Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!
Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!
-
Congratulations cowski on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!
calcs 1
- Thread starter bizquick
- Start date
-
1
- #2
DaveAtkins
Structural
You need to look at what is required by the Plan Examiners in your State, and at the proper Code for your State. If you are in over your head, hire a consultant.
DaveAtkins
DaveAtkins
Definitely check on exactly what they want. Sometimes when they reject what you submit they will also tell you what's wrong or missing and needs to be included.
Remember to write legibly also. Neatness counts. I don't know if that's why they said they could not follow your work but either way always try to be neat when submitting. You want your calcs to be organized so that someone other than yourself can follow what you did in a logical manner. Loading diagrams, sources, references for where you got loads, what codes are being used, sections and equations always help make things more clear. I usually put repetitive calcs, especially software output, in an appendix and reference to that from a hand-drawn sheet showing what's being done, e.g. loading, spans, location etc. Include an explanation of software output if it could not easily be understood by someone who is not familiar with the particular software. The lateral-force-resisting-system, roof and floor supports, beams, columns, footings, wall framing are good to include along with connections. I don't usually have to submit every last little thing but you definitely want enough to show how you do things typically and in any special cases.
Remember to write legibly also. Neatness counts. I don't know if that's why they said they could not follow your work but either way always try to be neat when submitting. You want your calcs to be organized so that someone other than yourself can follow what you did in a logical manner. Loading diagrams, sources, references for where you got loads, what codes are being used, sections and equations always help make things more clear. I usually put repetitive calcs, especially software output, in an appendix and reference to that from a hand-drawn sheet showing what's being done, e.g. loading, spans, location etc. Include an explanation of software output if it could not easily be understood by someone who is not familiar with the particular software. The lateral-force-resisting-system, roof and floor supports, beams, columns, footings, wall framing are good to include along with connections. I don't usually have to submit every last little thing but you definitely want enough to show how you do things typically and in any special cases.
As a structural engineer and structural plans examiner for local municipalities, what we look for is that you have properly applied engineering principles in designing your structure. In general I check your loads, your lateral load analysis (hurricanes in my area of jurisdiction), load path from roof to foundation, anchorage, design of structural elements for MWFRS and components & cladding, etc. If I cannot follow your calculations, you have a problem. I may not concur with all your means and methods but they must be legible and rational enough that any colleague can understand them. By the way, down here (Miami) the governmental permit review must be done by a registered structural engineer. Good luck!
- Status