Questions tagged [building-design]
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0
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2answers
55 views
Could pre-stressed graphene be used to reinforce granite block construction?
I am curious whether this will become an option, especially for longer lasting structures. Could pre-stressed graphene or another high tensile strength material by used to reinforce granite block ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Possible improved approaches to 6mx3m moment-resisting frame with eccentricity+torsion, in advance of detailed engineer discussion
I'm putting a steel frame in, to "open plan" the rear of a brick cavity-wall terrace house in the UK, which will then have a single storey extension added behind it.
I have already retained a ...
0
votes
2answers
60 views
Activating lights using a motion sensor?
I was wondering how I would configure some sort of setup to get lights like this turn on a timer once activated by a motion sensor. I want them to turn on for about 15 seconds and then turn off once ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Optimal plumbing layout for 3 storey building?
I'm trying to design a plumbing system for a school project, and I want to verify that my initial piping layout from water source to outlets is logical before I start making calculations and programs ...
1
vote
0answers
19 views
Heat storage mass vs. AIR in an ICF house
If we would want to build a family house (ICF) regarding operational costs, should we leave the insulation on the inside, or should we remove it from the inside?
If we would remove it, the walls ...
4
votes
1answer
66 views
What's the concrete core for in a building?
I'm watching the progress of a new office building being built over the road (essentially a manual timelapse).
The way the building progressed was by the pouring of a concrete core in the centre of ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Why were pneumatic thermostats commonly installed in buildings?
According to Wikipedia, pneumatic thermostats were invented after electric thermostats.
Yet this article claims that "at least 25 percent of U.S. commercial buildings are served by pneumatic controls,...
4
votes
1answer
158 views
What's the difference/advantages/disadvantages to a tower with a moving jib, vs a flat jib
Apologies if I've got the terminology wrong, I'm in now way involved in engineering, but I work in a high rise in a city with a lot of construction going on. I see a lot of different types of cranes, ...
1
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0answers
17 views
Searching for a High Speed Actuator for a simulator
I am currently planing to build a consrtuction for a simulator.
My simulator seat should be able to fall like 30cm and afterwards move to the starting position .
The falling should be as natural as ...
0
votes
2answers
55 views
Disguising tall exhaust stacks
While architectural features are oftentimes more aesthetic than they are technically complex, this still seemed like a suitable question for here.
I am working on a project for an industrial type ...
4
votes
3answers
112 views
What are some advantages of masonry over prefab for homebuilding, or, why are prefab homes so rare in the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom has a housing crisis (see Financial Times, Shelter, The Independent, The Telegraph) and a housing quality crisis (killing 3000–15000 per year), due to poor insulation.
Cash-strapped ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
How buildings 3D model is created [closed]
Suppose I have a rough 3d model of a building created it some CAD software. Now I want to change some portion of the model based on the following factors
Lighting
Energy consumption
Structural Load
...
0
votes
3answers
105 views
Effectiveness of positive pressure in highrise buildings?
The common knowledge these days seems to be that positive air pressure pumped into the common hallways of highrise buildings will allow smokers and non-smokers to live in the same highrise. Good ...
-1
votes
2answers
66 views
What are the limits on building very high buildings using certain materials and architectural style?
I played some video games with beautiful environments filled with buildings which can't be found in the real world. And so I'm wondering, would such buildings be even realistically possible to exist ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
Common points to consider when building a window seat
I am trying to construct a window seat like this one:
I live in Canada.
I was wondering what are the common construction code points to consider on this one?
Materials - does it matter if this is ...
3
votes
2answers
105 views
Is it safe to slightly cut the edge of RCC beam for passage of AC Vent and wiring?
My electrician made a cut in the wall and the beam as in the image in my absence. The cutting is done with hammer and chisel and it is around 1.5inch deep..I'm really worried that it might impact the ...
3
votes
1answer
154 views
Why is it more common to use ceiling fans instead of air pumps?
As the title suggests, why not use high-powered air pumps instead of ceiling fans to inject hot air from the ceiling down to the cold, bottom floor?
I understand it may seem silly (especially since ...
