Morabito Consultants has always been forward-thinking when it comes to utilizing technologically advanced structural software. MC recently added structural steel design software IDEA StatiCa to our broad list of programs. IDEA StatiCa allows MC to analyze and design structural steel connections with unlimited geometry, allowing economical solutions for simple and complicated connections alike. IDEA’s power comes from the combination of non-linear Finite Element Analysis with traditional code checking of steel components such as bolts and welds. Steel plate verification is performed by limiting usable plastic strain (strain beyond the elastic capacity) to 3% to 5%. Numerous modes of elastic buckling are also examined by consideration of whether the buckling is the result of a member or connecting plate such as a stiffener or connection plate. Other useful features of the program include connection stiffness analysis to assist in classifying a connection as a moment or shear connection for use in the overall steel frame analysis. MC looks forward to implementing IDEA StatiCa into our routine structural steel connection design and shop drawing preparation.  

In 1998, MC received its first opportunity to be the structural engineer of record for the concrete remediation of a parking garage. This endeavor proved to be successful, which prompted us to expand our professional services to include the concrete remediation of parking garages.  Before long, concrete remediation became 10% of MC’s total workload. Subsequent remediation projects included the repair and strengthening of numerous parking garages throughout the state of Maryland, with our main focus being the repair of parking garages for Baltimore area hospitals including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Saint Joseph Medical Center, Anne Arundel Medical Center, and Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Utilizing our expertise in concrete remediation and high-rise building design, MC teamed up with Concrete Protection and Restoration, Inc. on a design-build basis to remediate the condemned 15-story residential condominium, Dolphin Towers, in Sarasota, Florida. This project involved the repair of a cracked under-designed third-level concrete transfer floor, which supported 12 levels of concrete flat plate construction. The scope of work included enhancing the building’s structural integrity to resist 170 mph lateral wind loads in compliance with the 2012 Florida Building Code. The design phase of this project proved to be challenging, and required MC to complete the structural design of the building and to prepare all the mild steel and post-tensioned concrete reinforcing shop drawings which were utilized for the construction of this project. MC received three national awards, including top project under $15 million from the National Council of Structural Engineering Associations. Additionally, MC was awarded Project of the Year for concrete repair projects from the Post-Tensioning Institute and from the International Concrete Repair Institute for top high-rise projects. This triumph propelled MC to establish a permanent office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in 2015, which specializes in the remediation of building structures.

Currently, MC stands as a highly diversified structural engineering firm, proficient in conducting comprehensive structural analyses, designs, and the revitalization or repair of various building structures. In addition to concrete, masonry, steel, light-gauge steel, and wood structures, MC’s design capabilities extend to encompass aluminum and stainless-steel structures such as railings and removable flood-resistant panels, and the utilization of carbon-fiber reinforcement.

MC’s extensive experience in remediating building structures encompasses all facets of the building envelope. This includes the restoration of external elements such as brickwork, stucco, EIFS, windows, doors, railings, roof membranes, and finishes. This proficiency extends to cover concrete, masonry, steel, wood, aluminum, and stainless-steel, and waterproofing components of the building’s exterior.

Looking ahead, MC envisions broadening its expertise in building envelopes to serve Maryland and its neighboring states. Furthermore, there are plans to expand the firm’s building design proficiency across the State of Florida. MC takes great pride in its accomplishments over the first 40 years and eagerly anticipates further growth and success under the guidance of its next generation of talented professional engineers.

Morabito Consultants (MC) is pleased to have attended and sponsored the 2023 International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) Baltimore-Washington Chapter golf scramble on October 5th at Waverly Woods Golf Club. Although our most formidable golfing team did not shoot fifteen under par, we had the opportunity to catch up with industry colleagues and friends. MC is proud to be a part of the concrete repair industry in Baltimore as well as Southwest Florida.

