Firas Abdelahad, P.E., M.S., Lauded for Expertise in Structural Engineering and Design.

A little about Marquis Who's Who

Firas Abdelahad, P.E., M.S., has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Who’s who Marquis

Background and History

Drawing on more than 16 years of experience in structural engineering and design, Mr. Abdelahad is distinguished for his work as principal engineer and owner of Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services LLC. Utilizing his extensive knowledge of metal cladding, wall panel systems, curtain walls and building facades, he provides evaluation, consultation, design, drawing and inspection services, owner representation, and expert witness services. After observing his friends and family struggle during the homebuying process and renovation projects while dealing with home inspectors and local building codes, he realized there was a need for his engineering services and decided to pursue that career path.

Structural Engineering School Journey:

Born in Syria, Mr. Abdelahad obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil/Structural Engineering from Damascus University in 2005, also serving as engineer intern for the Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts Project in Damascus. Upon earning his degree, he accepted a role as design engineer for Nemeh Engineering, also in Damascus, and worked there just enough to complete a 27000 sq. ft multi story hospital before relocating to the United States to pursue his master's degree. Mr. Abdelahad enrolled at Florida Atlantic University, and during his studies, worked as a math tutor and an engineering teaching assistant. He went on to obtain his Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 2008. Prior to founding Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services LLC, Mr. Abdelahad gained experience as a structural engineer in Pennsylvania and Florida, holding increasingly senior positions with Bunting Architectural Metals, Crown Castle and IEM Services.

Today, Mr. Abdelahad is a registered professional engineer in the states of Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. As a commitment to his profession, he is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, as well as the Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc., and the Golden Key International Honor Society. Known for his contributions to the community, he is active with his church, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and has held leadership roles including chairman of St. John the Divine and parish council board member. He also served as secretary of the planning commission for Green Tree Borough.

Mr. Abdelahad attributes his success to dedication, consistency and the support of his family. Above all, he prides himself on being extremely efficient; in each of his companies, he has succeeded in creating visible savings for the company and bringing a sense of organization to his teams. Furthermore, he prides himself on being a value added service even for the clients that may not hire his firm and continue to offer creative and affordable solutions with his vast knowledge and experience in design, fabrication and construction. He looks forward to continuing to use his leadership skills to grow his company. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Rasha, and their sons, Mark and Luke.

More About Marquis Who's Who®:

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who®

Source:

https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/498943/firas-abdelahad-pe-ms-lauded-for-expertise-in-structural-engineering-and-design

Key Differences between a Contractor and an Engineer in the Construction Industry

Contractors & engineers' work typically complement each others. A work designed by an engineer can't get built without a contractor and often times a work done by a contractor can't be certified without an engineer.

Structural Concerns

A few weeks back, a post surfaced, inquiring about a recommendation for a structural engineer. Amidst the comments, one response stood out:

“Your best bet is to find a contractor with experience in structures because most structural engineers never touched a tool. They have great knowledge but that has to translate to your contractor. You want to be very careful that you’re not overpaying for knowledge that is not going to apply to your situation.”

I’m certain that this notion has crossed the minds of many, and some still hold this belief.

As an engineer myself, I respectfully disagree, and here’s my perspective showing key differences between a contractor and an engineer:

While it’s true that some engineers may not have hands-on construction experience, they excel at providing meticulous drawings that ensure work is executed correctly, adhering to building codes, engineering standards, and fundamental principles. This approach minimizes the need for corrections and prevents future issues, such as floor sags or compromised load-bearing walls.

Being in the field since 2005, I’ve collaborated with numerous contractors, both directly and indirectly. Most can handle standard tasks without detailed plans, relying on their experience. However, challenges arise when projects become customized and necessitate calculations or verifications.

Regrettably, I’ve witnessed many poorly executed reinforcements, where contractors or handymen selected beam sizes based on experience, resulting in incorrect support or undersized structures. Notably, homeowners often skip involving an engineer during the design phase before hiring a contractor, assuming they can obtain free advice from contractors who may provide estimates and initial consultations at no cost to secure their services. However, an engineer, when engaged, becomes your advocate, offering impartial guidance.

For the average homeowner, who lacks in-depth construction expertise, hiring an engineer proves beneficial when addressing structural issues. Most structural modifications require permits, backed by stamped drawings from licensed and registered engineers.

When clients reach out to me, I ask probing questions to understand their needs fully. This helps me assess whether I can genuinely add value during property inspections or site visits. If not, I guide them in an alternative direction.

