Structural EngineersTips and tricks for building in Queensland.
We’re thinking of you North Queensland. Stay safe.
Cyclone Debbie is coming. Please preare your household now. Remove loose items from around the house. Have bottled water available in case water supplies get cut off. Have batteries for your radio and backup plans for power.
Head to the BOM for the live feed:
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR241.loop.shtml
Hopefully you don’t need this, but if you lose a roof your builder needs to watch this:
At Cornell Engineers we don’t subscribe the idea of using timber for retaining walls because of durability issues (early breakdown of timber that is constantly moist) and construction issues (timber retaining walls are rarely built well).
Because of this risk we tend not to design and certify timber retaining walls. We much prefer concrete masonry walls for structural retaining walls.
However if you really would prefer to use timber in a retaining wall then there’s a manual published by Timber Queensland that you should have a look at.
We’ve developed a house crack monitoring kit. It’s easy to use and will help you keep track of the cracks in your house.
Download our House Crack Monitoring Kit
Use this kit to record the length and width of cracks in your house.
We spend a lot of time working around Brisbane diagnosing slab heave, settlement and subsidence. They’re not all the same thing and sometimes working out which way a building is moving can be confusing.
We’re always trying to improve our knowledge so that we can help you better but last week I came across a document that could help improve YOUR knowledge, especially if you are a structural engineer involved in this sort of work.
It’s all about diagnosing heave, subsidence and settlement and it has some handy definitions and guidelines.
It’s written using American terminology and standards. Notwithstanding it is an excellent reference guide.
Read Guidelines for Diagnosing Heave, Subsidence and Settlement
Have a good week.
Matt Cornell
Cornell Engineers
Did you know that street awnings that are accessible from adjacent windows have to be designed for people loads?
It makes sense, doesn’t it?
If a street awning can be accessed from adjacent windows, roofs or balconies, then the street awning roof cladding and the structure has to be designed in case people gather on the roof to watch a passing parade or civic function.
So if you have an accessible street awning and it needs to be repaired or re-clad, take the opportunity to engage a structural engineer to assess the strength of the structure.
In this example, when this street awning roof sheeting was replaced, Cornell Engineers was engaged to check the roof structure including bracing rods, roof sheeting, purlins and steel roof beams.
Some of the purlins were rotten, but the steel awning beams and tie rods were still in good condition but this isn’t always the case.
Whether you’re a building owner or a roof plumber engaged to upgrade an accessible street awning, get a structural engineer to check the street awning before or during the repair work and help keep our communities safe.