1982 UBC standard

[RVSWA]

I have an interesting project in front of me... I have to verify that an existing structure, built in the early 80's, was constructed to the 1982 UBC in force at the time. Any advice on strategy?

 

[Bagman2524]

Without building plans i think the only thing you can do is compare your building configuration to 82 UBC and see how they match up.

 

[diarmud]

The local building department may have some plans of renovations - that old it must have been renovated. You might get real luck and they may have the originals.

You might want to check for building permits, sometimes they list the Architect/Engineer who did the work, something between 82 and now might show up.

Check with the assessor also, they may show a historical jump which might indicate a significant investment (renovation). They will also show perhaps the realtor who handled the sale, that might be worth chasing - if it was sold between 82 and now.

Intervies the tenants.

Good luck

 

[JStephen]

You may find a limit to what you can do. You can look at stuff, and measure stuff, and calculate things. But trying to confirm that the in-place items actually are what is shown on the drawings, or trying to confirm any kind of field testing, can be problematic. We see this on welding sometimes. You can look at a weld and see if it looks pretty, but can't really say if it was done with a qualified weld procedures, etc.

 

[msquared48]

Regarding the lateral forces, the 1982 code allowed full values for gypboard (GWB and GSB)shear walls governed by seismic forces over wind, whereas now, you have to use half stresses, or no sheetrock at all. BIG CHANGE!

Also, the allowable stresses for solid wood members underwent a big change in 1991.

There are others.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[RVSWA]

Thank you everyone, I ordered the 1982 UBC from Powell bookstore in Portland, should be here tomorrow. I have the Architect creating as-built plans, including known framing. I'm going to have to do some reading though, I think I was in Seventh grade when this all happened.

 

[hokie66]

You are not well matched to the project. Old buildings need old engineers. Really, 1982 is not that long ago, so the drawings should be available from the owner, original designer, or local authority. If not, I doubt it is possible to do what you have been asked to do.

 

[youngstructural]

Much of my work is on building design and built by engineers who were long dead before I was born, so I'll have to disagree with Hokie about the need... But the principle is correct: An engineer who was designing similar buildings in 82 would be the ideal candidate.

I hope you have an experienced engineer to work with on this one; The internet is definately not going to do the trick. It is my further hope that your fees are representative of the level of difficulty you're going to face as well!

Some ideas that come to mind from what I have seen in structures around that age:

1. Manuals of tables for frames and ready-analysed structural components were very commonly used in offices before the advent of desktop computers. I still have a collection of tables and books from my Father that have been neatly eclipsed by excel... But that meant that frames were often less refined, since iterations took much longer.

2. ASD & WSD. LRFD are unlikely in a structure of this age, but this can depend on the jurisdiction. Some areas were limit states (or strength design) very early on.

3. If you don't have the drawings, your brief is impossible. You can determine if the structure was built to code, but you cannot determine if the design was to code. When was the last time you saw everything on a job match your drawings, or a project that required no site remediation work?

Wishing you the best of luck,
Hoping you'll keep us up to date,
Cheers,

YS

B.Eng (Carleton)
Working in New Zealand, thinking of my snow covered home...