The column failures look very similar to Loma Prieta. I would agree, that reinforcing or lack thereof was a culprit. I know nothing of the building standards in Taiwan, but I would be interested to know when the bridge was originally constructed.
I have been tasked with evaluating an existing floor framing system to allow mechanical penetrations at an existing school. The 2nd floor consists of a framing system that is completely foreign to me. The system utilizes a 9/16" form deck and concrete, supported by open web steel joists, which...
Thanks phamENG. We do require that in our specs and general notes, and they just refuse to provide it. We based our requirements on the TPI-1 document, which is adopted into the IBC by reference. It is very frustrating and in my opinion borders on plan stamping.
In the last several years, the quality of information contained in wood truss submittals has deteriorated to a frustratingly terrible level of quality. We routinely see that the incorrect wind and snow loads are applied. We see the incorrect building code, incorrect enclosure classifications and...
I have a small firm, with a trusted engineer that works with me. Aside from that, and before he came aboard, I developed a network of trusted associates. When we have issues as you describe, we bounce ideas off of each other. This works well, but the keys are to keep your circle small, give...
We always go by project. So a sheet may have rev. 1, rev 3, and rev 4. The next one nothing at all, then one with just rev 2. We only issue the revised sheet, but the revision number and date are always synced.
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As a structural engineer who has worked on similar structures, I have always assumed that this level of fire was a thing of the past in these types of structures. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the investigation and if this will lead to changes in the industry. These...
I rarely connect panels together. I learned my lesson the hard way when I first started designing with tilt-up. I connected a series of panels together, thinking it would be a benefit (though I did not have anything specific to back up that thought). I ended up having the connections fail due...
I am not sure how we got to a point in the country were a bridge in a local municipality needs to be paid for by the federal government. I can see perhaps federal involvement on bridges in the interstate highway system. I think waiting for the benevolent hand of the feds to dole out money is...
dik, as I drive around Ohio and surrounding states, I would have to say that it is extensive. The levels of corrosion and failing concrete is spooky. 90% of this issues in this area are a direct result of the application of de-icing materials, be it salt, calcium chloride, brine, etc. At some...
Jed, it looks like the Candle Factory was a Pre-engineered metal building. The Amazon facility appeared to be open web steel joists and girders supported by pre-cast concrete bearing walls and HSS columns. From what I can see, it looks like the walls were site cast tilt panels, but I am not...
There has been a push for the construction of "Community Safe Rooms" of late. I love the concept, but I still do not think this solves the issue of warnings. I would be a big propoent of adding these at schools. The space could be used as an auxiliary gymnasium most of the time, but as a...
First off, I hate the phrase "thrown under the bus". Secondly, based upon everything that I have seen and read on this collapse, the engineer did plenty to earn his position in proximity to moving busses. Hopefully we are nearing a point where we see some resolutions soon. It sounds like...
I found this phrase a little odd “ which is roughly the the same amount of carbon emitted by 800 cars a day in the US.”. Do cars in the us emit more carbon than cars in other countries?
3DDave, that basket building is near my hometown. There are actually some pretty interesting engineering challenges with it. That does not make up for the eye sore that it is. Probably why it has sat vacant for so long.
It seems that this is not an uncommon problem. Apparently the industry is aware of it, but cannot predict when it will happen. When the trusses were originally built, the joints shown in the photos were acceptable to the plate manufacturer. We are finding the problem extensively throughout...
bones206, the original comment about a communal area was based upon information I was provided with. Once I got to the site myself, I was able to verify the actual use of the floor above. I was also able to validate the assumed load with the original drawings.
At this point, our plan is to...