Recently, I was tasked with evaluating a structural reinforcement meant to rectify a floor sag. Upon inspection, I was deeply concerned. The beam lacked sufficient support and had been haphazardly shored up with steel rods, as seen in the second and third images below. It was a subpar execution.

Moreover, the beam was improperly installed lower than it should have been, failing to brace the weakened, undersized, sagging beam. Shims were inserted to bridge the gap between the steel beam and wooden beam, as depicted in the first picture.

Additionally, note the slight warping or twisting of the beam in the second picture.

Furthermore, a steel post was added, but it was not tall enough. This forced the installer to use loose bricks to elevate its base, which rested directly on the concrete slab instead of a proper footer.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of this improper support. Refer to my structural deficiencies (I) blog for an explanation of why this approach is flawed.

I strongly doubt that a licensed contractor oversaw this work, or at least, I hope not.

Typically, licensed contractors either collaborate with engineers or advise homeowners to engage one. I consistently stress to homeowners that hiring an engineer not only provides a layer of protection but also ensures that modifications meet engineering standards and building codes, reducing the likelihood of issues arising when the house is sold in the future.

Lastly, it is important to note that the home improvement consumer protection act 73 P.S. § 517.1 (HICPA) was adopted by Pennsylvania's General Assembly in October, 2008 and signed by the Governor as Act 132 of 2008. The law establishes a mandatory registration program for contractors who offer or perform home improvement in Pennsylvania. Reference the following link for frequently asked questions about the act: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/resources/home-improvement-contractor-registration/contractor-frequently-asked-questions/

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3: Improper shimming not enough bearing

#structuralengineer #Structuraldeficiencies #valueofengineering #structurallysound #realestatepgh #pittsburghstructuralengineering #Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, 73 P.S. § 517.1

Written by Firas Abdelahad, P.E.

Firas Abdelahad has been a practicing structural engineer since 2005, collaborating with a diverse range of professionals, including consultants, architects, investors, homeowners, contractors, and subcontractors. Together, they tackle the various challenges that can arise during the design and construction phases of projects.

The information and statements in this document are for information purposes only and do not comprise the professional advice of the author or create a professional relationship between reader and author.

WHY YOU SHOULD CALL US NOW

Why Home Buyers/Sellers/Realtors should Call us:

We aim to accommodate your schedule promptly, often within 24 hours or one day. I personally make an effort to answer all calls, or if missed, return them promptly. Our goal is to thoroughly understand your needs and guide you to the next steps, whether that involves scheduling an on-site evaluation or providing recommendations for your situation.

We pride ourselves on being highly responsive to your inquiries, whether through phone calls, text messages, or emails.

When you choose us, a licensed and registered professional engineer will visit your property. During this visit, we will carefully assess and discuss your concerns. If desired, we can provide recommendations both verbally and in a formal report format. Our approach involves offering concise, professional opinions based on visual evidence, supported by code references where applicable, and informed engineering judgments. Our aim is to empower you with the information needed to make well-informed decisions.

We recognize that buying or selling a property can be a stressful process. Therefore, we are more than happy to address all your concerns during our visit to the property. We take pride in educating our customers about how their structure is designed to transfer loads from the roof down to the foundation. Additionally, when feasible, we point out areas where minor improvements or maintenance can potentially save you from future expenses, drawing from our wealth of experience.

As a locally owned and operated small business situated in the heart of Pittsburgh, we bring extensive experience in Structural Engineering since 2005. Our founder holds both a Bachelor's and Master's of Science in Civil/Structural Engineering.

Our services encompass a wide range of offerings, including structural repair drawings for your rehabilitation projects, evaluation and removal of load-bearing walls with stamped drawings upon request, foundation reinforcements, comprehensive evaluations, and more. Additionally, we provide site plans and permit drawings to fulfill your local zoning needs and permitting requirements.

We serve the entire state of Pennsylvania, and our rates are flexible to accommodate travel time. Feel free to reach out to us to inquire if we can expedite our visit to your property compared to your local engineering firm.

For further information or to get in touch:

Email: info@pittdes.com Phone: 724-949-0004

Written by Firas Abdelahad, P.E.

Firas Abdelahad has been a practicing structural engineer since 2005, collaborating with a diverse range of professionals, including consultants, architects, investors, homeowners, contractors, and subcontractors. Together, they tackle the various challenges that can arise during the design and construction phases of projects.

The information and statements in this document are for information purposes only and do not comprise the professional advice of the author or create a professional relationship between reader and author.