Little Known Fact:

I didn’t know my choice of cigarettes (Kents) would be with me after I quit the habit. While in college in China an American teacher began calling me Kent, my name is actually Qi-Song. A few short years later, I had quit cigarettes, moved to the United States, earned a PhD, and joined Degenkolb, but the name stuck. Qi-Song (chi-sung) means unique pine tree in Chinese.

Client or Design Philosophy:

Provide highest-level structural engineering services using the state-of-the-art knowledge, and explain complicated engineering concepts in simple terms to the clients such that even my mother (who is clueless about engineering) can understand.

Virtues:

Dedication, enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, friendliness, hardworking, motivation

Vices:

Watching World Wrestling Federation Smack Down and RAW

Favorite Project Story:

I always try to find ways to save money for my clients through structural analysis. For a concrete floor remediation project, we proposed to use carbon fiber to strengthen concrete floor joists. But the code requires costly fireproofing for the carbon fiber to provide one-hour fire rating. Through structural analysis, I convinced the building official that many joists should have adequate residual strength after 1-hour fire exposure, and the fireproofing could be eliminated.

Special Interests:

Traveling, cooking, playing chess with my son Edward, golf