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August 21, 1998

Engineering of Chicago structures is topic for lectures

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The history and nuances of Chicago's distinctive architecture -- and the structural engineers who created it -- will be the topic of a public lecture series that begins Sept. 1 at Purdue University.

To celebrate the achievements of Chicago's structural engineers, Purdue's School of Civil Engineering will present the John E. Goldberg Distinguished Lectures, "Engineering in the City of the Century: A Celebration of Structural Engineering Achievements in 20th Century Chicago."

The lectures will feature speakers who have been prominent in contributing to the development of structures in Chicago and around the world. Lecture topics will highlight the achievements of Chicago engineers, explore the excitement of building in the "City of the Big Shoulders," and uncover the essence of Chicago's quietly developing and understated technology.

One lecture will be held each Tuesday for 12 weeks at 4:30 p.m. in Room 239, Stanley Coulter Hall. (NOTE: After Oct. 25, West Lafayette time is one hour ahead of Chicago time.) Lectures are free and open to the public. A book also will be compiled from the Goldberg Lectures.

The lectures are dedicated to the memory of John E. Goldberg, who was a professor of structural engineering at Purdue from 1950 until his retirement in 1975. He received his engineering education in Chicago, with bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern University and a doctorate from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He also contributed to Chicago engineering as a consultant on such projects as the John Hancock Center and the First National Bank of Chicago headquarters building.

Dates, speakers and lecture topics are:

  • Sept. 1, C. William Brubaker, Perkins & Will, Chicago, "The Evolution of the Skyscraper in Chicago."
  • Sept. 8, Clyde N. Baker Jr., STS Consultants Inc., Vernon Hills, Ill., "Foundation Engineering in 20th Century Chicago."
  • Sept. 15, Eli W. Cohen and Robert P. DeScenza, TT-CBM Engineers, Chicago, "The Art of Designing Economical High-Rise Structures in Chicago."
  • Sept. 22, John J. Zils, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, "Structural Engineering -- Chicago Style."
  • Sept. 29, W. Gene Corley, Construction Technology Laboratories Inc., Skokie, Ill., "Getting Concrete Up to Strength for Chicago's Mega High-Rise Buildings."
  • Oct. 6, Barbara Schmidt Hornkohl, Chicago, "THE Structural Engineer -- A Retrospective of the Engineering of William Schmidt."
  • Oct. 13, Anthony E. Fiorato, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill., "The Influence of Chicago Engineering on the Evolution of Concrete Technology."
  • Oct. 20, Bryan A. Erler, Sargent & Lundy, Chicago, "The Power of Structural Engineering: A Look at the Contribution of Structural Engineering to the Advancement of Electric Power in Chicago."
  • Oct. 27, Stan-Lee Kaderbek, Chicago Department of Transportation, "Looking Beyond the Obvious Solution: A Guide to Better Infrastructure Improvements."
  • Nov. 3, Michael J. Tylk, Tylk Gustafson & Associates, Chicago, "Structural Engineering -- Off the Beaten Path."
  • Nov. 10, Gary J. Klein, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., Northbrook, Ill., "Solving Construction Problems in Chicago: Practical Answers Based on Scientific Investigations."
  • Nov. 17, R. Shankar Nair, Teng & Associates Inc., Chicago, "Innovative Structural Solutions to the Problems of Building in a Large City."

CONTACT: Robert Frosch, Purdue assistant professor of civil engineering, (765) 494-2227; e-mail: frosch@ecn.purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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