HALIFAX OFFICE Telephone: 902.422.4493 TORONTO OFFICE Telephone: 416.487.4113
1046 Barrington Street, Suite 200 Facsimile: 902.422.5066 150 Bay Thorn Drive Facsimile: 416.731.9641
Halifax Nova Scotia B3H 2R1 Email: jwcowie@eastlink.ca Toronto Ontario L3T 3V3 Email: jwcowie@eastlink.ca

CURRICULUM VITAE of

James W. Cowie
M.Eng., P.Eng.

EDUCATION

1976 - M.Eng. (Structural Engineering)
Technical University of Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Thesis Topic: Influence of Spiral Binders and Shear Span on Deformability of Prestressed Concrete Beams (Laboratory Testing and Analysis Research presented by 350-page Thesis, representing 4 credits towards a 10-credit Master's Degree).

1965-1967 - B.Eng. (Civil Engineering)
Technical University of Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia

1960-1964 - B.Sc, Dip.Eng.
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (P.Eng.)

Active Full Membership:

  • Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia
  • Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario
  • Past Full Membership:
  • Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Newfoundland
  • Past License to Practice:
  • Association of Professional Engineers of Prince Edward Island
  • Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick

EXPERIENCE

1972 - present

  • Owner, President, and Principal Engineer
    J. W. Cowie Engineering Limited
    (Offices in Halifax and Toronto)
  • J.W. Cowie Engineering (U.K.) Limited
    (Inactive Subsidiary of J.W. Cowie Engineering Limited)

 

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member of the Board of Directors of The Masonry Society (American/International)
  • Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Steering Committee on Masonry (Past Member)
  • Advisory Committee on the Standards Information Service (ACSIS) of the Standards Council of Canada (Past Member)
  • Masonry Standards Joint Committee (ACI 530-99/ASCE 5-99/TMS 402-99) Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (Associate Member)
  • Member of the Masonry Society and Past Member of the Board of Directors of the Masonry Society (American/International)
  • British Masonry Society (Member)
  • Nova Scotia Consulting Engineers Association (Past President)
  • Consulting Practice Committee of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia (Past Member)
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (Past Member)
  • American Concrete Institute (Member)
  • Canadian and American Prestressed Concrete Institutes (Past Member)
  • British Masonry Society (Member)
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (Past Member)
  • Technical University of Nova Scotia Alumni Association (Past President)
  • Board of Directors of Dalhousie University Alumni Association, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Past-Member)
  • Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Committee of Consultation and Advice (Past-Member) and Property Committee (Past-Chairman)
  • Halifax Grammar School, Board of Governors (Past Member - 3 Terms) and Property Committee (Past Chairman)
  • Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Property Committee
  • (Past Chairman) and Facilities Committee (Past-Chairman)
  • 4th Halifax Highland Scout Troop (Past Group Committee Chairman)
  • The Halifax Club
  • (Past Property Committee Chair, Management Committee)
  • Rotary Club of Halifax (Past Member)
  • Institute of Directors, London, England (Past Member)

RESTORATION DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT DURING RESTORATION CONSTRUCTION

  • Refer to description of J.W. Cowie Engineering Limited and listing the typical projects.

ENGINEERING INVESTIGATIONS FOR OWNERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES

  • Author of numerous investigation reports on property damage claims, caused by wind, snow, water, freezing, lightning, explosion, fire, vibrations, settlement, impact, erosion, corrosion, rot, poor design, poor construction, and poor maintenance.

PUBLICATIONS and TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS

  1. Stabilizing and Strengthening of Masonry Walls of Historic Buildings, audio visual presentation, by J.W.Cowie "Introduction to Masonry Preservation Course - Structural Engineering". Sponsored by the Federal Heritage Building Review Office and Parks Canada Agency, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 01 June 2005.
  2. Construction Inspection, audio-visual presentation by J.W. Cowie on "Masonry Inspection", sponsored by Dal-Tech Continuing Technical Education, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 4 December, 1998.
  3. Chairman of Technical Session 17, 5th International Masonry Conference, Sponsored by the British Masonry Society; Cumberland Hotel, Oxford Street, London, England; 13 to 15 October, 1998.
  4. "Masonry Problems - Prevention and Restoration", audio-visual presentation by J.W. Cowie on "Cracking, Bulging, Leaking, Efflorescence, Spalling, Deterioration, Collapse During Construction, Collapse During Construction, Collapse After Occupancy and Connectors (strength, stiffness, anchorage and corrosion)", sponsored by University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, Continuing Engineering Education Department and EPIC Educational Program Innovations Centre, Valhalla Inn, Etobicoke, Ontario; 12 April, 1996.
  5. "SS/BV Walls: Discussion", J.W. Cowie and M. J. Wilson Progressive Architecture, Page 48, published by Reinhold Publishing, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; June, 1992.
  6. "Masonry Cladding Failures and Restorations", audio-visual presentations on "Examples of Wall Failures" and "Examples of Restoration", sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Technical University of Nova Scotia held at:
  7. Ramada Inn, Wilson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario; 22 November, 1991.
  8. Technical University of Nova Scotia, Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 21 November, 1991.
  9. Skyline Toronto Airport Hotel, Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario; 23 April, 1991.
  10. "Learning from Structural Failures", audio-visual presentation on "Data Collection and Analysis" and "Case Studies on Brick Failures", held at the Technical University of Nova Scotia and sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Technical University of Nova Scotia; 1 & 2 October, 1991.
  11. "Brick Veneer and Steel Studs: Performance Questions", J.W. Cowie and M. J. Wilson, The Journal of Light Construction, Pages 21 to 23, published by Builderburg Partners Limited, Washington, D.C.; April, 1991.
  12. "Testing for Masonry Construction", audio-visual presentation, Atlantic Chapter of the American Concrete Institute, 1991 Annual Meeting and Seminar, Halifax World Trade and Convention Centre; 7 February, 1991.
  13. "Replacement of Defective Precast Concrete Wall Panels with Brick Masonry Veneer, without Relocating Building Tenants", J.W. Cowie and P. Ameny. Presented by J.W. Cowie at the Fifth North American Masonry Conference - University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA, Pages 1371 to 1384, published by Johnson Publishing Company, Boulder, Colorado; 3 to 6 June, 1990.
  14. "Development, Testing, and Application of a Masonry Restoration Tie System", J.W. Cowie and P. Ameny. Presented by J.W. Cowie at the Fifth North American Masonry Conference - University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA, Pages 813 to 826, published by Johnson Publishing Company, Boulder, Colorado; 3 to 6 June, 1990.
  15. "The Failure of Steel Studs", J.W. Cowie, The Magazine of Masonry Construction, Volume 3, No. 2, Pages 82 to 84, published by the Aberdeen Group, Addison, Illinois, USA - February 1990. Reprinted and distributed with author's permission by the following:
  16. The Canadian Independent Adjuster, Pages 20, 21, & 41, Volume 33, No. 2 - June 1991.
  17. ENCON with cooperation from Simcoe & Erie Group "Loss Control Bulletin '89" - September 1990. (Distributed to Canadian architects and engineers having "errors and omissions" insurance coverage with ENCON.)
  18. Illinois Masonry Institute Promotion Trust, 1550 Northwest Highway, Parkridge, Illinois 60068. (Distributed to the design and construction industry throughout the mid-Western USA.)
  19. Newsletter of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia, Volume 1, No. 4 - November/December 1990.
  20. "Successful Building Design and Construction", Chairman and Speaker, audio-visual presentation on "Masonry Walls" at seminar sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Technical University of Nova Scotia; 26 September, 1989.
  21. "Characteristics of Brick Masonry Materials and Affects of Design, Construction, and Maintenance on the Serviceability of Brick Masonry", audio-visual presentation on "Cleaning and Restoration of Stone Masonry and Brick Masonry". Seminar/workshop sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Technical University of Nova Scotia; 30 May, 1989.
  22. "Exterior Masonry Wall Failures (Solid, Cavity, and Veneer) and Review of Static and Cyclic Lateral Loading Research on Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Wall System, Using Custom Designed Brick Ties by J.W. Cowie Engineering Limited", audio-visual presentation, School of Architecture, Technical University of Nova Scotia; 23 March, 1989.