In the fall of 2022, MC identified serious deficiencies with the structural slab ramp which served as the primary entrance and exit to the parking facility which serves the condominium tower at 1001 St. Paul Street. Emergency temporary shoring was promptly installed, while full ramp reconstruction design documents were developed. Construction began in May 2023 and moved swiftly to rebuild the entrance ramp and restore other related construction. Demolition uncovered a unique historic structural design of slab beams using embedded steel “I” shapes as reinforcement in lieu of rebars. After all repairs were completed, the highly traveled slab was properly protected with a long-lasting hybrid polyurethane-epoxy traffic membrane to prevent harsh chloride and carbonization damage. MC is proud to have partnered with Concrete Protection & Restoration Inc. on the work completed to restore the safety and durability of this building’s entrance ramp within budget and for decades to come.

MC is at Penn State University today for the Architectural Engineering Career Fair! Stop by booth G-11 and talk with PSU alumni John and Tyler.

Morabito Consultants is excited to welcome Brandon Taylor and James Corckran to our team! Both are recent graduates joining the team as design engineers; Brandon from the University of Pittsburgh and James from Virginia Tech.
https://morabitoconsultants.com/personnel/

MC is proud to announce six major promotions within our team.  These individuals exemplify the dedication, expertise, and commitment to our clients that has shaped the last 40 years of MC’s history, and their continued leadership will be key to our future success.  Please join us in congratulating the following team members:

Principals:

Nicholas Morabito, PE LEED AP BD+C, with over 20 years of experience at MC, specializing in concrete, wood, masonry, and steel design, which has aided him in leading major education projects and various senior living developments. Nick excels in finding efficient solutions with architects and managing construction challenges. As he expands his role within the company, Nick aims to develop and maintain strong client relationships, and drive the firm’s growth.

Joshua Morabito, PE has been with MC for nearly 15 years and has gained expertise in structural steel, concrete, masonry, and light-gauge framing and specializes in major education projects as well as commercial office and retail buildings. Josh takes great pride in his engineering prowess, but his real passion is maintaining and building relationships with clients in his expanded role as Principal at MC. 

Robert Miller, PE SI FRSE has been with MC for nearly a decade and specializes in the remediation, strengthening, waterproofing, and inspection of concrete structures, all backed with experience in managing the design and cost-estimation of concrete remediation projects. Rob is all about efficiency, and takes pride in developing our Revit standards, master specifications, and engineering reference libraries.

Senior Associates:

John Anderson, PE (19 years with MC) and Evan Campbell, PE (8 years with MC) have been promoted to Senior Associates.  John and Evan not only bring elite structural engineering proficiency to our firm, but they also are vital to the training of our younger staff members and management of our constantly evolving workload. 

Associate:

Tim Sabatino, PE (5 years with MC) recently passed his Professional Engineer exam and has been promoted to Associate.  Tim is a problem solver, never one to shy away from a complicated design or unforeseen field condition.

MC is happy to introduce Fieldwire by Hilti to our repertoire of software. Fieldwire allows our office to accurately document field conditions on plan, in the field, automatically syncing to the cloud. Fieldwire allows for seamless communication between our engineers in the field and our engineers in the office. Whether the project is located in Maryland, our second office located in southeast Florida, or any of the numerous states we are registered in.

In our office, Fieldwire is used most regularly to perform condition assessments and quantity take-off of concrete structures. The categories and tasks in Fieldwire allow for easy set-up and organization of all the various repair types that are expected prior to arriving on-site. Our field engineers can then quickly document the location of a defect, snap photos, provide notes, and assign the expected repair type required. Keeping track of where photos were taken on a structure is easy as Fieldwire exports photos with a prefix identifying the plan name from which it was identified. The level of organization provided by Fieldwire allows our office engineers to efficiently understand the issues observed by those in the field and develop engineering estimates, repair drawings, and reports without having been onsite. Fieldwire has quickly become a valuable tool in MC’s efficient workflow. 

Happy Labor Day Weekend to all of our employees and partners. May you enjoy the well deserved long weekend with family and friends. In observance of the holiday, MC will be closed on Monday, September 4th, and will resume with regular business hours on Tuesday, September 5th.

The new Science and Engineering Wing at the Park School of Baltimore is wrapping up just in time for classes to begin!  This new two-story, 13,000 square-foot addition acts as a link between the existing Athletic Center and Blaustein lecture hall and houses laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology, spaces for engineering and robotics, as well as an outdoor classroom and other collaborative shared spaces. Morabito Consultants is proud to have partnered with Hord, Coplan, Macht and Southway Builders on this project.