Stephen A. Cotton, P.E.
Structural Engineer


Years Experience:


Education
M.S., Structural Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2003
B.S., Civil Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee, 2001


Certification
Registered Engineer in Tennessee.


General Experience
Mr. Cotton joined SAI on July 15, 2003 upon receiving his Master of Science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.  His master’s degree program included extensive study in Advanced Reinforced Concrete, Prestressed Concrete, Steel, and Composite Design, Dynamic Analysis Effects, and Nonlinear Analysis.  Under the direction of Dr. R. H. Plaut, Mr. Cotton researched the functionality of using geosynthetic tubes as performing the function of flood protection.  He is proficient with a variety of structural analysis and modeling programs including, RAM Structural System, SAP2000, ETABS, Enercalc, AutoCAD, MathCAD, and Mathematica.    
Prior to joining SAI, Mr. Cotton worked as an intern designing and inspecting railroad bridge systems.  He also worked as a survey technician on performing construction layouts for city streets, commercial buildings, and land development projects.


Project Experience
Mr. Cotton has been involved in a wide spectrum of projects that range from CT Scan additions to eight story hospital additions (Sumner RMC Tower and Powerhouse Additions and Renovations).  Within this spectrum a number of systems have been employed to suit both the Architect’s vision and the Owner’s budget.  These range from lightgage shear walls, cast-in-place reinforced concrete shear walls, steel moment frames, to eccentric steel braced frames.  He is currently involved in the design of the tallest residential building worldwide located in the Coastal del Está development outside of Panamá City, Panama.  The named Planetarium Building will consist of two towers connected along the height of the structure at four discrete locations.  Stephen has worked with The Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory in developing both new cost efficient designs for Hendee Enterprises, Inc (supplier of aluminum and steel structures) and reducing the impact of perceived accelerations for the Planetarium Towers.

Saint Philips Church Additions, Franklin, TN
Cumberland Medical Center Building, Crossville, Tennessee
Houston Town and Country Hospital, Houston, TX
Houston Town and Country MOB, Houston, TX
Tennessee State Veterans Home, Knoxville, TN
Tennessee State Veterans Home, Humboldt, TN
Tennessee State Veterans Home, Murfreesboro, TN
Premier Radiology CT Scan, Nashville, TN
Premier Radiology II CT Scan, Nashville, TN
Saint Francis Medical Arts Pavilion, Poughkeepsie, NY
Patient Partners Surgery Center, Gallatin, TN
Medical Office Building, Brownsville, TX
Huntsville Surgery Center, Huntsville, AL
Kansas City Long Term Acute Care Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas
Sumner Regional Medical Center North Tower Addition, Gallatin, TN
Sarasota Surgery Center, Sarasota, FL
Torre Planetarium, Panama City, Panama
Twin Creeks Rehabilitation Hospital, Allen, TX
V.B.H.S. Wellness Center @ Treasure Hills G.C., Harlingen, TX


Professional Affiliations and Memberships
American Society of Civil Engineers
ASCE Structural Engineering Institute