I have a simple 3D truss that will be used to support a small wind generator. My truss is subjected to a gravity joint dead load and a joint wind load due to the wind generator. I feel fairly confident that I am capable of performing a vibration analysis of my truss (the wind generator company...
Does anybody have any information or recommended resources for blast resistant design of concrete structures? I've got a few books on the way from Amazon, but was wondering in the meantime if anybody has any experience designing for blast resistant structures and any input or thoughts they...
Has anyone tried to create material property data for wood in SAP? I know it can't "design" wood sections, but I would at least like to analyze frame sections with wood material properties. I would greatly appreciate a look at the material property data you used. Thank you.
Most texts and manuals I've referenced seem to indicate that traditionally wood diaphragms are idealized as being flexible. The lateral analysis for flexible diaphragms is easier than a rigid analysis and can sometimes result in a more conservative design. That being said, when looking through...
I would like to model a steel gusset plate in SAP. Is there an easy way to draw or create an odd-shaped steel plate? I've tried creating a 3d face in autocad and importing it, but even that is proving difficult. Is there anything in the SAP program to help me? Thank you.
I'm having trouble finding info about the blocking for a 20' tall 2x6 wall. Obviously, I don't want the studs to run 20' without any blocking inbetween them. Everyone I've talked to seems to think blocking at mid-height is sufficient, but I can't find anything in a text or code about it. I...
In using the latest version of SAP (12.0.1), I've noticed that despite the HSS or box section that I use, the allowable bending stress is always the same. I've modeled 5 frames varying only the section (from HSS12x8x5/8 to HSS2x2x1/4). In every instance, the allowable bending stress is the...
In the AASHTO 4th, there is a table stating that the K factor for arches is no less than 0.7. This is contrary to what we would expect to use (k=0.5) for a fixed-fixed arch, such as the one we have. I'm far from being an AASHTO expert and would like to know if anyone has any experience with...
In the 4th edition of the AASHTO, there is a table stating that the K factor for arches ranges from 0.7 to 0.72. We are designing a single span arch bridge with fixed supports at each end. Our opinion is that the K factor should be 0.5 for the fixed-fixed support condition. I would appreciate...
I'm trying to find within the 2,000+ pages of the easy to read 4th edition of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, where to find the design procedure for vehicular impact loading for a bridge impact barrier (to protect an abutment). Thank you.
Does anyone have any info regarding moisture content at the time of manufacture and / or the time of delivery of wood products (mainly dimensional lumber) to a jobsite? I'm trying to estimate shrinkage and am having trouble finding initial moisture content values. Thank you.
I would really appreciate it if somebody could steer me in the direction of a simple guide that demonstrates the various types of common welds, their uses and the respective weld symbol. Thank you.
We have a very large 4 and 5 story wood building we are designing and were wondering if anbody has experience with expansion joints in large wood structures. We can't find anything in either text books or the code about them. Has anybody used EJ's in large wood buildings, and if so, what...
Rarely we use stainless steel angles as brick lintels. Sometimes the contractor accidentally omits a brick ledge and we need to bolt an angle to the grade beam to carry some brick. For the ultimate in corossion resistance, we sometimes spec stainless steel angles & hardware. Can anyone point...
Can someone direct me to where in what code I can find the guidelines for pattern loading? Specifically, I am trying to find out what the dead load to live load ratio is wherein pattern loading must be utilized. Off the top of my head I'm thinking that if the LL is >= DL, pattern loading is...
I am a new ETABS user and I recently attended an ADAPT seminar talking about the integration of ETABS and ADAPT floor pro. I know ETABS doesn't do PT. We use ADAPT floor & PT8 for our slab & beam design. We don't use ETABS to design concrete floors or beams. We only use it for gravity and...
Is anybody using Revit Structure? We have a client that wants us to use it and we've been checking it out. At first glance it looks to be very powerful. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.
