Rule of Thumb for column & wall loads?
Rule of Thumb for column & wall loads?
(OP)
Dear Structure friends,
We often get requests for geotech investigations for buildings that are not off the drawing board. Size, placement, and loads are usually not yet decided.
Are there rules of thumb that I can use to guesstimate column and wall loads, ie 1 story wood frame: columns 50 kips, walls 3 k/ft to give the client some idea of bearing capacity and settlement?
Jefferys
We often get requests for geotech investigations for buildings that are not off the drawing board. Size, placement, and loads are usually not yet decided.
Are there rules of thumb that I can use to guesstimate column and wall loads, ie 1 story wood frame: columns 50 kips, walls 3 k/ft to give the client some idea of bearing capacity and settlement?
Jefferys






RE: Rule of Thumb for column & wall loads?
I think that you should explain to the person ordering the borings that it is important to have realistic load information from the structural engineer. This includes the possibility of future vertical expansion.
I have seen where some geotechs request that an information sheet be filled out before with the borings are scheduled. This sheet includes load information and building description, etc.
RE: Rule of Thumb for column & wall loads?
RE: Rule of Thumb for column & wall loads?
RE: Rule of Thumb for column & wall loads?
RE: Rule of Thumb for column & wall loads?
Born2drill - It's been my experience that for single-story structures, borings of 15 to 20 feet are sufficient. For heavier structures, the borings need to penetrate the settlement influence zone (its deeper than the bearing influence zone) ie. 45-foot diameter oiltank, a center boring of 90 feet would be preferred.
Jefferys