Structural Engineering
'Engineering is a great profession. There is the satisfaction of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper. Then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings homes to men or women. Then it elevates the standard of living and adds to the comforts of life. This is the engineer's high privilege. " Herbert Hoover
Alpha’s structural engineers are integral to any architectural project. Independent from the architectural support, the structural engineering department, managed by Charlie Luttrell, creates projects ranging from multi span bridges to complex structural repair designs.
Alpha’s engineering teams are experts in creating successful solutions to complex issues for you, the client. Alpha’s engineers are industry leaders, consistently being called upon for advice and guidance.
20 Questions to Ask an Engineer
What type of engineering do you provide?
Is the engineer familiar with the local building codes?
Does your firm have the capacity to complete my project?
How is my project designed and do I get to interact with the engineer?
Bridges, Inspections/Assessments, and More: Structural Engineering
Our Structural Engineers
Charlie Luttrell, PE
Senior Principal, Lead Structural Engineer
Mr. Luttrell has worked with Alpha Associates, Inc. since 1996. He is the Chief Structural Engineer on all projects at Alpha and based in the Morgantown office. Before coming to Alpha, Mr. Luttrell's graduate work resulted in several contributions to the cold-formed steel deck industry. His new method of analysis for non-uniform loads on composite concrete and cold formed steel decks has been made a permanent part of the Steel Deck Institute's design manual. Mr. Luttrell also worked on projects that involved pre-stressed timber bridge research with the WVU Constructed Facilities Center. Since coming to Alpha, Mr. Luttrell has had significant involvement in the effort to begin utilizing modern composite materials in practical bridge applications.
MATTHEW ECHARD, PE
Principal, Structural Engineer
Mr. Echard joined Alpha Associates, Inc. in early 2016 with a strong belief that his clients deserve intelligent, performance-based and value-oriented solutions. Drawing on experience working across the United States, Europe, and the Mid-West, Mr. Echard returned to West Virginia to provide world-class service in a historically unreserved region while making positive contributions to his home state. Me. Echard places a large value on collaborative work process, believing that a building’s far form and function are derived from many contexts.
Academic
Commercial
Alpha designs beautiful, sustainable and energy-efficient schools that reflect the particular community’s values. We deliver facilities with structural design that attract and engage students, instructors, and personnel and translate capital investments into long-term assets.
Commercial
Commercial
With every office or commercial building, Alpha promotes the transparency that customers have come to expect from businesses while reinforcing brand values and service. We help workplaces and retail spaces strike a balance between the collective and the individual; group interaction and undisturbed thinking. By harnessing natural daylight and sustainable building systems, we produce spaces that energize occupants to be their best selves.
Healthcare
Healthcare buildings have to perform when you need them most — every feature is calibrated to help patients feel comfortable, help staff move efficiently, and help practitioners function at the highest levels. Our structural engineers' healthcare designs include incredible attention to detail, from easy-to-navigate corridors and wayfinding to functional, portable equipment.
Government
Over the years, Alpha has renovated and designed multiple attractive and sustainable civic structures that help make government more efficient and helpful. We believe that spaces that work for both the public and the employees who spend time in them every day contribute to better government.
Historic Preservation
Alpha has participated in multiple renovations of Historic properties. We are assured that an accurate historical record and its significance as it pertains to the existing structure, and modifications can be thoroughly documented, should various funding grants require an in depth historical narrative.
Sports and Recreation
Over the years, Alpha has designed recreational and sports facilities for state and municipal communities, and education campuses. We combine the skills of landscape architecture, civil engineering, and interior design, to create facilities that fit communities, athletes and fans to come.