congressional funding.
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CORPS OF ENGINEERS CONCEPT DATA BROCHURES:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
prepared more than six concept data brochures that defined the
requirements for
construction of a facility that was needed for accomplishing a certain
mission. These brochures were used to apply for congressional
funding.
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USAF EARLY PRELIMINARY DESIGNS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
prepared one USAF eartly prteliminary design that defined the
requirements for
construction of a facility that was needed for accomplishing a certain
mission. These early preliminary designs were used to apply for
congressional funding.
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LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS &
ENERGY MANAGEMENT:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has prepared more than 200 formal energy consumption
analysis of federally-funded construction projects since 1968 in
accordance with Energy Life Cycle Cost Analysis principals that comply
with the DoD, GSA, DOS, and NASA guidelines.
SGerald
Spencer, P.E. is
familiar with the DoD Criteria, NASA-JSC Construction Criteria, Corps of
Engineers Technical Manuals, Department of State Design Guidelines,
General Services Administration, U. S. Postal Service, plus other rules
and regulations governing energy management. Gerald Spencer, P.E. has
also prepared mote than 80 formal computer generated Energy Consumption
Analysis Reports for documentation proving compliance with ASHRAE 90 since
1980. Gerald Spencer, P.E. has prepared reports and analysis of proposed
buildings to indicate compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 in accordance with the
requirements of the Texas Energy Code. Prior to that Gerald Spencer, P.E.
prepared hand calculated energy consumption analysis for many facilities
including the FBI academy 1965 at Quantico, Virginia; Federal Courthouse
and Office Building, San Antonio, Texas 1965; FAA control tower and TRACON
facilities at DFW airport, Texas 1971; plus several commercial and
privately funded reports for non-federally funded projects. These reports
compared various HVAC systems on a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) basis
to determine the most cost effective system to be constructed for each
facility. These reports take into consideration all capital investment,
operating costs, taxes, interest, maintenance and replacement costs on a
life-cycle cost analysis basis. We also consider small subsystems such as
adding capacitors to motors for power factor improvement and demand
charges reduction. We have in-house capability and experience in
preparing energy budgets and energy analysis by computer modeling. Gerald
Spencer, P. E. is experienced in the design of all types of energy
management systems that control the cycling of energy consuming equipment
according to a preset program for the optimum use of energy. Often a
project will require the preparation of a formal report to economically
justify the expenditure of funds for improvements or for new
construction. This report is used to justify and defend the design
decisions. Gerald Spencer, PE always approaches energy engineering with
an open mind, and evaluate every conceivable energy savings option.
Gerald Spencer
has also been retained to serve as a Forensic Engineer and/or an Expert Witness in several
additional litigation matters in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Mexico that
are yet unresolved as of July 2008.
DAMAGE MODEL DEVELOPMENT: Gerald Spencer has 40 years experience preparing formal
Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) studies for making economic decisions that
determine the best economic decisions for the design and configuration of
large energy consuming HVAC and heating systems for building facilities.
Gerald Spencer has 40 years
experience preparing Construction Cost Estimates.
Gerald Spencer has in-house computer programs for performing the energy
consumption calculations. Gerald Spencer can place a valid economic
value on any design decision, casualty loss, changed operations
expense/saving, changed maintenance expense/saving, and/or mechanical
equipment malfunction/failure. Gerald Spencer, P.E. can become available to
perform as a
legal expert witness for construction issues related to
Mechanical and
Electrical Systems and Issues.
CONSTRUCTION COST
ESTIMATING: Gerald Spencer has 40 years experience preparing
Construction Cost Estimates.
Gerald R. Spencer, P.E. has taken the
course offered by CESWF (Corps of Engineers,
Southwestern Division, Fort Worth District) to be certified to perform M-CACES (Minicomputer Aided Cost
Estimating System) construction cost estimates as required to derive
anticipated construction costs, current working cost estimates and final
government cost estimates in accordance with the Federal Acquisition
Regulations (FAR's) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR's). Gerald Spencer used the NAFAC (U S
Navy) CES (Cost Estimating System) for about 8 U S Navy Projects. Gerald Spencer used the 12 Part
systems estimating format as directed by the Department of State on about 4 DOS-FBO
projects. Gerald Spencer uses these systems to derive anticipated
construction costs, current working cost estimates and final government cost
estimates as we design the Federal Government projects that we are
commissioned to design and cost manage. Gerald Spencer also prepares construction cost
estimates using the NASA Format and Criteria. Using a computer program
to estimate or analyze costs helps to eliminate mathematical errors and
saves time.
