What is Diaphragm Design?
What is diaphragm design and why is it important? A diaphragm is a flat structural unit acting like a deep, narrow beam. The term ‘diaphragm’ is usually applied to roofs and floors. A shear wall, however, is just a vertical diaphragm. Shear walls provide support for the roof and floor diaphragms transmitting forces into the […]
Which Is Better Raised Foundation Or Slab Foundation?
There are two types of foundations that you have to consider when building a home. The first is the “raised” floor, a framework created around the exterior of the building on which it has a nailed sill or base plate, and then they build the house on top. Most older homes were constructed with crawl […]
Old Growth vs. New Growth Lumber – Which Is Better?
If you’re planning to buy reclaimed wood furniture or are doing a renovation at your home, old growth lumber would be an ideal material. Though it’s not easy to find old growth lumber, it the most sought-after and robust option. You can use old growth lumber for a wide range of repair and renovation jobs. […]
Why Site Planning is Important
When you have a large property, knowing what to do with all the space can often be challenging. You may have dreams and ideas but then get overwhelmed by the scale of such a project. However, with proper site planning and expertise, you can maximize your property’s potential and create great living spaces that suit […]
Five Tips For Young Engineers By Stan R. Caldwell
“This information was found in an Article from Structural Forum by Stan R. Caldwell”. To assist a larger group of young engineers, I would like to offer advice on five important topics. Mind the Gap Always track your load paths and close any gaps you find. Reliable load paths are essential for all structures, and […]
The Steps in Bridge Designing
Have you ever wondered what all goes into the designing of a new bridge? Heres some insight into the behind the scenes of designing a bridge. The designer should have first seen and studied many bridges in the course of a long learning process in order to design a bridge. He should know what type […]
Seismic Anchorage
When should you consider and/or be required to use seismic bracing?The first “when” is the most obvious one: if your facility is located in a seismically active location you should definitely consider seismic bracing for any sensitive equipment or machines that may pose tipping hazards or loss of both tangible and intangible company assets (data […]
What Is A Site Plan
What Is a Site Plan?A site plan (also called a plot plan) is a drawing that shows the layout of a property or “site”. A site plan often includes the location of buildings as well as outdoor features such as driveways and walkways. In addition, site plans often show landscaped areas, gardens, swimming pools or […]
What Is A Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is designed to hold in place a mass of earth or the like, such as the edge of a terrace or excavation. The structure is constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil when there is a desired change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil.A basement […]
What Is A Erosion And Sediment Control Plan?
An erosion and sediment control plan is a strategy for specific sites that need to identify erosion risks and determine controls to be put in place in order to reduce the amount of erosion and sedimentation that can occur as a result of a project. There are construction activities that expose the soil, making it […]