Ricky McLain, a structural engineer and principal at Mass Timber Advisors, discusses his journey in the AEC profession and the use of mass timber in construction. He shares his experience working for a small engineering firm in Vermont, his time at Woodworks providing design support for wood projects, and his current focus on mass timber as a structural material. McLain explains the varying codes and regulations for mass timber across different states and the challenges and opportunities it presents in the industry. He also discusses the benefits of mass timber in terms of occupant well-being and the types of projects that commonly use mass timber.

Ricky McLain discusses the key considerations in designing with mass timber, including fire resistance ratings, member sizing, and connections. He emphasizes the importance of early involvement of the structural engineer to ensure efficient design and avoid budget overruns.

McLain also shares his plans for Mass Timber Advisors, which include project-specific consulting and industry-related work. He highlights the collaborative nature of the mass timber industry and the need for centralized resources. McLain offers advice for young professionals starting their careers, encouraging them to explore different opportunities and follow their interests.

Takeaways

· Ricky McLain has 16 years of experience in structural engineering and specializes in mass timber.

· Mass timber is a growing trend in the construction industry, but its use is regulated by varying codes and regulations across different states.

· Mass timber offers benefits in terms of occupant well-being and connection with nature.

· Common project types that use mass timber include multifamily buildings and institutional facilities.

· Structural engineers interested in mass timber should gain knowledge and experience in the material before working on a project. Consider fire resistance ratings when designing with mass timber to determine member sizes and floor panel thickness.

· Efficient design involves matching column bays to the span ranges of the floor panels.

· Simplify and minimize fabrication work by detailing connections that are fast and easy to install on-site.

· Early involvement of the structural engineer is crucial to avoid budget overruns and design issues.

· Mass Timber Advisors offers project-specific consulting and industry-related work to support the growing mass timber industry.

· The mass timber industry is collaborative, with many resources available for learning and sharing experiences.

· Young professionals should explore different opportunities and follow their interests in the building and structural design industry.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Ricky McLain

4:30 Let's Talk Mass Timber

9:10 Mass Timber Type Projects

14:06 Structural Engineering Education

22:30 Advice for Structural Engineers Learning Mass Timber

33:35 Mass Timber Advisors

42:00 Employee to Owner

44:20 Mentors along the way

47:25 Advice for Young Professionals

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickymclain/

Mass Timber Advisors: https://masstimberadvisors.com/

BIG THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM!

Editing and Motion Graphics: Gus Bernal

www.gusbernal.com

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