Robert C. Cowles, PE
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253 Dausman Park, Clarksville, Michigan 48815 ยท
Structural Engineer / Project Manager
Selected Achievements
Performed all structural design and directed preparation of design drawings for the Muskegon County Regional Airport, a very complex, high profile, and highly successful project.
Performed schematic design layouts and cost estimates for several completely successful manufacturing plant additions and renovations. Designed and prepared all construction drawings (including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, and electrical). Obtained all permits, issued all drawings for bids, reviewed all bids and made recommendations for award. Monitored construction to assure conformance with design documents. All projects completed within the original cost estimate. Projects included several manufacturing area additions with deep press pits, a locker room addition, a hot food cafeteria requiring health department approval and coordination with several equipment suppliers.
Initiated and performed a program of preparing all steel fabrication and erection drawings and ordering all stock lengths of steel so that fabrication and erection could be done by in-house maintenance personnel or contracted ironworkers, saving considerable expense by not having to accept bids from outside contractors for this work.
Inspected and prepared forensic reports for damages to over 100 different residential and commercial buildings. Reports often included recommendations for repair.
Selected Skills
Experience in Civil and Structural design for wood, masonry, concrete and steel structures.
Experienced in the use of STAAD, Ramsteel, and RISA structural design software, AutoCAD (including 3D modeling), and Microsoft applications including word, excel and project.
Good knowledge of codes including building (IBC), design loads (ANSI), steel (AISC), welding (AWS), concrete and masonry (ACI).
Experienced in preparation of proposals and assembling project team as required.
Participate in several professional organizations including ASCE and NSPE.
Career Overview
Donan Engineering Co. - Forensic Engineer 2008 - Present
Meridian Automotive Systems - Structural Engineer/Project Manager 1994 - 2008
Randers Engineering - Structural Engineer - 1988 - 1994
Education- Michigan Technological - BSCE (Structural Major)
Professional - Registered Professional Engineer in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado and Texas.
Selected Projects
Manufacturing Buildings:
Analysis and preparation of repair drawings for partial building collapse due to drifting snow load.
Analysis and preparation of repair drawings for partial building collapse due to overload of roof structure supported conveyor system.
Analysis and preparation of repair drawings for mezzanine collapse due to overload.
Analyzed several mezzanines for posting of allowable live load.
Analyzed and made repair recommendations for damage to building columns due to fork lift impact.
Commercial and Residential Buildings:
Analyzed and made repair recommendations for damage to several buildings due to vehicle impact.
Analyzed and made repair recommendations for damage to buildings due to tornadoes.
Analyzed and made repair recommendations for damage to buildings due improper construction.