This is the approach I was going to default to next. I have the wall reactions from my model and use those in my shear diagram for the diaphragm. As long as loads from used in the model match what I use in the shear diagram, all should work out.
Let me switch the question up a bit.
I've got a model of the building in question which assumes rigid diaphragm. I keep trying to get the shear in my lower level walls to match the reactions I get by doing a shear diagram for the diaphragm. But now that I think about it, reactions at the shear...
If you're designing with a fully rigid diaphragm assumption, then the diaphragm does indeed have an ungodly stiffness...thus some of my confusion. For what it's worth, it feel like diaphragm design in general is one of the most ignored aspects of structural design, doesn't get nearly as much...
But even if you have a continuous shear wall, the diaphragm would be tied in to the wall in some way (shelf angle or similar). So wouldn't load from the shear wall above still make it into the diaphragm?
What about the situation where we also have a shear wall directly above a lower wall, but supported by the diaphragm? Are we considering this in the design of the diaphragm, or is it more of a direct transfer to the wall below?
How is everyone handling transfer forces from discontinuous shear walls above a diaphragm, similar to the situation shown below? I'm specifically looking for how to incorporate the shear wall loads into the shear diagram for the diaphragm. Are you adding them as point loads, or distributing...
A few more details:
-There was previous inspection done by a firm hired by the insurance company not long after the storm. The report identifies foundation cracks, several of which they call "new" or "fresh" There are some pictures that appear to show cracks with "bright" concrete that are...
Also, I'm not saying that the tree impact definitely caused 4.5 inches of settlement. I'm simply pointing out that the impacts from 2 large oak trees certainly did not help, and it is plausible that the foundation could have continued to perform adequately if not for the storm. Without having...
It is virtually impossible to prove that the damage was or was not there before the tree impact. Foundations are particularly hard to pinpoint the origin of damage. The damage to the rest of the house is intuitive...a tree fell on the roof, now the trusses are broken. But for whatever reason...
Good feedback so far. I think it's a good idea, as some have suggested, to do the calculation in reverse and see if the force required is feasible for a falling tree.
Let's say there was some pre-existing damage/cracking in the slab prior to the tree falling...it still seems disingenuous for...
Most of the tree is still laying on the ground, so I can fairly accurately calculate the weight. But you are right, it is a physics problem, which is why I'm struggling with it...not the type of thing we usually deal with.
I'm inspecting the foundation of a home that was damaged by (2) oak trees that fell on it during a hurricane last year. The roof and walls were significantly damaged. I am trying to determine if any of the cracking and settlement of the slab are a direct result of the falling trees. The...
Thanks all for the replies. Seems that my initial diagnosis as a settlement crack is likely confirmed. This house has all exposed concrete floors, and this crack unfortunately runs right through the living room. While the crack is unsightly, I cant find any other symptoms that would indicate...
I am inspecting some cracks in a residential concrete slab. The crack is a little more significant than I usually see in the house slabs I inspect, but I was not able to find any other issues with the house that would indicate a significant foundation issue; no cracking in interior drywall or...
