I have a high end residential project with a 50ft x 50ft garage located under the upper two floors. I was going to design a couple of 50 foot deep W-beam's to avoid posts. They want to have room for 5-6 cars and a turntable.
Seems crazy to have a W24 or deeper. It is going to be so heavy...
Typically residential buildings do not require special inspections but there are some modern houses that push the limits of conventional residential construction with steel cantilevers, moment frames, etc. Local building departments do not have forms or sign offs for special inspections (unlike...
I am designing a building for a local community theater company. The second floor is office space and storage for costumes and props. There is a typical walk up stair to access the second floor so all props/costumes will be brought up by hand and openings to rooms are standard door size...
Hi...I designed a small outdoor pavilion (free standing) in CA. The code official is asking if the lumber is sized to meet the fire code. I don't have a fire code so I am searching online and cannot find any info on this.
I have had structures that needed non combustible roofing or be treated...
I have been designing a number of backyard pavilions and pergola type structures (independent of the main house structure) and have always used an Occupancy Category of II. Wind load usually controls for these structures so I've considered using Cat I since there will most likely not be in use...
Hi...I recently noticed that some state codes on the ICC website require a paid membership to view?
I recall always being able to access the codes for free?
UpCodes allows me to view the NY state codes but I have to pay to see the diagrams and details.
California has the codes on their .gov...
Hi, I came across a note on a set of drawings I was reviewing in Austin TX:
"For PI of less than 15 or on solid rock, notify engineer of record"
The plans note the design PI as 32.
This is for a residential addition.
Thank you.
I recently moved to California and see many mixed use buildings (less than 5 stories) that are parking garages underground, retail on the ground and apartments/condos on top. The construction appears to be concrete columns on the lower levels and then wood framing for the residential.
What's a...
I am going back and forth with a building department because I referenced a 2017 IRC Code.
They want it to say 2020. I usually just say "latest edition" but a plan examiner in another small NY town wanted it worded how he wanted it worded. So I carried it over and forgot it said 2017...
I work with a number of architect's and developers. Often (a couple times a month) I get a question or email that takes about 20 minutes of my time. I don't really charge for this because it often leads to more work or just strengthening the relationship.
Does anyone have similar experiences...
An architect would like a clear span of 50 feet for a one-story garage on a residential property. There may be a green roof and then snow loading (no gathering space)
Deflection will control my design but I don't want to use L/360 (1.67"). Thinking through what is practical criteria for this...
I am designing the foundation for a pre-fab building. The soils report recommends caisson piles because the site is undocumented fill on sand and clay. The sand is in the water table about 5 feet below the base of the proposed foundation. The geotechnical report says liquefaction is a...
From NYC building code 2014
1810.7.3 Rock socket design.
The depth of the rock socket in Class 1c rock or better shall be
sufficient to develop the full load bearing capacity of the caisson
pile based upon the sum of the allowable bearing pressure on the bottom of the...
I have been brought into a project that has an open application with the DOB. The old design is being abandoned for a new one (designed by me - Structural). However if they close the open application and file a new one the client will be required to follow stricter code requirements (for...
I am reviewing a detail as an Owners rep that shows structural HSS posts supporting a roof canopy that is encased in concrete 3' above grade and 2' below grade to the footing. I am not concerned with supporting loads but with concrete cracking due to expansion and contraction from temperature &...
I recently came across a plan where the architect calls for every third floor joist to be doubled. I don't understand why.
Anyone have an idea?
Thanks.
The townhouse under construction has a party wall. The neighbor extended their building - new foundation wall inboard of property line. Now we are matching and building an extension For us to build new extension our foundation wall will match base of their wall. During excavations and...
Marble tiles will be 36x36 (1.25" thick on a 1.5" mud set)
Using L/600 for the total deflection criteria.
Never worked with tiles that big. Anyone have experience working with this large a tile?
Thanks.
I have a situation where we are extending an existing residence and to achieve the basement elevation we will need to underpin the adjacent building wall. I was in the adjacent two story building which is slab on grade ( a garage ) with cmu foundation walls. The 2nd floor and roof is supported...
A design example in FEMA 550 says the following:
Determine external pressure coefficients for the various building surfaces. Internal pressures, which act on all internal surfaces, do not contribute to the foundation reactions. For sign conven- tion, positive pressures act inward on a building...
