I've taken on the task of moving several parts of our drafting process into.. well, I don't know when. Modernizing it.
As part of that, I'd like to set up a notes database which we can use to validate and quickly generate note sets for our drawings. I'd like it to be at least searchable and...
My colleague has an interesting analysis question --
A plate with significant out-of-plane loading (mostly resolved through one-way bending) also sees a moderate compressive load applied along one edge. The two adjacent edges of the plate are simply supported, with the far edge essentially...
Starting to rough out some plans for upcoming Python tools, and several of them will benefit from finite element analysis (mostly 3D frames and trusses).
I'm not particularly interested to build my own FEA solution -- would rather stand on the shoulders of giants.
What packages exist out...
For all the NAVFAC fans, a coworker just pointed out that a new edition has been published.. and bucking the trend with other UFC adaptations, this appears to be a substantive update with new research and correlations added alongside the old material...
In most geotechnical reports, and a lot of common practice, I see that shallow foundations are set to bear at an assumed minimum depth (here, 1m).
I sometimes feel that this is not strictly required, so I want to understand the reasons such a requirement might be made:
A few that I can think...
Alright, have been thinking about this a bit lately, and haven't found any definitive answer. I have an engineering judgement answer in mind, but I'd love to see if it's explicitly stated anywhere.
When computing the centroid of tension reinforcement to determine depth of a concrete flexural...
Hello all --
I'm curious to hear about the standard of practice for "100%" or "construction" drawings in your regions of the world. What types of drawings are considered the standard practice to provide to a contractor? What is considered a bonus (nice for the contractor to have, or used to...
I'm fairly new on the masonry side, let alone unreinforced masonry.
Does anyone know of prescriptive or rule of thumb requirements for when an unreinforced masonry (infill) wall needs to have a ring beam at the top? Or when a tall infill wall should be interrupted by a reinforced concrete...
This one is just off-the-wall enough that I'll feel more comfortable with some outside wisdom.
We're designing a building for phased construction. They're nearly complete with the second story now, and will return to add a third and fourth story once more funding is available (owner is on a...
I'm curious if any of you have resources or references for designing RC stairways. Particularly those with turns at an unsupported or partially supported landing?
I imagine many of these are done in practice using FEA, but that doesn't help me a lot with the detailing, which is my real...
When I look around at buildings under construction here, it's not uncommon to have a 1m cantilever.
At the ends of these cantilever slabs, there is an "inverted parapet", which appears to primarily serve as cover concrete for a development hook.
Am I missing something? -- why orient those...
Looking to glean the experience of the group here.
I practice in a country with no building code. That said, I try to strive for rationable, defensible designs.
It is clear to me that sheet metal roofs here are not designed for 20psf/1kPa live load. But, they stand just fine under the...
Hello all!
I'm designing a gymnasium structure in a country where no building codes apply. Engineer's judgement only.
This structure includes a basketball hoop suspended from the roof. I have found a reference specification that provides live loads for a basketball hoop in use (e.g. player...
So, this is one of those situations where a colleague signed me up to design a rolling trash bin (dumpster) for his site. "That's something structural engineers do, right?".
Yes, the economics actually do work to design one from scratch. Local trash company has a monopoly on the standard ones...
Hey All!
I'll soon be returning to active engineering work after about a year away. On top of that, much of the work I'll be doing soon will be designing concrete building structures, which I haven't touched much since university.
So, I'm curious if any of you have suggestions for resources I...
Just wanted to bounce an idea off some of the members here to see if it sticks.
I deal with old built-up girders a lot -- fabricated prior to any of the AASHTO codes, let alone those with the proportions limits in the current code. Typically we're talking about 30 ksi A7 steel, riveted girders...
From the photo in the second article, it appears this may have been a launched segmental girder.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/22/national/two-killed-bridge-beam-falls-construction-site-western-japan/#.VxqE7Ho41S0
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002896547
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160405/news/160409477/#articlecomments
Early reports yesterday hinted that a chain or strap (crane rigging?) might have failed.
