Standard Details

[awa5114]

I work for a firm that does a large amount of mechanical/solar equipment anchorage projects. We are a structural engineering firm, and I am often asked to come up with typical details for attachments. Many of the attachment systems are proprietary. Most of the time this does not involve any calcs... and yet this is the most challenging task for me. The reason it is challenging is that I do not understand the basis upon which these details are developed. Frequently my supervisor is able to come up with details within minutes... while it takes me endless hours of frustration and confusion...

What is the basis? I understand practicality is a concern but how can an engineer with only a few months of experience (like me) come up with this stuff on the spot? Is it pure experience?

 

[MillR]

Go back to what you know. Draw a free body diagram. Figure out what the forces on the connections are. Then check to see if the combined shear and tension requirements are met by the connectors you are using. The "on the spot" is for twenty years down the road.

 

[RulaTamimi]

Try always to took in the small details of anything around try to reason the small techniques and understand the how to. The more details you get get into your mind the more creative you will be in combining different cases to get the optimized solution you are looking for. Good luck.

 

[TLHS]

You've likely got two problems right now. You don't know what items are commonly available as components. You also don't know how someone might actually approach putting them together.

This is mostly experience. You'll figure it out eventually. If you don't know how things are actually put together it's very difficult to come up with something that is reasonable and looks right.

You very much need to just keep your eyes open. Look at designs critically and consider how a person will actually build them. If you're talking about a design with someone involved in implementing it (construction, fabrication, whatever) ask them for feedback. Get in the field if at all possible. Look through whatever you can find to pick up construction methods.