Final Government Construction Cost Estimates: Gerald Spencer, P.E.
has prepared the "Final
Government Cost Estimates" that are used at the project bid openings in
accordance with the FAR & DFAR for more than 300 federal Government
Construction Projects for the past 30 years. The FAR and DFAR Bidding
Procedures for public bidding requires that the final government cost estimate
for each project be opened and posted as a bid for each project as the first
bid opened before the each of the contractor's bids are opened and posted.
If the lowest contractor submitted bid is too much higher or too much lower
that the Final Government Construction Estimate prepared by the AE design
firm (such as Gerald Spencer) then the contract cannot be awarded, and/or
review and justification of the bid to the Final Government Construction
Estimate must be performed. For the 300 federally funded
projects where Spencer Engineers, inc. prepared the Final Government
Construction Estimate, all of these projects were able to be awarded. A
list of cost estimating results can be derived to determine the accuracy of the
Final Government Cost Estimates that were prepared by Gerald Spencer, P.E.
compared to the low bidder on the project. Gerald Spencer has not
ever had a Federal Government project where the low bid was too high above
the Final Government Cost Estimate for the government to award a
construction contract.
Construction Contract Modifications: Gerald Spencer, P.E.
has prepared less than 5
construction cost estimates for use in construction contract modification proposal
negotiations on Federal Construction Projects. Gerald Spencer has reviewed and commented on
construction cost estimates prepared by construction contractors for use in construction contract modification proposals.
Privately Funded Construction Contract Estimates: Gerald Spencer, P.E.
has prepared several
construction cost estimates for privately funded construction projects using
these FAR estimating principles. On private projects there is less
management costs and less expensive non-union labor costs. The Design
Costs are sometimes reduced to provide less design construction details.
Insurance Claim Construction Cost
Estimates: Gerald Spencer, P.E.
has prepared one recent
construction cost estimates in support of a claim against their Insurance
Company for the replacement cost of fire damages that destroyed entire facility
for the Metropolitan CME Church which is now located at 7553 South Freeway (288 at Holly Hall),
Houston, TX 77021-5928; (713) 524-9556; Rev. Ed Lockett,
Pastor.
GENERAL
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT INTERPRETATIONS: Gerald Spencer has 30
years experience preparing Construction Contract forms, General Contract
Conditions, Special Contract Conditions, Construction Contract Drawings, and
other construction contract documents for Federal and for Privately Funded
construction projects. Gerald Spencer has more than 40 years
performing construction contract administration as a representative of the
owner in relation to the construction contractor for more than 1800 Construction Projects
where he interpreted and enforced the construction contract documents. He can become available to
perform as a
legal expert witness for construction issues related to the following
construction contract topics:
Construction Contract Document Interpretations to determine Contract Requirements and Scope of Work
that the contractor agreed to perform as a part of the construction
contract..
Construction Drawing Requirement Interpretations
HVAC Systems
Electrical Systems
Plumbing Systems
Construction Specification Requirement Interpretations
Form of Contract
General Contract Conditions
Special Contract Conditions
Technical Specifications
Performance Specifications
Design-Build Contract Requirements
Turn-Key Contract Requirements
Federal Government Contracts - Gerald Spencer has 40 years experience
soliciting, executing, and administrating Federal Government AE
Contracts and Construction Contracts in the following categories:
Architect-Engineer Contract Requirements
Lump Sum Contract Requirements
Design-Build Contract Requirements
Federal Construction Contract Clause Requirement Interpretations
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Gerald Spencer has a working
knowledge of DoD Criteria, Corps of Engineers Technical Manuals, Department
of State Design Guidelines, and the rules and regulations governing military
construction because he is the Engineer of Record (Engineer of Record) for the construction of
more than 300 Federal Government Construction projects since 1966.
Gerald Spencer is familiar with the following Federal Government Regulations
that govern the acquisition and construction of publicly funded facility
Construction:
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR's).
