Lily Swanson

Experience

Lily Swanson joined WJE in 2025 and has been involved in field condition assessments, nondestructive testing, structural analysis, repair design, and construction period services for various projects. She has worked on numerous structures, including office and residential high-rise buildings, parking structures, bridges, industrial facilities, civil structures, and historic buildings.

While a graduate student at the University of Washington, Ms. Swanson conducted experimental research on the effects of local and global slenderness on the inelastic deformation capacity of round and square HSS braces. The research was funded by the American Institute of Steel Construction to evaluate the current local slenderness limits in AISC 342-22 for braced frames. The research resulted in revised slenderness requirements for braces that will be implemented in AISC 342-27.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Repair and Rehabilitation

• Soldier Field - Chicago, IL: Condition assessment of historic concrete structure, restoration design, and construction period services
• Sentry Insurance - Stevens Point, WI: Condition assessment and repair design of multilevel concrete parking garage
• US Bank Plaza - Minneapolis, MN: Evaluation, analysis, and repair of existing travertine cladding
• 980 North Michigan Avenue - Chicago, IL: Inspection and repair of existing granite veneer
• BMO Harris Bank Center - Rockford, IL: Investigation of concrete concourse distress, repair design, and construction period services
• 3rd Avenue Bridge - Minneapolis, MN: Evaluation and half-cell potential testing of historic concrete arch bridge

Condition Assessment

• Jones Island - Milwaukee, WI: Investigation of potential settlement-related distress of structures supported by timber piles
• Office Building - Madison, WI: Investigation of distressed suspended clay tiles within pan-joist ceiling system
• The Salvation Army Camp Wonderland - Salem Lakes, WI: Condition assessment for repair and maintenance prioritization
• Fifty-Three-Story Condo - Chicago, IL: Evaluation and materials testing of thirty reinforced concrete balconies

 

Structural Analysis

• Solar Field - Fresno County, CA: Review of mechanical load testing of solar panel components and global reliability analysis of the solar array
• County Library - MN: Feasibility study to analyze the existing roof system to support solar panel arrays
• The Salvation Army Camp Wonderland - Salem Lakes, WI: Analysis of existing masonry lintel and prestressed hollowcore planks
• Multiple Warehouses - Multiple US States: Evaluation and recommendation of the best available refuge areas for extreme weather conditions at numerous warehouse facilities

 

Metal Structures

• Food and Beverage Plant - Northbrook, IL: Design of carbon steel and stainless-steel mezzanine structure
• Industrial Building - Milwaukee, WI: Investigation and analysis of 125-ton overhead cranes and supporting steel structure
• Federal Highway Administration Steel Bridge Coating Repair Program - Multiple US States: Evaluation of steel bridge coating performance and maintenance

 

Difficult Access Inspections

• Gas Light Building - Milwaukee, WI: Rope access facade assessment and brick masonry repair design
• Washburn Water Tower - Minneapolis, MN: Rope access condition assessment of historic concrete water tower

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

Education

Milwaukee School of Engineering
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 2023

University of Washington
Master of Science, Civil Engineering, 2025