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Structural Engineering Tips
2

Structural Engineering Tips

Structural Engineering Tips

(OP)
Good afternoon gentlemen. I am a residential detailer in the NC area. My question to you all today is this. Is there any advice or books or anything that you could guide me to that will give me a better understanding of structure for residential homes. I understand the basics of framing, it's just the layout and visual conception of which way to run joists and so on that gives me a problem. I work for a firm in the Hickory area, but this hasn't been useful mainly because the people I work with aren't happy to share information like that, fearing that someone may develop into something better then themselves. I love construction and I love design work. I just need some great guidence in the area of structure. Thank you all for taking the time to talk to me.

RE: Structural Engineering Tips

Consider taking some courses at the local community college. You may be interested in design, but do not attempt it until you are properly qualified.

RE: Structural Engineering Tips

2

RE: Structural Engineering Tips

I am glad that you seem interested in obtaining the knowlede that is crucial for a good design yes een resienial.
Try Basic Lumber Egineering for Builders by Max Schwartz  it a Craftsman Book Comapny and i believe they have a web site.
BE carfull engineering isn't learned overnight or even in 4 years. ExperienceExperience Experience. Even more so in residential design.  I often review designs by skilled designers that is artistically designers that have little or no concept of what forces act on a structure an which elements are needed to counteract these forces.

I live in West Jefferso,  Good luck Hickory.

RE: Structural Engineering Tips

There is a book called "Standard Handbook of Structural Details for Building Construction" by Morton Newman published by McGraw Hill.  I have the second edition.

This book gives alot of standard details that show how things are put together.  Bad thing is that there are literally thousands of details that look alike with very minor variations.  Its hard to look for something you need.  Also, none of these details are engineered.  The details are merely guidelines and require engineer's design.

I never really found this book useful but I keep it my bookcase as a reference.  I think it will help someone who wishes to lean about detailing.

3 stars out of five

**** Comment on how some folks over there fear someone else stealing details and improving on them....  What we do here is not rocket science.  Most detailing for any type of jobs utilize typical details that are pretty much standardized.  In a given project, perhaps only 20% of my design time is dedicated to special detailing.  Rest of it is checking typical stuff.  Oh by the way, I am from California.

RE: Structural Engineering Tips

Another book that is good is "Design of Wood Structures" by Donald Breyer.  Latest, I believe is, the fourth edition.

This book provides fundamentals of wood frame design to include beams, columns, joists, shear walls, wood diaphragm etc.  In the west coast, this is by far the most popular wood design book.

5 out of 5

RE: Structural Engineering Tips

Get hold of the '97 UBC and CABO. These are the "rules" (plus other codes..later) of the game which you must first be familiar with before you can play!!

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