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K&C Gives Blast Effects Seminar to Canadian Engineers

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:39:18 -0500

Karagozian & Case recently gave a three-day blast effects seminar to engineers in Canada. The seminar focused on describing various techniques for performing blast effects studies, and designing structures to resist blast loads. The seminar also introduced some of the new materials that K&C uses for retrofitting existing structures for blast resistance, including polymers, high strength fabrics and crushable foams.

Karagozian & Case Awarded Blast Resistant Curtain Wall R&D Program by Department of State

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:06:28 -0500

A team led by Karagozian & Case (K&C) was recently awarded a multi-year program to continue development of a blast, ballistic, and forced entry resistant curtain wall facade for the United States Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DOS-DS). Under this new research and development (R&D) program, a façade initially intended for new construction will be adapted for use in retrofitting existing structures. K&C has worked closely with DOS-DS continuously for over a decade providing blast-resistant design, high-fidelity physics-based analysis, and test planning support for numerous programs related to enhancing the blast resistance of facilities. According to Ruben Martinez, a senior engineer with K&C, “The Department of State has for many years required their oversea’s buildings to perform to a much higher standard as compared to most other kinds of facilities. This is particularly true in regions where threats from numerous sources are high.”

To assist with this program, K&C teamed with Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), a firm with broad experience with design and installation of curtain walls. They offer a valuable resource for information concerning the design of façades for retrofit applications, forensic investigation of problematic facades and the development of façade repair solutions. This capability is useful in meeting the specialized objectives of DOS-DS. The Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC), a research division of New Mexico Tech, is also participating in the program and will execute a full-scale high explosive test to verify the capability afforded by a new type of façade, which was adapted by K&C from existing designs to afford better blast resistance. K&C and EMRTC have a history of planning and executing cost effective component-level and full-scale blast tests to validate the performance of engineered blast resistance systems.

“This program embodies the four core areas of expertise K&C has diligently maintained for the past several decades: high-fidelity engineering analysis, performance-based blast-resistant design, development of blast-resistant criteria, and blast effects test planning,” says John Crawford, president of K&C. “K&C’s dedication and ability to provide these diverse but closely interconnected groups of skill areas is unmatched in our industry.”

Blast Effects Design/Analysis Course to be Taught in Australia

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:32:42 -0500

Toward the end of 2009, John Crawford and Shengrui Lan of Karagozian & Case, among others, will be conducting a short two-day course on Blast Effects. The seminar will cover state of the art protective technologies and blast analysis and mitigation scenarios. The course brochure is available here for more details and registration information on the December 1-2, 2009 gathering at the University of Adelaide campus in Australia.

"Sometimes you just have to blow stuff up..."

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:37:45 -0500

So says the New Mexico Business Weekly last week in an article describing the recently acquired Karagozian & Case $10 million contract to provide Architect - Engineer (A-E) services for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). (Full article available here in pdf form.)

The article describes in detail the trio of engineering firms--Karagozian & Case along with Respec Consulting & Services and Merrick and Co., the lead contractor--who joined forces to win this lucrative contract. The article details each companies background and particular expertise brought to the team effort.

Karagozian & Case Awarded Defense Threat Reduction Agency Contract

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:40:03 -0500

Karagozian & Case announced today that its team, led by Merrick and Company, was awarded an indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) task order contract to provide Architect - Engineer (A-E) services for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

The multiple award contract has a 5-year base period of performance, with an option to extend for an additional 5 years. The contract has a total value of $10 million if the option is exercised. “This is a major win for K&C and is a key element of our business strategy for long term growth of our Albuquerque Operations,” according to Ken Morrill, K&C Vice-President. “We would like thank DTRA for selecting the Merrick team and giving us the opportunity to provide long term engineering support to DTRA in their important work.”

