Questions tagged [engineering]

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How much load can a 7' wooden 4x6 beam carry?

I'm planning a swing set for 4 children. I'm considering using a 4x6 beam (with the 6" dimension placed vertically) to support the swings over a span of about 15 feet with a center support. What ...
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0 votes
1 answer
56 views

Can mild steel square tubing 33x33mm Square with 2mm walls support a desk-top?

Here is the basic idea: An L-shaped computer desk mounted to the wall with no legs. (Screens will be mounted on the wall.) This is the Mounting Bracket: The length of the tube will be 22", ...
1 vote
0 answers
44 views

Working Load of 4x6 Pressure Treated

Adding a shed roof to my building that will have rafters 16" on center. How can I find the working load of a 4x6 pressure treated beam that is supported by 4x4 posts 10' on center? I will also ...
0 votes
0 answers
31 views

Calculating the load limits of dimensional lumber and a custom beam

As I build things, how / where can I look up the approximate load values for a “beam” made of dimensional lumber? E.g. What is the max it can hold if it’s in a joist orientation (sideways with the ...
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What is the column strength of Steel Pipe?

I'm looking to compare how much weight a 4ft heigh column made of 1.5" steel pipe (1.9" OD, sch 40) hold vs a 2" pipe (sch 40, OD 2.375")
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0 votes
2 answers
107 views

Will ball casters sufficiently support a "bookcase-door" (hinged from a front corner)?

Followup to How do I know whether a bookcase will rack/sag/twist if hung using butt hinges as a (non-secret) "door"? TL;DR: I have a bookcase, want it to become a door, and load it with ...
9 votes
6 answers
2k views

How do I know whether a bookcase will rack/sag/twist if hung using butt hinges as a (non-secret) "door"?

I want to take a bookcase and install it as a door, to hold near 100kg max of heavy food items (but probably less than that most of the time). The bookcase itself is 36kg. The bookcase carcass and ...
0 votes
2 answers
82 views

How can I find the centroid of a trapezoid with equal angles at the ends? [closed]

Trying to find the center of a trapezoid with beveled edges and there are 153 holes to be drilled. I know the easy way would have been to find it before I made the bevel cut but I wasn't thinking ...
0 votes
1 answer
93 views

How can I better brace the walls of my timber building to avoid blocking window openings?

I'm rebuilding a wooden structure on a brick base, approx 5x3m footprint. The main frame is built of 6x3" timber, to increase rigidity we have added corner braces in each direction, at the ends ...
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1 vote
1 answer
129 views

Will i compromise the structural integrity of my I-joist if i hang two 4×8 garage storage racks

I am looking to install two 4x8 overhead storage racks in my garage. Will I compromise the structural integrity of my i-joist, that is, 2"wide × 1 3/8"high × 3/4" to the web if I drill ...
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1 vote
1 answer
115 views

Can 2x6 ceiling joists support a temporary point source load of 1500#

I’m installing a residential elevator in my home. The installation requires a padeye in the ceiling to carry 1500 lbs. I have 2x6” ceiling joists spanning 16’. I planned to bridge a 2x10 across two ...
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3 votes
1 answer
359 views

Help deciphering rafter span table from International Residential Code

I'm wanting to have a better understanding of how to read the IRC rafter span table - Here's an article which shows a couple of tables which I am including here. Now let's say I have a 12:12 roof - ...
1 vote
0 answers
79 views

Sufficient Concrete Thickness for Table?

I'm planning on making a Concrete patio table. My plan is to make a 6ft x 3ft Concrete top. The frame will be 4 legs. I will have 3 aluminum angles running vertically underneath the length of the ...
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0 votes
0 answers
472 views

How much weight can 14 gauge 3” square tubing support?

I’m trying to determine the load that will be subjected to a fence I want to build. The idea is that the posts of the fence will be constructed or 3x3-inch 14 gauge square tubing with stringers sized ...
0 votes
1 answer
46 views

Need Cantilever requirement for Saucer Swing on swing set. If I use 12x4x6 can I have an angle support resulting in 3.5’ unsupported (8.5’ supported)?

