Robert J. Firman

Experience

Since joining WJE in 2012, Robert Firman has gained experience working on a broad range of projects, including condition assessments; instrumentation; materials testing; and structural analysis of structural steel buildings, light-gauge metal structures, and prestressed and post-tensioned concrete buildings and bridges. Prior to joining WJE, Mr. Firman gained work experience in structural dynamics, engineering, construction, steel fabrication, and erection.

 

 

 

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Failure/Damage Investigations

• Precast Parking Garage - Fairfax, VA: Investigation of spandrel cracking
• Wood Subfloor Assessment - Washington, D.C.: Investigation and materials testing of wood subfloor exposed to moisture during construction
• Glass Breakage - Washington, D.C.: Investigation of glass breakage during construction of curtain wall
• Springfield Town Center - Springfield, VA: Investigation of partial collapse of elevated concrete slab during construction
• Underground Parking Garage - Washington, D.C.: Investigation of concrete structure collapse during construction
• File Storage Warehouse - Landover, MD: Structural analysis and investigation of warehouse progressive collapse

 

Concrete Structures

• Airport Roadway Tunnels - Buffalo, NY: Condition assessment and materials testing of tunnels located beneath airport runway
• Multistory Building - Denver, CO: Condition assessment, analysis, and repair design of precast concrete column connections
• Silver Spring Transit Center - MD: Field investigation and structural analysis related to the performance of post-tensioned concrete structure

 

Nondestructive Evaluation

• Metrorail Station Platforms - Washington, D.C.: Ground penetrating radar and specialized inspections
• Elevated Structures - Washington, D.C.: Visual inspection, magnetic particle testing, and ultrasonic testing of fracture critical steel transverse box girders

 

Instrumentation/Monitoring/Load Testing

• Garage Monitoring - Tysons, VA: Installation and monitoring of environmental sensors at precast parking garage
• Balcony Railing Load Testing - Alexandria, VA: Assessment and load testing of balcony railings at apartment building
• Overhead Lift Anchor Testing - Washington, D.C.: Load testing of overhead anchors used for moving equipment within hospital
• Fall Protection Anchor Testing - Raleigh, NC: Load testing of roof fall protection anchors
• USS Maine Memorial - Arlington, VA: Installation of temperature and humidity monitoring equipment at Arlington National Cemetery
• Miller-Coors Brewery - Elkton, VA: Installation of tiltmeters on fermenting tanks in response to steel column failures
• Embassy Building - Washington, D.C.: Crack monitoring at concrete beams and columns

 

Bridges

• Multiple Timber Bridges - MS: Condition assessment of multiple timber pile bridges
• Nottoway Reservoir Bridge - Nottoway County, VA: Condition assessment, instrumentation, materials testing, and service life modeling of concrete substructure and steel superstructure
• Route 15/Interstate 66 Overpass - Haymarket, VA: Fire damage assessment of steel and concrete bridge components
• Commodore Barry Bridge - Bridgeport, NJ: Concrete materials testing of bridge piers to determine the potential for alkali-silica reaction

Professional Affiliations

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

Registrations

AWS Certified Welding Inspector
NHI Course 130056 - Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges for Professional Engineers
Professional Engineer in DC, LA, MD, MT, NJ, NY, and VA

Education

Bucknell University
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 2010
Bachelor of Management for Engineers, 2010

Purdue University
Master of Science, Civil Engineering, 2011