2
votes
0answers
42 views
Clarification of cover definition in Eqn 7.11 of EC2 for calculating crack width
In EC2 clause 7.3.4(3), cover c is defined as the cover to longitudinal reinforcement. Say for a beam with cnom of 40mm and outer links of 16mm, the cover to longitudinal reinforcement will be 56mm. ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
What is the definition of Ecm in equation 7.10 of EC2?
In the old British standard we use a time dependent modulus of elasticity of concrete to calculate crack width, which is usually about half of the 28-day Ec for long term modulus. In Eurocode EN 1992-...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the effective depth of a beam with two layers of tension reinforcement?
In EC2 for calculating crack width and deflection, does the effective depth d refers to the depth from compression face to centroid of the tension reinforcement or is that calculated to the centroid ...
2
votes
2answers
108 views
How to predict shadows of a house (3D modeling + sunlight)?
Imagine a house/building, seen from outside, at sunrise. As the the sun moves in the horizon, a) the shadow of the house is displaced/deformed, and b) some faces of the house have more/less sunlight ...
2
votes
3answers
95 views
Is there any way I can be sure a wall is NOT load bearing?
I've Googled the hell out of this and it doesn't seem to be, i.e.
It's structured like a standard stud (not reinforced top)
It doesn't run along a floor joist
The uprights are pretty badly cut and ...
-2
votes
5answers
181 views
Which is the branch of engineering that deals with making gadgets?
Background
I am currently preparing for Entrance Examination for Engineering college , somehow I noticed that I don't even know which branch I want to take and what is the kind of Education I am ...
1
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0answers
28 views
How to support height extender on a rail?
I've got an 1/8" thick steel rail with 1.5" diameter and 15' in length sitting on two 5/32" thick steel rails with 2.5" diameter and 100" in length 14' apart:
I want to add a diagonal support for a ...
0
votes
2answers
56 views
Place a greenhouse: how to orient it for the best effect?
I'm looking for the best orientation (North-East-South-West) of a greenhouse (simplifiable as a rectangular solid).
My question is more specifically about the sun position effects (over the times of ...
1
vote
2answers
72 views
Does attic insulation help cool a building?
Given that hot air rises, it's easy to understand how attic insulation can help keep a building warm; say, in the winter, for example. But when winter changes to summer, does the attic insulation help ...
10
votes
4answers
222 views
Humidity in home is much higher than outside
We have a two year-old, two-story town house with:
fiberglass insulation in the walls;
a Tyvek vapor barrier under foam board on the exterior walls;
blown cellulose insulation in the attic;
stucco ...
-1
votes
3answers
64 views
I am looking for some basic mechanical parts to build structures(prototypes)?
I am looking for something like this to make my robot ideas as prototype. But I don't know it's name! Also if there are better options I will happy to know.
-1
votes
1answer
67 views
Why aren't Steel Prefab Buildings common for residential use? [closed]
Steel prefabricated buildings cost less, require less time and provide a reasonable quality compared to concrete buildings.
They are common for warehouses, offices and other types of buildings. Also, ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
How are IFC file material relationships maintained across platforms
IFC files have an IFCMATERIAL property which names a material and is referenced by other components in the model.
The IFC file doesn't point to a materials library, doesn't indicate a system variable ...
2
votes
0answers
454 views
General formula for calculating torsional and warping constants of built-up section
In order to calculate the elastic critical moment of a laced double I-section, I need the torsional and warping constants. Is there a general formula to obtain this? BS 5950 only has formulas for ...
4
votes
1answer
53 views
How does infill material affects the capacity of a tubular section with H-section inside?
How does one consider the moment capacity of a combined pipe plus H-section if the infill material is:
Sand, friction angle 30 degree
Grout, C20
Concrete, C45
Eurocode has a section on composite ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
Translating the name of a type of beam from Russian to English
I am trying to translate the name of a special kind of beam from a set of Russian-language drawings.
The dictionary translates the name as simply supported beam, but it's not that simple. There is a ...
0
votes
2answers
92 views
Why not skip inverters and use solar power directly as dc?
