I own an engineering business (2 employees plus me) and also work for a Construction Company doing project management for small vertical construction projects ($2-$8M projects). I started the engineering company 3 years prior to starting work for the construction company. I wanted to broaden my...
I have always specified the attached detail when I have an architect want trusses to span more than about 35ft and ground snow loads are greater than or equal to 25psf. I haven't ever been questioned on it until recently when a contractor was all up in arms (not surprising). When calculating the...
There isn't anything in the ASCE for design loads of a dental facility. I just picked up a job for one, 1st story is 2,600 sqft and is where everything takes place, 2nd story is for storage and mechanical and is only about 600 sqft. There are only (5) treatment/patient rooms on the first floor...
I have to design a 5ft free-standing concrete wall. It has to be able to withstand the impact force of a 26,000 lb loader. I'm guessing the loader won't ever be going much more than 5 mph on impact...if it impacts at all. The loader must scoop up "beauty bark" from the sawmill debarker outfeed...
I'm having a debate with another structural friend over connections of wood trusses to concrete walls. I learned one way and he learned another and I'm not sure at this point which is the "correct" way. I attached a detail of the connection.
For out-of-plane wind and seismic forces when...
Does anyone use ACI 318 chapter 22 for designing basement walls for custom homes? I was reviewing HUD documents pertaining to ICF walls and they use ACI chapter 22 for design of the flat walls in there example. The example is attached. Granted, they are using an old ACI 318 code but the...
What design guides/manuals do people know of for ICF walls besides the prescriptive methods given via the IRC or manufacturer? Had a project come in that is outside the bounds of the prescriptive method and am trying to figure out the best way to justify a couple of aspects.
Thanks
What are most people using for the design of ICF Walls when they fall outside the Prescriptive limitations of the IRC and HUD guidelines?
I have run into my first project that is outside the prescriptive requirements for ICF design given by the IRC and HUD.
I'm looking at decks a little more in-depth than I have in the past and just thinking about framing options. Do most people use knee braces or do you use x-bracing or do you assume the decking itself acts like a cantilevered diaphragm? It seams that if you have the tension ties to the house to...
I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this question, but want to hear other opinions.
I got called by a contractor I work with a fair amount and he is doing a "pro-bono" project. This was apparently engineered back in 2011 and the EOR will not respond to phone calls or e-mails so I have been...
A contractor approached me and asked that I review a set of (2) story residential plans that he received from an owner as the owner has retained him for construction purposes. He has approached me because he is concerned about the lack of detail and is questioning the loads. These plans were...
This is probably an easy question. Where do people find diaphragm design values for 1-1/8" floor sheathing? My SDPWS only goes to 19/32 (just like the APA website). Do you default to 19/32?
I was looking through my retaining wall spreadsheet today and looking at some floor diaphragm transfers on a project. I have attached a pdf with very basic drawings and a question.
When looking at transferring the lateral load from the retaining wall through a wood floor diaphragm, does anyone...
I was browsing the search engine for information on revit for wood structures such as custom homes and office buildings.
Anyone using this software instead of AutoCAD for Wood? IF I buy it, will it replace my AutoCAD and I can do all the drafting I need in Revit? Just curious what the opinions...
Pedestrian railing...standard dimensions but the post connection to the stem wall is a little odd to me.
I haven't seen a design like this before. An architect and contractor are asking me to look at it for a peer review. Analyzing seams pretty straight forward: bolt shear, bolt bending...
Received a question from a contractor asking me if I had a mix design for "Self Leveling Concrete Topper". I'm assuming he has some dips in a slab and he is wanting to level it...or his is going to use it to create a colored floor. Regardless, anyone have any suggestions on where to look for...
I recently got asked by a drafter to do a pier review of a pole barn he drew and had engineered back in 2011/2012. Reason is, he is wondering what design is the best because he keeps getting different designs from different engineers and wants another opinion.
I have never seen the method that...
The company I do some work for has a one story building in Miami. Wood walls, and wood trusses. About (5) trusses have chords that are broken. The span isn't huge, only about 36 ft or so.
They are getting bids from contractors for doing the roof and truss repair.
My question is this: In Miami...
This is a simple question, however, I'm not versed in the transportation industry...I'm a structural guy.
I am needing to turn an old basketball court into a parking lot and don't know where to find the requirements for stall size, turn around area, etc. The place is in Miami. Anyone have any...
I was recently approached by a company and asked if I do transmission tower design. I have never done one, nor do I really know where to start. I have been to the Power Line Systems website and looked at all of their programs...they seem to be the leading company for modeling in the industry...
