Safe Design
Safe Design
(OP)
I was checking an old concrete slab for a heavier loading and found that the slab was well over designed at the time and very suitable for new loads. This’s got me thinking of the new limit state designs that structural engineers perform nowadays. What are margins of safety that you guys allow yourselves when designing structural members beside what is just required by calculations and codes, what is your office practice or your personal comfort margin? Knowing that code loadings are minimum and if not told otherwise what would be appropriate to account for without unreasonably spending owner’s money while performing safe or over safe design.






RE: Safe Design
Its sometimes based on your personal judgement as to the certainty of the loads. If you are suspicious that there may be increases in loading, new mechanical units, future floor toppings, or just owner directed changes (I'm sure you've all had THOSE kinds of owners before) - you might choose to be a little more safe than 0.85 - perhaps 0.75 or more.
RE: Safe Design
DaveAtkins
RE: Safe Design
regards