Structural Stabilization of Existing & Historic Masonry Buildings

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
1 LU/HSW

Masonry stabilization and repair is a highly sensitive service in the building industry. Modern anchoring, shoring, and bracing techniques require specialized design and skills to implement successfully. There are multiple systems and solutions available to the industry, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the different systems and their desired impact ensures they are working as designed and can be seamlessly integrated into the overall repair of the building. Learn from case studies on different systems used on existing and historic structures, including how to analyze and select each system type. Properly understanding these repair techniques is necessary to maintain and preserve historic structures and advance building preservation.

 Learning Objectives:

  • Identify typical structural failures in existing masonry buildings.
  • Summarize the stabilization options available for existing buildings.
  • Compare appropriate repair and stabilization options depending on structural type and conditions.
  • Describe how different stabilization approaches fit into the 4 approaches described by the Interior Secretary’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

About the Speaker

Terry McDonald, S.E., P.E.
Principal, K&H

Terry McDonald

With 24 years of experience in the industry, including 20 years with K&H, Terry brings a wealth of expertise, leadership, and a deep understanding of the firm’s mission and values to his new role. Terry joined K&H in 2004, rising from a project engineer to managing the firm’s structural engineering group, overseeing key projects, and contributing to the company’s strategic growth as a member of the firm’s board of directors. As Principal, he played a pivotal role in major adaptive reuse, structural repair, and renovation projects, delivering innovative solutions and bolstering K&H’s reputation for excellence. Many of Terry’s projects have earned the firm awards and recognition from respected organizations and publications such as the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) and the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), highlighting his technical expertise and ability to address complex structural engineering challenges..

Tom Gabel, R.A., LEED AP
Associate Principal, K&H

Tom Gabel

Tom is a seasoned professional in architecture and engineering, currently serving as a Project Engineer at Klein and Hoffman since June 2010, focusing on Restoration Engineering. Prior experience includes a role as a Designer at Arete Knight from April 2007 to June 2010, specializing in Schematic Design and Site Planning, and as an Architectural Intern at Hoffman, LLC from August 2006 to March 2007, where responsibilities included Architectural Design. Tom Gabel holds a Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) and a Master's of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus on Construction Management, both from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) from the same institution.

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