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I'm working on a structure with a "free" roof just like the one in ASCE7 Figure 27.3-4, but instead of a monoslope profile it is a convex curve. What are your opinions on the best way to calculate wind loads for a roof like this? Should I just connect the ends of the are with a straight line...

This is a bit unsettling. High rise design should be performed by or under the supervision of people who are experts at high rise design.

MSE means "Mechanically Stabilized Earth" so if you remove the tie backs it is no longer classified as an MSE wall, but rather a gravity wall.

Thanks to everyone for replying. One last detail: The contractor is asking for forgiveness, not permission. They've already built several houses with #3 plates and got called out by a city inspector.

The studs will not necessarily align with the rafters and joists. The primary concern I have is weak axis bending of the plate between the supporting studs.

I am doing residential framing design in the Austin, Texas area. I have a client who would like to build stud walls with utility grade lumber at the top plate. He has pointed out to me that several engineers in my area allow this. I have tried to verify that this is acceptable with an...

Can anyone recommend a resource available online that would help me figure out if various arch configurations ever experience tension?

Thanks to you both. So let's say for example that the arch has a span of 6'. Are you saying it would be acceptable to build it without a lintel if the height of the arch is at least 4'-6"?

Ron, can you elaborate please? Do you mean just that it should have some curve, or that the springline should be vertical, or something in between?

When does a masonry arch need a lintel? I believe the following factors affect this decision; 1. What is the span of the arch? 2. What is the height of the arch? 3. What is the angle of the springline? 3. Is there sufficient wall on the sides of the arch to resist the thrust? 4. Is the...

That's what I thought. Thanks for the response. It's strange that our Masterspec had a line in it disallowing this.

I am working on a project in Austin, Texas that has drilled piers as part of the foundation. This is a city building, so they like us to use their pre-approved concrete mixes. The mix that they have pre-approved for piers has air entrainment. We used Masterspec to put together our specs, and...

Should corner bars be used in elevated concrete beams? I typically use 2-24"x24" corner bars in grade beams with diameters to match the longitudinal reinforcing. Should I use similar bars in elevated beams? My elevated beams have top bars that terminate with a standard hook and bottom bars...

@slickdeals: The source of the information on the bridging being designed to work in tension only is a Vulcraft engineer who I consulted with when I had a similar issue in one of my buildings. If they designed it to work in tension or compression, they would end up with a larger bridging...

The bridging only works in tension. This is why the x bridging is required in adjacent bays if bridging is removed from a bay.

I am trying to use a program called SRWall to design a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall with gabion facing. The soil will be reinforced with 12 Gage PVC coated welded wire in a 3"x3" grid. There are several input values in the program that I am struggling to nail down. I am...

I am working on a project where the the contractor is concerned about honeycombing in a particular pour. The contractor has requested that the size of the coarse aggregate be reduced from 1" to 3/8" for this pour. He has also requested that river rock be used instead of crushed limestone...

Thank you very much to everyone who gave input on this. I learned a couple of things here. The stirrups in this beam don't have to do much work, so I am comfortable allowing the paired u-stirrups.

I'd rather not suggest that to the contractor because I don't trust them to slope the stirrups in the right direction, and I am not out there to see every rebar before the concrete is cast. There is a third party inspector doing the day to day inspections. My fear is that if I let them do...

I am working on a project with an elevated concrete beam. The beam is fully loaded from above and will not experience any torsion. The stirrups in the beam were fabricated a few inches too tall. The contractor has asked to cut the stirrups just below the top to turn them into U-shapes. He...