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR's)
Federal Specifications (FS)
CEGS - Corps of Engineers Guide Specifications
Military Specifications
Specsintact (Navy & NASA)
CSI Specifications
Dept Of State Specifications
GSA Specifications
ETL (COE Engineering Technical Letters)
HVAC, HUMIDITY CONTROL, PLUMBING,
FIRE PROTECTION: Gerald Spencer,
P.E. is a registered Mechanical Engineer. He is the designer and the
Mechanical Engineer of Record for more than 1300 mechanical construction
projects
since 1966 that included the following types of mechanical systems including
the following types of projects:
Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning
Chilled Water
Packaged Systems
Industrial Process Cooling
High Rise New Construction to 14 floors
Plumbing
High Rise New Construction to 14 floors
Soil Waste & Drain
Backflow Prevention
Water Service
Water Distribution
Landscape Irrigation
Site Sanitary Sewer Collection System Flow Analysis
Diesel Fuel Storage Systems
Fire Protection
High Rise Fire Protection
Stairwell Pressurization
Fire Alarm Systems
Fire Pump Systems
Fire Standpipes
Automatic Sprinklers
Chemical Extinguishing Systems
Halon & FMC200 Systems
Computer Assisted Site Water Loop Fire Protection Analysis
Instrumentation and Controls:
Distributed Control Systems (up to 16,000 points) NASA Building 32 with Data
Acquisition
Industrial Process Instrumentation - Shell Deer Park & Exxon Production
Research
HVAC Central Control Systems - NASA, U S Army, USAF, U S Navy
Cryogenics and Space Simulation - LIN
circulating systems, Cryro Pumping, Life Support Systems:
NASA-JSC Chamber A, B, D & E
NASA-JSC Building 260
Building 33 Ultra High Vacuum Systems
More than 20 other small cryogenic systems
Rocket Test Firing Facilities - Gerald
Spencer is the AE of record for modifications to existing LOX, Hydrazine,
Deluge, high capacity steam venturi vacuum systems, Ammonia Refrigeration,
Environmental Hydrazine Contamination Clean-up, Hydrocarbon Contamination
Clean-up Plant Design, Instrumentation, systems at the following two NASA facilities:
NASA-JSC - ESTA area.
NASA-White Sands Test Facility - Instrumentation and Controls Only for
existing systems.
LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL POWER & FIRE ALARM: Gerald Spencer is a registered Electrical (Lighting and Power) Engineer. He
is the Electrical Engineer of Record for more than 1300
construction projects
since 1966 including the following projects:
Electrical Lighting
Building Interior lighting - Elite LIGHT Software
Site Lighting - Elite OUTPOINT Software
Roadway Lighting (20 projects)
Airport Runway and/or Taxiway Lighting (less than 5 projects) - CCNAS &
Houston Ellington Field
Sports Venue Lighting (10 projects)
Theatrical Lighting (3 projects)
Electrical Power Distribution in Buildings
ONE-LINE DIAGRAMS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has prepared one-line diagrams or
documentation for modifications to existing one-line diagrams
for more than 1,200 projects. Such diagrams may be as simple as a residence
or as complex as the NASA-JSC Mission Control Center.
ELECTRICAL SWITCHGEAR:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. is the Engineer or Record
for Modifying the Switchgear controlling three 1350 KVA generators, one 2000
KVA generator, and two 3000 KVA transformers with closed transition
switching for NASA-JSC Bldg 48. This switchgear was exposed to 160,000 amp
symmetrical fault current and was braced for only 100,000 amp fault capacity.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. is the Engineer or Record for many other Switchgear with less capacity.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. is the
Engineer of Record for several 12.47KV indoor enclosed electrical
switchgear projects for EXXON, USA at the EPR facility.
SHORT CIRCUIT
STUDIES:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. utilizes in-house computer programs that perform short circuit
calculations for each possible location of a fault to determine the
interrupting capacity requirements for protective devices. SEI uses the
Elite Short Circuit Program for short circuit calculations.
PROTECTION DEVICE
COORDINATION STUDIES:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. uses in-house computer programs that have time-current curves for most
of the protective devices (fuses and circuit breakers) commercially
available plus the capability to generate time-current curves for static
electronic-controlled power operated circuit breakers at all available
settings. Gerald Spencer, P.E. uses the Elite Protection Device Coordination Program for
protection device coordination studies.
LIGHTNING/SURGE
STUDIES:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. is the AE of record for more than 10 new telephone company electrical
services that have lightning/surge protection. Gerald Spencer, P.E. has performed
trouble-shooting and has installed Dranitz and RPM equipment to record
surges and other unknown disturbances. Gerald Spencer, P.E. has isolated and defined surge
problems, and then provided or designed solutions to fix these problems.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. normally installs the current transformers and voltage connections
himself
at foreign locations and at secure locations. We have not had an accident
in over 50 such locations.
NEUTRAL GROUNDING
STUDIES:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has economically studied the power systems at NASA-JSC and added
resistors to the source neutral-ground to reduce available fault current
requirements of various items of equipment.
