I spoke with the PM for the project and mentioned that without a Geotech Report for the specific site area, and the fact that these are most likely going to have to be friction piles, we cannot confidently design the pile system. He was receptive and will be reaching out to the client to let...
Thanks for the responses guys. I agree that more information is preferred and I mentioned that we would need borings for this project before it started, but the client said they already had borings and no one pushed back to check on the available information before being awarded the project...
Hi All,
I have a general question and wanted someone else's thoughts. I have been tasked with engineering my first driven pile foundation for a 25' high Garage to hold a Vac Truck for sanitary sewer purposes. The garage is 40' x 40', with sub-par existing soils and a high water table. Seems...
Hello Folks,
I have been tasked with designing some exterior concrete stairs. The stairs are pretty limited in length, only 3 risers at 6" each and 3 treads at 1'6" each, but are expected to be 40'-50' wide. They are not attached to any building, just a 4" concrete sidewalk at the top...
Just a quick update: Due to my lack of confidence in designing what the original post was describing, we have kicked the design back to the Zoo who has hired another structural engineer familiar with zoo design. I have asked to see the design criteria that that they are using for future...
IRstuff: I came across a couple of those references as well with some valuable information. I did come across a reference that mentions a 14,000 lb elephant traveling at 20 mph. I guess I will proceed with checking the loading capacity of the cables and the concrete filled steel tube based on...
Thank you for the notes everyone.
MotorCity - There are no issues with the current barrier function, but they are developing a new layout for the entire zoo and want to modernize the look a little and think they existing posts and foundations are "way over designed". Of course, this is a...
I have an odd question for everyone. Has anyone every designed an elephant enclosure? I currently have a project, where they asked us to re-design an elephant enclosure.
The only parameters that I have are that there are Concrete Filled Steel Posts, spaced at 10'-0" O.C., with (4EA) 3/4"...
Thank you for all the input. I reached out to the client yesterday and explained the situation and how the risk versus reward was not worth it in my opinion. He is still resistant but has agreed to discuss with his typical contractor first before making a final decision. So it looks like I...
Hey there folks, I have a relatively simple quick question here.
My firm has been asked to redesign an outdoor concrete patio type area. This is no big deal, but adjacent to the patio area is a 5" deep concrete slab.
The 5" concrete slab is not very aesthetically pleasing and does not line...
The drawing was a sketch I found, but I do not believe it was the final IFC drawing, which I am still trying to acquire. The point of draining the whole landing area to the steps is a good one, I will have to check a Utility Plan to see what the actual intention was for stormwater. I spoke to...
Hokie: I will correct my initial statement, I have checked to confirm and the granite treads are actually 5.5" x 16" x 48". I'm not sure where that original dimensioning came from, but it is definitely not what is out there. The 5.5" x 16" x 48" dimensioning is correct.
I am planning to...
I have received a photo and basic information!
Please see attached for the photo and a detail for the stairs. It appears that they are calling out 1/2" mortar on the detail, with no real specific "water repellent" described...
Ok all, I have just come across a problem on a project that I did not personally work on, but wanted to see if others have had similar issues and how they resolved them.
Problem: There is a concrete staircase with granite treads for a University in the Northeast US. The construction was...
Haha. I apologize that I was not clear with my last post, I am obviously aware that the cables do not provide any support at the top of the post.
The location of this "patio" is a fairly high end winery, so the aesthetics are very important. I do agree that the wood column and cable design...
Update: The client has agreed to go away from the tie rods, and now are using light weight cables to string lightweight lights (similar to Christmas lights). With this new configuration, if I call out required sags and tensions of the new cable, would the top of the Wood Posts be considered a...
Assuming the client will be okay with 6" of deflection (I have a call with them later today), I used T=wL^2/8d with d being the allowable sag to calculate the tension acting on the post due to the cables to be roughly 600 lbs (using dead loads and an ice load). This turned out to be...
Thank you for all your input. When I was first approached with the idea, I suggested steel posts and the client wasn't a fan of that at all, which is why they came back with this timber post and steel cable layout. I was just sent an updated sketch of the planned base connection. They are now...