To maximize efficiency and reduce cost I am contemplating using the power from solar cells directly as dc without conversion to ac. I plan to wire and connect the solar panels in series and parallel ...
1
vote
0answers
320 views
What is the minimum diameter for vertical bars in a column according to ACI?
What is the minimum for vertical bars in a column according to ACI and I am looking for a particular condition where diameter must be greater than 0.625 in.
(when using S-concrete for column design it ...
4
votes
1answer
373 views
Do we need to use cracked section in Fundamental period calculation for a building?
When using modal analysis to determine the building period do we need to use the stiffness modifiers (or in another word use the cracked section) to calculate the building period ?
Can Anyone refer to ...
-1
votes
1answer
436 views
Aluminium Beam - is it fit for purpose? Can it easily support this load? [closed]
I want to mount two patio heaters on my terrace in front of a window wall. I cannot attach anything directly to the window wall so I am going to run an aluminium box beam between two brick columns. ...
6
votes
1answer
497 views
Design of transverse reinforcement in a wide beam
Besides satisfying nominal bar provision in the code, is there any special requirement in the provision of transverse reinforcement to ensure that the longitudinal reinforcement is fully effective in ...
0
votes
4answers
115 views
How can one reliably prevent pedestrian access to a parking garage, but allow vehicular access? [closed]
Consider a typical private parking garage for a condominium or apartment building.
There is currently a typical garage gate that opens and closes (slowly) to allow vehicles to pass safely through the ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
On construction of a triangular interferometer like LISA [closed]
I am planning to do a project in which I plan to mimic the LISA interferometer. For this I use the fabric material, Lycra to mimic space time and use spherical balls, forming a couple and connected to ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
How to calculate effective section modulus of a slender section?
Hi how to calculate the effective section modulus of a class 4 section using Eurocode 1993? Can someone show me an example? I tried searching online but cannot find anything useful. My main problem is ...
6
votes
6answers
3k views
Why aren't counterweights used more for garage doors?
One of my garage door torsion springs broke again. It makes me wonder why some sort of counterweight system isn't used instead. Torsion springs seem to have a 90 day warranty generally and are "...
4
votes
4answers
6k views
Water pump at top floor or bottom?
Which position of the water pump in the below diagram provide maximum water output to the overhead tank?
Each floor is 12 feet in height.
I already have the pump (Centrifugal Regenerative Self ...
5
votes
2answers
85 views
Can a dry-pipe or preaction valve be used to create a branch off a wet pipe sprinkler system?
Individual-head (i.e. not deluge) sprinkler systems come in three flavors:
Wet-pipe systems have water pressure at the head at all times -- they are the quickest to respond, but can't be subject to ...
8
votes
2answers
806 views
How is biaxial bending considered for reinforced masonry design?
I am faced with a problem where I have to design a reinforced masonry beam for biaxial bending. The governing code is ACI 530-11. I cannot find a provision in this Code for biaxial bending. The only ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
Office Complex Foundations/Base Depth and Undeground Water
I have a school case study to prepare a (business) plan for office building construction with at least one level of underground parking. I have it pretty much done, but I still need to clarify one ...
3
votes
1answer
861 views
How to estimate the required thickness of a transfer floor
I am examining a high rise building project of 30 floors with a podium underneath and 2 basements. The structure in the tower and the podium varies between flat slabs, steel structure for wide spans, ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Will lightning strike an aluminum rod in a pot on my balcony?
I have some tomato plants on my balcony (4th floor in a 7 story building). The balcony is a recessed one.
The building has lightning protection on top.
To support them, I put a 2 m long aluminum rod ...
0
votes
3answers
3k views
What type of exhaust is vented from the rooftop of this apartment?
I recently signed a lease for a high-rise an apartment unit that directly overlooks the rooftop of lower floors. That is, my apartment is on a smaller floor plate than the units below it, and I could ...
2
votes
1answer
361 views
What's the purpose of these small closet-like-rooms-without-a-door?
I was recently on the UCLA campus (University of California Los Angeles) and I saw the Bunche Hall. I love the design and the architecture of the building. However I saw a little (what I would call) a ...