RELIABILITY AND
REDUNDANCY:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has experience in defining the reliability of existing electrical
service and designing reliability and/or redundancy systems, e.g., parallel
primary distribution feeders to building transformers, parallel building
transformers, power condition equipment, uninterruptable power supplies,
dual feed from the power company, sectionalized ring buses for power company
voltage, multiple power company transformers and emergency power generators.
STEP-BY-STEP
PROCEDURES TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE SERVICE OUTAGES TO BUILDINGS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has designed many electrical service change-outs that were accomplished
without loss of service to the entire building and only short outages for
changeover of individual loads to the new electrical service.
HARMONIC
CIRCULATING CURRENT ANALYSIS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. normally
uses Reliable Power
Meter instruments and Reliable Power Meter Professional Power Recorder
System software to analyze output data and to determine the power condition
at various points within building power systems. Our formal reports to
Owner/User are written so that a layman can understand the data.
hazardous area electrical DESIGN:
Gerald Spencer, PE is
the Engineer of Record for more than 40 separate electrical projects located
in explosive and flammable environments in local petrochemical processing
plants.
POWER FACTOR
CORRECTION:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
has performed many
power factor correction economic life cycle cost analysis to economically
justify the cost of the installation of capacitors. These studies have
included systems for entire buildings and sub-systems for individual
motors. We have formally analyzed the operation of synchronous motors at
the Houston Main Post Office because these motors require special care and
analysis to minimize economic electrical demand charges by the power
company.
Emergency OPERATING CENTER DESIGN:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
is the Engineer of record for the emergency
power and the electrical power distribution for many Health Facilities,
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF), FAA and
Military Airport Control Towers, Department of State Secure Communications
Centers, the FBI Quantico fall-out shelter, Commercial Telecommunication
Facilities, and other emergency operating centers where operations needed to
occur at all times without regard to the commercially provided
infrastructure utilities. Gerald
Spencer, PE is the Engineer of Record for the HVAC and electrical for
facilities that are required to be operational during times when normal
power and other utilities are not available.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has extensive experience
in the installation of diesel engine, natural gas engine, and turbine engine
driven electrical standby power generators. Most of our diesel and gas
turbine experience has been for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company UPS
projects. A natural gas engine generator was installed at the Brazoria
County (TX) jail. The largest diesel engine generator installation (two
1250 KVA generators) was for the DFW airport FAA facilities.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has also
provided new switchgear and controls for four 1350 KVA generators with
parallel 3000 KVA transformers for the Mission Control Center at NASA-JSC.
The largest gas turbine engine generator that Gerald Spencer is the Engineer
of record was 750 KVA was installed the
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company at the Fondren Road Office.
Exterior Site
Primary Voltage
Power Distribution:
Gerald Spencer, P.E. is the
Engineer of Record for new commercial projects where the local
power company designs and installs the electrical service and also for
federal government and military modifications and additions. Gerald
Spencer, PE is the AE of record for the more than 40 power distribution
projects including the following electrical primary distribution and street
lighting design projects during the past 10 years including the following
projects:
NASA-White Sands Testing Facility, repaired and up-graded
29KV primary distribution (35KV class de-rated for altitude) and street
lighting systems, 1996.
NASA-JSC, repaired/replaced overhead 12.47KV distribution
and street lighting system in Area 200/300, 1998.
NASA-JSC Building 30S,
upgraded 12.47KV primary service to accommodate Mission Control Center UPS
systems, 1997.
U S Navy, Ingleside
Naval Station, TX, Fleet Mine Warfare Center, designed 12.5KV electrical
primary distribution system and street lighting modifications to serve a new
87,000 SF teaching/training facility and a new 6,500 SF secure
communications and data processing facility 1997.
U S Navy, Corpus
Christi Naval Air Station, TX, Remodel Hanger 42 for Mine Warfare Helicopter
Maintenance & storage.
12.5 KV system
U S Navy, Corpus
Christi Naval Air Station, TX, ASRM facility for training Mine Warfare
Helicopter crewmen. 12.5
KV system
U S Navy, Corpus
Christi Naval Air Station, TX, New Vehicle maintenance facility for Mine
Warfare Vehicle Maintenance 12.5 KV system
NASA-JSC, determined
site electrical service reliability to electronic data processing equipment
and redundancy requirements using the U.S. Army Reliability Report
Requirements for Communications Networks.
Hazardous Area Electrical Design:
Gerald
Spencer, PE is the Engineer of Record for more than 40 separate electrical
projects located in explosive and flammable environments. Most of
these projetcs are located at Petrochemical Refinery Processing Plants along
the Houston Ship Channel.
