Design a project in Honduras-Central America

[Mohamed Lasheen]

Guys,

I'm designing a project in Honduras in central America, I am seeking the guidance on the followings:

1. Common properties of structural materials i.e. concrete strengths, reinforcement steel and structural steel grades, masonry, etc
2. Design codes applicable to Honduras, I have the local coded but they are in Spanish, I'm willing to used the ACI, UBC, AISC
3. What is the common soil/ground profile in comayagua?
4. Is there a ground water presence near to the soil surface?
4. Are piles commonly used in that area?

Thank you ain advance

 

[BigInch]

Normally one hires a local consultant to do that. In fact Honduras law requires that you hire a professional engineer and/or architect qualified to practice in Honduras. They will know how to design your project to Honduras building code and obtain approvals, permits and permissions required to construct.

 

[Mohamed Lasheen]

Thanks BigInch,

I actually will contact the local engineers, however I need guidance to estimate elements sizes for a presentation to the client

 

[BigInch]

You should call them now.

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

i would be interested in your thoughts of the process after the project is over. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer who did water & sanitation projects in Honduras so i'm very curious. your task would be very challenging to me. i would want to take the consultant selection very seriously and check non-solicited references and project history to a very high level. sorry that i can't give much advice on the issue. i worked on much smaller projects back then and i always thought there must be a more reputable construction market out there. i remember strolling up the CMU batch plant and blacklisting a supplier from my projects because i could rip those blocks apart like i was The Hulk.

 

[Lomarandil]

Local knowledge is everything in a case like this...

That said, to give you a quick baseline, here are some properties I used for a project in rural Nicaragua:

I designed for 2ksi concrete (although I think 2.5ksi would have been achievable), #4 and #5 40ksi bars (main reinforcing). Stirrups were smooth #3.

Some structural steel was available, up to 40' lengths (surprisingly). We presumed A36.

Soil and groundwater data are going to vary heavily by site -- can't help you there.

If you mean driven piles, we weren't able to confirm the availability of any driving hammers in the region -- but we wouldn't have been able to get it to the site anyway. It appeared hand-excavated spread footings were more of the norm in our area.