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Recent content by Cosimo

  1. Cosimo

    Organic layer beneath spread footing

    Thanks for input. Some additional information. The home is existing with a spread footing at approximately 3' depth. Home is approx. 25 yrs old and has undergone approx. 0.2' of differential settlement over time. The home is being elevated approx. 4' due to flood concerns. One option we are...
  2. Cosimo

    Organic layer beneath spread footing

    A soil boring identified an organic layer approximately 2' thick approximately 8' below grade. Bottom of proposed spread footing is approximately 3' below grade. Structure is 2 story residential dwelling. Material above and below this layer is medium density sand. When consulting the Bousssinesq...
  3. Cosimo

    Retention in CCA pilings

    Are there any standards which dictate the minimum amount of retention to be maintained in a pile? e.g. a new pile treated to 2.5 PCF will need to retain 'x' PCF after so many years? Any help pointing me in the right direction is appreciated.
  4. Cosimo

    Field Weld On residential Beam

    I agree JAE about not being empirically provided for in IRC, it isn't, that is why more information is being requested from the builder, even though the local code official did not request it (there is no question he should have) The problem at this stage Msquared48 is that we have no...
  5. Cosimo

    Field Weld On residential Beam

    As part of an Arbitration proceeding, an inspector testified that he encountered a field weld on a steel beam at the dwelling in question. From a code persptive, which code governs this type work? (dwelling was contructed under IRC 2000) I assume there must be a requirement to have a P.E...
  6. Cosimo

    Clay tile (block) foundation

    Thanks Mike, but I am trying to find infomation on the compressive strength of clay tile/block as that is the foundation wall material.
  7. Cosimo

    Clay tile (block) foundation

    Anyone familiar with a reference source for clay tile foundations? An existing home is constructed on a 6" thick clay tile crawl space foundation and the ownwer is investrigating adding a second floor.
  8. Cosimo

    DGA Backfill as 'brace'

    When constructing cofferdams for 'small' bridge footings we often backfill the void between the concrete footing and temporary steel sheeting with dense graded aggregate (DGA). This allows us to remove the lower tier waler and cross braces. In essence, it provides a continuous brace. When the...
  9. Cosimo

    Rock wall in weathered shale cut

    I am investigating the feasibility of installing a rock wall along a cut in highly weathered & fractured shale on a golf course (central/north new jersey). Wall height up to 7' in a localized area, most of the wall is approx. 4'-5'. Question, what is the recommended method of determining active...
  10. Cosimo

    Working in your own firm, or for somebody else - can't decide?

    I agree with bazaka. Gaining experience elswhere will help not only you, but your current firm as well, should you choose to return. I deal with alot of family owned companies. Many second and third generation 'owners' tend to develope tunnel vision. Good luck.
  11. Cosimo

    Topography

    Interested in a program that will develope contours. Recently started using Connex software to download data into autocadd. Is there a stand alone program that will use these points to generate contours? Also, Connex will only transfer points with 5 decimal places into autocadd. Connex tech...
  12. Cosimo

    EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING

    Although it sounds out of your budget for now, I just purchased a Nikon DTM 332 total station. Soup to nuts, including rod, target, instrument, delivery, download software etc. was $ 5,400.00 No data collector required, you download directly from the instrument. I did an analysis of the cost...
  13. Cosimo

    Receiving pit at EOP

    A high water table may preclude the use of a sheeting box as a jacking pit, unless dewatering is considered. Although with a jacking operation, dewatering may be required in any case. As for tight sheeting (or any support method) against the back face of the curb, assume you will loose the...
  14. Cosimo

    Basement Wall Cut Out

    I had a pre-cast entryway installed a few years back into an existing block foundation. Yes, a lintel is required. A local pre-caster installed the concrete steps from a small truck mounted crane. They also installed the Bilco door. Very clean installation. You have to make sure you backfill...
  15. Cosimo

    What is the best engineering advice you ever received?

    Best advice ever, from my college geotech. professor: You work with dirt, you make dirt.......You work with money, you make money.

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