Manhattan, NY DeSimone Consulting Engineering has welcomed industry wind engineering expert, Kurt Strobel, P.E., as senior associate.
Strobel will lead and expand DeSimone’s services related to wind engineering and structural dynamics — including vibration analysis, vibration control, and structural monitoring. In amplifying the firm’s capabilities, he will generate a tangible, net-positive effect on project efficiency, the quality of structural designs, and optimal performance through verification of implemented designs.
Strobel will continue his current work with DeSimone on several projects, including the transformation of the One Times Sq., site of the New Year’s ball drop, which includes a new glass curtain wall and an observation deck providing views and a concert space. Strobel will also oversee final commissioning at 125 Greenwich, a 912-ft.-tall, 60-ft.-wide residential tower, also in Manhattan.
Additional current projects include 808 Pavonia Ave. in Jersey City, Cipriani Towers in Punta del Este, Uruguay, which will be the tallest building in South America, and 710 Edge, a 650-ft.-tall, ultra-luxury residential tower in Miami.
A longtime collaborator on some of DeSimone’s most challenging projects, including such tall buildings as 50 West in Manhattan and the new 888 Brickell in Miami, Strobel is an expert who will offer discrete project services in the field of wind-induced structural dynamics and vibration control, as well as consulting services on all projects involving wind engineering to DeSimone clients globally.
“Having collaborated with Kurt over the years, we’re well aware of the power and impact his expertise and professionalism bring to each project and client — and thrilled to have him join the internal DeSimone team,” said Stephen DeSimone, chairman and CEO of DeSimone Consulting Engineering. “As we continue to enhance our service lines to deliver efficiency, value, and expertise to our clients, Kurt’s expertise will further fortify our ability to meet the challenges of climate change and the technical demands associated with designing ever taller buildings.”
Focusing also on the reduction of dynamic loads and improvement of occupant comfort of tall buildings and towers, long-span floors, and pedestrian bridges, Kurt has contributed his expertise to the structural engineering of a range of structural types, from some of the world’s tallest buildings, like the 2,227-ft., mega-tall Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to roofs, canopies, launch vehicles, transmission line towers, and solar collectors.
“I’ve been working closely with DeSimone for nearly two decades — to the point that the NYC headquarters has become a home away from home for me,” said Strobel. “I’m excited at the prospect of engaging in deeper collaboration with my colleagues throughout DeSimone, as well as developing capabilities and services related to structural engineering and resiliency design that extend DCE’s leadership position in the design of the built environment.”
Strobel brings nearly 30 years of experience to his new role. Prior to joining DeSimone, he was a principal at CPP Wind Engineering Consultants, where he focused on wind-induced structural dynamics and the measurement and control of vibration. It was his second stint with CPP after serving as Director of Structural Services from 2007 to 2015 before spending six years as vice president at GERB Vibration Control Systems, Inc., where he focused on the application of Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) to control vibrations in tall buildings, bridges and other structures. Strobel began his engineering career with Advanced Energy Industries, a power solutions company.
Co-author of a number of papers related to wind engineering and supplemental damping systems, Strobel has taught theory and application of TMDs, vibration measurement, and analysis at various institutions. He holds a BA in physics, an MS in mechanical engineering, and is a licensed professional engineer in Colorado.