"Recommendation Project" approach..

[Hemi79]

Hi, I have recently began working for a structural engineering firm. We are preparing a recommendation for an old 2 story building(over 80 yrs old) and I've been given the task of preparing the documents and analyzing the systems that we inspected. However, I am not comfortable with my rough draft in presentation. I have pictures taken at the site, cad samples I prepared and marked/edited images to emphasize non-code existing items. My approach is on a Letter (8.5"x11") format and being that images being presented are dull and dark I have to size them up considerably, but I'm not so sure about changing paper size for final turn in. The overall look of the document (7 pages so far) just seems "highschoolish".

Any recommendation is appreciated.

 

[desertfox]

Hi

Any chance you can post the pictures in question, its hard to visualize what your actually seeing from a description.

 

[Hemi79]

Yeah sorry, I've been trying to figure out how to post them. I'll figure it out soon enough, hopefully sooner than later.

 

[Ron]

hemi79...
The photos are probably too low in resolution to upsize. If you have the original photos, you might try enhancing them with light and color correction through one of many photo editing tools. If the report is to be used for litigation or for other "external" use, be sure to disclose that the photos were corrected for color and lighting but otherwise were not "retouched".

As for the report being "high schoolish", I think most of us have felt that about such reports from time-to-time. There is no right way or wrong way to do this. Present the field information in a logical flow, then give your assessment of the field data following the same flow and then present your conclusions/recommendations in that same flow pattern. You may either include the photos within the report (not good if you need to show detail) or reference them by number in the text and place at the end. The same is true of sketches or drawing details.

Look at the outline in ASTM E2018...that might help with things to include.

Good luck.

 

[a2mfk]

Ron gives good advice. Don't feel bad, my photos do not always turn out great either, sometimes you are hanging off a ladder and the building is poorly lit and we are not all Ansel Adams. If in doubt with digital cameras, take lots of pics from different angles, and flash and no flash, etc.

You may also try getting some help from another person in your company who is not an engineer- such as a marketing or admin person who has photo/graphics experience and can help "pretty up" your reports. Also, you always want to find someone in your office who is a good proofreader, and is unafraid to call out your mistakes. I hate it when I have someone proof read a 5 page report and all they say is "looks good to me!".... Often, non-engineers are very good at this, and if your report is being read by owners who are not engineers, they can help you clarify your statements for lay people. I strongly believe in another set of eyes for reports, and especially drawings.

 

[Hemi79]

Thank you all for the replies. I think I will just create tags and keep my report and picture gallery separate. I will definitely have it proof read as well. I would really like to post some picture, but I can't figure out how. Im looking for instructions on the site but nothing. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I would really like for you all to see them.

Thanks,

 

[Hemi79]

Link

Ok I hope this works.

 

[desertfox]

Hi
Thanks for the pictures, I see what you mean about the photograph quality, I was wondering if you cannot improve the brightness with a photo enhancer then why not generate the exact joint detail your trying to show in CAD and enlarge it adding notes as required.
You could still keep the joint detail drawings at the end of the report with tags relating to the relevant paragraph.

 

[AELLC]

The lighting seems very inadequate, and I am afraid that if you use a photo enhancer it will lighten up the image but show no additional detail.

You need better lighting and make sure you have a good enough camera to manually select camera options if available.

 

[Hemi79]

I will try photo shop tomorrow and see what that does. I don't have hope. The light that is seen in the picture is a spot light (1200 lumens) I purchase so that I could reach connection from a distance because inside that 2nd floor diaphragm is very crowded and hot. I was in there for about 2 hours and afterwards I was done for the rest of the day. :-/
My boss requested they provide proper lighting as there are light fixture inside, but non functional, and both time we went it was still the same situation. We now will wait for MEP engineers to visit site so that we can maybe get more pics when they open up the floors and walls for them too.

Inside the 2nd floor diaphragm I found steel pipes (2 inchers at least) running diagonally from wall to wall. Keep in mind there are 46 ft from wall to wall and aside from considering bracing I don't know what to think. The girder runs 46 ft and splices arbitrarily. Its a triple double 2"x10" spliced with a long bolt. The girders holds the 2nd floor beams/joists @ 18"oc for the floor deck sheathing. I could understand how the floor sloped so terribly once I got in there, but its surprising to me how 80 to 90 years ago these huge spans were acceptable. Anyway, Im loving the experience.

Thanks to everyone!