I am evaluating a concrete floor in a building constructed around 1952. A snip of the slab schedule is attached. It indicates "Bottom Bars" at say #4@10" then the next column says "Bend Up" and what looks like 1/2? Does anybody know what that means? There are no sections that show the...
Can anybody tell me what this welding washer is on the attached image, and what is it supposed to do?
I'm guessing it is supposed to facilitate shear transfer between the concrete and the...
What is a direct spectra-to-spectra method?
I am working on an equipment platform on a Risk Category V structure, and am working on developing an in-structure response spectra, however the UFC states "In the application of ASCE 4-98 Section 3.4, those provisions that relate to...
I am performing a Tier 2 evaluation of an existing structure and I have a question about determining whether a component is force controlled or deformation controlled. I feel like I am just getting too bogged down in the interpretation of the text.
Am I to assign whether a component is force...
I was tasked to provide details for seismic bracing for some electrical conduit runs. The situation I walked into was the new conduit had already been installed and was supported by trapeze hangars from the concrete slab above. I asked for information about the existing supports: size and span...
A project I am working on is going to replace a fence. The fence is being replaced because, basically, it’s old, weathered, and falling apart. The fence is in a very remote location and it is very expensive to get materials and people out to the location, so the previous engineer used a unique...
I'm working on a basic concrete cantilevered retaining wall, nothing special.
I have done all of the stability calculations (overturning, sliding, soil pressures) with "allowable" loads and everything works fine and has appropiate factor of safeties.
I'm try to find the "ultimate" moment in...
I do structural but I have become the "go to guy" for a contractor and he was asking me about boiler pipe welding. He told me, and I've found thorugh some internet searches, that the pipe welds usually use 6010 rod for a root pass and 7018 (or others) for subsequent fill and cover passes. Why...
I'm holding in my hands an A325 3/4" diam heavy hex bolt 1-3/4" long, and also an A325TC 3/4" diam 1-3/4" long. So far as I can tell from AISC, the length these bolts are equal. Looking at them from the side it would appear that the TC bolt only has complete threads out to approx 1-1/2"...
I designed an underground concrete structure this past winter that is now in construction; I have been going out and doing rebar inspections and watching concrete pours. During the pours I have noticed the contractor doing three things against the recommendations in the specs: dropping concrete...
We designed a concrete utilidor that will be about 6'-0" underground. The walls are 10", the roof has 3" 16ga composite metal deck at 10" full depth with concrete, 8'-0" span, 4000 psi concrete. The contractor has requested that we allow them to pour the slab and a stub of wall in one pour...
I started working on a project a while ago for an underground concrete vault. The lid of the vault was initially removable so I was considering pin-pin end conditions. As the project progressed the vault got wider and deeper so the depth of the lid started getting thick. In an effort to...
This seems like an efficient way to build a bridge. I wonder what kind of spans you can cross with these?
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/04/11/ap6280713.html
http://www.maine.gov/mdot/transportation-research/transportation-research-div.php
So, I've been working on this model for a long time. It worked fine until a couple days ago now it won't render right. 2D wireframe looks fine but any 3D rendering looks like the image I attached. Since this supposed to be used for all disiplines to make sure everything fits together and to...
I make a lot of spreadsheets. One thing that I don't like about Excel is I haven't found a good way to produce diagrams that show whats going on (say cantilevered retaining walls, showing the wall to scale, soil profiles, pressures, ect. ). Its not really important but I thought it would help...
What are some "typical" values that get used for EFP?
I'm asking because I've been doing some work on a few reinforced concrete retaining walls recently. My supervisors pass off the important information and I go to work. With geotech and loading info in hand I try to keep sizes for my walls...
I've been designing a built up section with a channel welded to the top of a wide flange shape to help take some lateral load. I was directed to use the ASD 9th to find allowable stresses and compare that to the elastic section modulus (I was happy to see the same procedure being used in this...
So... this turned out to be more of a rant than I expected... sorry.
I check a lot of submittals. Most submittals are rebar shop drawings, concrete mix designs, that kind of thing. Sometimes I get submittals for cold formed steel curtain walls designed by others and things like that, and they...
As a fairly new engineer my boss feels its necessary to have my do all of my own drafing for my projects. I understand the importance of drafting and detailing so I'm not complaining. I actually used to like drafting now and again. The more I do the more I get really, really, bored. I've...
Realizing that graduate school is becoming more and more important, towards the industry standard, does anybody have advice to know when is the appropiate time to go?
I'm just finishing my first year after my bachelors. I've heard that it is helpful to gain some experience before heading for a...
