I've been working on a shearwall module for my Wall Plugin (SketchUp) for a while now and I've finally got it to a point where I thought I could put out a video explaining its basic usage.
https://youtu.be/BUNeCPGn-_s
It would be really cool if I could get it to run the numbers as well (maybe...
I don't know about the rest of you but when I look at the new wind speed maps in the ASCE 7-16, in particular the eastern United States I find the contour lines a bit confusing. With that in mind I spent a couple minutes this morning trying to fill in some of blanks so to speak, see below...
Just wondering how many other engineers are using the new ASCE 7 Hazard Tool put out by the ASCE. I've got to say I'm pretty impressed, they should have put this out there ten years ago.
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com
I've been looking at a polyurethane SIP made by Eco Panels. The overall strength and rigidity of this type of construction is fascinating to me.
As an engineer my first thought is how do I analyze such a structure (coming from your typical shearwall stud frame construction, AWC-NDS etc...)...
I'm sure this question has been asked before but I noticed that the electronic copy of the 2015 NDS does not include the commentary, up until this point I've never felt the need to purchase the printed version since the electronic version is so much quicker to search through. Does anyone know...
I have a customer looking to install steel HSS posts rather than the typical PT wood posts (ie. 6x6). Not sure why, I think steel in this setting is ugly but I suppose you could wrap it and never have to look at it again.
I'm not real familiar with steel posts and baseplate design so I am...
Does anyone know where I can get a higher resolution map of the Air Freezing Index Map shown in the IRC and IBC.
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com
I'm trying to put together a matrix of the most common RC Column configurations. Here is what I have so far:
With the circular columns is it more common to weld the transverse ties into circular hoops or to just hook the tie around adjacent longitudinal bars. I don't have a lot of real...
I've never had to run the numbers on a round log beam before. Looking through all of my software that I use for beam calcs I don't think any of them has the ability to check a DF 11" Dia. Log. Any suggestions?
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com
Call me crazy but I want to build something like this on my 10 acres so I can see all the way to the beach.
Given my wind speed (155mph ult.) and seismic zone (D2) I am probably looking at some serious holdowns at the first level (HDU 11). I would have to run the numbers but it would...
I know this topic has been discussed in quite some depth in previous discussions. However, I would like to get some more input regarding raised heel trusses and what you have seen done by the truss manufacturer in your local areas with regard to supplying pre-manufactured heel blocking.
Most...
I'm considering taking the 2 week course to become certified as a bridge inspector here in the State of Washington (WSDOT). I am totally new to bridges and I was wondering what others thoughts or experience is with this course and whether or not the AASHTO manuals would be a good resource in...
I know we've beaten this topic to death but I thought I might revisit it one more time. The questions that are still nagging are:
1.) Best placement of the mesh in the slab, centered, 2 in. from top, or stomped on by construction workers until it is in the bottom.
2.) Should the mesh size...
I've never had this specific request before so I thought I would put it out on the board to see what other opinions were:
The residence uses 14" deep I-Joists with 9'-1" stud walls. The designer/contractor does not want to have to install any mid-span blocking for panel splices (sheathing)...
Does anyone have any information on the release date for the ASCE 7-16. In particular I would like to see what is different with the snow load maps, apparently there is a lot of new data especially for previous case study areas. I would love to get my hands on a pre-release copy of the snow...
In my previous detail I showed 16d toenails between the rimboard and sill plate for the shearwall load path to the foundation. I'm now rethinking this and perhaps switch to A35 clips to make this connection. Pros and cons?
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE...
When it comes to footings combined with stemwalls for most of my residential projects I am usually concerned with bearing loads (ie. sizing the footing for 1,500 psf or less) or if there is unbalanced fill I sometimes have to look at retaining wall designs. Up until now I have not given much...
I have a shearwall abutting into a floor and need to have a collector installed (ie. full depth blocking and cont. strap). What would be a typical call out for this? Strangely I've never had to call one of these out before, I've usually had interior shearwalls with drag trusses, but this time...
Up until now I have been in the practice of specifying HDU holdowns for all my shearwalls, this makes sense when you have a concrete foundation to connect to beneath you. For second story shearwalls I've often gone the route of two HDU holdowns connected via a threaded rod. Some builders like...
I am quite familiar with ASCE 7-10 Sec. 7.4.5 where a 2pf load is applied at the eaves for essentially warm roofs. What I don't understand is why every truss document I have ever looked at with overhangs shows the overhang load as 1.00 times the flat roof live load. Where is the 1.0pf coming...
