Doing my own testing
Doing my own testing
(OP)
I use lots of Simpson Strong-Tie products. They are convenient connection devices. I would like to use some of their parts in a non-conventional way, on code-conforming buildings. Since they don't publish design data for the non-conventional manner in which I wish to use their parts, is there any reason I can't take the part that I'm interested in, mock up a real-life, full-scale assembly using that part, load it up and collect data (loads, deformation, etc), document my findings, and use that piece how I desire?
Is that "sound engineering judgement" if I take any assembly that I've tested and apply a 2x - 3x factor of safety to it? In my area, we don't need to provide code reports for the products we use. Is there any risk in doing this if I'm conservative in my own "published design" values? I'm strictly looking at some component and cladding connections at this point to give you an idea of the magnitude of my testing, but what if I was to do something more significant? Is it "reckless" to do full-scale testing on my own and use my own values?
Just curious if any of the rest of you do this, or consider this our prerogative as engineers to use "sound engineering judgment." Is there anyplace in the IBC to support this? I did a search and couldn't come up with anything, but is anybody else aware of something like this?
Thanks.
Is that "sound engineering judgement" if I take any assembly that I've tested and apply a 2x - 3x factor of safety to it? In my area, we don't need to provide code reports for the products we use. Is there any risk in doing this if I'm conservative in my own "published design" values? I'm strictly looking at some component and cladding connections at this point to give you an idea of the magnitude of my testing, but what if I was to do something more significant? Is it "reckless" to do full-scale testing on my own and use my own values?
Just curious if any of the rest of you do this, or consider this our prerogative as engineers to use "sound engineering judgment." Is there anyplace in the IBC to support this? I did a search and couldn't come up with anything, but is anybody else aware of something like this?
Thanks.






RE: Doing my own testing
RE: Doing my own testing
Have I done it - sure - when I felt very confident of the outcome and the possible liability.
RE: Doing my own testing
BA
RE: Doing my own testing
YS
B.Eng (Carleton), P.Eng (Ontario), MIPENZ (Structural-New Zealand)
Working in Canada, and missing my adoptive New Zealand family... at least I brought the little Kiwi with me!
RE: Doing my own testing
RE: Doing my own testing
RE: Doing my own testing
I was at a conference yesterday and asked a few people this question. One thought that the code permitted a person to do their own testing. So.....I'm searching through Chapter 16 and 17 of the IBC and I stumble into Section 1714. It appears to me that if a test is "developed by a registered design profesional that simulates applicable loading and deformation conditions" then the load-bearing capacities can be determined and used. There is a stipulation that there be a factor of safety of 2.5 on these tests.
Seems like that is a reasonable place to hang my hat, if like most of you have said that I'm comfortable with taking the risk. Any other thoughts?
Thanks again!
RE: Doing my own testing
RE: Doing my own testing
B.Eng (Carleton), P.Eng (Ontario), MIPENZ (Structural-New Zealand)
Working in Canada, and missing my adoptive New Zealand family... at least I brought the little Kiwi with me!
RE: Doing my own testing
The only other issue I can see is that you're talking about proprietary products. Like one of the other guys typed, imagine that a failure occurs. Even a non-engineer might realize that the part was being used for something other than its intended design. Even though you did tests, it wouldn't look good.