Structural Engineer's Liability 1

[Hercul3s]

Hi everyone,

I wonder if anyone can help:
I obtained my PE license not too long ago. I work for a design office, and once in a while someone (Architects or Contractors) approach me with a request to design specific elements in a construction project. The latest request was for "design of roof beams" in a warehouse renovation. The architect is telling me he's confident that the existing walls and foundations are adequate for the proposed loads. Is it legally acceptable to get involved only partially in a project? To design specific elements with no regard for the existing condition supporting members or systems??

Thanks in advance,
Hercul3s

 

[jdgengineer]

You are responsible for defending the entire load path of the structure when you make modifications to the structure.
It doesn't matter what the architect thinks.
You need to convince yourself (and the building official) that the entire structure is safe for the loading.
If the changes you are making are minimal, and the existing structure is performing well then this may he not be a very involved effort.
The building code has provisions which allow you to weaken an existing element or increase the loading on an existing element (5% for gravity loading) without doing a formal check to the current code. However this is a one time allowance so you need to make sure it hasn't already been used on other modifications.

 

[SLTA]

"The architect is telling me he's confident that the existing walls and foundations are adequate for the proposed loads."

=

The architect is telling me he didn't budget for structural modifications and now he's trying to get out without losing his shirt.

It's your license at stake, not his. jdengineer has it right.

Please remember: we're not all guys!

 

[msquared48]

I, too, agree with jd.

Just because someone is comfortable with something does not mean you should be, especially hearing that statement from an architect. Insist on doing your due diligence.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[Hercul3s]

Thank you so much guys!!
I thought maybe I was alone thinking this way..
Thank you!!

 

[ztengguy]

Have a contract to design beams. let him take that design and put on his plans, and he can stamp it.