Electrical Power Generation
Diesel Electric Prime Mover - 28 New Systems - multiple parallel generators
for half of these - 50KVA to
1350KVA generator size - Southwestern Bell
Telephone Co., Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, DOS,
NIMA, and US Navy.
Gas Turbine Prime Mover - one project - 750KVA for SBC
Electrical Un-interruptible Power Systems - more than 45 large
systems for - Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., Federal Aviation
Administration, NASA, DOS, NIMA, U S Army, EXXON-USA, and US Navy.
Electrical Power Quality Improvements - more than 15 large
system modifications for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., Federal Aviation
Administration, NASA, DOS, NIMA, U S Army, EXXON-USA, and US Navy
Predominant Use Energy
Studies: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. has prepared energy consumption analysis of energy used
exploring for, producing, or transporting, a material extracted from the
earth; existing energy used for manufacturing real goods; and/or processing
tangible personal property for sale as tangible personal property for use in
obtaining Texas State Sales Tax Exemptions and Rebates. Gerald Spencer,
P.E. has prepared more than 25 Predominant Energy Use Studies in the past 25
years.
We are familiar with the
Rules and regulations of the Texas State Comptrollers Office. We can
represent you for tax rebate matters concerning energy consumption
taxation.
We have recently completed a Predominant Energy Use Study for a
40.8MVA -
138KV substation for a local client that resulted in a multi-million dollar
state sales tax refund.
Fire Alarm Systems - NIMA 3500+ point
detection system - Flash Memory Technology - Comply with future code
requirements
GOVERNMENT CLIENT LIST:
Gerald Spencer, P.E., Spencer Engineers, Inc.,
Spencer Dunaway Jones & Smith, Inc. and/or Spencer & Associates have had
multiple direct AE contracts with the following government agencies.
United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Air Force
United States Navy
United States Department of State
United States General Services Administration
National Air and Space Administration
National Imagery and Mapping Authority
United States Postal Authority
State of Texas General Services Administration
City of Houston - Department of Aviation
City of Mount Belview - Parks & Recreation
FOREIGN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXPERIENCE: Gerald
Spencer is the prime professional and/or AE of record for Foreign Construction Projects
in the following foreign countries:
Bahrain - 1 project
Barbados - 2 projects
Denmark - 1 project
India - 5 projects
Nassau - 1 project
Jeddah, Saudia Arabia - 1 project
KAMA, Saudia Arabia - 3 projects
BUILDING CODE
ISSUES: Gerald Spencer has 39 years continuous experience as a
Part time City of Houston building administration official serving on the Plumbing
Review Board. Gerald Spencer, P.E. can become available to
perform as a
legal expert witness for construction issues related to
Building Code Compliance
for Mechanical and Electrical Issues.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. has been the chairman of this board for many years.
ECONOMIC LIFE CYCLE EXPENDITURE
AND ANALYSIS ISSUES: Gerald Spencer has 40 years experience preparing formal
Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) studies for making economic decisions that
determine the best economic decisions for the design and configuration of
large energy consuming HVAC and heating systems for building facilities.
Gerald Spencer has in-house computer programs for performing the energy
consumption calculations. Most of these facilities were large Federal
Government projects. Gerald Spencer, P.E. can become available to
perform as a
legal expert witness for construction issues related to
Building Code Compliance
for Mechanical and Electrical Issues.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION MANAGEMENT
ISSUES: Gerald Spencer has 40 years experience preparing formal
Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) studies and formal reports for making
economic decisions that determine the best economic decisions for the design
and configuration of large energy consuming HVAC and heating systems for
building facilities. Most of these facilities were large Federal
Government projects.
Gerald Spencer
has experience in the design of radio control of electrical loads for the
purpose of load shedding to reduce electrical demand charges and power
factor correction system modifications. Gerald Spencer has prepared
formal reports to justify the expenditure of funds for sometimes small
improvements to existing facilities or new construction efficiency
improvements. These reports take into consideration all capital
investment, operating costs, taxes, interest, maintenance and replacement
costs on a life-cycle cost analysis basis. Gerald Spencer has in-house capability and
experience in preparing energy budgets and energy analysis by computer
modeling. Gerald Spencer always approaches energy engineering with an open
mind, and evaluate every conceivable energy savings option.
Gerald Spencer, P.E. can become
available to
perform as a
legal expert witness for energy consumption
issues.
