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  1. mikeofBelAir

    handmade trusses with plywood gussets

    A few years ago, I needed to cut the bottom chord out of a number of roof trusses In order to install a 4 post lift in my garage. My engineer specified 2X12 rafters sistered to the existing top chords. We both "felt" that 2X12 was overkill---but his calculations consistently showed that...
  2. mikeofBelAir

    Structural v Geotechnical Forums

    I would only add that the difference may be more akin to Science versus Art----you pick which is "science" and which is "art".
  3. mikeofBelAir

    ASTM 422 Help

    djr1897 I think you are confused...After running the hydrometer, the sample in the hydrometer jar is washed thru a #200 ( or #270--or whatever) sieve, and dried. Then it is run thru the stack of fine sieves between #10 and #200--or whatever your finest sieve is. You need the hygroscopic...
  4. mikeofBelAir

    Why can't an internal combustion engine self-start from zero rpm without being spun-up by a starter?

    "It can start like that, but you wouldn't want to power a vehicle with no transmission, like the steam locomotives do. " IC engines produce their power over a rather limited RPM range. Steam engines develop maximum torque at stall making a transmission unnecessary. If only someone could develop...
  5. mikeofBelAir

    Standard for determining density of sand used for sand cone testing???

    ASTM D1556 has several requirements for density sand. Max particle size, uniformity, free-flowing, etc, but no specific requirement for its density. Most that I have used was right around 90 pcf give or take a pound or so.
  6. mikeofBelAir

    when does short term become long term?

    Short term---you were able to cash the check. MANY years ago I attended a seminar on landslide mitigation where the presenter discussed his firm's solution to a landslide in a residential area. He was very positive and the analysis was very much in-depth. Six months later, I was installing...
  7. mikeofBelAir

    pipe trench backfill testing of compacted layers

    A few more thoughts... For whom are you working? The Owner? the Excavator? The Government? If you are working for the Owner--it is his interests that you are protecting. Don't try to be the "nice guy" and go easy on the Contractor because you only incur liability for yourself with no...
  8. mikeofBelAir

    Why do the standards mention that the pipe length for pressure test should be no longer than 500m.

    I witnessed a pressure test of a high pressure gas transmission line that was 2 1/2 miles long. Again, which "Standards"?
  9. mikeofBelAir

    Unit Weight / Density of Fresh Concrete

    Great advice from Ron, above.... Remember.....good concrete is a combination of water, cement and [b]aggregates. Bad concrete has the same constituents.
  10. mikeofBelAir

    executing and checking earthwork by gps grader on site

    Check, recheck, and recheck again. GPS can be a wonderful tool....but.... I was recently on an earth work job, doing compaction testing of Fill. There was no stake-out; GPS only. I asked the dozer operator to give me an elevation for an area I just tested. Then, for giggles, I had him move...
  11. mikeofBelAir

    dynamic cone penetrometer

    I have always used the method that OldestGuy described. Do any of you other old timers remember seeing the actual "rule of thumb"? Some text books gave unconfined strength numbers based on how far you could penetrate soil using your thumb..
  12. mikeofBelAir

    Is compaction more than 100% in soil acceptable or not?

    I would ask, "100% of what" There are different tests for maximum density; none give an "absolute" answer, but are relative to the energy applied. You are not alone....MANY people thing 100% density is a absolute maximum number; it is not.
  13. mikeofBelAir

    Comparison of similar AASHTO and ASTM soils test methods

    I know ASTM and AASHTO test methods are similar....but not precisely the same. Is there a chart comparing the similarities and difference for "standard" soils tests---i.e. Identification/ grain size/ Gsp/ ?
  14. mikeofBelAir

    Harvard Primer

    Years ago, I saw a copy of a Harvard Soils primer. It was a pamphlet put out by some Harvard students and made good sport of some of the conventions and tests for soils..I remember one particular discussion of a "disposable technician" triaxial soils test .....another showed the...
  15. mikeofBelAir

    "Constant-Temperature Room"?

    Does anyone know how ASTM defines the Constant-Temperature Room? How much temperature variation is allowed. I am preparing for AASHTO Resource certification of our soils labs. Our lab has its own Heat and A/C controlled to 72 degrees F. I want to avoid the cost of the water bath for hydrometers.
  16. mikeofBelAir

    Engine rpm and gear shift

    Noirm, So mandating manual transmissions and all driving instructions in cursive could cripple the nation????
  17. mikeofBelAir

    Suggestions for Test Methods...

    Another question..... I have been running D422 ( Gradation with hydrometer) for years. Sometimes w/o the hydro, which I understand means that the test was not run according to the Standard, as the hydrometer portion was not optional, even though it was often treated that way. I see they have...
  18. mikeofBelAir

    Suggestions for Test Methods...

    Ron, my sentiments exactly. Just because we can calculate to 3 or 4 or 50 digits doesn't mean that "information" is of any value. The very next scoop of soil will be different. When I first learned Proctors, the standards merely required that the blows from the rammer be equally distributed...
  19. mikeofBelAir

    Transport Road through Wetland/Swamp

    oldestguy... Now THAT sounds like the voice of experience...as the rope catches on the cathead drum......been there, done that....lived to tell.
  20. mikeofBelAir

    Suggestions for Test Methods...

    Having secured our Accreditation for Concrete testing, I am now starting the process for SOILS. We do not require accreditation in a great number of Standards, just basic Identification and Moisture-Density should be sufficient. I will pursue both ASTM and AASHTO methods for proctors as both...

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