I am reviewing calculations for the design of a 5 ft cantilevered canopy on the side of a building (see attached for a wall section). The building is a large warehouse, so there is potential for significant snow drift based on the length of roof. The engineer who designed the canopy is...
I have a project currently under construction that includes a segment of storefront approximately 30 feet in length with a 5 foot cantilevered canopy attached. A steel tube was designed to span through the storefront for support and attachment of the canopy. This tube is rigidly attached to a...
A building I designed is currently in the bid phase and is located in Omaha, NE, right on the border of Iowa and Nebraska. Our specification on this project (as well as every other project I have done in the area) requires ASTM C33 aggregate for the concrete mix. I was told by a concrete...
I have been tasked with site adapting a 5 story office building (originally built in Iowa) to be constructed at a new site in Nebraska. The original design (done by another engineer) utilizes two concrete shear towers for lateral, located near the center of the building at approximately third...
I am working on a project that includes structural modifications and a small addition to an existing retail building. Part of the structural modification includes moving a braced frame approximately 10 feet, and therefore increasing the lateral load on an existing interior moment frame. In my...
I received an RFI regarding a chipped pile (see attached picture). It is a 16" diameter pile and is supporting approximately 45 kips, so it is a relatively lightly loaded pile. Consider the two options listed below:
1. Damaged part of pile is contained within the portion that is embedded in...
I received the email below from a contractor regarding a storm shelter structure.
The supplier of the FEMA windows has asked me to check and see if the wall where the FEMA windows are to be installed has a minimum CMU compressive strength of 2500 psi. The structural notes indicate a 1500 psi...
I am working on a project that requires adding a landing extending from an existing mezzanine. This landing will be framed with light ga. studs and will be approximately 7'x5'. The studs will attach to an existing exterior wall on one end, and be supported by a new metal stud load bearing wall...
I am working with a client who wants to place pre-engineered storm shelter units around his site. He is asking about concerns with locating storm shelters in close proximity to any buildings on the site and if the storm shelter could withstand debris impact forces from an adjacent building...
I have been contacted to evaluate the structural condition of three underground concrete water storage tanks, the largest of which containing 500,000 gallons of water. I don't believe there are any known issues, I believe this evaluation is part of a regular maintenance schedule.
I am...
I am being asked to review the support structure for a conveyor system. The conveyor is being replaced and the owner wants to be able to increase the loading on the structure. The owner also wants to add bracing to reduce sway when the conveyor stops and starts. I have attached a PDF with...
An owner has indicated that he is not happy with the appearance of a concrete floor (the floor is meant to be exposed). The floor has a cloudy/splotchy appearance. Any thoughts on what may have caused this? Perhaps a curing issue? I have attached a photo, and will add more following this...
I am working on an addition to a research facility at the local university. Based on the applicable building code (IBC 2012) the building is Risk Category III if the occupant load is 500 or more. The original building has an occupancy of approximately 300, and the addition has an occupancy of...
I designed an auto repair shop that is intended to have vehicular lifts installed on the slab on grade. The lifts consist of two vertical columns with a horizontal beam rigidly attached at the top. The columns have arms that swing under the vehicle and lift it. The concentrated load from one...
Has anyone ever used a steel lintel in a CMU wall at the exterior of a storm shelter? I am designing a school and part of a classroom wing is intended to be used as a storm shelter. Since these are classrooms, the architect would prefer the storm shelter has windows consistent with the other...
I am working on analyzing the framing for the wall of a tank that holds 300 tons of roof granule. I am struggling with determining the load to apply to represent the granule when the tank is full. Does anyone have a recommendation for an equivalent fluid pressure that could be used? I have...
I recently worked on the structural design for a renovation project for a cast-in-place concrete building built in 1965. The renovation project is currently under construction, and as you might expect they are finding numerous issues as the concrete structure is exposed. I received an RFI with...
I am working on a project that is currently under construction that includes a three story wood framed apartment building with an underground parking garage framed with precast (hollowcore planks and inverted tees). The precast is topped with minimum 2" thick composite concrete. A rectangular...
I am working on a mixed-use building that has underground parking, retail space on the first floor, and two stories of lofts above. Precast framing is used for the garage and retail, and the lofts are wood framed. The front of the retail level will have storefront with cantilevered canopies...
A gymnasium addition I designed is currently under construction. The slab on grade in the gym consists of 4" concrete with fiber mesh over a 15 mil vapor barrier and granular fill. In addition, I show sawed control joints at 12 feet on center in both directions. The contractor recommended to...
