Forum,
I have a mechanical engineering background but in my current position I have to wear many hats. Today's topper is structural engineer. I have been asked to design an overhead structure to suppor palletes of materials in one of our warehouse buildings. It will consiste primarily of H-beams, C-channel, Square tubing, Handrails, grating, and Toe-boards. Moreover, I will have to install a stairwell in order for an individual to access this area from ground level. I have never done this type of calculation before (Just Graduated from school 05/01) and was wondering if there was any suggestion from the structural community.
P.S. The concepts of column loading, buckling, and bending etc. are already understood but I am looking for a general or standardized quick method for making this determination.
I have a mechanical engineering background but in my current position I have to wear many hats. Today's topper is structural engineer. I have been asked to design an overhead structure to suppor palletes of materials in one of our warehouse buildings. It will consiste primarily of H-beams, C-channel, Square tubing, Handrails, grating, and Toe-boards. Moreover, I will have to install a stairwell in order for an individual to access this area from ground level. I have never done this type of calculation before (Just Graduated from school 05/01) and was wondering if there was any suggestion from the structural community.
P.S. The concepts of column loading, buckling, and bending etc. are already understood but I am looking for a general or standardized quick method for making this determination.