DTRA is responsible for safe guarding America’s interests from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosives). The Test Division- Technology Development Directorate arm of DTRA is responsible for fielding and conducting effects testing for high explosives, phenomenology, electromagnetic, chemical, biological, and thermal radiation.

Through this contract K&C, along with Merrick & Company and RESPEC, will provide A-E services for test bed planning, engineering design, and construction management for projects primarily located at Kirtland Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range.

Javier Malvar Receives ACI Design Award

Thu, 10 May 2007 17:43:02 -0500

According to Concrete International Javier Malvar has been awarded a prestigious Association of Civil Engineers Design Award "for developing a methodology to improve the blast resistance of existing reinforced concrete columns" outlined in his article "Specific Local Resistance Concepts," Concrete International, Vol. 27, No. 12, December 2005, pp. 23-27.

You can read the full text of the award article here.

Engineering Position Available in K&C Burbank Office

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:44:58 -0500

Build models with FEMB, TrueGrid, LS-Ingrid/Prepost. Investigate buildings and structures with LS-DYNA; analyze high frequency wave propagations in elastic and elasto-plastic material theory; develop concrete constitutive models with knowledge of precedents in specialty, principle, and practice. MS in Civil Engineering.

Send resume to Karagozian & Case, 2550 North Hollywood Way, Suite 500, Burbank, CA 91505 or by email to jakoby@kcse.com.

New Technical Papers Added to the K&C Online Resource Library

Fri, 26 May 2006 17:46:03 -0500

The addition of several new technical papers to K&C's growing online Resource Library will be welcomed by many of our clients and visitors who download them regularly. These papers are in great demand and present the results of years of research, design and testing.

The recently added papers include:

Achieving Resilient Building Designs for Protection Against Structural Collapse

Evaluation of the Blast Resistance of Metal Deck Roofs

Design and Implementation of Protective Technologies for Improving Blast Resistance of Buildings

Development of Combined Blast Load and Anti-Ram Barrier Systems

Analysis of a Steel Frame Subjected to Blast Effects and Subsequent Progressive Collapse Demands

Protective Technology Services

Blast Barrier Design and Testing

Successful Blast Test at Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 17:48:01 -0600

The American Institute of Steel Construction contracted Karagozian & Case and the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) to plan, design, and execute a full-scale blast test of a steel wide-flange column.

The test was successfully executed on 02 March, 2006, at EMRTC. The results of the test are extremely important to understand the behaviors of steel members subjected to a variety of explosive threats and will be used to develop models and methods to assess the survivability of steel structures to terrorist attacks.

Joe Magallanes and Ruben Martinez of the K&C Burbank and Albuquerque offices headed this effort for AISC.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from Karagozian & Case

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 17:50:44 -0600

Happy Halloween from K&C

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 18:06:28 -0600

John Crawford to Visit Singapore's IDSS as a Visiting Senior Fellow

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 18:52:11 -0500

John Crawford has been invited as a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Visit the Institute on the Web here: www.ntu.edu.sg/idss. Mr. Crawford will be visiting Singapore from September 26 to 30 to discuss recent developments in protective technology with IDSS researchers and government officials.

Short course on Blast Effects Design/Analysis at The University of Western Australia, Perth, December 5 - 6, 2005

Tue, 03 May 2005 18:54:20 -0500

Mr. John Crawford and Dr. Shengrui Lan from K&C, and Professor Hong Hao from The University of Western Australia, will jointly conduct a short course on Blast Effects Design/Analysis at The University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, December 5-6, 2005. The course is organized by the Structural Engineering Discipline Group at UWA and sponsored by the Research Network for a Secure Australia. Please see the course brochure or visit www.civil.uwa.edu.au for more details about the course, lectures, program, and registration.

K&C and RSA Protective Technologies Earn Additional DOS Certifications for New Anti-Ram Bollard System

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 18:55:51 -0500

Successful crash tests of K&C designs for three new anti-ram shallow footing bollard systems were completed in April.

