(Harrisburg, PA) Engineers Week (Feb 20-26, 2022) was created by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951 to increase the understanding of and interest in engineering careers, particularly from a diverse and well-educated workforce. This week, Dawood is shining a spotlight on some of our engineers to showcase the breadth of knowledge and experience among our staff. Today, we speak with Mark Conrad, PE, and Project Engineer.
Hi Mark! Please tell us a little bit about how you got into the engineering field and what your current position at Dawood is like.
I attended Penn State University to study Structural Design and Construction Engineering. I also have an associate of arts degree in Architectural Technology from Harrisburg Area Community College.
In June 2006, I made the move to Dawood. I’m located in the Harrisburg office as a part of the transportation group. My work is mostly focused on PennDOT, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and contractor (design-build) assignments that involve transportation structures, such as bridges, culverts, signs, and retaining walls.
What is so special about engineering and how does it motivate you?
I always enjoyed construction because I like helping build things that will benefit communities. Bridges are vital links between communities for commerce, business, and linking families and friends together. A bridge collapse or failure can sever those ties, along with the possibility of someone being severely injured or even killed. Remembering that you hold lives in your hand every time you’re a part of a transportation design project is the most important duty we have as engineers.
Tell us about one of your favorite Dawood projects and what makes it stand out to you.
As design engineer, I completed the final design to replace a two-span structure over Little Sandy Creek with a single span Steel I-Beam bridge. This project was unique/atypical since we used two different types of substructures at each end of the bridge. The design used a conventional retaining wall type abutment on one end, and an integral abutment at the other end. The integral abutment design allows the bridge to expand and contract without the use of an open joint in the deck, which typically is a future maintenance problem for PennDOT.
The bridge also utilizes weathering steel plate girders—designed to rust on the outer layer of steel, which, in turn, provides a protective barrier aiding in future corrosion resistance. Weathering steel also eliminates the need for future maintenance since it doesn’t need to be painted. Using built-up steel plate girders allowed us to maximize the design and eliminate the existing pier in the stream channel, converting the existing two-span bridge into a single span.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
When I’m not designing bridges, I enjoy woodworking, traveling, and remodeling my house as time permits. I’ve been married for 22 years, and although my wife and I don’t have any children, combined we had 13 siblings.. We also have 25 nieces and nephews ranging in age from one month to 30 years old. Family gatherings involve renting a church or somewhere large enough to hold 50+ people!
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