Questions tagged [engineering]

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Moving a Crossbar in a barn style shed

I have a 12x20 workshop and it was shipped with this Crossbar that is in a very inconvenient spot. +-----------------------+ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Loft. ...
Shedfellow's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
86 views

Trying to determine safe header span for clear opening on existing remodel

I have a house which has a footprint of roughly 40 feet long and 24 feet wide. On the side in question, one of the 24' sides, there is an existing 4 panel glass door system in place. This room has 10' ...
Jimmy's user avatar
  • 3
0 votes
1 answer
50 views

Installing door in a basement window to make a basement walkout

I am making a basement walkout. The door will be installed where there currently is a window. Currently there are 10 inches of concrete on top of the Window, but in order to fit an 80x36 inch door, ...
Alfredo Estrada's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
81 views

LED ceiling light flashes when another light is turned on

I have a circuit with 3 Leviton smart dimmer switches that control 3 different LED ceiling lights, 1 on/off bathroom fan, and 1 on/off LED light. Whenever the 1 on/off LED light is turned on, 1 and ...
pennstump's user avatar
  • 223
0 votes
0 answers
31 views

Framing a glass greenhouse

I would like to build a greenhouse using an existing steel frame structure that is already erected. It is 20L X 20W X 10H. I have many large sheets of 1/8" tempered glass to use for this. Will ...
Chris Espi's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
80 views

Do I need to plumb my walls?

I'm building a small room and I do not have the option of leveling the floor, which is currently at about a 1-2° slant parallel to the 14 ft walls and perpendicular to the 12 ft walls. The walls are ...
grebagy's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
38 views

Filling hole in limestone foundation wall with concrete

We have a garage built out of limestone bricks and sitting on a natural rock foundation. Recently, we dug our garage about 2 feet deeper by removing more of this rock. As a result, some of the rock ...
TaBazurow's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
77 views

Is My Load Bearing Beam Safe? [closed]

I have been getting work done on my kitchen which involved removing a load bearing wall. To make a long story short, the contractor is a liar and now I can’t trust him. It has been 2 months now of ...
GXM100's user avatar
  • 109
0 votes
2 answers
98 views

Freestanding Shelves Stability

I recently built this set of shelves for my basement. Because of the insulated walls I do not plan to anchor them. The shelves are not as solid as I hoped. After doing some research, I think one main ...
Vincent's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

My new AC is under performing and guzzling too much juice, can anyone help?

My company mainly focuses on small refrigeration units and walk-ins. Although we do offer service and/or Replacements on air conditioning systems, it’s only 1/3rd of the whole show so, I’d be a liar ...
www.TEGdelivers.com's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
49 views

Questions on structural eng drawing for egress window

I am installing an egress window in my basement to make it a legal bedroom. I am going to be doing most of the work myself (outside of cutting the concrete) but doing it by the book (permits, ...
Timmy Beatty's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
33 views

Temp wall to support wide opening in exterior wall

I'm putting in an 11' wide door opening in a walkout basement exterior wall. There are 2 more floors above the basement. I have the engineered sized steel beam as the header. Can I do a 2x6 temp wall, ...
crichavin's user avatar
  • 195
0 votes
2 answers
109 views

Floor joist notching - where is the middle third

I have a house with 24' 2x8 floor joists. At the center of the span, they rest on a perpendicular beam 44' long which is supported by steel posts. I need to run two 3/4" PEX heating lines through ...
user170435's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
68 views

What size/type of window header beam do I need?

I'm looking for some help specifying the type and dimensions of a new window header. The biggest complicating issue is that I only have 7.25" of depth to use for the new header. The goal is to ...
mitchf's user avatar
  • 163
1 vote
1 answer
67 views

Do I add live load plus snow load to dead load?

I'm building a 10x16 shed/dry cabin and I am trying to figure out how much weight my footings need to support. Do I need to add live load + dead load + snow load? Live load is 30-50 psf based on ...
Foopysfarm 's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
127 views

Calculating correct size joist to support a column

Im working on some plans which will be checked by an engineer but would like to do a decent job to begin with and would like to educate myself more. I have a loft with an LVL beam resting on a (4) 2x6 ...
cyberwombat's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Are 2x6 joists adequate for a loft spanning 10 feet?

Planning to build a 10'x16' "cabin" with a loft. My idea is to use 2x4-10 for the walls then in the loft area use 2x4-8 for the walls and run 2x6-10 the width of the cabin to create the loft ...
Foopysfarm 's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
251 views

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 ...
Nick's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
1 answer
86 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", ...
Mr.GfCs Welding's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
662 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 ...
Craig Larson's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
157 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 ...
Doug's user avatar
  • 180
0 votes
0 answers
188 views

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")
Shane's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
2 answers
246 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 ...
not-so-secret-bookcase-door's user avatar
9 votes
6 answers
3k 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 ...
not-so-secret-bookcase-door's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
84 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 ...
AtomAnt's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
139 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 ...
Mr. Boy's user avatar
  • 422
1 vote
1 answer
212 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 ...
Elvis's user avatar
  • 13
1 vote
1 answer
142 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 ...
Andy's user avatar
  • 11
3 votes
2 answers
1k 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 - ...
cyberwombat's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
114 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 ...
G-J's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
0 answers
948 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 ...
agave19's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
109 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 ...
Ted's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
2 answers
6k 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 ...
Andrew's user avatar
  • 11
-3 votes
1 answer
79 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 ...
411's user avatar
  • 1
2 votes
3 answers
772 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 ...
DefenestrationDay's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
194 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 ...
aquaNoob's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
4k 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 & ...
user101289's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
145 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/...
ermanen's user avatar
  • 101
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

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

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....
Sourav Saha's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
332 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 ...
zx81's user avatar
  • 215
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 ...
BSD's user avatar
  • 221
0 votes
1 answer
84 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 ...
Ryan's user avatar
  • 167
2 votes
2 answers
943 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 ...
Yason Thaya's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
131 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 ...
user1260251's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
219 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 ...
Rainmaker's user avatar
  • 337
0 votes
0 answers
156 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 ...
Luke Stone's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
3k 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 ...
CRUTER's user avatar
  • 103
0 votes
2 answers
1k 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 ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 103
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?
Steve G's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
110 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 ...
Robin Davis's user avatar