After a recent issue on a project, I am being asked to update our QA/QC process in our office. Our current one involves checklists from case which have been edited/updated over the years due to lessons learned. We also have "go by" drawing for examples of how to show information on plans as...
We are reorganizing our Structural engineering company and we are debating on when you should require a person to become licensed when "moving up the ladder ". I tend to think it's when you start having to train other engineers. This is called a senior PM at my firm. Our structure is...
I have a project with "c" shaped concrete core walls for both shear and gravity.
The walls surround an elevator core, so on the "inside" of the "c" shape, there is no floor. On the other side of the web, there is a stair opening, so the web of the wall group is technically unbraced for 5...
I'm new to ram structural system. For a tall building of 16 stories (concrete columns, pt flat slab,concrete shesrwalls), i have a question about the modeling of the lateral system. When looking at the columns, do you model then as lateral columns as well as the shearwalls? I have run...
I have a project where i am adding load to an existing concrete column built in 1950's. The gravity load is being increased by more than 5%. My question is based on an analysis, the column can withstand the imposed loading on the columns, however, the column ties do not meet the minimum...
I have a parking garage beam/slab system i am designed. Beam span is about 56'. 7" thick slab, beam dimensions are 24" wide x 32" deep. My preliminary design shows i need 27, .5" diam tendons.
Question is about about the end anchorage. I have read that it is preferred to have the...
How are construction joints handled in a 2-way PT slab construction? If the tendon is continuous through the joint, it seems like the moment capacity of the slab is the same as if the joint weren't there, correct? Why would you use a intermediate stressing anchor vs, not one, but still...
For projects with unbonded, monostrand tendons in buildings, the PTI manual and ACI indicates that the measured field elongations shall be within 7% of the calculated elongations.
My question is that are these compared to the elongations using the theoretical E and Area of the tendons, or...
I had posted this in the pt forum but had no responses...
I have a couple of questions regarding how to show the layout of Distributed tendons in my 2-way slab.
1. How many strands can be "bundled" for the distributed together. I have read (4) but i have seen drawings that show 5 strands at a...
I have a couple of questions regarding how to show the layout of Distributed tendons in my 2-way slab.
1. How many strands can be "bundled" for the distributed together. I have read (4) but i have seen drawings that show 5 strands at a 5'-0" oc spacing. I am thinking 5 would be the max...
There is a debate in my office regarding the use of drag struts when the length of shearwalls are less than the width of the diaphragm
We have a typical apartment style building with a center longitudinal corridor with units on either side. In most cases, the demising walls between the units...
I am modeling a podium slab as a one-way slab and beam system. When modeling the slabs and beams i have some questions about the design strip options.
1. for the one way slabs, When defining the strip, should the width be per the "code slab" option, which gives column and middle strips, or...
Does Ram Concept have the ability to place rebar within a beam in two layers. i.e 2 layers in the bottom or top of the beam? I don't see this as an option for the cross sections. If not, I assume i could set the cover as an equivalent cover dimension to get an equivalent "d" to the centroid...
When designing a 2-way PT flat slab, I am having a small issue with the average pre-compression stresses at an area that has been thickened.
I am providing about on average 140 to 160 psi of pre-compression in the slab. (8" thick slab) However, in 2 of the design sections that are within an...
When designing a 2-way PT flat slab, I am having a small issue with the average pre-compression stresses at an area that has been thickened.
On the attached image, i am providing about on average 140 to 160 psi of pre-compression in the slab. (8" thick slab) However, in 2 of the design...
When designing a frame with a moment plate connection with plates on the top side of the beam, what should be done with the decking? Does it normally continue over the plates or is it cut and framed out with angles so as not to warp the decking?
The roof deck (untopped) is the diagphragm. I...
I am designing a Post-Tensioned Podium slab (concrete slab with 4-story wood construction ontop).
When designing a typical non-podium slab, i typically design the PT system to balance about 50 - 80% of the dead load of the slab's self weight. For a podium structure, how do you handle this...
I received a phone call today from a restoration contractor asking me to review some cut reinforcing on a bridge expansion joint replacement project. After a review of the pictures, it appears that the rebar in question may be the bursting reinforcing around the anchorage of a multi-strand...
Anyone else notice that the state of construction industry appears to be a no win situation? I am a structural engineer and lately it seems that schedules are compressed, budgets (construction and engineering fees) are tighter than ever, and everyone expects answers immediately where there is...
I have a project where the Contractor is having issues getting concrete strengths that are required. Their submitted mix design for 4000 psi includes 395# cement, 169# slag, 1220 lbs fine agg, 1800# coarse agg + water reducing admixtures. Water cement ratio = 0.45
When the mix design was...
