I have a client that builds portable shed buildings, and I'm wondering the necessity of rafter ties in high snow load areas (50-70 psf). I understand the building code is pretty straightforward on the need for rafter ties and/or a ridge beam, but I was wondering if there are alternative...
I have a client that does work in multiple states, but I only work from my home office. I have been getting individual licensure, firm licensure, and registering my LLC with every state, but they are wanting to expand into a LOT more. I will still have to get individual and firm licensure, but...
I have a client that is wanting to open up a CMU wall for as long of a span as I'll allow. Typically, I would just use angles for a lintel for the opening, but this wall is a combination of one 8" block wall and a 6" block wall, leading to an overall wall thickness of 14-15". I know I can find W...
The conversation started in the office about skyscrapers being designed to sway in the wind, some argued to reduce wind pressure or the classic "if it doesn't bend, it will break" argument. That argument seems more of a ductility conversation rather than stating that buildings are designed to...
I have a client wanting to use a lift truck to move pallets around the second floor. The floor is currently just steel grating. The lift truck and pallet together are about 6300 lbs which equates to a distributed load of about 605 psf. I calculated the grating can only withstand 250 psf. The...
This is a very general, possibly hypothetical, question, but I was wondering if anyone has come across any literature that gives a rough estimate for the increase in steel size for lateral loading vs only vertical loading. I ask because I have a client that wants to know a rough comparison of...
