Robert D. Kuykendall

Experience

Robert Kuykendall is experienced in structural investigation, analysis, and repair of low- and high-rise commercial structures, heavy industrial facilities, parking garages, soil retaining walls, bridges, and residential structures. These projects include reinforced concrete, post-tensioned concrete, concrete masonry, timber, steel, and carbon fiber materials. Mr. Kuykendall uses nondestructive testing techniques and computer modeling to analyze existing structures.

Before WJE, Mr. Kuykendall was a surveying project manager at a civil engineering site design firm. While an undergraduate at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Mr. Kuykendall completed cooperative work studies with a private architectural firm and a load cell manufacturing facility.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

 

Bridge Engineering

• Varina-Enon Cable-Stayed Bridge - Richmond, VA: Documentation of replacement of post-tensioning tendons
• Four Bridges - Oklahoma City, OK: Remedial grouting of post-tensioning tendons
• Four Bridges - Orlando, FL: Condition assessment of post-tensioning systems
• IH-345 - Dallas, TX: Detailed fatigue assessment of 1.6 miles of twin-girder spans

 

Construction Services

• Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Water Reclamation Facility - Tonopah, AZ: Observation of installation of steel reaction frames, inspection of welds, and lifting of existing structures

 

Failure Investigation

• Berkman Plaza II - Jacksonville, FL: Investigation of a six-story, post-tensioned parking structure that collapsed during construction
• 17th Street Bridge - Atlanta, GA: Investigation of collapsed architectural steel canopy structure
• I-75 Northwest Corridor – Atlanta, GA: Investigation of collapsed precast concrete architectural facade of a retaining wall and emergency strengthening of thirteen similar walls

 

Nondestructive Testing

• Elevated Rail - Washington, D.C.: Weld and anchor bolt inspections using ultrasound, magnetic particle, and dye penetrant tests in steel box girders
• The Lakes III - Columbus, GA: Investigation of slab-on-ground for subgrade settlement using ground penetrating radar

 

Repair and Rehabilitation Design

• Concrete Masonry Retaining Wall - LaGrange, GA: Design of supplemental support and anchorage for deficient soil retaining wall
• Equipment Innovators - Marietta, GA: Design of retrofit of steel framing for overhead crane for increased capacity
• Precast Concrete Double-Tee Beam Repairs - Various Locations, US: Repair of impact-damaged beams using concrete, steel, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer materials
• Stegeman Coliseum - Athens, GA: assessment and repair of crossing barrel vault precast concrete roof structure

 

Structural Analysis/Computer Modeling

• 155 North Lake Avenue - Pasadena, CA: Analysis of elevated, post-tensioned, concrete slab for increased loading
• Five-Story Residential Building - Gainesville, FL: As-built analysis of 125,000-square-foot, timber-framed structure for lateral loading

 

Structural Evaluation

• Major Retail Chain - Various Locations, US: Investigation of steel-framing connections for gravity and lateral load resistance
• Gressette Building - Columbia, SC: Investigation of a six-story office building for excessive deflection of post-tensioned concrete slabs
• Two-Story Residence - Birmingham, AL: Investigation of 13,000-square-foot, timber- framed structure for design and construction defects
• Heavy Manufacturing Facility - Birmingham, AL: Investigation of tornado damage at 120,000-square-foot, steel-framed facility
• Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Hatch and Vogtle Plants - Baxley, GA and Waynesboro, GA: visual condition assessment of all safety-related structures and components

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of Steel Construction
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Welding Society

Registrations

NHI Course 130078 - Fracture Critical Inspection Techniques of Steel Bridges
Professional Engineer in GA, NC, and SC
Structural Engineer in GA

Education

Erskine College
Bachelor of Science, Physics, 1996

Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, 1996
Master of Civil Engineering, Structural Option, 2006