Experience

Mr. Crandell has over 19 years of research, engineering, and construction experience. He has conducted and managed innovative building technology research efforts resulting in a number of advancements in building codes, design standards, and construction methods and materials. Mr. Crandell's consulting services have benefited U.S. Government agencies, local/state governments, trade and manufacturer associations, technical committees, builders, manufacturers, and owners. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the use and performance of a variety of materials, methods, and innovative technologies for construction and design (see examples below).

• Scientific Building Performance Assessments (Hurricanes Katrina, Charley, Andrew, & Opal, Northridge Earthquake, and an F4 Tornado)
• Durability of Structures (scientific condition assessments)
• Weather- and Moisture-Resistance of Buildings (best practices)
• Testing and Design of Innovative and Conventional Building Systems
• Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations (validation research and standardization in the U.S.)
• Innovative Shear Wall Design and Construction Methods (wood, concrete, and steel)
• Structural Building Loads (wind, earthquake, gravity, and improved guidelines)
• Panelized Wall Systems (value engineering, testing, case studies, model design guidelines)
• Hazard and Risk/Safety Assessment (Probabilistic Analysis)
• Policy Development and Analysis (Natural Disasters)

Building Codes & Standards Development

• Residential Steel Framing Provisions, 1998 International Code Council
• Insulating Concrete Form Provisions, 2000 International Code Council
• Frost-Protected Shallow Foundation (FPSF) Provisions, CABO and ICC Codes
• Design and Construction Guide for FPSF, ASCE Standard 32-01 (secretary)
• Residential Wall Bracing & Related Provisions, 2000 International Code Council
• Evaluation of various structural and durability building code issues

Engineering & Expert Witness

• Design and Construction of Residential and Commercial Low-Rise Buildings
• Value Engineering of Framing and Foundations
• Residential Site and Storm Water Management Plans, including Low-Impact Development
• Timber Frames, Steel, Masonry, and Concrete Structures
• Retaining Walls, Bridges, Bulkheads, and Temporary Construction Supports
• Expert Witness & Mediator (Structural/Material/Installation/Building Science)
• Inspection and Assessment of EIFS-related Water Damage to Buildings
• Resolution of Drywall & Lumber Shrink-Swell Problems
• Building Condition and Performance Assessments (over 1,500 assessments)

Guides, Seminars, & Presentations

• IRC Wall Bracing Short Course (2hr to 8hr CEU)
• Wind/Seismic Design of Wood Frame Buildings (up to 2-day CEU Short Course)
• Conventional and Alternative Materials & Methods of Construction/Design
• Efficient Residential Structural Design, Shear Walls, and Building Loads
• Durability & Moisture Resistant Construction Practices
• Construction site work inspector training
• Frost Protected Shallow Foundation Design & Construction
• Building Performance, Disasters and Solutions

Professional Memberships & Activities

• Registered Professional Engineer (Maryland, Virginia, and Nebraska)
• International Code Council and ICC Ad Hoc Committee on Wall Bracing, Member
• American Society of Civil Engineers, Member
• American Wood Council, Wood Design Professional
• Steel Framing Alliance - Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute, Member
• ASCE 7 Standard Committee, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
• ASCE 32 Standard, Design and Construction of Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations
• ASCE Special Project on Residential Building Loads 2001-2005, secretary
• National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, Wood Design Technical Subcommittee 1998-2003
• ASTM D07 Committee on Wood

Publications & Papers

A representative selection of publications and technical papers authored or co-authored by Mr. Crandell for government and private sector clients and for personal interest is as follows:

• IRC Wall Bracing: A Guide for Builders, Designers, and Plan Reviewers (FSC, 2006)
• The Story Behind IRC Wall Bracing Provisions (WDF Journal, 2007)
• Moisture-Resistant Homes: A Best Practice Guide (HUD, 2006)
• Durability by Design: A Guide for Residential Builders and Designers (HUD, 2001)
• Residential Structural Design Guide, 2000 Edition (HUD, 2000)
• Assessment of Damage to Manufactured Homes Caused by Hurricane Charley (HUD, 2004)
• Assessment of Damage to Single Family Homes Caused by Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki (HUD, 1993)
• Assessment of Damage to Homes Caused by Hurricane Opal (NAHB-RC, 1996)
• Assessment of Damage to Homes Caused by the Northridge Earthquake (HUD, 1994)
• Housing Performance Assessment: La Plata, MD F4 Tornado (NAHB-RC, 2002)
• Policy Development in View of Uncertainty in Earthquake Hazard in New Madrid Region (GSA, 2007)
• A Methodology for Identifying, Discussing, and Analyzing the Costs and Benefits of Code Changes that Impact Housing (contributing author; HUD, 2007)
• Residential Building Loads: Review and Roadmap for Future Progress (ASCE, 2006)
• System-Based Design Principles for Affordable, Durable, and Disaster-Resistant Housing (FPS, 2004)
• Ice Dams: Traditional and Improved Practices for Roof Ventilation and Prevention of Ice Dams (IBHS, 2004)
• Housing Durability Assessment: A Pilot Study (HUD, 2002)
• Lessons from EIFS: Past, Present, and Future Challenges for Exterior Envelope Design (FPS, 2004)
• Structural Loads for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (HUD, 2001)
• Model Guidelines for Design, Fabrication, and Installation of Engineered Panelized Walls (HUD, 2001)
• Design Guide for Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations (HUD, 1996)
• Scientific Damage Assessment Methodology and Practical Applications (ASCE, 2005)
• Review of Structural Materials and Methods for Home Building in the United States: 1900 to 2000 (HUD,2000)
• Prescriptive Method for Residential Cold-Formed Steel Framing - 2nd Edition, 1997
• Prescriptive Method for Insulating Concrete Forms in Residential Construction - 2nd Edition, 2002
• Common Engineering Issues in Conventional Construction (FPS, 2003)
• New Madrid Seismic Zone: Overview of Earthquake Hazard and Magnitude Assessment (HUD, 2003)
• Proposed Model Land Development Standards, 1993 (technical assistance, NAHB-RC))
• The Practice of Low Impact Development, 2003 (technical reviewer, NAHB-RC)

Employment History

• Applied Science Associates, Fairfield, VA (Research Engineer) - 2 years
• E.A. & J.O. Crandell, Inc. (Project Manager, Engineer, Estimator) - 2 years
• NAHB Research Center, Inc. (Director, Structures & Materials Division) - 10 years
• Applied Residential Engineering Services (Owner/Consulting Engineer) - 5 years

Education

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
• B.S. Agricultural Engineering, 1988 (Magna cum Laude)