CSD News
Our superior structural engineering services are built on over 50 years of expertise in a wide variety of disciplines. The knowledge and experience of CSD continue to position us as leaders in our industry. The articles published to our newsfeed highlight the work of the CSD team and our continuous improvement as structural engineering professionals.
The Engineers Who Wrote the Book
When a structural engineer in Phoenix sits down to design the base connection for a new industrial facility, they reach for AISC Design Guide 1: Base Connection Design. When a...
CSD Experts Present at The Flash Steel Conference
CSD experts Joshua Buckholt and Josh Szmergalski are serving as presenters for AISC's The Flash Steel Conference. This online event takes place September 15–17, 2026, and features efficient, half-hour sessions...
SJI Opens 2026 Applications for the Dr. James M. Fisher Scholarship
The Steel Joist Institute is now accepting applications for the 2026 cycle of the Dr. James M. Fisher Scholarship, established in honor of CSD's Vice President Emeritus. For the 2026-2027...
CSD’s Jim Fisher and Mike West Named to AISC’s Inaugural Class of Fellows
The American Institute of Steel Construction has named Dr. James M. Fisher and Michael A. West to its inaugural class of AISC Fellows, a new designation recognizing individuals whose careers...
CSD Experts Contribute Article to Modern Steel Construction
The March 2026 issue of Modern Steel Construction includes "Proper Delegation", an article by CSD experts Casey Peterson and Joshua Szmergalski walking engineers of record through best practices for specifying delegated...
CSD Team Presents AISC Night School Program
Starting on February 17th, CSD experts Tim Bickel, Scott Thompson, Craig Buechel, Clayton Cloutier, Joshua Buckholt, Josh Szmergalski, and Adam Friedman will present weekly night courses on "structural systems, crane...
Pittsburgh International Airport project featured in Modern Steel Construction
The August 2025 issue of Modern Steel Construction features an article about the Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal Modernization project, which is now available for viewing online. CSD served as Construction...
Congratulations, Mike Ryer!
After over 40 years with CSD, Mike Ryer has wrapped up his final days with us. Joining the team as a project engineer in 1985, Mike's contributions to CSD's expertise...
Tim Bickel Honored with Crane Innovator Award
Congratulations to CSD Expert Tim Bickel on receiving the Charlie Totten Crane Innovator Award at this year's AIST Crane Symposium. Tim's presentation at the 2024 AIST Crane Symposium, entitled "Crane...
Updated with Session Recordings: CSD Experts Presenting at NASCC 2025
The CSD team's deep expertise will be featured at next week's NASCC: The Steel Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. We're proud to feature expert speakers for several sessions at the conference:...
Steel Joist Institute announces Dr. James M. Fisher Scholarship
CSD Emeritus Vice President Dr. James M. Fisher has received a distinguished honor from the Steel Joist Institute, which has established the Dr. James M. Fisher Scholarship in his name....
CSD Leadership Transition
CSD Structural Engineers is pleased to announce a leadership transition. During its January 2025 meeting, the CSD Board of Directors has voted Dr. Mahmoud Maamouri to the office of President. ...
Connector Magazine feature on Launch Complex 36 Project
The fall issue of Connector Magazine features the Blue Origin Launch Complex 36 Project in Cape Canaveral, Florida, for which CSD provided our construction engineering expertise to our client S&R...
CSD Emeritus Vice President Jim Fisher Honored with 2024 Golden Joist Award
CSD is proud to congratulate Jim Fisher on receiving the 2024 Golden Joist Award from the Steel Joist Institute (SJI), an accolade that has been awarded to only 13 distinguished...
CSD Experts Author New Edition of AISC Design Guide 1
CSD's leadership in the structural engineering is exemplified in the publication of the new Design Guide 1: Base Connection Design for Steel Structures (Third Edition), co-authored by CSD experts Mahmoud...
Updated with Session Recordings: CSD Experts Present at NASCC: The Steel Conference
CSD engineers shared their expertise to the audience of industry professionals at the 2024 NASCC: The Steel Conference in San Antonio, TX. See below links to the presentations. Delegated Connection...
Dr. James M. Fisher Presented with MBMA’s 2024 Ellifritt Award
CSD founder Dr. James Fisher has been recognized with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA)'s 2024 Dr. Duane S. Ellifritt award. Beyond his contributions to the pre-engineered metal building industry,...
Award-Winning Skylight Work by CSD
CSD's contribution to the National Aquarium Rain Forest Exhibit Skylight Renovation project, led by Mark Edwards, has been awarded a BC&E Craftsmanship Award. Watch the video to learn more about...
CSD Experts Contribute to AISC Manual of Steel Construction
CSD experts play an integral role in the development of the AISC Manual of Steel Construction, the standard reference for structural steel design and construction in the United States. Several...
CSD Receives Industry Partnership Appreciation Award from MSOE
CSD is a proud supporter of MSOE, with many alumni on staff and a longstanding commitment to hiring MSOE graduates. We are honored to have been presented with the 2023...
CSD Experts Present at NASCC
CSD participated in the 2023 NASCC: The Steel Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 12-14. The CSD team, including CSD retirees Jim Fisher and Mike West, presented on a...
CSD Honored with Precast Design Award
Our work as Precast Specialty Engineer on the Hamel Music Center at Mead Whitter School of Music has been awarded Best Theater Building in the 2022 PCI Design Awards. Emulating...
Remembering Gary Householder
It is with heavy hearts that we remember Gary Householder who succumbed to his battle with cancer on Friday, October 14th 2022. There are no words to express our feeling...
Texas-Sized Steel
With their article in Modern Steel Construction, CSD's George Batcha and Mike Kempfert discuss the unprecedented engineering challenge presented by the new Steel Dynamics, Inc sheet mill in Texas. Learn more in the January...
Designing with Vulcraft Steel Joists, Joist Girders, and Steel Deck
CSD's Jim Fisher and Jules Van de Pas P.E.,S.E. have written Designing with Vulcraft Steel Joists, Joist Girders, and Steel Deck with our great industry partners Vulcraft Verco - Division...
Test-Based Available Strengths for Aluminum Structures
CSD's Jim LaBelle has written a 2-part article "Test-Based Available Strengths for Aluminum Structures" for STRUCTURE Magazine. Part 1 summarizes two methods of determining available strengths from testing of aluminum...
Challenges for Designers of Crane-Supporting Steel Structures
CSD's Scott Thompson will present "Challenges for Designers of Crane-Supporting Steel Structures" for AISC on November 10th. This live webinar will review the unique considerations related to the design of crane-supporting...
CSD Provides Connection Design in Partnership on Manhattan Highrise
The 66 Hudson Boulevard project involved a unique partnership in which CSD provided delegated structural steel connection design working directly with WSP as structural engineer of record. This type of...
2021 AISC Flash Steel Conference
The American Institute of Steel Construction Flash Steel Conference will feature Mike Kempfert with a presentation on Drawing Details: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Revisited on October...
Overcoming Industrial Building Challenges Through Collaboration
George Batcha is featured in this Steel Joist Institute article that highlights the importance of close collaboration and detailed design drawings on a highly complex project.
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