When the Contractor and Architect go over your head 3

[apetr26542]

I've been the Project Managing Engineer on many projects, this one, a small job, a floor infill, about 21'x 50. The proposed floor infill I designed was W12x22 @ 36" o.c. on 9/16" form deck, with 3.5" total slab. The beams frame between two 12" cmu walls that are two stories in height. I have record drawings. The wall checks out, the foundations have reserve.

Turns out the owner was quoted W16x26 @ 2ft o.c., turns out the credit was not substantial from the contractor. Owner wants this level of comfort, so they decide to go with W16x26. Now my original detail was wall bearing one end and end plate the other with (2) - 3/4/ dia. wedge anchors into an existing bond beam, I figured they could make up some adjustment with the wall bearing end and get the end plate end tight.

Well, trying to pocket beams at 24" o.c. would not leave much wall left, I recommended to the contractor erect your beams at 48" o.c. grout your pockets and do the remaining. NO, they did not want to do this, so I came up with a double angle connection, with adjustment, field welded to the beam and (6) -3/4" sleeve anchors that go into hollow masonry. I had them field weld the angles to the beam to remove any pullout on the block.

A few days later, the architect calls and said they want the managing partner of our firm out there, some comments are being made about the design, from I believe the people going to do the flat work and or contractor.

I mean, I was totally in the dark, I reviewed my design with our managing partner after he was called, he is fine with it. Basically the architect side blinded me, never gave me a heads up. Right now, I am going to turn this project over to our managing partner and tell him, I now have no authority, since I've been undermined, I am turning it over to you.

What do you think and have you experienced this before, I am frustrated and a bit upset.

 

[jike]

I would allow the managing partner to deal with it, but assist him in whatever he might need. Don't wash your hands of it.

Even though we don't like when these type of things happen, just deal with it in a professional manner. Take the high road!

 

[apetr26542]

Yes, you can't go bad taking the high road, looks like I will be going to the site with the Principal Engineer.

 

[Ashereng]

I have experienced it before. It is quite common in my industry.

On occasion, my manager will take it over. On others, my boss tells me to deal with it.

Once in a while, the person who went over my head has a problem dealing with me. On other occasions, he actually didn't have a problem dealing with me, but just went over my head anyways.

If my manager still wants me on the project, I stay on. If my manager wants me off the project, he usually tells me.

 

[archeng59]

let the managing partner go to the meeting then discuss what to do about it when he returns. it's easy to get hurt feelings, but the advise to be professional is good advise. be a help to the managing partner instead of bailing out on him.

 

[apetr26542]

We all went to the site, met with contractor, erector and architect. Turns out, where the drawings call for a bond beam, there is none, so we are adding more sleeve anchors. The fabricator put on an end plate big enough to accomodate this. It corroborated what I was doing. I did not turn over the job, It is practically finished. I hate it myself when I get pulled in on a job that I am not familiar with.

It is a sight to see W16x at 24" o.c. Glad it is not my design, I would be embarrassed. Architect knows it, Engineer here knows how over kill this is.

 

[ccvasquez46]

Perception is everything when dealing with people. You know the design is safe and the client is aware of the additional costs - no problem! Sounds like you handled yourself well.