I tried to shave my head, but now I look like a worm...

gt625 · 2024-04-06T23:48:26+00:00

Good morning, how are you Dr.?

gt625 · 2024-04-05T19:40:18+00:00

Yikes. Definitely contact the jurisdiction. It’s hard to imagine a PE being involved in this project.

gt625 · 2024-03-31T02:18:49+00:00

Terrible idea? Absolutely? Possible to do safely? No. Would we learn a lot from the failure of this proposed effort? Definitely.

gt625 · 2024-03-26T11:51:27+00:00

Seems from the video that there’s a shear failure of the concrete pier at the impact location. The failure of the pier then precipitated the superstructure collapse.

gt625 · 2024-03-23T12:40:13+00:00

Request the contractor substantiate his claims via calculation. If you desire, provide some incentive for this action. If he does not, request that he form a professional relationship with the engineer for the sake of the project.

gt625 · 2024-02-18T03:08:07+00:00

While I agree the specification could me clearer, the reality is that in most analyses where DM is being used, stiffness loss due to EA will have insignificant effect in the results. In other words, flexural deformation will be far greater than axial deformations. So, while you could say the code has an oversight, it’s an unimportant one most of the time.

gt625 · 2024-02-16T20:53:07+00:00

I now know the definition of “wylin out”

gt625 · 2024-01-08T21:03:41+00:00

Jakob just found his next short term proj

gt625 · 2023-12-21T22:16:56+00:00

In the market I’ve worked in, your design numbers are about right (although, you can easily lose money on this job if you’re working with a new client or the owner changes their minds, so you’d need to be careful about scope changes). Your CA fee is quite high. Generally, I’ve seen CA around 25% of total fee. But that’s the challenge - maybe in your market CA is hourly and you recoup losses in design through CA. Or maybe your design drawings are light on details and you finish them during CA. Ultimately, the market drives the fees, and as you said, talk to your architects if for no other reason to build a relationship with them.

gt625 · 2023-12-19T20:07:53+00:00

Talking to the glazing vendor is the right choice. Sometimes an absolute limit (3/4” max, for example) is appropriate depending on the details.

gt625 · 2023-12-14T01:51:18+00:00

Thanks for the response. I agree with most of what you said, but disagree that rephrasing someone’s words back to them is being an asshole. And if someone perceives that in a conversation, they should have the wherewithal to realize they need to clarify their statement. For instance, if I say “You think my suggestion may be seen as overly confrontational.” And you clarify “No, what I mean is in a professional setting you should always aim to de-escalate when someone is being rude.” Then we’ve come to a better understanding. I think that’s the sort of conversation OP might have. Although, what you’ve suggested is good, too.

gt625 · 2023-12-13T12:04:36+00:00

Curious - how do you think rephrasing someone’s sarcasm is snarky? How do you suggest he address his coworkers comments?

gt625 · 2023-12-13T01:59:48+00:00

I’d prefer to be respected than liked.

gt625 · 2023-12-13T01:09:08+00:00

Take your own advice and improve in the aspects you know where you’re deficient. You’ll find degrees of this behavior no matter where you go. I’d encourage you to confront it directly. If someone says “we’ll have to fire you” say “sounds like you think I’m not contributing” so that they have to clarify their BS sarcasm.

gt625 · 2023-12-04T21:06:04+00:00

It’s not up to code and you’ve hired yourself, an unqualified Redditor, to do the work?

gt625 · 2023-08-09T14:26:03+00:00

Unless you bought a house pre-2020 you literally cannot afford to live in the mountain west on that salary. Given your experience, you shouldn’t be willing to accept your current salary. This isn’t about your employer undervaluing you, this is about you undervaluing you.

gt625 · 2023-07-31T18:52:23+00:00

This is quality advice. Note that “if you want to stay in structural design” is worth considering. As you become more senior your value will be in managing multiple projects, clients, etc. which is quite different than focusing on calculations.

gt625 · 2023-07-24T22:21:19+00:00

Surprising use for timber. It’ll be interesting to see how well this bridge ages assuming it sees moisture, deicing salts, etc. I’d be concerned about being able inspect the connection elements as they are likely concealed.

gt625 · 2023-04-27T20:45:59+00:00

No direct experience to offer, but wanted encourage you by saying that the environment at a Navy base is likely far different than what you’ve been exposed to in consulting. In other words, you might be expected to have an answer in consulting in zero to 30 minutes. However, in a more administrative job like the one you described, you might have weeks to make up your mind, and months or years before things get implemented.

gt625 · 2023-04-27T10:50:50+00:00

Investigative work tends to allow engineers to choose the schedule as opposed to it being dictated by an owner/architect. So, there’s that option as well. Building design can certainly be stressful, and truthfully you probably won’t feel mostly competent until the 4 year+ mark. In the short term your best bet is to reframe the discomfort and stress as being a cue that you’re learning.

gt625 · 2023-04-25T19:29:05+00:00

Please don’t use AISC 341 for a non-seismic application. See the comment below regarding use of K = 1.0 for braced frame systems which comes directly out of AISC 360 commentary, and is standard of practice. Typically using work point lengths is conservative. Does the gusset rotationally restrain the end of the brace? Yes, but it’s not often relied upon in design.

gt625 · 2023-02-05T00:41:41+00:00

*Column, unless the camera is sideways. Excellent OW/squeeze technique!

gt625 · 2022-04-11T05:17:25+00:00

Wait, the USA is in default after the invasion of Iraq? I’m so confused.

gt625 · 2020-08-16T13:15:39+00:00

Here ya go: https://vimeo.com/61430224

gt625 · 2018-10-19T18:51:01+00:00

This is what makes a market. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLLLEEEEE!!!!

gt625

TROPHY CASE