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Established in 1996, BBFM Engineers Inc. is headed by five principals with a commitment to sound structural engineering solutions. The firm is dedicated to providing quality design, increasing efficiency and elevating client satisfaction. For the past 14 years, BBFM Engineers Inc. has been a leading provider of structural engineering services to design professionals, building owners and government agencies on projects throughout Alaska and Antarctica.

BBFM Engineers Inc. is an Alaska-owned business. With 11 structural engineers, three CAD drafters and two office administrators, it is one of the largest structural engineering firms in Alaska devoted predominately to the design of buildings. The foundation of BBFM Engineers Inc. is cost-effective design utilizing a multitude of building materials with a focus on cold climates. The firm’s engineers are particularly knowledgeable with regard to local geological conditions and Alaska’s high-risk seismicity, as well as local construction practices. This highly-skilled staff of engineers is continually finding new ways to meet the environmental challenges of arctic engineering and excels at these unique northern design opportunities by providing award-winning structures that are safe, efficient and creative.

The primary strength of BBFM Engineers Inc. is its professional staff. An association of more than two decades exists among the four founding partners. The integrity of the firm has continued with an additional partner and the assembly of a structural design team emphasizing the strong talent and character of each member. BBFM Engineers Inc. encourages the pursuit of advanced degrees, specialized structural registrations, and continually striving for professional competence. The firm also recognizes the importance of being actively involved in community and professional organizations. It is important to make an investment into the community, expanding knowledge of local resources, as well as mentoring the next generation of young engineers. BBFM Engineers Inc. is always seeking excellence.

BBFM Staff
From left to right; Bottom row: Troy Feller, Colin Maynard, Denis Berry, Forrest Braun, Scott Gruhn
Top row: James Casteel, Diana Parke, Samantha Spindler, Jake Peterson, Will Nelson, Michael Quimby, Kevin Ross, Greg Latreille, Drew Morris, Kevin Kim, Cynthia Wendling
(Taken December 2009)

Principal

Dennis Berry, PE

Born and raised in Anchorage, Mr. Berry has been a principal in Alaskan structural engineering firms since 1984. He has worked in structural offices in San Francisco, Seattle, and Anchorage. With 34 years of experience, he is well known for his structural engineering ability and his arctic engineering expertise. The latter resulted in his selection as the structural designer for the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station Replacement Project. Mr. Berry also has considerable training and experience in seismic analysis and has record of success for a variety of projects throughout the state of Alaska. Additionally, he is a participating member of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.

Education
  • BSCE, Stanford University 1975
  • MSCE, Stanford University 1975
  • Arctic Engineering, University of Alaska, Anchorage
  • Engineering Management Courses, University of Alaska
Professional Affiliations
  • Civil Engineering Contractors Association
  • Alaska Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Steel Erectors Association of America
  • Professional Engineers in Private Practice
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • American Concrete Institute
  • Alaska Professional Design Council
  • Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
Major Projects
  • Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station Replacement
  • East High School Renewal
  • Arctic Slope Regional Corporation 10-Story Office Building
  • Providence Hospital Additions and Remodel
  • New Anchorage Museum
Awards
  • Engineer of the Year, Nominated by Anchorage Chapter of Alaska Society of Professional Engineers, 1995
  • Nomination for Engineer of the Year, Structural Engineers Association of Alaska, 1990
At BBFM since…
  • Its 1996 inception

Principal

Forrest Braun, PE

Mr. Braun, born and raised in Alaska, has been practicing structural engineering in the state since 1973. He possesses a sharp eye for detail, clear thought, and a breadth and depth of knowledge. These characteristics make him an excellent designer and team player. He has been involved in design of a variety of arctic facilities including structures in Kotzebue, Nome, Pt. Hope, and Barrow and the South Pole. Mr. Braun is a former President of the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers. He is also a member of the Smithsonian Institute, Anchorage Museum Association, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, American Motorcycle Association and BMW Motorcycle Owners Association.

