I am working with a few architects who are determined to use ICF for storm shelters and other projects. After going through the construction process on a few projects, it is my opinion that ICF contractors are clueless about how to install reinforcing for concrete walls and beams. I am...
I am working on renovations to a church constructed in the early 1920's. The attached floor plan shows an unfamiliar joist designation.
Looking at the joists through a small hole in the ceiling, the joists appear very similar to two cold-formed metal cee-shapes back-to-back. The existing...
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I read the referenced thread regarding some 10x10 tubes with a crack in the corner. I was asked to look at some 4x4x1/4 tubes in a building that is not my design. The tubes are used as hangers for an elevated running track in a wellness center. New construction. The steel...
I have been using Revit for several years. I recently started two projects that required a level of development 3 for modeling. I'm finding it's taking many more hours to model detailed connections and other elements in Revit if LOD3 is required. The clients want cold-formed metal trusses to...
I am working on a four story project with brick veneer full height of the building. I asked the architect where he wants to support the veneer at the upper floor levels because the total height exceeds 30 ft. We can do it at every floor level or every other floor level. He says it's my...
Does anyone have experience with the iSpan joist system. www.ispansystems.com
A client wants to use these proprietary cold-formed metal joists on a project instead of typical open-web steel joists and metal roof deck. I'm gathering info from the manufacturer and learning about the system...
I have designed several storm shelters per ICC 500 requirements, and per FEMA guidelines prior to ICC 500 being issued. All have been peer reviewed since ICC 500 was issued and a some before then, too. The latest peer reviewer required that the foundation for the shelter be totally separated...
Does anyone have any knowledge about PCI certifcation versus National Precast Concrete Association certification? Are the two certifications similar? There are different levels of certification for PCI but I'm not finding much online info about NPCA that is allowing me to compare the two.
I am working with a client to repair several damaged wood beams that are part of a lamella roof. The gymnasium was constructed in the early 1950's using 2x lumber for the lamella framing. Several members are cracked and split. A few are completely broken. The client does not want to demolish...
I have been working as a structural engineer for almost 25 years. During that time, I have helped mechanical engineers determine if their systems need seismic restraints based on the structural seismic criteria. Today, I was told by a mechanical subcontractor that my drawings are wrong because...
I have designed several storm shelters for schools and commercial buildings. Most are either solid grouted CMU or cast-in-place concrete walls with either cast-in-place concrete lids or steel beam & slab-on-metal deck lids. Several years ago, I was asked to be the EOR for a precast concrete...
I am working on renovations to a building constructed in two phases. The building was constructed as an automobile manufacturing facility. Phase 1 was a four story building constructed in about 1916. Phase 2 was a 2 story addition constructed in about 1925. We were fortunate that the owner...
I am working on a project where the architect wants to "nail" five 10x10 timber columns together to create a large, wide column element. The AITC manual does not provide any criteria for the spacing of spikes other than to not split the wood and information about the drill size for pilot holes...
I have specified a 4" thick slab-on-grade for most projects that do not have wheeled traffic or heavy equipment. Recently, one of my architectural clients started requiring that I show a 5" slab-on-grade instead of the 4". Their reasoning is that the 5" slab is the new industry standard. Did...
I am working on a renovation to an existing mansion constructed in the 1920's. The first floor of the house is cast-in-place concrete construction using corrugated pan forms that were left in place. A photo of them is attached. Anyone ever see these before? Pretty interesting.
Working on a project where we have steel embed plates with headed studs welded to the plates. The embed plates are installed in concrete columns. The capacity of the embed plates are controlled by side blowout because the headed studs are too close to the sides of the column. ACI 318 is vague...
What is anyone's experience with cost comparisons between a conventional steel framed structure versus metal building framing. Not pre-engineered metal building, but a custom building using metal building components. Conventional steel framed building is hot-rolled wide-flanged beams and...
A client purchased a large bronze statue and needs a foundation. Unfortunately, the sculptor provided no means of anchoring the statue to a base and will not help in any way. I can design the footing easy enough, but anchoring the statue to the footing is puzzling. The statue is hollow. I...
I specified APA rated sheathing for shear walls on one of my projects. The contractor is requesting approval to substitute TECO graded sheathing. I am not familiar with TECO rated sheathing and wonder if it is considered an equivalent to APA? I am currently researching TECO and would...
