Loads on a Building
Structural engineers design buildings to withstand loads of all types. The building’s frame must be designed to withstand a combination of all those loads with some being more present than… Read More »
Steel Corrosion from Vehicles
Take a look at this metal deck and open web steel joist floor structure. As you can see, the metal deck and the open web steel joists are severely corroded. If… Read More »
Interlocking Concrete Block Retaining Walls
Whether you are looking for a lower cost retaining wall to enhance your yard or to support your driveway, the Interlocking Concrete Block (ICB) (a.k.a. segmental concrete block) retaining wall… Read More »
When an Engineer Renovates a Swing Set
Last year our family was lucky to inherit a swing set that had served another family well but was beyond its originally intended service life. Amongst many inadequacies, the original… Read More »
Is This Beam Wood or Steel? Or both?
Structural steel is becoming more common in homes, as structural steel gets stronger and lighters and its cost per pound comes closer to alternatives like engineered lumber. The challenge with… Read More »
Wood Foundations
This building was exciting to see (I am an Engineer after all). It is a wood foundation. To be clear, a wood foundation is not normal and customary practice in… Read More »
New Hampshire Subsurface Conditions
Shallow bedrock frequently occurs in New Hampshire. Building on bedrock has its own challenges. This photo is of an excavation for residential garage structure and breezeway. The ground surface slopes… Read More »
Basement Water
A basement is really a depression in the earth. Basements usually have damp proofing on the outside, but that does not stop the three main sources of basement water: runoff,… Read More »
Structural Steel Shapes
Structural steel is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the building industry. There is a variety of hot-rolled steel shapes that can be designed to fit almost… Read More »
Antique Post & Beam Attic
A client wanted to reinforce the roof framing so that it could support snow loads after the attic is well insulated. The roof framing is comprised of 4×6 rafters typically… Read More »