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Recent content by StrucPatholgst

  1. StrucPatholgst

    When would a retaining wall footing be required?

    If the slab and "wall" were poured monolithically, and the whole thing has settled 2 inches at the outer edge, then you should be more concerned with a slide or how the whole bank was worked/graded/compacted, not the width of any footing. To me it sounds like it's rolling out, like a row of...
  2. StrucPatholgst

    Invoicing software

    Just saw this. Try Freshbooks. It has one-time and recurring billing, reminders, multiple ways to collect (CC, ACH, etc.). Been happy with it.
  3. StrucPatholgst

    Racked two story 1890 balloon frame

    No plans to unrack. Owner was given the option of stabilizing what he had, or gutting the interior/exterior and bringing the building back plumb. We were called in after he got a price for a tear down, and a price for gutting and re-plumbing. Block is zoned Light Industrial, but each of the...
  4. StrucPatholgst

    Racked two story 1890 balloon frame

    I didn't pose a question. Regarding your question, the home is 135 years old, leaning 6 inches to the left, and I don't have a PHD.
  5. StrucPatholgst

    Racked two story 1890 balloon frame

    The Scenario: Tiny 1890's balloon frame, narrow floor plan (11' wide, 32' deep) with a shallow 7 foot 'L' leg at the rear (so if I type the letter 'L', the street is at the top of the L). Racking damage (leaning to the side of the 'L' to the right), likely from the Great Atlantic hurricane in...
  6. StrucPatholgst

    Timesheet/Profit Tracker for small business

    Been at this for 30 years. Nothing beats the simplicity of a spreadsheet.
  7. StrucPatholgst

    Drainage/Water Infiltration Issue in Basement

    There's no rocket science to this. Some basement contractor perforated the foundation block to create a drainage path for groundwater that was migrating into the block. Two things have failed: the original damp proofing bitumen layer (which doesn't last forever anyway), and the exterior...
  8. StrucPatholgst

    Help with a residential framing issue

    This has 'bad outcome' written all over it.
  9. StrucPatholgst

    About selling a "one-man-show" business

    The only barrier to entry in the one-man-show engineering business is a PE license and the engineer's experience. I've had two guys try to sell me their companies so they could retire. It's a ridiculous proposition. I don't need your furniture, your desktops, your plotter lease, your office...
  10. StrucPatholgst

    Subsidence and Foundation concerns

    You're going to get absolutely no where trying to get an opinion on this from the other side of the internet. This is not how the practice of structural engineering or structural assessments are conducted. You have to have an experienced structural engineer looking at everything: the building...
  11. StrucPatholgst

    Residential beam sizing for deflection

    Samey sames, jerseyshore. I'm in north jersey, and I wouldn't spec a product that didn't have an ESR report unless I was designing it myself, or it came with a calc package with a raised seal. I don't want that liability.
  12. StrucPatholgst

    Dealing with stress during tough weeks

    Getting to the point where tasks are piling up is a good indicator that your scheduling system needs tweaking. I have a calendar, and if I can't fit the work in, I'm up front with them. "We're pretty loaded up right now, but if you don't find anyone, give us a call back in [X] weeks." As for...
  13. StrucPatholgst

    Partners Profit distributions

    I grew to hate having partners. We viciously resented each other. It all had to do with the effort that was contributed by each equal partner. We based compensation and profit sharing on capital contribution originally. But, oh mother of god, that became a bone of contention when it slowly...
  14. StrucPatholgst

    Structural Engineer stamping Architectural Set

    New Jersey has a pretty clear law called the Professional Services Act, and it defines who can prepare and stamp what. In the case of using an architect's floor plan or elevation as the basis of a structural sketch or print, you can use the pertinent portions as long as you reference the...
  15. StrucPatholgst

    Intermittent Popping sounds in Roof Structure

    This is the time of year that the heat is cranked and the framing is drying out and contracting. Could be that the attic framing is adjusting to the contraction in the of the wood in the lower floors, which may have gotten wet from a recent leak (roof, plumbing, etc.).

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