RBA Engineer Co-Authors Article for Journal of ASTM International

Troy, NY – March 2007 – David T. Biggs, P.E., Principal, of Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., in Troy, NY, co-authored an article titled “Type S Portland Cement-Lime Mortar as a Low-Lift Grout” for the Journal of ASTM International. The article, featured in the February 2007 edition, was co-authored with Margaret L. Thomson, Ph.D., Technical Manager for Type S Hydrated Lime Sales for the Chemical Lime Company USA.

The article documents research performed with the goal to make masonry construction more economical using traditional masonry materials. The incentive for the research was provided by masonry contractors. Major funding was provided by the International Masonry Institute, National Lime Association, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Local No. 1, New York, NY, and the National Concrete Masonry Association.

David Biggs is a masonry specialist with over thirty years of experience. He was elected an Honorary Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers based upon his engineering expertise with historical restoration and forensic evaluation of structures. Some of Mr. Biggs’ current restoration projects include the Jean Hasbrouck House (c 1680) in New Paltz, NY, Fort Ticonderoga (1754) in Ticonderoga, NY, Hacienda Santa Elena (c 1790) in Puerto Rico, and the Bennington Battle Monument (1889) in Bennington, VT. Mr. Biggs is part of a six-member international team providing restoration guidelines for use throughout Egypt.

About Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C.
Ryan-Biggs Associates, P.C., is a consulting engineering firm specializing in structural engineering. Since 1973, they have been providing design services from their main office in Troy, New York, and branch offices in Skaneateles, New York, and West Chester, Pennsylvania. Ryan-Biggs Associates has been involved with the restoration of over 300 historical buildings and structures in the United States. Over 80 of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, which is part of the US Department of the Interior, and 10 have been designated “Save America’s Treasures,” a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service.

About ASTM International
ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy.