I am looking for some input from those with more experience. I seldom do much engineering with steel. I have a client who wants to remove a column in the basement of a single family dwelling. The existing beam is a W10x26. The full span is approximately 29 feet with concrete foundation walls...
I saw that this I-beam (24 inch deep) shifted out of plumb by about 2 inches. Then I looked at the other side and saw that it was well braced ;)http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=6a4866ad-b6cd-4aba-8f4f-3a312e7c64b1&file=P9211752_(1024x683).jpg
I saw that this I-beam (24 inch deep) shifted out of plumb by about 2 inches. Then I looked at the other side and saw that it was well braced ;)http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=a4ac69fa-ab2b-41a1-a865-5fe40a7f6872&file=P9211750_(1024x683).jpg
I looked at a building today (built in 1975) that has aluminum floor joists. There were no visible marking that I could find. Based upon the shape, I'm guessing that they may have been surplus material. There was no good reason that aluminum joists would have been specified. Does anyone...
I was asked to inspect the walls of a warehouse building and specify repairs. The method of construction is unusual (at least to me). It does not help that just about every wall is different. The building has a structural steel frame with I-beam columns at 20' o.c. Some walls are 8-inch block...
I am a structural engineer and am trying to help out someone with church alterations. They are dividing one restroom into two. The building code official says they need a heat source in each restroom. The one has a heating source and is on a exterior wall. I am told that the other has not...
I am looking into ways to attach a deck lager to a poured concrete foundation wall. The basement is finished and the owner does not want it disturbed. The exterior wall is stucco and the contractor does not want to touch that. I would prefer to step the deck down and attach the ledger directly...
I often am hired to give opinions regarding the structural integrity of damaged trusses, bowed walls, termite damage, etc. This is mostly related to residential work, often after a home inspector has identified a possible problem. Using truss repairs as an example. I often have to make a site...
I am trying to determine the manufacturer of truss connector plates used in dimensional lumber roof trusses built in 1994. The only marking on the plates is 8D-4. The plates are a relatively common design, but the designation does not match any plates I am familiar with. I have contacted one...
I am licensed in Pennsylvania and am thinking about getting licensed in NJ. From what I have read it seem like NJ requires P.E. from other states to take the 8 hour Principles and Practice exam. Does anyone know if this is correct? Is that also common with other states?
I am reviewing plans from an architect to determine what structural engineering services are required. Additional uniformly distributed load will be hung from steel bar joists. The architect is proposing installing additional steel beams at the mid-span of the bar joists to account for the...
The links below have a story regarding a retaining wall failure and landslide. It appears that they may have cut some corners on the engineering or construction.
http://www.star-telegram.com/462/story/1924034.html...
I recently looked at a foundation settlement problem at a 40-50 year old house. The house is located at the bottom of a hill and an approximately 6-foot diameter storm water drain passes through the side yard about 25 feet from the side foundation walls. Soil is silt/clay. The only history I...
I was recently hired to remedy a foundation failure. An approximately 2-foot wide by 10 foot long foundation wall (about 6-7 feet high) settled suddenly about 1-foot at one end and about 3 feet at the other end. The soil below the FW was weakened by the recent rains and sheared off into an...
I have searched state licensing requirements and cannot find an ansewer for this question. I have been asked to perform structural engineering for someone in my state (PA) who is constructing a house in another state. I suggested they hire an engineer in that state, but they want to work with...
I have a client who is building a one-story dwelling on a site in Philadelphia. Had soil borings performed and soil is generally good, except for about 2 to 4 feet of fill. There had been a structure on the site that was demolished. The 4 feet of fill is in that area. I really will not know the...
I recently stamped drawings for a residental addition. I specified an engineered lumber beam listing the required Fb and E. The building department came back and said they will not process the permit until I submit a cut sheet for the beam with my P.E. Stamp. This seems like an unnecessary...
Hello,
I have been asked to design a foundation for a 30ftx50ft single story dwelling (frame with vinyl siding-truss roof). The site has up to seven feet of fill and the owner wants a slab foundation. I am in an area with 36 inch depth to footing requirement and no expansive soil. I am looking...
I recently looked at a 53 year old one story masony house. The rear half of the house is built over a basement and the front half over a crawl space. The basement foundation walls show little sign of settlement, but the crawl space foundation walls have settled significantly-approx. 3 to 5...
