Recent content by jtstruct

Nevermind! I found the NEHRP commentary.

Hope someone here can help me out on what I think is a very basic questions. The USGS maps in the IBC code refer to the "Maximum Considered Earthquake Ground Motion" for short period and long period response accelerations. Fundamentally, does anyone know what the probability of these ground...

Thanks! I appreciate your time.

SlideRuleEra, Here is some more information: 1) the top of the tank is down approx. 3.5' from the ground elevation 2) it is a cylindrical steel tank, double-walled, 550 gallons 3) I think the diameter is 3' Typically the tank stays full, and it rarely falls below 50% capacity. Thanks for...

Hi Gang, I have an unusual situation, and I hope this is the right forum for this thread. We have an existing buried fuel tank in a grassy area (supplying an adjacent above ground generator). Due to limited access in the landscaped area, a truck will have to drive over this tank to access a...

JAE, I am familiar with the 5psf interior wall load requirement in the UBC, but I have not been able to find a similar requirement in the IBC 2000. Can you provide the section where this is listed? Thanks, jt

I would consider cubicles partition loading. Some can be awfully heavy and much more closely spaced than full blown partition walls. It seems that the 50psf live load would be the books, computers, cabinets, and everything else people cram into the cubicle space.

I agree with JAE. You will need some sort of mechanism for developing the shear loads into your diaphragm. Based on your sketch, you appear to have two relatively close shear walls on either side, so the shear load may not be too significant. You may be able to get away with using a joist or...

The FE exam is standardized throughout the US and should be transferrable to any state in the sense that it is a prerequisite for sitting for the PE exam. Take the PE exam in the state where you plan to practice and do work. You are correct in that you must satisfy the requirements for the...

Thanks Ron for your thorough description. Very helpful!

Ron, Thank you for your response. Can you list some of the physical differences between the two types of aggregate and what we should look for? Thanks.

We are trying to determine fire ratings for an existing concrete elevated floor (pan joists at 2'-1" on center with a 2.5 inch slab). The code seperates the concrete categories into cabronate base and siliceous base. Is a core sample and testing the only way to dermine which type of...

Thanks in advance for your time. I'm involved with a project where the designers plan to excavate in a crawl space to create a basement for a mechanical room. The designers have drawn a 45 degree line from the edge of the existing footings into the crawl space area. Their argument is that...

Thank you all for your input. We have decided to use a modular/segmental block wall system. We plan to start construction next month.

We have a condition where we would like to put in approximately 30 feet (in length) of a 5 foot wide sidewalk. The slope in this condition is approximately 6 in 12, resulting in (approx) a 2.5 foot drop along the sidewalk width. I'm trying to determine the most economical way to retain this...