Gerald Spencer has the following energy analysis capabilities with his
in-house data processing systems.
COMPUTER
PROGRAMMED ENERGY CONSUMPTION MODELING:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
provides energy consumption calculations by computer modeling each
building that is planned. Once we have this data inputted into our
computer, we can easily ask "WHAT IF” questions concerning not only the
equipment selection, operation, and configuration, but also questions
concerning the construction or modification of the building. We can provide
a computer programmed energy consumption simulation model for any building
using our in-house computer. Existing Projects that have records of utility
consumption and costs will allow us to vary the inputs of lights, people,
and other variables until the energy consumption matches the historical data
from the utility billings for a very accurate projection of future energy
consumption with any proposed modifications. This will allow us to ask
“WHAT IF” questions, and get finite energy savings in BTU, KWH, KVA, from
any and all proposed energy related modifications to the building. Typical
proposed considerations will be in the following areas, plus others that we
think of when we get into the project.
KVA DEMAND
CHARGE REDUCTION:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
can provide automation for load shedding as required to reduce KVA
demand charges by the power company. This will require a system to monitor
the KVA demand at the incoming electrical service with pulse meters that
will constantly up-date a controller as to the present KVA Demand that is
the basis for the electrical demand billing. This Controller will cycle
various loads off for relatively short periods of time so that the total
measured demand at the point of metering is reduced. The various loads will
each receive a priority rating and the controller will selectively cycle the
various loads at different times as required to reduce KVA Demand. This
will be a part of the EMCS, SCADA, or UCS system.
INCANDESCENT LIGHTING:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
always tries
to minimize the use of incandescent lighting by substituting florescent (or
HID) lighting to provide the same lighting levels with less wattage of
energy usage everywhere possible.
LIGHTING
LEVELS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
will review lighting levels in the site and justify any levels that are
greater than the minimum requirement.
INSULATION:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
will consider different thickness’ of Roof Insulation and Wall
Insulation if economic life cycle cost analysis can justify the capitol
expenditure.
WINDOWS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
always considers the following glass options:
Different Reflective coatings
Double pane insulating glass
DESIGN THE
BUILDING WITH LESS GLASS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
does not wish
to detract from the exterior or interior aesthetic appearance of any
facility. It would of course save energy to not provide any windows at
all, and have only insulated walls, but the morale of the personnel would be
reduced, and the personnel productivity would also be reduced.
REVIEW
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES:
Review
temperature settings, operational hours, manpower requirements, and all
other .
REVIEW
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES:
Review expenditures, procedures, and schedules for maintenance.
AUTOMATION:
Provide automation for resetting of space temperatures with the use of
programmable thermostats.
HEAT
RECLAIM:
We will evaluate waste heat reclaim systems addition to the existing
equipment. Auxiliary condensers added to condensing units can be used to
generate domestic hot water.
TREES FOR
WINDOW SHADING:
We will consider the addition of trees that are located to shade the windows
during the summer, to reduce the solar load on the windows.
OTHER
UTILITY COST SAVINGS:
We will discover other areas that utility cost savings are possible when we
get into this project. These items will also be evaluated.
ECONOMIC
ANALYSIS:
Gerald Spencer, P.E.
provides
life cycle costs of each option for the purpose of decision making for
system selection. Additional construction costs would be sometimes serve
our clients better in a savings deposit rather than invested into more
efficient energy consumption systems.
CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES:
Each proposed
change to the facility will be evaluated on a Life Cycle Cost basis to
determine the economic viability of each proposed change. Each proposed
change must stand alone on it’s own economic merit.
OPERATION
AND MAINTENANCE CHANGES:
Operations and Maintenance changes to the facility will also be evaluated on
a Life Cycle Cost basis to determine the economic viability of each proposed
change.
ECONOMIC
EVALUATION CRITERIA EXPERIENCE:
We are familiar with the Army and NASA economic criteria and guidelines for
evaluating the various proposals for the modification of existing
facilities.
ECONOMIC
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
We will work
in cooperation with the your accounting department and other departments as
required to develop economic criteria and guidelines for evaluating the
various proposals for the construction of these new facilities.