On April 4, 2005, RSA Protective Technologies performed successful crash tests of two of K&C's designs for an anti-ram shallow footing bollard system. One test was for a system with an 8 inch deep footing, which achieved a Department of State K8 rating (15,000 pound vehicle at 40 mph) and the other test was for a system with a 5 inch deep footing for a K4 rating (15,000 pound vehicle at 30 mph).

On April 21, 2005, a K8 test was successfully passed by a K&C design of a 5 bollard unit with a 5 inch deep footing.

These systems, which are marketed under the name RSA/K&C Anti-Ram Foundation Bollard Pad, represent a unique design using conventional construction materials and technique (i.e., steel sections and reinforced concrete) to achieve a cost-effective solution for highly constrained site conditions-that is, those with very limited subsurface depth for a footing. The tests demonstrated that K&C is able to design tailored anti-ram systems to meet site constraints that have precluded the use of anti-ram devices in the past.

John Crawford Presents Paper to Singapore Building Security Seminar

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 18:57:10 -0600

John Crawford was invited by Singapore Building and Construction Authority to present at the Seminar on Enhancing Building Security, March 23, 2005, Singapore, which is jointly organized by Building and Construction Authority, Homefront Security Office, Internal Security Department, Singapore Civil Defense Force and Singapore Police Force.

The objective of the seminar is to inform building owners, developers, architects, engineers, builders, building security professionals and other stakeholders involved in the design, construction and operation of buildings on strategies, the approaches and measures that they can adopt to enhance the security and safety of their buildings against various extreme threats and hazards such as terrorist attacks.

John Crawford presented his paper on “Design and Implementation of Protective Technologies for Improving Blast Resistance of Buildings”.

Global Security Asia 2005 Conference in Singapore

Mon, 07 Feb 2005 19:00:13 -0600

K&C will be attending Global Security Asia 2005 - the first combined Conference and Exhibition in Singapore to focus exclusively on the new and fast expanding area of asymmetric or unconventional warfare. As the preeminent company in the area of perimeter security and blast engineering, K&C will be an Exhibitor at this conference attended by all manner of public and private security personnel seeking greater knowledge in the technologies of threat protection.

The three-day Conference will be held from March 29 to the 31st, 2005, in the Singapore Expo, one of the region's largest exhibition centers.

Newly Published Book on Technology and Security Profiles John Crawford

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 19:02:01 -0600

SAFE : The Race to Protect Ourselves in a Newly Dangerous World describes the unique challenges posed by technological progress in a networked, and newly dangerous, world. As an internationally respected Blast Engineer, John Crawford of Karagozian & Case is profiled as one of a number of "problem solvers" -- people committed to creating real and dependable security in the twenty-first century. The book is the collaborative effort of Martha Baer, Katrina Heron, Oliver Morton and Evan Ratliff; it is being published this month.

According to Newsweek International: "Safe is an ambitious book. Not only does it identify many of the major vulnerabilities that pulse through modern society, it also attempts to present practical, technologically informed solutions..."

For more information, check out www.safethebook.com

K&C and RSA Protective Technologies Earn a DOS K4 Certification for New Anti-Ram Bollard System

Wed, 01 Dec 2004 19:04:08 -0600

Karagozian & Case and RSA Protective Technologies have developed a new anti-ram bollard system that is capable of stopping a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling at 30 mph. Certified recently by the U.S. Department of State, this inexpensive system is prefabricated off-site and can be easily installed into an existing roadway with a minimum of labor and material. The system requires only a 12" footing, which allows it to be installed without the usual need for disruptive excavation.

The barrier system was tested at the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute at State College. A representative of the U.S. Department of State witnessed the test and certified the system as successfully providing a DoS K4 level of protection. K&C and RSA are further developing this design concept in order to achieve higher K-ratings.

A video clip that shows the installation and vehicle test of this barrier may be found in the Resources section of this website, or by clicking here.

