by Alan Pettingale | Nov 26, 2024 | Guests
Mr. Harris is a structural, geotechnical and civil engineer with over 25 years of experience nationally. He has also worked under the supervision of architects, mechanical/plumbing engineers and electrical engineers. He has designed over $1 Billion of new masonry construction and has designed numerous remediations/restorations of existing masonry structures. He received the distinguished Paul Haller Award from The Masonry Society (TMS) for his career achievements in masonry. He has participated in and co-authored numerous masonry industry initiatives such as the Masonry Designer’s Guide, chairing the TMS Disaster Investigation Program, chairing the publication of TMS 403 “Direct Design Handbook for Masonry Structures” referenced by the IBC, and being a leader in TMS 402 “Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures”. He has represented the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations at International Code Council code action hearings, and was the recipient of the Tom Grimm Scholarship for his Master’s Thesis on the lower bound compressive and flexural strength of concrete and clay masonry which was instrumental in removing the Empirical Design method from building codes from America. He has similarly impressive backgrounds in other areas of industry, such as in expansive soil, storm shelters and quality control specifications.
by Alan Pettingale | May 13, 2024 | Brick Talk Live, Uncategorized
I grew up in Kingston-upon-Hull on the east cost of England. After seven years in the British military and traveling the world, always having liked historic buildings, I looked for an outdoor job and started working in historic masonry. I traveled to the US on vacation to give a talk to the Corps of Engineers at Ft. Knox in Kentucky, and realized that America was the place for me.
I now have thirty years of professional experience in masonry repair systems,
* I assist engineers and architects in forensic testing; both destructive and non-destructive
* I implement a wide range of remedial strategies for masonry stabilization on historic buildings
* I consult with architects and engineers on the application of masonry restoration for schools, churches, colleges, historical, residential and commercial buildings in the United States and England.
* I am also a well-known speaker.
* I have co-authored and presented papers on cavity wall tie corrosion investigation and lateral restraint anchors.
* I have also created a 6.5 hour continuing education Historic Masonry Workshop available at The Masonry Society’s site.
* I serve on the Existing Masonry Committee of The Masonry Society.
* I am also a Mentor with The Masonry Society
* I created BrickTalk.Live, a podcast about masonry and restoration
* I have restored thousands of historic commercial and residential buildings
* I have patented three systems
Read more here.
by Alan Pettingale | Mar 1, 2022 | Brick Talk Live
Remember Car Talk? The way the two Mariachi brothers chatted away for an hour, and only mentioned cars from time to time?
Brick Talk Live is presented by Alan Pettingale and Dave Godkin, a Brit and an Irish man. They are two long-time friends who enjoy talking about what they love doing best… or maybe second best! They offer a huge dollop of common sense while talking about the differences between masonry restoration in the UK and US… and anything else that crosses their minds along the way. The subjects may sound a bit dry, but wait until these two start explaining why what they are saying matters to your home, your commercial property and specially, your historic restoration.
They love to have adventures so you’ll be the first to know what tools they are testing, where they have been inspecting dodgy brickwork, and most of all, what they feel needs to be done about these things. They are passionate about making your building safe and good for a long time to come.
You can expect solid information about bricks, plus banter from two long time friends when they get going. Grab a drink, sit back, and listen to them talk!