ENERGY
STUDIES:
Examples of
similar energy studies performed and documentation of energy savings in
similar facilities performed recently are as follows:
LACKLAND AFB - NEW SCIF INTELLIGENCE FACILITY - $1,500,000.00 - 2002
LACKLAND AFB - REMODEL WHITE OAK DINING HALL - $3,100,000.00 - 2002
LACKLAND AFB - HVAC STUDY BUILDINGS 1250, 1350, 1354, 1355, 6329, AND 6359 -
$1,500,000.00 - 2002
ASRM AIR CREW TRAINING FACILITY - CORPUS CHRISTI NAS, TX - $2,200,000 - U S
NAVY - 1999
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY - CORPUS CHRISTI NAS, TX - $2,200,000 - U S
NAVY - 1999
MINE WARFARE CENTER - INGLESIDE, TEXAS - 1995 - $5,400,000 - U S NAVY - 1998
AIR OPERATIONS BLDG 1770 ADDITION - KINGSVILLE NAS, TEXAS - $1,750,000 - U S
NAVY - 1998
CAMP BULLIS ARMORY - U S AIR FORCE - $800,000 - 1997
AMDAHL CHAPEL - KELLY AFB, TX - $1,200,000 - 1995
METROLOGY BUILDING ADDITION - $850,000 - NASA-JSC - 1994
EXXON
PRODUCTION RESEARCH FACILITY - BUFFALO SPEEDWAY - HOUSTON - EXXON, USA -
3250 TONS TOTAL: Spencer Engineers was the Engineer of Record a formal
energy analysis project for that resulted in the economic justification of
the construction of a new 750 ton super efficient base load water chilling
machine to run 24 hrs per day as justified by life cycle cost analysis.
Additional capacity was required also. Prepared Energy Consumption
calculations with computer simulation of the HVAC energy consumption for the
proposed systems as required for economic Life Cycle Cost evaluation and
selection of the most advantageous systems for construction.
Many other energy consumption analysis studies and reports dating back to
1964
ENERGY
BUDGET PREPARATION AND LIFE CYCLE COST EVALUATIONS:
Gerald Spencer is
the Engineer of Record for performing Energy Budget Preparation in
accordance with U S Army criteria defined in ETL-1110-3-309.
Gerald Spencer is
the Engineer of Record for performing Energy Analysis and Life Cycle Energy
Cost studies as required to determine the types of HVAC and other energy
consuming systems to be installed in the new or existing facilities for the
past 25 years. Gerald Spencer has personal experience of an additional 3
years of performing Energy Analysis and Life Cycle Energy Cost studies prior
to entering private practice in 1967.
Gerald Spencer is
very experienced in the design of Energy Efficient Systems and modifications
to existing systems as required to improve energy consumption efficiency for
the HVAC and other energy consuming systems to be installed in the new or
existing facilities. We have been designing energy efficient HVAC systems
for the past 25 years.
Gerald Spencer has
been performing Energy Consumption Analysis and Energy Cost studies as
required to determine Energy Budgets for HVAC systems since the inception of
ASHRAE Standard 90.
VARIOUS CLIMATE AND ALTITUDE DESIGNS:
Gerald Spencer is
the AE of record for successful projects in every imaginable climatic
region as follows:
High Mountains: Gerald Spencer, P.E. was the Engineer of Record for
several high altitude HVAC systems including the Plutonium Production
Laboratory at Rocky Flats, CO @ 8150' el.; Buildings 147 & 149 at White
Sands Missile Range @ 4000' elevation; and two projects at the NASA White Sands Test
Facility @ 4000' elevation.
Arid Deserts: Gerald
Spencer is
the AE of record for five Department of State projects in India; for several Corps of Engineers (CESWF and CESWA) projects at the White Sands Missile Range, New
Mexico; three Corps of Engineers (MED) projects at KAMA in Saudia Arabia and one project at Jeddah,
Saudia Arabia. White Sands New Mexico and the NASA White Sands Test
Facility are equally harsh environments where Gerald
Spencer is
the Engineer of Record for multiple
projects.
Permafrost: Gerald
Spencer is
the Engineer of Record for the EXXON Unmanned Microwave Relay Station in Ignek, Alaska. The foundation was supported on the permafrost.
We poured water instead of pouring concrete for the building foundations.
Hurricane Prone Areas: All projects along the Gulf Coast are
designed to comply with the Uniform Building Code or the South Florida/Dade
County Building Code requirements for hurricane force winds. Our hurricane
structural design calculations have been reviewed and approved by the Corps
of Engineers, USAF, US Navy and NASA structural engineers. We are current on the UBC code
requirements for hurricane structural design.
Tornado Prone Areas: We are the AE for projects in the mid-West
where severe weather threats occur on a regular basis.
Gerald Spencer is
familiar with the alarm warning systems that are required. The St.
Louis NIMA project has an alarm horn system to advise the building occupants
of severe weather threats.
