CURRICULUM VITAE of

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

cowiephoto1

EDUCATION

1976 - M.Eng. (Structural Engineering)
Nova Scotia Technical College (Now Dalhousie University) Halifax, NS
Thesis Topic - "Influence of Spiral Binders and Shear Span on Deformability of Prestressed Concrete Beams" (Laboratory Testing and Analysis Research presented by 380 page thesis, representing 4 credits towards a 10-credit Master's Degree).

1967 - B.Eng. (Civil Engineering)
Nova Scotia Technical College (Now Dalhousie University) Halifax, NS

1964 - B.Sc, Dip.Eng.
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (P.Eng.)

Active Full Membership:
Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia (Life Membership)
Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario

Past License to Practice:
Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick
Association of Professional Engineers of Prince Edward Island
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador 

EXPERIENCE

1972 – present, Owner, President and Principal Engineer of J.W. Cowie Engineering Limited

  • J. W. Cowie Engineering Limited
  • J.W.Cowie Engineering (UK) Limited (now inactive)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Technical Committee of CSA Standard S304, "Masonry Design for Buildings" (Associate Member).
  • Technical Committee of CSA Standard A370 "Connectors for Masonry" (Associate Member).
  • Technical Committee of CSA Standard A371 "Masonry Construction for Buildings" (Member).
  • 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 (Past Associate Member).
  • The Masonry Society (American/International) - Member and Past Member of Board of Directors.
  • International Masonry Society/British Masonry Society (Past Member).
  • Nova Scotia Consulting Engineers Association (Member and Past President).
  • Consulting Practice Committee of the Association of Professional Engineers of NS (Past Member).
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (Past Member).
  • American Concrete Institute (Past Member).
  • Canadian and American Pre-stressed Concrete Institutes (Past Member).
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (Past Member).
  • Technical University of NS Alumni Association (Past President).
  • Board of Directors of Dalhousie University Alumni Association, Halifax, NS (Past-Member).
  • Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, NS, 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, NS, 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, Pall Mall, London, England (Past Member).
  • The North British Society (The Scots), (Member and Past Member Board of Directors - two terms).

RESTORATION DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT DURING RESTORATION CONSTRUCTION

 

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. Restoring the Structural Stability of Masonry and Timber Buildings, audio-visual Presentation by J.W. Cowie. Sponsored by Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, held at Atlantic School of Theology Chapel, 660 Franklyn Street, Halifax, NS, 16 April 2011.

2. Restoration of Exterior Masonry of Churches, audio-visual presentation by J.W. Cowie. Sponsored by Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, held at Nova Scotia School of Theology Chapel, 660 Franklyn Street, Halifax, NS, 24 April 2010.

3. 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 NS, Hollis Street, Halifax, NS, 1 June 2005.

4. Construction Inspection, audio-visual presentation by J.W. Cowie on "Masonry Inspection", sponsored by Dal-Tech Continuing Technical Education, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; 4 December, 1998.

5. 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.

6. "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.

7. "SS/BV Walls: Discussion", J.W. Cowie and M. J. Wilson Progressive Architecture, Page 48, published by Reinhold Publishing, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; June, 1992.

8. "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 NS held at:

a. Ramada Inn, Wilson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario; 22 November, 1991.

b. Technical University of NS, Barrington Street, Halifax, NS; 21 November, 1991.

c. Skyline Toronto Airport Hotel, Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario; 23 April, 1991.

9. "Learning from Structural Failures", audio-visual presentation on "Data Collection and Analysis" and "Case Studies on Brick Masonry Failures", held at the Technical University of NS and sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Technical University of NS; 1 & 2 October, 1991.

10. "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.

11. "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.

12. "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.

13. "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.

14. "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:

a. The Canadian Independent Adjuster, Pages 20, 21, & 41, Volume 33, No. 2 - June 1991.

b. 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.)

c. Illinois Masonry Institute Promotion Trust, 1550 Northwest Highway, Parkridge, Illinois 60068. (Distributed to the design and construction industry throughout the mid-Western USA.)

d. Newsletter of the Association of Professional Engineers of NS, Volume 1, No. 4 - November/December 1990.

15. "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 NS; 26 September, 1989.

16. "Characteristics of Brick Masonry Materials and Effects of Design, Construction, and Maintenance on the Serviceability of Brick Masonry", audio-visual presentation on "Cleaning Restoration of Stone Masonry and Brick Masonry". Seminar/workshop sponsored by the Continuing Education Division of the Technical University of NS; 30 May, 1989

17. "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 NS; 23 March, 1989.

18. "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 Low-Rise and High-Rise 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 NS; 23 January, 1989.

19. "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, NS; Toronto, Ontario; and St. John's, Newfoundland.

20. "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.

21. "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.

22. "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.

23. "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.

24. 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.

25. "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, Arlington, Texas, USA; 6 June/85.

26. "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.

27. "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.

28. "Investigation, Research and Restoration Design of the Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Walls of Alderney Manor, Dartmouth, NS", audio-visual presentation at the Eighth International Conference on Load Bearing Brickwork, Bloomsbury Crest Hotel, London, England; 23 November, 1983.

29. "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.

30. "Failure of the Brick Veneer/Steel Stud Wall System, Research and Restoration Design, Alderney Manor, Dartmouth, NS", audio-visual presentation at the following locations:

a. Annual Meeting of the Ontario Masonry Contractors Association, Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto, Ontario; 14 October, 1983.

b. "Masonry Concerns" seminar for architects, engineers, developers and contractors, Park Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario. Sponsored by the Ontario Masons' Relations Council; 12 October, 1983.

c. Annual Meeting of the International Masonry Institute, Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; 5 June, 1983.

d. 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.

31. "Blasting (Underground Explosion) Investigation and Resulting Structural Damages", Halifax Board of Trade, Halifax, NS, sponsored by the Insurance Claims Association of NS; 2 February, 1983.

32. Academic Lecturing:

a. Structures V Course - School of Architecture, Technical University of NS, 1976.


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NOVA SCOTIA OFFICE
22 Carleton Court
Valley, Colchester County
Nova Scotia B6L 3C7
(902) 422 4493

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


NOVA SCOTIA OFFICE
22 Carleton Court
Valley, Colchester County
Nova Scotia B6L 3C7
(902) 422 4493