Likely easiest to walk away from the $1,500 and move on to the next projects.
In the future I would recommend requiring a retainer in the full amount for small projects with non-established clients. Saves a lot of hassle. If a client refuses to pay the retainer up front then they can go...
I think JoshPlumSE might be on to something. A joist girder instead of a steel beam. It likely warrants at least a discussion with a company like CANAM to see if it is a viable option. If you provided them with the design loadings and deflection parameters, they would likely run some preliminary...
I would consider pumping some flowable fill to support the garage floor. It will need to be done carefully to ensure the adjacent basement wall is not overloaded when the concrete fill is still plastic. The basement foundation wall could be temporarily shored while the flowable fill is being...
It looks to me like the contractor drilled a large diameter hole in the bottom of the glulam to recess the electrical junction box. My guess would be 4" diameter and 1-1/2" deep. A 1/2" diameter vertical hole was likely drilled full depth for the wire.
A lot of good points brought up above...
If the concrete is structurally reinforced, the following parameters would be appropriate:
Design Standard: CAN/CSA-A23.1
Exposure Class: C-1 Structurally reinforced concrete exposed to chlorides and freezing and thawing.
Maximum w/c ration: 0.40
Minimum specified compressive strength @ 28 days...
In Canada we see a lot of freeze-thaw and deicing materials. The standard for non structurally reinforced concrete to withstand freeze-thaw and deicing materials is as follows:
Design Standard: CAN/CSA-A23.1
Exposure Class: C-2 Non-structurally reinforced (i.e. plain) concrete exposed to...
I would typically give the architect a fee estimate to A) review the background drawings/information, setup the project, etc... B) visit the site to confirm the existing structure matches the drawings and C) write a letter documenting the observations and confirming if the walls are indeed...
This is reasonably common in Ontario for certain types of older structures. In my opinion, a beautiful example of how things used to be constructed. Something must have been done reasonably well for it to last 100 years. Reminds me of the rough sawn 2x8 floor joists in my house that are 30 feet...
The capacity of drywall screws in this application is zero.
If it is a Simpsons Strong-Tie hanger, look up the model in their catalogue and it will tell you the proper fasteners to use. Then you will need to evaluate the effect of the existing holes, hopefully the nails specified will have a...
I am still using my original HP-15C that I purchased in high school in the early 1980's, however it has been relegated to home office use. It has been a spectacular tool for work although I no longer use the programmable functions. The feel of the buttons is excellent. I do have a newer HP at...
Top rebar was also located and marked in a separate colour paint. However, this was a unique project where the top rebar was also removed (sawcut and jackhammered slots) and replaced at the same time as the tendons.
On our projects a covermeter is used to identify the tendon locations at a high point. Contractor then uses a quick cut with a concrete blade to cut perpendicular to the tendon. Takes less than a minute to cut down to the tendons and sever a 3 strand bundle. You know when you are starting to hit...
What type of insurance coverage did your former employer maintain? Commercial General Liability? Professional Errors and Omissions?
Is the legal action alleging professional negligence, or other?
As you are an ex-employee at this time, you should hire a lawyer (and listen to them). I would...
We used to specify plywood and sandbags. Lots of sandbags. There were a couple of instances where they were actually used (live ends had been jackhammered out by mistake) and the sandbags performed very well. I can't remember how many bags, but about a dozen or so on each anchorage. The live...
Torchman,
I have never had a problem in Ontario picking up the phone can calling Weyerhaeuser's support number. I have been able to speak with some knowledgeable tech reps.
We (and anyone other engineer I know) only look at preliminary sizing. As the structural engineer of record for the...
As others have said above, this is a serviceability issue. Likely not an issue as soon as some stored materials are in place.
In the prescriptive tables of the NBCC (Canada) it is interesting to note that various joist configurations, i.e. 2x10 @ 16" o/c spanning 'X' feet, that the various...
I have seen this structural system before in Ontario. The company I worked for at the time was brought in to investigate, similar to what you have been asked to do. It was not my project within the company so I can only offer limited information. The opinion in the office was that this is not a...
Clear sketch!
My preference would be to keep the green and yellow systems separate. Extend the yellow/house system beyond the retaining wall. They could daylight beside each other and that would be fine.
In my opinion, the less preferable option of connecting the yellow system into the green...
I see two options:
Option 1 - Dewater during construction (). Structurally design floor and walls of pool so that it can resist the hydrostatic pressures and resist buoyancy when the pool is empty (very thick, heavy construction). This will likely require lots of concrete for ballast (thicker...
If you are in Minnesota and want a concrete question such as yours expertly answered, contact Beton Consulting Engineers. They will deal with whatever needs to be tested with respect to the concrete material (petrography, etc....).
Situation seems not good. Gather the facts, express concern...