Blowing sand areas:
Gerald Spencer is
the AE of record for five Department of State projects in India, for several CESWF and CESWA
U S Army projects at the White Sands Missile Range, New
Mexico and the NASA White Sands Test Facility.
Freezing
Environment Design: Gerald Spencer is
the AE of
record for projects in Alaska, New Mexico, Colorado, North Texas, and other
freezing climates. Even Houston has a hard freeze every ten years of so,
and this requires the same design considerations that we employ in North
Texas which has below zero temperatures for at least 48 hr duration every
winter. Freezing temperatures do not need much time to cause extensive
damage. Some areas such as Amarillo, Texas has 120 °F summers and -30°F
winters. The 150°F temperature range creates some unexpected differential
expansion problems, especially with masonry veneer buildings. The Corps of
Engineers masonry construction details and specifications are probably more
stringent than any other masonry construction-design standards, but additional consideration over and
above the Corps of Engineers requirements is needed for this huge
temperature range, where masonry tends to walk off of the masonry shelves in
slab on grade construction. Moisture entrainment in exposed concrete tends to
freeze, cause concrete to splay off, and expose the reinforcing steel to the
environment. We have designed details to minimize these occurrences.
seismic DESIGN: Gerald Spencer is
the
AE or record for mechanical and electrical portions of the seismic design
retrofit projects in the central continental U.S., the offshore Pacific
coastal, and the western India where we were the AE of record. We
usually design to exceed most building code requirements. We are familiar
with the building code source documents, The National Earthquake
Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) Recommended Provisions for Seismic
Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures, as well as
building codes from The Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA)
and The Uniform Building Code (UBC). Our seismic design procedures
includes the following:
Mechanical HVAC design for
seismic event damage resistance.
Lighting Fixture support design
for seismic event damage resistance.
Electrical equipment anchorage
for seismic event damage resistance.
Elevator supplemental design for
seismic event equipment damage resistance.
Furniture, fixtures, and
equipment (FFE) seismic movement resistance design.
Non-structural systems
modification design to resist seismic event damage.
Non-structural masonry
reinforcement design to resist seismic event damage resistance.
Design of bracing to support
non-structural building portions such as masonry parapets in order to resist
seismic event.
Structural protection design to
reduce damage to essential equipment that will be needed for Immediate
Occupancy (IO) after a seismic event.
Mechanical piping support design
to resist movement during seismic events.
Non-structural heavy door
movement shock absorber design and movement limitation design to minimize
seismic event caused movement that might injure or kill office personnel.
blast related DESIGN: Blast proof design experience includes:
Building 1172
remodeling - Red River Army Depot
Building 1174 addition - Red River Army Depot
Celanese Chemical Plant Control Room, Victoria, Texas
Small Remodeling Projects at Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant
Replaced Electrical service and power in 108 munitions storage buildings at
Lackland AFB, Medina Annex, Texas
FBI Academy (while in the employ of Wyatt C. Hedrick 1965)
HURRICANE
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN:
All projects along the
Gulf Coast are designed to comply with the Uniform Building Code and/or the
South Florida/Dade County Building Code requirements for hurricane force
winds.
HEAVY SNOW LOAD
DESIGN: Gerald
Spencer, P.E. is the Engineer of record for many projects in St. Louis,
Colorado, Chicago, North Texas, New Mexico, Virginia, Missouri, plus other
areas in the Continental U. S.
FREEZING
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN:
We are the AE of record for projects in Alaska, Denver, North Texas, and
other freezing climates. Even Houston has a hard freeze every ten years of
so, and this requires the same design considerations that we employ in North
Texas. Freezing temperatures do not need much time to cause extensive
damage. Some areas such as Amarillo, Texas has 120 °F summers and -30°F
winters. The 150°F temperature design range creates some unexpected
building material differential
expansion problems, especially with masonry veneer buildings. The Corps of
Engineers masonry construction details are probably more stringent than any
other details, but additional design and more stringent criteria and other consideration is needed for the
expansion caused by this huge temperature range. Moisture entrainment in
exposed concrete tends to freeze and cause concrete to splay off and expose
the reinforcing steel. We have designed details to minimize these
occurrences. We
have designed details
for new construction to prevent these occurrences.
DESERT ENVIRONMENT
DESIGN: Gerald Spencer, P.E. is the AE of record for five Department of State
desert projects in India; For NASA-White Sands Test Facility, New Mexico; and for several CESWF and CESWA projects at the White Sands Missile
Range, New Mexico.
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