Doing my own testing

[PostFrameSE]

I use lots of Simpson Strong-Tie products. They are convenient connection devices. I would like to use some of their parts in a non-conventional way, on code-conforming buildings. Since they don't publish design data for the non-conventional manner in which I wish to use their parts, is there any reason I can't take the part that I'm interested in, mock up a real-life, full-scale assembly using that part, load it up and collect data (loads, deformation, etc), document my findings, and use that piece how I desire?

Is that "sound engineering judgement" if I take any assembly that I've tested and apply a 2x - 3x factor of safety to it? In my area, we don't need to provide code reports for the products we use. Is there any risk in doing this if I'm conservative in my own "published design" values? I'm strictly looking at some component and cladding connections at this point to give you an idea of the magnitude of my testing, but what if I was to do something more significant? Is it "reckless" to do full-scale testing on my own and use my own values?

Just curious if any of the rest of you do this, or consider this our prerogative as engineers to use "sound engineering judgment." Is there anyplace in the IBC to support this? I did a search and couldn't come up with anything, but is anybody else aware of something like this?

Thanks.

 

[nuche1973]

I think that you'd have to follow some type of procedure(s) like ASTM or ANSI, in order to be valid.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Sure you can do it - but then you own it and Simpson would always say it was not what they intended - if you should get sued.

Have I done it - sure - when I felt very confident of the outcome and the possible liability.

 

[BAretired]

You are free to do whatever you wish, but if you are wrong, the devil will visit your door.

BA

 

[youngstructural]

Nice line BA... Quasi-religious, and quite poetic. I like it very much.

YS

B.Eng (Carleton), P.Eng (Ontario), MIPENZ (Structural-New Zealand)
Working in Canada, and missing my adoptive New Zealand family... at least I brought the little Kiwi with me!

 

[dgkhan]

You are in right path to find something wrong, other should avoid. That is the way I think all engineering would have reached, where we are today. It's upto you, want to play safe or risk it.

 

[nuche1973]

As I am finding in engineering C.Y.A. in this case I believe this is valid advice.

 

[PostFrameSE]

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

I was at a conference yesterday and asked a few people this question. One thought that the code permitted a person to do their own testing. So.....I'm searching through Chapter 16 and 17 of the IBC and I stumble into Section 1714. It appears to me that if a test is "developed by a registered design profesional that simulates applicable loading and deformation conditions" then the load-bearing capacities can be determined and used. There is a stipulation that there be a factor of safety of 2.5 on these tests.

Seems like that is a reasonable place to hang my hat, if like most of you have said that I'm comfortable with taking the risk. Any other thoughts?

Thanks again!

 

[nuche1973]

Aduances fortuna juvat...fortune favors the bold. Just remember beers are on you if you make it big.

 

[youngstructural]

Fortunately for PostFrameSE the Pub is digital. ;0)

B.Eng (Carleton), P.Eng (Ontario), MIPENZ (Structural-New Zealand)
Working in Canada, and missing my adoptive New Zealand family... at least I brought the little Kiwi with me!

 

[271828]

I have helped out with tests done by non-experimentalists and they have mostly been poorly designed. (LOL, probably about the quality of a bldg design produced by a professor with no industry experience!) If you don't have significant experimental experience, it might be smart to get an experimentalist to at least take a look at what you're planning to do. Most professors would do this for little or nothing.

The only other issue I can see is that you're talking about proprietary products. Like one of the other guys typed, imagine that a failure occurs. Even a non-engineer might realize that the part was being used for something other than its intended design. Even though you did tests, it wouldn't look good.