Recent content by PSwan

I am an engineer who works as an independent contractor and I have a client who wants to take me on as a part time employee. He says that he will be able to pick up certain contracts if he can show that he has a PE on staff. The plan is that he would pay me some meager salary for the...

Thanks JAE. Good info. I'm glad to see these changes are coming down the line. I just can't wrap my head around it every time I have to mix ASD with LRFD.

Correction: Thats ASCE 12.4.3.2 equations 5, 6, and 8 rather than "5-8". And that's the second equation 5 not the first. (What were they thinking?)

I want to use allowable stress design in combination with the overstrength factor. When the new code came out (2006 IBC), some colleagues and I came to the conclusion that equations 5-8 of ASCE 12.4.3.2 were off limits because IBC 1605.4 only provides for strength design in combination with...

Sorry, 'Outsource'

I'm weighing hiring a drafter. Also looking into outsourcing drafting to India or other such low labor cost source. Any experience or helpful information? Thanks

ASCE 7-05 6.5.6.3 says, "An intermediate exposure between the preceding categories is permitted in a transition zone provided that it is determined by a rational analysis method defined in the recognized literature" I need to use this provision to reduce loads for my current project. Does...

I guess you can't attach a file directly, here is the link http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=7a676294-5a69-4c72-b2d7-54400456ff9d&file=CraneBeam_v1_1.xls -PSwanhttp://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=7a676294-5a69-4c72-b2d7-54400456ff9d&file=CraneBeam_v1_1.xls

You may want to check out this AISC steel tool I got off their website. (attached) Its old code, but may give some insight. You may want to check the site for a new code version if you are a member. I have designed many crane rails for aircraft hangar doors in the past. It was always...

Thanks msquared48, Yes, I'm a civil PE. In CA Civil Engineers may design any building of any type except public schools and hospitals. Most engineers in CA practicing structural are PE. I'm mostly concerned with the legal use of the words "structural engineering" in my marketing.

I am a P.E. in California and I'm doing some marketing for my new business. I have been reading the Professional Engineer's Act and trying to decipher which way I can use the words "structural engineering". It is clear to me only that I cannot use the title, "Structural Engineer" without an S.E...

The UBC had a category for roof live load for greenhouses, lath houses and agricultural buildings of 10 psf (Table 16-C). I'm designing my first ag building under the IBC and can find no such provision. Must I double to 20 psf for flat roofs now? Thanks -PSwan