Education
  • BSAE, University of Texas, Austin 1973
  • Graduate Studies, University of Washington 1979
  • Arctic Engineering, University of Alaska, Anchorage
Professional Affiliations
  • Alaska Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • American Concrete Institute
  • Professional Engineers in Private Practice
  • Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
  • American Forest & Paper Association.
Major Projects
  • Juneau-Douglas High School
  • South Anchorage High School
  • Power and Waste Heat Plant, Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
  • Nome Replacement Hospital
  • Alaska Zoo Reception Building
Awards
  • Engineer of the Year for the Structural Engineers Association of Alaska, 1997
  • Order of the Engineer, 1996
At BBFM since… Its 1996 inception

Principal

Troy Feller, PE

A structural engineer since 1989, Mr. Feller has been a resident of the State for the greater part of his life. In addition to his extensive experience with new construction and remodels, Mr. Feller has done many seismic analyses and upgrades of existing buildings. In recent years, he has also completed the structural design of several towers, typically in remote locations. He is familiar with the constraints the arctic environment can put on structures and the people who build them. Mr. Feller is a strong team player—flexible and creative—with a methodical approach to project design and the personal determination to bring a project to successful completion.

Education
  • BSCE, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 1987
  • MSCE, University of Washington 1989
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Structural Engineers Association of Alaska
  • Municipality of Anchorage Building Board
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • International Conference of Building Officials
Major Projects
  • Providence Alaska Medical Center North Expansion, Anchorage
  • Craig High School, Craig
  • Century Theatres
  • FTR196 264 Person Barracks, Fort Richardson
  • DeltaNet Communications Network Tower Design, 36 sites Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
At BBFM since… Its 1996 inception

Principal

Colin Maynard, PE

Mr. Maynard has worked in structural engineering offices in Anchorage and New York City. He is a versatile structural engineer with practical exposure to a broad spectrum of structural engineering projects. During his 28 years of experience, the projects on which he has worked range from a 43 story gothic glass tower in Pittsburgh to outhouses in parks on the Kenai Peninsula. Mr. Maynard is familiar with both civilian and military codes and has been involved in the adoption of the Municipality of Anchorage's amendments to the Uniform Building Code including the 1991, 1994, and 1997 and the International Building Code 2000, 3003 and 2006.

Education
  • BSCE, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1982
  • MSCE, University of Colorado 1987
Professional Affiliations
  • Alaska Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • Construction Specifications Institute
  • Steel Erectors Association of America
  • Alaska Engineering Education Foundation
  • Legislative Liaison Committee
  • Alaska Professional Design Council
Major Projects
  • Library and Museum, Unalaska
  • Anchorage Museum Additions (2009 and 1984)
  • Teeland Middle School, Wasilla
  • Dimond Center Hotel, Anchorage
  • Alaska Native Medical Center Hostel & CDC Office/Lab Buildings, Anchorage
Awards
  • Nominated for Engineer of the Year by the Anchorage Chapter of the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers, 1993
  • Nominated for Engineer of the Year by the Construction Specifications Institute, 1999
At BBFM since… Its 1996 inception

Principal

Scott Gruhn, PE

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Scott Gruhn graduated from Service High School. He joined BBFM Engineers’ team just after its inception and in 2008 became a fifth Principal. Mr. Gruhn has been the project manager and chief structural engineer for many landmark buildings in across Alaska, including schools, hospitals, hotels, airport concourses, aircraft hangars, warehouses, commercial facilities, concrete parking garages, and residences. Through Engineering Ministries International, Scott volunteered his services in Guatemala; there he designed an orphanage and a medical center. He also appears in a National Geographic channel documentary on new U.S. Government facilities at the South Pole.

