The critcal zone for shear is around the patress plate as the distribution of load through the brickwork will be based on the shear planes through the bed joints. This makes the perimenter around the patress plate the critical zone. The design of the brick panels could be based on BS8110...
This technique has been used in bridge engineering under the term void formers. Tubular polystyrene void formers gained popularity over cardboard tubes. You will find details on spacing and cover requirements in many bridge deck publications. One of the many things you have to consider apart...
It depends on what you want the limit for! If it is for the assessment of an existing wall then the limit occurs when the wall resultant is on the limit of the middle third of the wall when wind or other lateral pressure is taken into account.
For a new wall.....? Define your tolerence and get...
Rotations and deflection movements due to dead load have to be added or subtracted in obtaining the total rotational and deflection movements of the bearing. Failure to do this could lead to premature failure of the bearing. Uplift on a corner of a bearing under dead load is not a problem as it...
Go to your prestressed concrete design codes. They give factors for wobble and friction. (e.g. BS5400) These parameters do not change much. If you are concerned that modern materials are diferent talk to the manufacurers of the potential systems. Beware that manufacturers give the best their...
In the UK the time limit is 120 minutes from the addition of the mixing water. This rule is based on the asssumption that the concrete starts to set after 120 miniutes and takes no account of cement blends or additives. The difference in time lmits between the two countries may be due to the...
The standard technique is to use a fixed end bearing. Even a simply supported bridge should be supported on bearings to allow for rotation at the supports. the fixed bearing permits the structure to be raised for removal and replacement/repair of the bearings. A steel dowel bar does not permit...
Best advice is to employ a structural engineer. Bridge design is a specialist subject. Should you carry out the design and the bridge is not capable of carrying load you will be liable. The bridge should be capable of carrying normal highway loading for vehicles likely to access your home, i.e...
1 If you are a novice you should not be designing a structure of this magnitude on your own. Sub-contract it.
2 British Concrete Association have many good examples of PSC design. I am sure that the American equivalent will also have similar examples.
3 The beam design is just the start.
4...