Need help determining the appropriate length for cantilever on a swingset. Rough draft is below. All construction is 4x6. Looking to mount 12 foot beam on top of existing swingset beam. 5 feet ...
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0 votes
2 answers
3k views

How much weight can a 9 foot tall 3.5" x 1/4" thick hollow square steel tube hold vertically when used as a column

I am trying to get an idea of how much load / weight (2) 9 foot long piece of 3.5" x 3.5" x 1/4" thick hollow square steel tubing can support when used vertically as a column. The ...
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-3 votes
1 answer
61 views

Structural engineering? single family 2 story home with post tension cable slab concrete beams.1st FL bathrm to add new shower beam cut, add plumbing [closed]

Structural engineering question, working on a single family 2 story home with post tension cable slab with concrete beams in both directions. Working to add a new shower on a first floor bathroom that ...
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2 votes
3 answers
675 views

Why are basement walls subject to tensile forces?

I am teaching a mixture of English and Civil Engineering to a student, while not an Engineer. One of our textbooks states: Underground walls have to resist both tensile and compressive forces ...
0 votes
1 answer
106 views

Do I need to supplement my floor joists or steel girder for a remodel?

I am doing a kitchen/den remodel and spoke to an engineer beforehand about taking out some walls (he said it's safe to do as they aren't load supporting). On his way out he said I should get someone ...
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

Max span on 2x4 truss

I am refitting an old shop above my garage to be an ADU. It was built in the late 70s / early 80s, and the truss system is 2x4 trusses on 22" centers. The trusses are professionally built & ...
0 votes
2 answers
119 views

How to create a permeable sound barrier? [closed]

I want to create a permeable (allowing things to pass through) sound barrier (noise barrier, soundwall, noise wall) for soundproofing purposes. It is for a room and specifically for the doorway/...
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2 votes
2 answers
954 views

A constant vibration is happening in my home. Like a motor is running

I have 3 story single column load bearing house. Recently I made a room at the terrace. After the construction my house is vibrating all the time. My house is between 2 houses; there is no gap in them....
5 votes
6 answers
233 views

Elegant way to jack two materials apart, applying spreading pressure to pin them in place?

I have a tall cabinet acting as a room divider. Since it's not against a wall, it could fall. Screwing into the floor or the wall is not feasible, but the top of the cabinet is 5 inches from a ...
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11 votes
6 answers
7k views

I want to build an all metal, self-designed building. Are metal frame and joists really that infeasible?

I have been putting together plans for my dream house. First an architect friend of mine said she might help, but right now she's got too much business and she hasn't even had time to look at a ...
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0 votes
1 answer
80 views

What Are the Percentage Markings on this Stormwater Management Drawing?

We purchased a house in Arlington Co, Virginia, and there is a "Micro-bioretention facility" in the middle of the backyard, making the back yard almost useless for enjoyment. In order to ...
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2 votes
2 answers
610 views

Why is my main breaker tripping when I use a pool heater on a 50A breaker?

I have installed the 50 amp pool heater connected to the 50 amp GFCI breaker and is located outside. And I have connected to a 60 amp breaker at the panel. After a couple of seconds, when I turn on ...
1 vote
1 answer
112 views

Strength of a 2 x 6 when 5.5" long hole is drilled through middle of the 1.5" face?

I haven't been able to find any information about the strength of a 2 x 6 acting as a joist or rafter when there are holes drilled through it in the middle of the 1.5" dimension, straight through ...
0 votes
1 answer
210 views

Can I remove these walls?

I'm doing kitchen renovation and want to remove a few walls. Those are on the first floor of a 2 story house(no basement). I've opened a few of them and did my best to provide all the pictures. I ...
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0 votes
0 answers
116 views

T Shaped Pergola with Only Two Posts

I'm trying get some advice on whether this design is even possible and if so if my post size and joists are correct (ie safe/structurally sound). I have seen many cantilevered pergolas so I think this ...
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

Steel H Beam Needed For Outdoor Deck

Question: What size H Beams are needed? Background: I’m building a deck over our walkout basement. The basement is only 7’ tall, so the deck beams need to be as short as possible with the fewest ...
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0 votes
2 answers
831 views

T connection of two Beams To Support 2nd Floor - Post or No Post?

Context: We are building plans for an extension to our home, on three levels. We're working with a technologist and will be getting an engineer since they have to stamp any plans. We want to have a ...
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1 vote
1 answer
59 views

Shearing a wall smart DYI project?

I'm pretty handy and can follow engineering plans, but wondering whether taking on a sheer wall project is something an advanced DYI'r should take on?
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1 vote
2 answers
88 views

tall service mast for remote aerial drop

I'm working with the local telecom provider to get internet access to a remote property in California. There is a 5' tall 8x8 pressure treated post with an electric meter and some other equipment ...
11 votes
4 answers
6k views

Will my wooden bridge withstand the weight of my small truck?

