40' wood trusses problem 1

[fijiwala]

The problem is 40 ' x 60' building had 40'x4' wooden trusses.
Due to space shortage an individual had cut the trusses and supported by laminate beams without any engineering and built
a mezzanine again without permit.
Now after fifteen years the city is demanding the building be restored back to original condition.
the problem is many electrical cables and other services are running through the building.
Any sugestion as to how can the trusses be assembled as K.D.
on the job without having to remove the roof or disturb any services that have to pass through the each truss.
Any help would be very much appreciated.For your effort if the problem can be solved I will reasonably compensate for the time it will take you.
With thanks
Dave Mann

 

[msquared48]

What is the geometry of the trusses? Flat, monotruss, two sloped, Plant Manufactured, on-site assembled?

Sounds like the trusses may have to be field assembled in place, sistering on to the existing, thus not affecting the existing electrical/mechanical. Going to be a bear.

You know, I have run into this scenario way too often, and, although I love to be helpful when I can, I find it hard to be sympathetic toward the owner. He will probably complain about the price - your fee and the contractor's, as he obviously tried to save money and time with the original modifications. If he does, walk away. It's his problem then. Moreover, what else was changed that he forgot or the contractor did not tell him about.

If this owner is not the original owner who did the modifications, my appologies as my comments in the previous paragraph are not applicable.

This seems like a job needing the expertise of a local structural engineer who can inspect the building for this and other problems. Are there any original drawings available? You will need them, to include the original calculations too. I know. I'm asking for the moon.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering