BuildingWork’s Post

Structural System. The portion of a building that extends above the ground level outside it is called the superstructure. The portion below the outside ground level is called the substructure. The parts of the substructure that distribute building loads to the ground are known as foundations. Foundations may take the form of walls. When the ground under the building is excavated for a cellar, or basement, the foundation walls have the additional task of retaining the earth along the outside of the building (Fig. 1.1). The superstructure in such cases is erected atop the foundation walls. FIGURE 1.1 Vertical section through a one-story building with basement shows location of some major components. (Reprinted with permission from F. S. Merritt and J. Ambrose, ‘‘Building Engineering and Systems Design,’’ 2d ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.)

Great opinion piece by Andrew Derbidge in #theworkingengineer. A lot for #architects to remember when designing. especially relevant info for those NSW class 2/3/9 architects declaring waterproofing details to factor in 'deflection creep' for their outlet locations and drainage arrangements in general. asking for 20 or 30 year defelction plans will help you identify future low points in the slab. this should guide you in terms of where you are placing bathroom or balcony outlets, even overflows on concrete roofs. if those locations aren't suitable for the layout of the building, engage early with your structural engineer to find solutions. extra stiffness, support from below, build up the slab to account for the deflection ... no silos. Design is a team sport. Go the Blues (ha ha). #design #architecture #engineering #coordination #designteam #waterproofing #watershedding #deflection #class2 #defectmanagement #structuralengineering

Why Lintels in Building Construction 🏠 Ever wondered about the crucial role lintels play in construction? From providing structural support over doors and windows to ensuring stability and load distribution, lintels are a key element in maintaining a building’s integrity. 🔹 Structural Support: They bear the weight of the structure above openings. 🔹 Load Distribution: Essential for preventing stress and damage. 🔹 Material Versatility: Available in steel, concrete, and wood. 🔹 Aesthetic Integration: Enhances the building’s visual appeal. 🔹 Code Compliance: Ensures safety and meets construction standards. Explore how lintels contribute to robust and stable construction. Dive into our latest blog post for an in-depth look at their importance and applications. 📚 Read more on TheCivilStudies and enhance your understanding of essential construction elements! (https://lnkd.in/gV6mEiWQ) #Construction #Engineering #BuildingDesign #StructuralEngineering #CivilEngineering #Lintels #TheCivilStudies thecivilstudies

I don't think 'variety of projects' can be more different than designing coach screws for fixing a steel angle to a timber beam in the morning to reanalysis and redesign of a 14 storey building in the afternoon. I'm still positive the smaller the job, the more difficult it is. #engineering #structural #structuralengineering

Commercial Renovation - 1213 Wellington St. D.Smith Project: Architectural drawing set for 1213 Wellington Street, Ottawa. Contents: Site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, and construction details. Scope: Includes existing conditions, demolition plans, and new construction specifications. Compliance: Adheres to Ontario Building Code for safety and structural standards. Details: Information on materials, fire safety measures, and construction techniques. Purpose: Provides comprehensive guidance for contractors. Completion: Entirely done on AutoCAD.

Worked example on the structural design of axially loaded timber columns. #civilengineering #construction #engineering #sustainability #building #buildingconstruction #structuraldesign #structuralengineering https://lnkd.in/ddqHrNV3

Worked example on the structural design of axially loaded timber columns. #civilengineering #construction #engineering #sustainability #building #buildingconstruction #structuraldesign #structuralengineering https://lnkd.in/ddqHrNV3

𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗬𝗭𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗧: 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 At the core of our responsibilities as structural engineers is conducting hands-on visual assessments of existing buildings. This crucial step helps us determine if structures can safely bear additional loads, accommodate upgrades, or support new additions. In a recent site assessment, we focused on a 1950s-era apartment building on Cambridge St, evaluating its capacity to support new solar panels without requiring reinforcement. Our approach involved a meticulous examination of the building's infrastructure. The Primary Objective: Ensure Structural Integrity Our initial focus was on identifying any signs of defects or deterioration that could compromise the building’s columns, beams, joists, rafters, or walls over time. Fortunately, the Cambridge building exhibited no apparent distress, even after more than 60 years. The subsequent step was to assess the roof structure's capability to handle additional loading. We scrutinized the size, spacing, and span of the existing wooden rafters and ceiling joists, along with how they were braced by knee walls and intermediary supports. Crunching the Numbers Precise field measurements allowed us to back-calculate the actual live and dead loading capacity in comparison to the current and proposed weight of the solar panels. We considered the deflection limit to predict whether the additional loads would overstress the materials. In the case of Cambridge Street, the roof rafters were at over 90% of the maximum permissible loading, and the 2nd-floor ceiling joists were inadequate. The existing structure, as is, cannot safely support solar panels or other rooftop equipment without reinforcing the entire roof structure. The Vision for the Future Although solar panels won't be added to the roof at this time, the positive outcome is that the building itself exhibits no major structural defects after 60 years. With strategic reinforcements, there is potential to expand the apartments at the rear in the future, aligning with zoning allowances. This detailed engineering assessment serves as a blueprint for necessary upgrades, ensuring this vintage building remains sturdy for decades to come. Understanding how structures age and bear loads over time enables us to fortify and adapt critical infrastructure for the future. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if there's anything else you'd like to discuss! 📞 𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 📍 𝗢𝘁𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗮 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 📧 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼@𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻.𝗰𝗮 📱 (𝟲𝟭𝟯) 𝟲𝟲𝟯-𝟱𝟲𝟬𝟱 #OstanEngineering #StructuralEngineering #StructuralAssessment #Reinforcement #HomeRepairs #HomeRenovation

Beams, Columns, Structures - Oh My! 🏠 Delve into the essential elements that form the backbone of architectural marvels. #StructuralDesign #ArchitecturalElements #Engrcalculator #CivilEngineer https://lnkd.in/dtg34YFP