Recent content by Schneidly

I am evaluating an existing CMU building in Seismic Design Category D. The building is shape of an upside down T where the horizontal leg is 60FTx162FT with a roof height of 12FT-8IN (8IN walls) and the vertical leg is 76FTx152FT (12IN walls). See attach Plan. There are no interior shearwalls...

dik and nilaypathak, How do you space the joints? I use vinyl waterstops as nilapathak describes at new construction and bentonite at new to existing. Thanks for your input!

I am in charge of the construction management of a 35ft x 111ft water containing structure. The bottom slab is 43.5ft x 119.33ft with 2 keyed, water stopped construction joints at third points of the length. The client wants a continuous poured slab. He states they did an aeration basin in a...

BA, The existing joists do not line up with the shearwalls I am dragging the force down into.

a2mfk, I think your idea is really good. I think it will work. Thanks!

The drag strut is parallel and between the joists. I cannot have the roof removed.

I am looking at installing a drag strut in an existing CMU building. The roof consists of a 1 ½” deep 18 gage steel roof deck spanning perpendicular to the new drag strut. The roof joists are “16H5” spanning 27ft at 6ft oc. I have to install the drag strut from under thus the fasteners would go...

I need to some help with checking the deflection of a 14ft long CMU 12” beam. My total DL is 446 plf. LL (roof) is 566 plf. I am limited to 24 IN depth. I have seen l/600 as a limit, but I believe this is for the design of a member supporting brick or unreinforced CMU. What is a reasonable...

I am evaluating an existing 8IN CMU structure that is partially grouted with #5 at 24”. I wanted to know how to determine how much wall I can use on either side of an opening for the out-of-plane check. There are 8ft-8Iin, 5ft-4in and 3ft-4in openings. The walls are 13ft-4in tall. The openings...

I only have access to the 1985 UBC. I need to know if the 1979 UBC required masonry reinforcing to be at a minimum of 4 ft OC as described ion Section2407 (h) B. Page 157 (1985 UBC). Thanks

Thank you!

When is the 2010 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings going to be available? What is the purpose behind the new edition? Are they reformatting? Changing design procedures? When will the 2010 be adopted? I am looking at getting a reference that is current to that edition and I am...

Why would saw cutting cause cracking? What can I do as the design engineer to limit the risk for cracking?

The large diameter openings are at existing water treatment facilities. Pipes are penetrating the walls. That is why we are cutting concrete instead of blocking it out. Any more recommendations on the notes at saw cuts and large core openings in existing concrete?

I have a project where requiring the core drilling of several walls. The cores will 34IN in diameter. I also have a hole that will have a diameter of 54IN. That is a big hole to core. I believe the contractor will need to special order a drill or drill several smaller holes in a circle and go...