  23. "Building Inspection for Code Enforcement", Chairman and Speaker, audio-visual presentation on "Brick Masonry Cavity Wall Failures, Brick Masonry Veneer/Steel Stud Wall Failures and Solid Masonry Exterior Wall Failures on Lowrise and Highrise Buildings." Also presented were case histories of improper design and construction of Brick Masonry Chimneys including failures resulting from wood burning stoves. Sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Technical University of Nova Scotia; 23 January, 1989.
  24. "Improper Design and Construction of Masonry Chimneys. Normal Deterioration from Thermal Shock and Freeze/Thaw Action as well as Rapid Deterioration from Creosote Caused by the Usage of Slow Burning Wood Stoves and Furnaces", audio-visual presentations for numerous insurance companies and claims managers associations in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Toronto, Ontario; and St. John's, Newfoundland.
  25. "Comments on the Failure of a Brick Veneer/Metal Stud Wall System, Restoration, Analysis and Testing", audio-visual presentation at The Fourth North American Masonry Conference, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; 17 August, 1987.
  26. "Design of Brick Veneer", two one-hour audio-visual presentations, Fourth North American Masonry Conference, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; 19 August, 1987.
  27. "An Objective Analysis of Masonry Veneer/Metal Stud Wall Problems", audio-visual presentation, given at the annual convention of the National Concrete Masonry Association, Curtis Dixon Convention Centre, Tampa, Florida, USA; 16 February, 1987.
  28. "Detailing Masonry Construction", as part of a seminar J.W. Cowie gave one and one-half hour audio-visual presentation entitled "The Facts on Masonry Veneers and Steel Stud Backup Wall Systems", New Haven Inn and Convention Centre, New Haven, Connecticut. The Seminar was sponsored by the Masonry Institute of Connecticut and the Connecticut Society of Architects. The audience consisted of approximately 250 delegates, comprised of architects, engineers, general contractors, masonry contractors, Yale University faculty, federal and state government officials; 24 September, 1986.
  29. Audio-visual presentation on "The Fragile Nature of the Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Wall System, Demonstrated by Case Histories of Failures" for Owner, Project Manager, Architect and Structural Engineers, concerning the proposed design of the exterior wall system on a new high-rise office building, Boston, Massachusetts. Meeting was held at the office of the Stubbins Associates, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; 16 May, 1986.
  30. "Cyclic Lateral Load Testing of Brick Veneer/Metal Stud Backup Wall System", audio-visual presentation at the Third North American Masonry Conference, held at the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas, USA; 6 June, 1985.
  31. "Masonry Veneer Construction with Steel Studs", audio-visual presentation and panel discussion during clinic session, Third North American Masonry Conference, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas, USA; 6 June, 1985.
  32. "Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Design Dilemma", audio-visual presentation, held at the Westin Hotel, Toronto, Ontario. Sponsored by the Ontario Masonry Contractors Association; 28 September, 1984.
  33. "Investigation, Research and Restoration Design of the Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Walls of Alderney Manor, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia", audio-visual presentation at the Eighth International Conference on Load Bearing Brickwork, Bloomsbury Crest Hotel, London, England; 23 November, 1983.
  34. "Masonry Veneer with Steel Stud Back-up Wall System, Construction Problems and the Need for Research", audio-visual presentation at the Holiday Inn, Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Sponsored by the Ottawa Region, Masonry Contractors Association; 12 December, 1983.
  35. "Failure of the Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Wall System, Research and Restoration Design, Alderney Manor, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia", audio-visual presentation at the following locations:
  36. Annual Meeting of the Ontario Masonry Contractors Association, Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto, Ontario; 14 October, 1983.
  37. "Masonry Concerns" seminar for architects, engineers, developers and contractors, Park Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario. Sponsored by the Ontario Masons' Relations Council; 12 October, 1983.
  38. Annual Meeting of the International Masonry Institute, Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; 5 June, 1983.
  39. Annual Canadian Masonry Conference, Westin Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sponsored by the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association, Clay Brick Association of Canada & National Concrete Producers Association; 17 May, 1983.
  40. "Blasting (Underground Explosion) Investigation and Resulting Structural Damages", Halifax Board of Trade, Halifax, Nova Scotia, sponsored by the Insurance Claims Association of Nova Scotia; 2 February, 1983.
  41. Academic Lecturing:
  42. Structures V Course - School of Architecture, Technical University of Nova Scotia, 1976.