×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Pre-Eng Metal Building

Pre-Eng Metal Building

Pre-Eng Metal Building

(OP)
Guys,

Have a customer that wants to erect an 80' x 60' x 20' pre-engineered metal building on an existing 100' x 100' monolithic concrete slab to control cost. Core samples suggest the slab was poured at 12" thick(?), with no reinforcement. Unclear what type of concrete mix was used.

Since the customer is adamant about avoiding unnecessary site work, a cost engineered solution is in order. I'd definately like to hear how folks on this site might approach this project. Suggestions?






RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

You need a geotekkie... depends on the soil and climate conditions. Pre-eng metal buildings have a little ductility and since they are basically 'throw away' structures the fates may smile on you...

Dik

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

I would run a mile to get away from this. You can't put a 20' high building on a pavement slab.

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

Slab is 12" thick... and thrusts diminished a tad due to the height... I've done them with stiffened edges and 5" slab in the middle... overall mass would be less.

Dik

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

But unreinforced? Have at it.

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

Cut the slab, place footings and move on.

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

Agree with Ron. Just cut the slab and place the footings. If owner objects, point him to the yellow pages and wish him good luck in finding another engineer.

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

This client may be willing to skimp on his building now, but I doubt he will skimp on lawyers when something goes wrong in the end!!

I would show the client objective reasons it should not be done (unknown rebar & conc mix, frost depth issue?, unknown bearing, etc). If he still insisted, then I would professionally walk away from the job.

Good luck!

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

I bet he is anxious to pay your fees too. I suggest passing on the opportunity to work with this client.

RE: Pre-Eng Metal Building

Concrete slab and foundation work is extremely cheap. If they are scrimping on that they should be working out in the open or in in their trucks. In addition, no reputable PEMB manufacturer would put their structure on an undesigned foundation. But lucky for your client, there are many disreputable PEMB suppliers.
If your client needed their appendix removed, would they try to save money by having it done in their living room? Doing favors like this for clients is what causes engineers to lose their licenses.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources