Francisco J. Peña

Experience

Since joining WJE in 2018, Francisco Peña has gained experience in the investigation and analysis of a variety of structures and building components. Dr. Peña is a certified drone pilot who has been involved with numerous projects that include historic preservation, facade investigation, structural investigation, analysis, and repair. He has experience with many construction materials including wood, concrete, steel, single-ply roofing, built-up roofing, and waterproofing. Dr. Peña’s responsibilities have included condition assessments of existing buildings, drone surveys, water testing, structural testing, developing reports, designing repairs, and performing construction period services.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Historic Preservation

• Indiana War Memorial - Indianapolis: Building limestone facade and waterproofing evaluation and repair
• Indiana War Memorial Commission - Indianapolis: Facility assessment for maintenance, preservation, and capital improvement needs

 

Difficult Access and Drone Survey

• Indiana War Memorial - Indianapolis: Drone survey for facade assessment
• Best Brands Warehouse - Nashville, TN:  Tornado damage investigation
• First Horizon Park - Nashville, TN: Tornado damage investigation
• Roof Investigations - Multiple Locations, IN and FL: Hurricane, tornado, and hail damage investigations
• NorthCap Center - Nashville, TN: Facade assessment with Gigapan high-definition imagery

 

Structural Analysis/Computer Applications

• Kentucky Utilities Company - Ghent, KY: Fire damage investigation
• Purdue University, Mackey Arena - West Lafayette, IN: Structural analysis for new scoreboard
• Scripps Building - Cincinnati, OH: Floor capacity evaluation and travel path design for heavy equipment installation

 

Failure and Damage Investigation

• Lee High School - Wyoming, MI: Evaluation of structural members after roof collapse
• East Penn Facility - Whitehall, OH: Pallet rack collapse
• Structure Evaluation of Tornado Damage - Nashville, TN: First Horizon Park, Best Brands Warehouse, Stoner Creek Elementary School; and Dayton, OH: Dayton Phoenix Facility, Brookville High School, Grafton Kennedy Elementary, and Woodland Hills Apartments

 

Structural Load Testing

• Capital Center Building - Indianapolis, IN: Design, evaluation, and certification of existing and new dedicated roof anchorages for facade access equipment
• BMO Plaza - Indianapolis, IN: Testing and certification of existing dedicated roof anchorages for facade access equipment

 

Condition Evaluation

• City of Dayton Facilities - Dayton, OH: Tornado damage investigation
• Purdue University, Ross-Ade Stadium - West Lafayette, IN: Steel grandstand structure assessment
• Indiana University, Jordan Hall - Bloomington: Building enclosure and greenhouse assessment
• The Salvation Army, Various Buildings - Midwest U.S.: Structure and building enclosure assessment

 

Construction Observation and Troubleshooting

• Ford Motor Company Building - Indianapolis, IN: Construction observation for building rehabilitation
• Indiana War Memorial - Indianapolis: Construction observation for facade rehabilitation

 

Instrumentation and Monitoring/Seismic Engineering

• Dynamic identification of structures *
• Sensor deployment and data acquisition *
• Design and implementation of control  devices (passive, semiactive, and active) *
• Real-time hybrid simulation *

 

* Indicates with previous firm

Professional Affiliations

American Society of Civil Engineers
Indiana Structural Engineers Association, secretary

Registrations

FAA Licensed Remote Pilot
Professional Engineer in IN

Education

Universidad del Valle
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 2011

Purdue University
Master of Science, Civil Engineering, 2015
Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, 2019