Education
  • BS, Architectural Engineering/Structural Engineering, University of Kansas 1991
  • Arctic Engineering, University of Alaska, Anchorage 1995
Professional Affiliations
  • Structural Engineering Association of Alaska, founding member
  • American Institute of Steel Construction
  • American Welding Society
Major Projects
  • Centerpoint West Office Building
  • JL Tower
  • Nome Replacement Hospital, Nome
  • East Anchorage High School Renovation
  • UAA Integrated Sciences Building, Anchorage
Awards
  • Engineer of the Year for the Structural Engineers Association of Alaska, 2008
At BBFM since… Just after its 1996 inception

Senior Project Engineer

Samantha Spindler, PE

Samantha Spindler is an enthusiastic engineer who is actively involved with outreach in the Anchorage community. Ms. Spindler is the chair of ASPE’s student involvement committee and a member of ASPE’s Engineers-Week engineer of the year selection committee. She has also played the part of mentor for students participating in the Anchorage School District mentorship program. In addition to structural engineering design, Ms. Spindler has focused on seismic-electric design, namely for projects at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright. She also participated in analysis and computer modeling to anticipate the mechanical behavior of snow as a foundation material in association with the Amundsen Scott South Pole Project.

Education
  • BSCE University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 1999
  • Northern Design, University of Alaska, Anchorage 2003
Professional Affiliations
  • Society of Women Engineers
  • American Society of Professional Engineers, Anchorage Chapter
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Professional Engineers in Private Practice
  • Engineer of the Year Selection Committee
Major Projects
  •  Service High School Renewal
  • Chugiak High School
  • Municipality of Anchorage Permit Center Addition
  • Anchorage Museum Expansion
  • Cordova Community Center
At BBFM since… 2000

Project Engineer

Will Nelson, PE

An Alaskan since 1966, Will Nelson has worked as a structural engineer in Anchorage since 2000. His project experience includes a wide variety of new structures and additions to existing structures all across the state of Alaska. On many of these projects he has been responsible for determining the required wind and seismic loading and for the design of the lateral force resisting system. Mr. Nelson is personally familiar with arctic and subarctic environments and has worked with all of the major materials in structural engineering design.

Education
  • BS, North Dakota State University, 2000
  • Arctic Engineering, University of Alaska, Anchorage,
Professional Affiliations
  • Alaska Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Professional Engineers in Private Practice
  • Structural Engineers Association of Alaska
Major Projects
  • Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Office Building
  • South Anchorage High School
  • 3000 C Street Office Building
  • UAA Integrated Science Building
  • National Park Service Office Building
At BBFM since… 2000

Project Engineer

Drew Morris, PE

An Anchorage resident since 1975, Mr. Morris has worked as a structural engineer in Anchorage since 1996. His project experience includes a wide variety of new structures and additions to existing structures all across the State of Alaska, including schools, commercial buildings, warehouses, industrial modules and single and multi-family residences. Mr. Morris has either worked as the project engineer for these projects or assisted the Engineer of Record. Among Mr. Morris’ recent projects is the renovation at Chugiak High School, which won several awards including American School & University's "Outstanding Building" Award for Renovation and Modernization for both House 2 and House 3.

Education
  • BS,  University of Alaska Anchorage, 1994
Arctic Engineering, University of Alaska, Anchorage
Professional Affiliations
  • Structural Engineers Association of Alaska
Major Projects
  • South Anchorage Area High School
  • Hilltop Ski Area Multi-Purpose Facility
  • Chugiak High School Renovation
  • National Park Service Bettles Visitor Center
  • Bear Tooth Remodel
At BBFM since… 2000

Project Engineer

Greg Latreille, PE

Greg Latreille is a native of New York State; he moved to Alaska weeks after his college Graduation. Driven by his adventurous spirit, his love of the outdoors and his desire to design interesting structures, he soon found his natural home in Anchorage working on projects throughout the state and contending with the challenges posed by harsh climates and high seismic activity. He has worked diligently for BBFM Engineers, excelling rapidly from technical design to project management. In addition to his technical skills, Greg prides himself with his ability to maintain excellent working relationships with architects and contractors, which he finds essential to forward progress of a project.

Education
  • BSCE, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, 2004
  • MECE, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, 2004
  • Arctic Engineering, University of Alaska, Anchorage, 2007
Professional Affiliations
  • Alaska Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Professional Engineers in Private Practice
  • Structural Engineers Association of Alaska
Major Projects
  • Thunder Mountain High School, Juneau
  • Fairbanks International Airport
  • Abbott Road Home Depot
Awards
  • ASCE Hudson-Mohawk Section Student of the Year 2004
  • NSPE 2009 New Faces of Engineering Award runner-up
At BBFM since… 2005

Structural Designer

Kevin Ross, EIT

Kevin Ross was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He enjoys the outdoors and working with others.

Education
  • BSCE, Washington State University 2009
Professional Affiliations
  • Alaska Society of Professional Engineers
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Structural Engineers Association of Alaska
  • Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Major Projects
  • Greek Orthodox Church, Anchorage
  • Denali Emergency Services Fire Management Building, Denali National Park
  • Bethel Aquatic Training Health Center, Bethel
Awards
  • Coffman Engineers Joe Brock Internship Award, 2008
At BBFM since… 2009

Structural Designer

Michael Quimby, EIT

Mike Quimby was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Following his college career, he returned home to Alaska to embark on a career in structural engineering. He loves the outdoors and Alaska and looks forward to a challenging and rewarding career designing structures throughout Alaska.

Education
  • BSCE, Brigham Young University 2007
  • MSCE, Brigham Young University 2009
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • Structural Engineer Association of Alaska
Major Projects
    • Anchorage Neighborhood Health Clinic
    • Alaska Department of Fish & Game Kodiak Research Facility
At BBFM since… 2009

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

BBFM Engineers offers structural design primarily for buildings. From concepts to construction administration, we are very knowledgeable about the design and construction process. We have experience with:

  • Communication towers
  • Tanks
  • Special structures
  • Value engineering
  • Design-build projects

EQUIPMENT

BBFM Engineers uses state-of-the-art technology to produce quality construction documents. The staff at BBFM Engineers is proficient in the use of many analysis programs such as:

  • ETABS – Static and Dynamic wind and seismic lateral load analysis software
  • STAAD III – General 3D Finite Element Analysis Enercalc – Miscellaneous element design
  • PCAMats – Concrete Mat Analysis Program WoodWorks – A software package for the design of wood components
  • ADAPT – A post-tensioned concrete software package
  • Revit – Software that allows design with parametric modeling and drafting elements
  • BIM – Building information modeling
  • WoodWorks – A software package for the design of various wood components
  • RAM Structural Systems – Analyzes and designs concrete and steel buildings
  • SAFE – This program assists with the design of flat slabs, foundation mats, spread and combined footings

EARTHQUAKES

Since almost all of our projects have been located in Alaska, designing for earthquakes has had to become second nature. In fact, three of the four principals were here during the 1964 earthquake. All of the facilities on which they have worked have been designed with earthquakes in mind.

SUBARCTIC CONSTRUCTION

There are considerations about construction systems, practices and methods that are unique to Alaska, all of which the staff at BBFM Engineers is confident in contending with. These include:

  • Thermal Transfer
  • Thermal Variation
  • The local practices and availability of concrete and concrete formwork
  • The appropriate specifications for concrete strength, admixtures, cold weather steels and weld metals
  • The impact of the subsurface conditions on the type of foundation
  • The challenge of the variable presence of permafrost

Anchorage Museum

The Anchorage Museum expansion is a $59,000,000 scheduled to open in the summer of 2010. Phase 1 of the project was the design and construction of the 70’000 square-foot addition to the museum and Phase 2 of the projects was the renovation of the existing museum and the addition of a planetarium. The structure is a reinforced concrete building with discrete concrete shear walls specially reinforced with advanced concrete design and construction methods. Due to the significance of the building, BBFM Engineers had the opportunity to design an innovative structure unique to the state of Alaska, using materials that are not typical of structures in this state.

Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center

The Dena’ina Civic and Convention was completed in 2009. The New Convention Center is a steel frame structure with 50,000 square-feet of convention display space with a clear height of 25 feet, ballroom, meeting rooms and support spaces filling a whole city block. Covered sidewalks linking it to the existing Egan Center are in construction.

JL Tower

This design-build project, a fourteen-story 280,000 square foot office building, established a landmark for the city of Anchorage. The building features an entry façade that curves back as it moves up the building. The vertical load resisting system of the building consists of a composite steel floor deck, composite wide flange steel beams, girders and wide flange columns. The lateral load resisting system is a dual system of concentric steel braces at the elevator core and moment frames at the perimeter. A 5’-8” deep concrete mat foundation supports the building. The design for this fast-track project began in December 2005, and, on schedule, the foundations were completed in October 2006.

Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Building

This is a ten-story 210,000 square foot braced steel frame office building with a two-story high entrance atrium. The building features a curving southeastern façade interrupted at the main entry by a canopy and an overhanging “waterfall” element composed of glass. The two-story entry vestibule supports a large custom chandelier and a curing staircase with a translucent screen wall. Two sculptures commissioned for this building also required engineering support. Vertical loads are resisted by the composite steel floor deck, composite wide flange steel beams and girders and wide flange columns. The lateral load resisting system is a concentrically braced steel frame situated around the elevator core. Foundations are spread footings and, under the core, a heavily reinforced four foot deep concrete mat foundation. This fast-track design/build project was completed in August 2002.

Centerpoint Office Building

The Centerpoint Financial Center is a five-story office building with a floor area of 97,915 square feet. Exterior granite tile walls and curving curtain walls create a dynamic visual appeal. Radiused canopies are positioned at two entrances. Structurally, the building is a composite structural steel frame laterally supported by a special concentrically braced frame. In addition to typical office loads, the structure was designed to support several filing rooms, a high-density filing system, and an operable partition. This design/build project provided high quality design and construction despite a very aggressive time schedule.

South Anchorage Area High School

The new south Anchorage area high school accommodates 1600 students in 250,000 square-feet of space. The 2-story building is a steel structure with composite floor deck. The classrooms are 2-story and the gymnasiums and music room areas match them in height. A central wall area separates the classrooms from the gym, music, and locker areas. Ultimately, the facility comprises science labs, a library, administrative offices, classrooms, band and orchestra rooms, a gymnasium and locker rooms.

Admunsen-Scott South Pole Station

The ten-year Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station Replacement Project, located in Antarctica, involves buildings designed to be built above a 10,000 foot deep snow field. At the site, the temperature varies between –120 degrees and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, the snow never melts; the snowfield is growing at a rate of about 8 inches per year, presenting a key structural challenge. The increasing snow pack in combination with the weight of the buildings generates significant settlements as the snow compacts over the life of the structures. Also, at South Pole the only relief is the Station itself, so that structures at grade quickly drift with snow. The innovations in the structural design to address these challenges are a Station structure elevated above the drifting snow that is designed to be jacked twice over its lifetime, to a total height of 12 feet, as the snow accumulates. To address the differential settlement, the foundation for the Station is a grid of grade beams comprised of steel box beams acting as a rigid “raft” foundation to bridge any areas where the snow has a lower bearing capacity. As the foundation bridges these areas it increases the bearing stress to adjacent areas, to keep overall settlement as uniform as possible. Steel pipe columns cantilever from this grid of steel grade beams. No vertical bracing is used to stabilize the structure since it interferes with the air flow under the building and as it is buried in the snow the settling snow drags down on the bracing and loads it in a way it is not designed for. The superstructure above straddles the pipe columns; to jack the station new columns sections are added. From the top of these new column sections the Station is raised with hydraulic jacks.

Kevin Ross says "Call me!"