precast concrete backup steel

[JStructsteel]

Designed a few panels and precast soffit pieces for a builddng, they are hanging from a beam. EOR shows the steel, with some bracing to the beam. EOR also wants me to design all that steel. Seems thats their responsibility. How do I know all the other loads on their beams?

 

[KootK]

If the EOR hasn't specified the loads in a way that you can understand, then I would think that you'll need to ask them to. Delegated design work sucks that way sometimes.

 

[JStructsteel]

It does. Thanks.

 

[dik]

My work requires that I do a lot of that. I add exceptions to the drawings stipulating the criteria for design or add actual loading for the EOR to confirm. The latter is often for x-bracing or misc. bracing. For flexural members, it usually based on the UDL that produces the moment for the section capacity.

I should have added that I charge by the hour, so if I redo work, I still get paid. I don't like redoing things, but it happens sometimes. Another interesting project I had a few days back. Small steel beam sections bearing on a masonry wall. the connection detail was a single headed stud welded to the end of the beam. I thought the fabricator had misread the structural drawings and added a bearing plate for the steel beam to be field welded to, for the EOR to confirm. I ask for confirmation so the EOR 'owns' the connection rather than myself.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[JStructsteel]

I guess my complaint is that I design the precast and connection. If the EOR needs a brace for the beam, then they should design and provide. Whats next, they provide a beam, then I have to add my load to it and change the design if my load is more than they designed for? Too much delegated deaign by the EOR these days.

 

[dik]

I'm not sure of your industry, but I would be stipulating the design criteria for loads assumed and clearly note that re-design was an 'extra service'.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Enable]

I agree with JStructsteel that it's becoming a rather sad industry trend. No doubt related to decreasing fees and competing for work. But honestly, it really is hard to blame EORs when I can get as much in fees for designing a small addition to a building that they get for designing the tower (not really...but that's not that far off). I would prefer if they didn't act like dicks when you call them on it though (but that's another story lol)

As a metal fabricator I now include two distinct line items for engineering in our quotes for this very reason. One line item is for connection design, and another separate item is for structural analysis in case appropriate loads / information is not provided by the EOR - I also indicate what exactly is expected from the EOR. I found that if I do it this way my clients understand that engineering is not engineering is not engineering. But if I don't they think all engineering should be included as part of the connection design component.

The best thing you can do JStructsteel is educate your clients on what you need from the EOR and let them know analysis is a separate fee. I'm sure some will balk but if you have decent clients, but if you tell them up front most will understand.