I am building a bridge across a small stream. I have 3 hemlock planks that are 24 feet long, and are 6 inches by 4 inches in dimension. The hemlock planks are positioned so that the 6 inch sides are ...
0 votes
1 answer
185 views

Lateral bracing for steel beam

I’m installing a W16x26 steel beam, 20’ clear span underneath floor I-joists, 12” deep and 16”OC. The beam is plenty stout in terms of sheer and deflection but needs lateral bracing to account for ...
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0 answers
176 views

Sizing wide flange I-Beam for 20" span

I am doing a barn renovation project (pacific NW, 98922), and need to take out a large load bearing wall and replace it with a beam. Was going to use an LVL (which I sized at about 5.5 x 18") ...
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1 answer
96 views

Where can I get engineering info drafted for a custom header?

We’re building a shop ourselves and keep failing the shear inspection because we don’t have the engineering results to send to the city engineer. He said our wood supplier should be able to draft that ...
2 votes
1 answer
172 views

Drywall is off, can this wall come out?

I know the most sure way to figure this out is to have an engineer look at this but am hoping to get some insight here from someone knowledgeable in this area. We live in a condo and have a truss roof ...
1 vote
0 answers
40 views

How do I design an ice house?

Where can I find how to design a cold room storage building? I have a 12x12 shed that I use as cold storage for tree seedlings for about a month each spring. The present construction is 2x4 walls ...
0 votes
0 answers
40 views

Concrete table legs

the wife wants me to build a concrete table that is 10' long by 2.5' wide and 3" thick with and overall height of 30". She would like 6"x6" tubing for legs, so I was wondering how thick tubing I will ...
-1 votes
2 answers
4k views

Replacing ceiling joists with rafter ties higher up on the rafters

I'm trying to help my grandfather plan for a remodel of his 1950s home. The original structure is 24x24' with 6" rafters spaced about 20" apart on a 6/12 roof. He'd like to be able to have a "vaulted ...
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2 votes
1 answer
425 views

Is this wall load-bearing?

Want to remove wall (picture with x on wall) coming through kitchen horizontally (backside facing living room with photos on it). Would leave wall in place beside it. Removing would make a 15 ft walk ...
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0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Joist hanger too low?

I'm in the process of replacing the joists in a room in my 100 year old house (original members were too far gone with termite damage to do sistering). Original joists were true 2x8s with a 12 foot ...
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7 votes
5 answers
10k views

Repairing a notched floor joist

Situation I was running some new gas pipe and I notched one floor joist and drilled a hole in another. I have now learned that this is not appropriate. This was in the forbidden zone of the middle 1/...
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0 votes
0 answers
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Frame a jack stud without bottom plate?

I need to frame a small header in my kitchen exterior wall for a range hood exhaust because the 8" hole is dead center on a stud (of course). It's a 2 story 1941 house with 2x4s 16 on center. The ...
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0 votes
1 answer
345 views

Simpson A-35 (framing angle) suitable for this application?

Would an A-35 be suitable for the rafter>top-plate connection shown here? Would I need one on both sides of a rafter, or just on one side? Existing structure (grey) is 12'x 18', 6" CMU block w/rebar, ...
0 votes
0 answers
742 views

How to frame corner of staircase header for a stairwell opening? Do you use a hanger here?

I'm designing a staircase and was a little curious on how to frame out the stairwell opening where the header meats the existing joists. There will be a double 1.75"(x2) LVL header joined up against ...
0 votes
2 answers
12k views

Steel beams for 22' interior clear span

I am building a ceiling under an existing roof, covering an area of 22' x 28'. This rectangle will be supported at the two ends of the 22' run, as well as, optionally, one or possibly two ends of the ...
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0 votes
1 answer
3k views

How much weight/many people can my rooftop deck hold? 2“x12”x20' joists, 16“ on center, 2”x4" framing under [closed]

How much weight/ How many people can my rooftop deck hold? The joists are 2"x12" over 20ft, 16" on center The framing under the deck is typical 2"x4" framing (living space), on a concrete ...
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1 vote
1 answer
373 views

Could I move a piano ALONE this way?

To move a piano from a first floor to another first floor, using a pickup truck, it seems like a ramp, a strong rope and some pulleys, and a furniture dolly would suffice. Plus a basketball and pump (...
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