Recent content by tmlim

Imagine a parapet on a roof that is 16ft tall. Obviously there would be snow build-up in areas with snowfall. But what if the parapet is higher than the snow depth (say 2ft) above the roof line. Can we neglect the snow build-up?? At what size of gap under the parapet can we ignore the snow...

I'm being told that the bending resistance of a steel stud in the weak direction is the same regardless of whether the lips or web is in compression. Does this make sense?? Specifically, I've been told that a 600S162-97 has only 1 section modulus in the weak direction.

@oldestguy Thanks for your input. That was kind of the answer I would expecting.

I'm working on a house with a steel stud embedded in EPS foundation wall. The wall is 8' high. I was told that I need to have washrock to within 12" of the final grade. So it comes out to about 6ft of washrock. Does this makes sense?? I thought washrock was only needed for about 12" above...

@hokie66 @BAretired Thanks! Always good to hear!!

I thought I would just give an update on what we've decided. Myself and my boss, also a structural engineer, have come to the conclusion that the deformation in the column will not affect the intended design function except at the base of the column. (I've been an engineer for almost 7 years...

@BAretired Yes, the column was nearly entirely filled with water. We are taking measures to make sure this doesn't happen again, but we need to assess the current deformed column and what needs to be done. I will try to get some photos for everyone to view.

@Stillerz They are 178mm x 178mm (7" x 7") Also, here in Canada some square HSS are formed from cold-forming a circle section to a square section.

@Stillerz There are 4 columns that are currently deformed and they are all interior columns of a non-heated building. Thanks for everyone's feedback. Still not sure what we're going to do, but all this information is definitely helpful!

@CCB1 Unfortunately, one of the columns has deformation for almost the entire length of the column. @hokie66 There is no fracture or separation of the base plate noted. Your thoughts on this does make sense, but I need some way to justify it. Not sure if it's as simple as assuming a larger...

@CCB1 Structural Engineers get to sleep?? :) You make a very good point. I'd still like to at least try reinforcement before replacing the column. @JedClampett Your idea sounds like a good one. Kinda like wrapping the column up with more steel.

@JedClampett Thanks! How about this, if the column was a circular section, would it be safe to check the hoop stress of the column and do a combied loading unity check?? Sorta like a bending and compression check. The columns I'm dealing with are currently square section, but if it's...

@blackmaddog There was permanent deformation to some of the columns. We just need to know how much to reinforce the damaged and non-damaged columns to prevent this. So essentially, what does the freezing water do to the capacity of the HSS column.

@msquared48 Yes, it's melted snow that refroze.

Does anybody know of any resources regarding the effect of water freezing in side an HSS column??