Principal at RLG Consulting Engineers (Dallas, TX), a firm that specializes in civil, structural, survey, and forensic engineering.
By RLG Consulting Engineers
As structural and forensics principal at RLG Consulting Engineers, Cumming has the knowledge and capability to handle a wide variety of project types which require a broad range of problem solving. Projects have ranged from structural assessments to peer reviews to additions and renovations to the design of numerous high-rise structures. He has led recovery efforts from tornado events and reviewed buildings after blast loads, hurricanes, fire damage, and waterline breaks.
“Challenge yourself daily to refine and grow your engineering talents,” Cumming says. “Licensed engineers are trusted with public safety, so clarity in thought and ethical conduct is essential. Proactively face challenges and be a positive influence on those around you.”
A conversation with David Cumming.
RLG: What made you decide to go to college to become an engineer?
David Cumming: As a kid, I enjoyed building snow forts with tunnels and arches during the winter, working on small projects around the house with my dad, and seeing how bridges and buildings were built. I started writing computer programs on the TI-99/4A home computer in middle school. Several years later, I started college in computer science and spent hours compiling programs to run on those green-screen terminals. Then, looking for a better direction with more challenges, I transferred to an engineering school and continued my interest in buildings.
RLG: What was your first on-the-job experience as an engineer?
DC: My career in engineering now spans almost 30 years. In the early ‘90s, my first engineering internship was at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and the project was an important highway interchange. On returning for my second year of a summer internship, my supervisor placed an office phone on my desk and said, “Here you go.” This meant my supervisor trusted me to lead this high-profile project.
After graduating with my undergraduate civil engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, I attended the University of Minnesota and received a Master of Science degree. My thesis was on the shear capacity of high-strength concrete prestressed girders, which, when completed, was a two-volume set and was a 430-page document. This research project required testing full-size bridge girders and required a significant amount of time in two laboratories to test these four full-size members, each 50 feet long and about five feet tall.
RLG: When did you start at RLG?
DC: In 1997, I moved to Dallas, Texas, and started with RLG. My first major project at RLG was a seven-story concrete building connected to the main hospital by three levels of steel framing over a public street.
Later this year, I will reach 25 years at RLG, which will be a significant career milestone. One way to encompass the changes over the years is to look at the historic tech changes. I started with faxing hand-drawn sketches to solve problems in the field, and now most communication is by email. The analysis software has changed from simple DOS programs to complex 3D-finite element programs. The storage systems have changed from floppy disks to cloud-based storage and computing and, most of all, the development of cell phones and social media. The underlying trend is rapidly increasing data which can get overwhelming if not managed. A takeaway is that this creates a premium for clear visions to deliver sound results.
RLG: What is your role at RLG?
DC: I oversee engineers, write proposals, review reports, and numerous office leadership tasks as a principal.
RLG: What is your area of focus?
DC: Over the years, I have been involved with everything from disaster response assistance to structural assessments to designing many high-rise structures.
Based on my experience in solving a wide range of construction issues, we’ve provided engineering assistance to several general contractors. This type of effort goes beyond a formal peer review. Instead, we search the provided documents for potential savings on the structure, determine areas of possible hidden cost or potential coordination issues, and provide guidance on constructability.
RLG: You have been at RLG for more than 24 years; what has been your most tremendous success?
DC: Challenges and successes have worked together to shape my career. Two years ago, a tornado hit a private school in Dallas with winds reported near 165 mph. At our client’s request, we were on-site at the first light of the next day, providing engineering assistance. The storm damage was significant with downed power lines, broken trees, overturned vehicles, and piles of debris. Building issues ranged from minor debris hits to collapsed structures. Our role was to perform structural assessments and document the degree of damage to on-campus buildings and site structures. Over the following two months, our staff discovered and categorized the hazards, assisted in stabilizing damaged structures, provided daily status reports, provided repair details, and led the daily briefing meetings between staff and contractors. The overall goal of the recovery effort was to reopen the school safely and promptly. Two weeks after the storm, the campus reopened, and students returned. Various repairs were coordinated and continued up to one year after the storm. This event was both incredibly challenging and professionally rewarding.
RLG: How did you get started with projects that required forensics (or strengthening and repair, etc.)?
DC: Over the years, RLG has done many renovations and additions on various building types. In addition, my engineering experience has dealt with field construction issues which have served us well in determining and assessing those structural issues.
RLG: Can you elaborate on the services offered by the RLG Forensics department?
DC: Typically, our process starts with a forensics assessment and may lead to additional structural services like strengthening and repairing the existing structure. Our clients requesting these forensics services range from hospitals to retail to schools to buyers/sellers of commercial properties.
Forensic assessments start with visual observations of a given situation and then photos. This may lead to a floor elevation survey and additional measurements. If construction documents are available, then those documents will be reviewed and provide further insight into the original design or how the components were detailed. We will write reports based on our engineering insight.
The end product of these assessments may conclude that there are minimal structural concerns, that additional evaluations are to be conducted now or in the future, or that immediate remedial action is required.
RLG: What is the biggest challenge faced by the forensics department?
DC: The biggest challenge is that we have a wide range of clients combined with a broad range of structural issues. A common challenge is helping the client define the problems so that a focused proposal and solutions can best meet the client’s needs.
RLG: How do you think the AEC industry will evolve in the next five years? Ten years?
DC: The construction industry requires a significant amount of labor. Likely, the labor shortage will continue, bringing innovative technologies to bear. The technologies could allow skilled laborers to do more work and unskilled laborers to develop skills. For example, drones/robots may add or replace highly repetitive tasks. Some changes take years to take root, but the most significant changes can occur with just a tiny spark. Those sparks will likely come from outside of the construction industry.
RLG: What industries are leading this “spark” or change?
DC: Due to the high cost of research and development, the automobile industry, military industry, or even the fast-food industry will likely provide the spark. Then, those technologies will be reapplied to construction. This could lead to significant advances in productivity and improve the quality and speed of construction.
RLG: How has RLG grown in those 24 years that you have been with them?
DC: As stated before, the methods of communication and technology have changed, but it ultimately remains serving our clients and looking out for their best interests.
RLG: Can you elaborate on this? Are entry-level employees more talented right out of school than they used to be?
DC: The entry-level employees are very talented, comfortable, and schooled with technology and modeling. Still, this comfort can lead to a lack of understanding of the assumptions and limitations of any given software. Also, as the technology and models become more complex, essential troubleshooting skills are more necessary.
RLG: What advice would you give someone who is about to graduate?
DC: College graduation is just the start, and there is a lot to learn about engineering, the construction industry, and your client needs. Challenge yourself daily to refine and grow your engineering talents. Licensed engineers are trusted with public safety, so clarity in thought and ethical conduct is essential. Proactively face challenges and be a positive influence on those around you.
RLG: Tell us about the strengthening and repair presentation you have given.
DC: This seminar provides architects and contractors with a working knowledge of what options are available for repairing structures. Repair options are discussed with a list of pros and cons for each method. The seminar has been presented more than 30 times and continues to be very well received. Each seminar is adjusted to include notable recent events to keep it current.
