James Gordon

Experience

James Gordon is engaged in the evaluation and rehabilitation of new and existing structures. His experience includes advanced structural analysis for a range of structure types, the assessment, design and repair of steel structures and civil infrastructure, assessment of fire-damaged structures, and litigation support.

Before joining WJE, Mr. Gordon was a graduate research assistant at Oregon State University, where he developed modeling techniques to simulate the behavior of steel structures exposed to fire. This work mostly consisted of developing temperature-dependent connection models and testing the strength of fire-exposed steels under different exposure characteristics. Mr. Gordon’s previous experience gives him a unique skill set that is applicable to analyzing all types of complex structural systems.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Structural Analysis

• Skillman Arch Bridge - Dallas, TX: Erection engineering services focused on the development of cable tensioning sequence for network arch system
• Barbours Cut Terminal, Wharfs 5 and 6 - La Porte, TX: Strengthening of container wharf to support new, larger ship-to-shore cranes in hurricane region
• Mass Timber Truss - Lakeway, TX: Analysis of newly constructed mass timber trusses to evaluate distress and serviceability concerns

 

Bridges and Civil Infrastructure

• Light Rail Concrete Plinth Assessment - Seattle, WA: Physical testing and statistical analysis of nylon inserts in concrete dual blocks
• City of Beaumont Bridges - TX: Assessment, repair design, and construction period services for thirteen concrete bridges
• US 190 Steel Bridge - Temple, TX: Inspection, repair design, and repair installation of fatigue cracks in steel bridge  
• IWGO Steel Bridge - New Orleans, LA: Design of jacking hardware for various bridge repairs; analysis and installation of weld retrofits

 

Fire Damage Assessment

• San Antonio Y - TX: Evaluation and development of repair recommendations for fire-damaged, precast, post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge segments
• Sand Processing Plant - San Antonio, TX: Structural assessment of fire damage to steel structure at sand processing plant and development of associated repair recommendations

 

Steel Structures

• Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant - Coffeyville, KS: Assessment, repair design, and construction period services for deteriorated conveyor support structure
• Clarifier Support Structure - Mesa, AZ: Assessment, coatings testing, and repair design of steel support framing at two clarifier units in water reclamation plant
• Westlake Epoxy Plant - Deer Park, TX: Assessment and repair recommendations for rehabilitation of steel structure

 

Litigation Support

• Factory Catwalk - Central TX: Litigation support and structural construction and design defects
• Cofferdam Failure - Cougar, WA: Failure investigation of and litigation support for temporary cofferdam

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of Steel Construction
American Welding Society
Structural Engineers Association of Texas
Structural Stability Research Council

Registrations

Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians, Level 1 Technician

Education

Oklahoma State University
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 2020

Oregon State University
Master of Science, Civil Engineering, 2024