Jed, Paddington & Hokie, you guys are one heck of a 1,2,3 punch. But, truth speakers.
I actually thought the O.P’er. asked the original question with considerable naivete. And, I was just warning that there probably wasn’t much reserve in the columns or the whole bldg. for that matter. And, that these bldgs. are quite sensitive to any modifications without the programs, materials lists and code corner cutters the PEMB people employ. PEMB’s may have their place in the as-built infrastructure world, there will always be people who buy on the lowest dollar/cu.ft. enclosed basis only, but they should have a better understanding of what they are buying and its limitations, as regards any future changes to the bldg. And, if the PEMB people want to improve their name or image a little bit, they could be more open and cooperative with the rest of the bldg. industry after the initial bldg. sale, and any changes need to be made to the bldg. And, they could be more up-front with the potential bldg. owner about future bldg. modification limitations, deflections and flexibility, etc. They could also mention that while their steel price looks pretty good, some of that savings will be used up in extra found. work for which they pretend they are not responsible, so as to look even better.
There are steel bldg. salesmen, there are their crafts people, and they certainly are crafty, and there are regular engineers. Audeuce02, you shouldn’t be so sensitive about what you do, as others have said you do it pretty darn well. You squeeze every pound of steel out of those buildings; that you trim right to the bone can’t be denied, and that you reduce the fabricating costs and time to the bear minimum, can’t be denied either. But, your industry could be a bit more up-front about what you are really selling, and maybe some of you engineering people could lead in bringing this about. You could be more helpful when bldg. modifications are needed by your bldg. owner, or at least explain again what you sold him and why it can’t be altered. Your industry has really made its own reputation, and you’re not improving it here, in my eyes.
