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Deadblow, that's a good question. I'll take a shot at an answer... The maximum shear in a beam with a uniform distributed load is at the ends, and it is zero at mid-span, correct? When you cut off 11'-4" of the beam your shear diagram does not stay where it was with only the 11'-4" cut off...

Thanks JAE for your input and the link to the document. I have seen that in the past and it has some good information in it. The web bars are solid and are not bent. They extend between the double angle chords and are welded. I believe I'm going to go back and see if I can verify any...

I am working on a project where we are designing a modification to shorten some existing K-series steel joists by 11'-4". I plotted my original shear diagram and new shear diagram and found that the shear in the modified joist exceeds the original shear diagram (based on allowable uniform...

Thanks KootK. Another question for this condition: I have an interior braced frame that is parallel to the plank span. I planned on transferring the diaphragm forces with the embedded plates (4' o.c.). If I eliminate the embedded plates, I'm thinking my only option would be to have the...

Thanks for the feedback. The beams running parallel with the planks are used to support other beams in the opposite direction. I've got some open spaces to deal with that don't allow for convenient column locations. I specified that shim plates be added as needed to fill the gap due to...

I have a project with hollow-core planks bearing on structural steel framing. 8" hollow-core with 2" normal weight topping. I have specified the planks must be supplied with embedded plates to allow for welding to the top flange of the steel beams. I'm requiring this where the planks bear on...

I have a project under construction and have a beam that was specified as a W12x50, but they installed a W21x50. The other way around would have been a lot worse, but there are two ducts that need to pass under this beam and a certain ceiling height is required. This is an interior beam that...

I appreciate all the input on this. The architect is not treating this as an essential facility, so I was not going to either. We were thinking that it was not critical because the patients were not alive, but the fact that this building will serve Cat. IV facilities does appear to be a valid...

I'm working on a building where surgery will be performed on deceased individuals to recover organs for donation. There will not be living patients in this building. The donated organs will be transported to other facilities for surgery on the living patient. What are your thoughts on...

Thanks Mike for the input. I believe I'm going to upset my exterior beams and lower my interior beams below the slab.

I'd like to get some feedback on how other engineers detail the connection of wood stud walls to a hollow-core slab podium level. I initially wanted to upset the steel beam with the top of the hollow-core slab near the top of the beam. That would allow me to shop weld threaded anchors for...

I'm not familiar with Comslab, but it would be a composite steel deck system. I would be interested in what Ecospan says about vibrations.

I have a 5-story hotel project coming up. Structural steel will be used up to the 2nd floor due to open 1st floor spaces, but we will go up from there with light gauge steel framing. My previous hotel work consisted of wood framing above the 2nd floor, so I would always use wood trusses for...

msquared48: I like your very simple strategy. I do feel it is move forward or be left behind. Ron: Thank you for your input. The issue of being happy having employees is something I have thought hard about, and I have heard others express displeasure with having employees. I have thought...

Thank you berkshire for your helpful input. To clarify, my projected yearly expenses, with the new employee, exceed my previous yearly revenue. I anticipate that I will be able to increase my revenue once I have the ability to take on more projects from some of my current clients and seek new...

I'm struggling with making the decision to hire my first engineer employee. I have been "out on my own" for about 7 years, and I have been swamped with work over the last two years. It is to the point where I have not been able to seek new clients for over two years, and I realize that is a...

I could hire an experienced engineer for $40/hour. That's around $75,000 a year. I live in the south where the cost of living is not too high. I can get a new engineer graduate for somewhere around $40,000 to $45,000. I would be bringing them on full time. I have thought about a...

Money, why didn't I think of that? I would want them to develop into a designer. I don't really believe in just having someone that can only do exactly what I tell them. That seems like such a waste. I would like them to eventually be able to go through some of the same thought processes I...

I'm looking at hiring my first drafter for structural work. What do you pay drafters? Do you pay them hourly or a salary?

Thanks for the input. This confirms what I have been doing, but I started second guessing myself upon seeing several jobs lately that had girders connected to the column web.