How to use building codes ? 5

[Shazeb Mirza]

Hi, I a civil engineering graduate and I am having some confusion and that is :
1) how to use building codes (like ACI-314)?
2) how to take advantage of them?

thanks

 

[r13]

I think you need to find job from an engineering company, then learn and familiar with the use of building code at work, hopefully with the mentoring from a seasoned engineer.

 

[skeletron]

Sit down for a couple afternoons and go through the clauses.
Flag off important ones.
Read the commentary.
Repeat as you gain more experience.

 

[BAretired]

I was not aware that such a guide existed, but the introductory remarks discuss the reason for its existence and the limitations on the type and size of building to which it pertains. You are not compelled to use it.

BA

 

[Shazeb Mirza]

@retired13 yes you are right i need a job to experience things .

@skeletron what should I look for as a rookie?

 

[Shazeb Mirza]

@BAretired maybe I need experience

 

[BUGGAR]

Depending on the design material, pick the appropriate code and note every requirement that must be met in your design. This, then is your scope of work. I use this "scope" for engineering cost estimates as well and to make sure I am ahead of thee AHJ.

 

[r13]

I don't know these days how to find a job. But as a start, signup with a online job research services, such as jobfinder.com, and list your resume. As you might not have any experience, so list the primary studies and the fields (civil/structural/geotechnical/construction...) you are interesting in, with some achievement/award received, may help. It will be extremely useful if you ever been in a internship with an engineering company.

 

[IRstuff]

It seems to me that Chapter 1 in ACI-314 answers your questions.

OP appears to be in Pakistan

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

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[BAretired]

Finding a job of any kind during the Covid-19 pandemic must be very difficult, but there may be a few jobs available.

BA

 

[Shazeb Mirza]

thanks man @retired13 you have my respect <3

@BUGGAR thanks

@IRstuff that's the first thing I will do in the morning

 

[dhengr]

Shazeb Mirza:
You should have had some basic Structural Engineering courses, and particularly a course or two in structural concrete design. These concrete design courses should have touched on the design details of various structural members and systems and how the various bldg. and materials std. codes come into play. You are at a distinct disadvantage if you have not had these basic courses, because a bldg. code is not something most people pick up for some fun reading, nor can you really learn to design in a given material by reading the codes, if you don’t have the engineering fundamentals well in hand.

 

[r13]

Both BA and dhengr have very good view point. If I am a young fellow, at this difficult time (COVID-19), I'll consider go back to school to study a few more courses, or get higher degree, if you can afford. But do post your resume no matter what. In the US, try "careerbuilder.com", and "indeed.com", instead of jobfinder.com, which may not exist (my mistake).

IRstuff,

How do you figure out he is in Pakistan? Just curious.

 

[BAretired]

Same way we find you are from Illinois. Click on the name and read the member profile.

BA

 

[r13]

Good to know the trick.

 

[Shazeb Mirza]

[highlight #FCE94F]@IRstuff[/highlight] technically it's not Pakistan, basically, I am from Pakistan occupied Kashmir hehe

[highlight #FCE94F]@dhengr[/highlight] yeah, I have gone through course like steel structures, concrete design , mechanics of solids and I am quite well aware of the parameters and the stuff but I had a question in my mind that all this stuff is Tekken from the CODES so why don't I refer the codes directly and ask the veterans that how can I take advantage of the CODES.

 

[CrabbyT]

Knowledge of codes will come with experience.

I think it helps having digital PDF copies of the codes. It makes it easier to search.

Personally, I think it helps a lot to just read through the codes. Not cover to cover. I mean, just thumb through the pages, pick something that catches your attention, and read it. If it doesn't make sense, look at the commentary.

 

[dhengr]

Shazeb Mirza:
You don’t really take advantage of the codes, they take serious and full advantage of you, and you pretty much have to abide by them as you do your designs, depending upon the locale and its particular codes. You read them the first time (or the first few times) just to start to understand what’s there and where it is. Generally, you read them very carefully, and in detail, not like any pleasure reading. Read the commentaries too, for each section as you study it. They give you some insight as to the thinking behind the code requirements. Study the textbook you learned from, again, as it relates to each code section, and see how they relate. Then, you have to start using the code for everyday design problems, that is really the only way to learn the various codes and stds. You might look at various design guides for the various materials and codes, or look at old plans, designs and calcs. and study them, along with your textbooks, for how they are done and how the code sections apply to them. This learning process is not easy the first time around, and it is getting more difficult as the codes get ever more complex, and the designs we are required to do become more and more complicated too. Help from senior engineers or mentors at your work place is always helpful too.

 

[Shazeb Mirza]

very well said @dhengr thanks , means a lot

 

[JLNJ]

A Building Code (for example the International Building Code) is in force because the legislators make it the law of the land. The Law tells the design professionals what version of what code to use. The Architect/Engineer is obligated by law to follow it. If your land doesn't have laws which create a codified Building Code, I'm not sure what your obligations are, other than ethical and moral ones.

Standards such as ASCE 7, ACI 318, and AISC 360 are made relevant by the fact that the Building Code references them. Some parts of the Standards, such as Commentaries, are non-mandatory. Most Commentaries don't carry the same legal weight as a Building Code.

We sometimes use the terms Code and Standard interchangeably, but there can be a difference. You should learn and know how your legal system works.