This is a technical question regarding the 318-14 Building Code Section 17.4.5: The equations for bond strength in tension appear to have a "glitch". The tensile capacity should be a function of the effective length of the bond. However, the critical edge distance is also a function of the bond...
I am a structural engineer and I have a client here in California who wants to install Aluminum patio covers that were manufactured in New Zealand. These can be described basically as aluminum frame non-building structures, similar to buildings, that are attached to residential structures. I...
I have a client that desires to hang drapes across a path of egress about 25 feet from an egress door. This path of egress serves as one of two paths of egress serving a facility with an occupancy of about 500 persons.
Reference: the 2013 California Building Code, Chapter 10, Section 1008.1...
There was a thread here regarding reinforcement of mass concrete a few months ago. I would like to open the subject again with hopes to get some input on a specific design scenario.
I am submitting a proposal for a contractor's bid on the installation of a pair of large (and tall) industrial...
Perhaps several of you have conducted structural evaluations and/or inspections of residential construction. This subject is of interest to me in light of recent events highlighted on previous posts.
A couple of questions I would like to present here:
1.) Should there be general mandatory...
In light of various discussions on this forum regarding recent failures of decks, balconies, etc., I would like to open a discussion on the topic of redundancy in structural systems in the context of structural safety. My impression is that this design consideration is not well defined and is...
I would like to initate a discussion on seismic restraint in conventional wall framing.
I am intriged by the problem presented by the conventional practice to construct a relatively rigid wall finish (stucco, plaster, drywall, etc.) over a more fexible seismic restraint system (conventional...
I am a licensed Civil Engineer who recently obtained accreditation as a LEED Green Associate. I have stong interest in encoraging expansion of the light-gage steel construction market.
My motive is simply to ecourage what I see as the most viable method of construction in California. Farmed...
I am a civil engineer working on various residential projects thruout the greater Los Angeles area.
It has come to my attention that some jurisdictions - the City of Malibu, for example - are now requiring an earthquake surcharge for retaining walls in excess of 12 feet in height. It has been...
It appears that specifications in general are written in a format commonly accepted in our practice. For example, I keep an old file with excerpts from specifications for structural steel, testing laboratory services, concrete reinforcement, concrete, and metal fabrications. Each of these specs...
Much can be said about the quality - or lack thereof - of 2 x 4 wood studs these days. As an engineer, I find it quite disturbing. Not only is the moisture content well above an acceptable level when delivered to the job site, also the stud profile is often about 75% of the expected profile. The...
We are a design firm in Southern California. We have several projects (new residential construction) with winding steel stairs. To satisfy our clients' expectations, we need to emphasize quality; these stairs become the central "show piece" of the entire structure.
To achieve this...
I have posted this on the Civil section as well...
This figure defines the value "H" as the overall height of the slope, and "H/3" as the required distance to daylight.
I need to clarify the term "H". If it is to be defined as the total height of the slope from...
As an engineer on the development end of things, my clients would like an answer to this question.
The term "H" in the aforementioned figure represents the overall height of the slope. "H/3" represents the required distance to daylight.
The question is how to define the...
I am an engineer with a client that wants a new two-story single-family residence with an "old-style" second floor consisting of 2 x 12 T & G laid flat-wise over 4 X 12s at 24" o. c. My predicament is finding design load for lateral analysis of this floor system. My client is a...
I am an engineer in Southern California looking for ICBO and LA City approval for a shear wall system consisting of plywood attached to steel studs with screws. I have a few projects ahead that will be ideal for such a seismic system, and I think it would be an improvement from the code approved...