K&C Takes the Lead in Singapore Blast Course Next Month

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:08:31 -0600

John Crawford and Shengrui Lan of K&C are lead instructors for a three day course at the Nanyang Technological University, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering in Singapore. The aim of this course is to present methods for characterizing blast effects and designing structures for these effects, including discussions on the accuracy and effectiveness of these approaches, the difficulty and skill level involved in using them, and their validation with test data. The hands-on portion of the course reinforces the lectures and allows participants to actually use and become familiar with tools and methods for performing simple blast effects designs and analyses.

Course Instructors

Mr. John Crawford, M.S., P.E is the President of Karagozian & Case, Burbank, California. He has provided engineering services related to blast effects to a variety of U.S. government agencies, building developers and owners, as well as commercial engineering and architectural firms, for over 35 years. This work includes designing structural and mechanical systems to resist blast loads; developing engineering tools and first principle finite element codes for predicting the response of structural and mechanical systems to airblast and high velocity impacts; and testing full-scale and scaled structural systems under small-to-very-large blast loads. In recent years, much of his work has been focused on the anti-terrorist programs of various US Government agencies, performing blast effects analyses of a variety of buildings and structures, and developing design concepts for new construction and retrofit of existing buildings to protect them fro blast and impact loads.

Dr Shengrui Lan, is a Principal Engineer in Karagozian & Case, Burbank, California, USA. Dr Lan has 20 years experience in structural engineering, especially in finite element and boundary element analyses of engineering structures under static, dynamic, and blast loads. He has conducted many full-scale explosive tests of structural components, including designing the test articles and posttest analysis. He was also a member of a team that has won the prestigious Defense Technology Prize awarded by the Ministry of Defense, Singapore, and has published over 30 papers and reports related to structural engineering and blast effects.

Details

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Protective Technology Research Centre Course on Blast Effects Design and Analysis of Structural and Mechanical Systems

By John Crawford, P.E., President, Karagozian & Case, Calif, USA and Shengrui Lan, Ph.D, P.E., Karagozian & Case, Calif, USA

Date: 6 - 8 December 2004 (Monday-Wednesday) Time: 9.00 am – 5.30 pm

Location: CEE CADD Lab 1, Blk N1, #B1a-03 School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore 639798

Registration will be open until December 6, 2004. (Download registration form here.)

Who Should Attend

The course is designed for:

Engineers who need to incorporate blast in the design of structural systems and want familiarity with the tools and requirements related to blast effects design

Architects interested in how blast effects design might influence their project

Developers and building owners who want to know how the new blast effects methods might impact their building project

Blast consultants seeking to improve their knowledge of blast effects, related analysis tools and their accuracy, and new design concepts specifically tailored to resist blast

Join K&C at 2nd International Conference on Protection of Structures Against Hazards

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:06:26 -0600

The 2nd International Conference: PROTECTION OF STRUCTURES AGAINST HAZARDS on November 29 - 03 December 2004 in Hotel New Otani, Singapore will be facilitated by John Crawford, K&C’s President, Dr. Shengrui Lan, P.E. for K&C, A/Prof T. S. Lok, Nanyang Technological University, Dr. Andy Tyas, University of Sheffield, UK, and Dr. Dan Pope, Senior Numerical Simulation Engineer, University of Sheffield.

This conference, to be held over three days, addresses topics related to the protection of buildings and occupants to natural and man-made hazards. The conference considers everything imaginable to promote better understanding of our environment. For example, the natural and insidious effects of steel bar corrosion and vibration of structures could cause untold damage to the entire fabric of a building. So, how do we protect buildings against such attacks? In modern buildings, how do we minimise subsidence? These are vital topics that we must endeavour to address so that engineers and scientists are aware of their detrimental effects.

Special topics, such as protection of occupants in buildings from the hazards of chemical or biological contamination and the hardening of structures to protect occupants from the effects of explosions are especially welcome.