BH Class Blog

This project was very in depth and a little insane at times. As engineers, it isn't very often you actually get to choose what type of building/business you are going to be designing. This was a little far fetched, but I liked the freedom it gave us. Even though we didn't take it too seriously, I think the soil tests were very realistic. I could see where that would be very relevant to a civil engineer's design of a project. Throughout the design and implementation of our building, I changed very little. From my bubble diagrams to my renderings, the same basic idea was maintained. If I was to do this again, I would think less like a civil engineer and more like an architect. I choose to build my building so that it would be functional, not pretty. I think I could do a better job of combing the two if I did it again. I think this is also what I learned throughout the project. My tendencies lean toward civil engineer. While I do enjoy good architecture, I focus more on how it works. I'm definitely glad to be done with everything and am really looking forward to the mystery of next year!

Based on the test we did of the soil, we determined that the soil has high clay content. The water percolation test showed that nearly no water drained through the soil. When we separated the dry smashed soil, we found that there were very few rocks and very little sand. The test we did with the mud showed that it is very pliable and sticky. It help moisture very well.

Water supply:
500 ppd * 50 gpd = 25000 gpd

Water runoff:
In general, the addition of a large parking lot will create drainage problems and a retention pond is often necessary to control the flow of water. Luckily, there is an existing pond on the property so drainage due to the addition of a parking lot should not be an issue.

Waste Water:
Because we are near the school, there is already a sewer system run out this direction. We will be able to tie into that and pay for usage.

The actual estimate of this building is unknown. If I had to estimate the cost I would say it would be around $427,936. Part of why this is so expensive is the roof line that exceeds 40'. This is a neat aesthetic feature and will make for some awesome sledding, but it also increases price.

Heat Calculations:

Floor Area: 7500 ft^2
Ceiling Area: 7500 ft^2
Wall Area: 5250 ft^2
Window Area: 268 ft^2
Door Area: 84 ft^2

Wall Area Minus Windows and Doors: 4898 ft^2

Divided by R factor

Summer:
Floor: 3750 BTUH * 15 degrees = 56250
Ceiling: 2027 BTUH * 15 degrees = 30405
Wall: 963.3 BTUH * 15 degrees = 14449.5

Winter:
Floor: 3750 BTUH * 38 degrees = 142500
Ceiling: 2027 BTUH * 38 degrees = 77026
Wall: 963.3 BTUH * 38 degrees = 36605.4

Total BTUH: 256131.4 BTUH

Structural calculations

Live loads
Snow 20 psf
People _____psf
Furniture _____psf
Other _____psf

Dead loads
Assume 90 psf

Total ___110__psf

Use A36 steel (36000 lbs)

Beam loading
total load*tributary width

110psf*5.5ft = 605 lbs



Determine Allowable Bending Stress.
2/3*steel yield strength


2/3*36000lbs = 24000lbs/in^3

Determine Maximum moment
loading*length of beam squared divided by 8

M= (605 lbs * 75^2) / 8 = 425,390.6 lbs-ft


Determine Section Modulus Required for Bending.
Max moment divided by allowable bending stress

425,390.6 lbs-ft * 12 in / 24,000 lbs/in^3 = 212.7 in^3


Determine allowable deflection
length of beam divided by 360

75 ft * 12 in / 360 = 2.5 in



Pick a recommended beam in MD Solids.
Determine actual section modulus, and deflection based on your beam.

Section Modulus: 213 in^3
Deflection: -5.21

In real life, there would be a need for more supports throughout the beam. Also these calculations do not include the girders that run the other directions that would help support the 75ft beam. So even though this beam says it would bend too much. It probably wouldn’t be nearly as bad as it seems.

Throughout this project we have had to follow ADA requirements. We used the following guidelines: http://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm

This aerial view shows the property as it is now. As you can see, there are existing structures that will need to be removed in order to make room for the proposed building. Property lines are outlined by the pink lines.

For this semester's project, we were told to choose a building to design near the school that would benefit. I chose to open a coffee shop. I think building a coffee shop in this space would be a huge benefit to the community and make great profits all at the same time. Obviously, quite a bit of business would come from students before and after school, but it would also get business from parents at sporting games or other school functions. A coffee shop would offer a great study environment near the school for kids to meet at or go straight to. It would provide a place for a nutritious dinner after sporting events when it can sometimes be later in the evening.

This establishment will meet all the requirements of being near a school. There will be no alcohol or firearms exchanged. As a restaurant, this establishment will abide by all the rules set by the health board.

2500 gpd

1. What course of action should an architect or civil engineer take if the proposed slope of the Jolt Coffee Shop tie-in pipe is less than ¼” of drop per foot of pipe?
-- They would need to find a way to raise the point of exit from the building or look into installing a septic tank.


2. Why is it important for wastewater from a structure(s) to not be toxic to microorganisms?
-- The microorganisms will eat away at the sludge built up in the septic tank so that it doesnt build up so fast.

3. Why is proper wastewater management critical for the health and welfare of society and the environment?
-- If wastewater is not treated, it will destroy freshwater ecposystems and set off an ufortunate chain of events in which everyone ends up dying!

1. plan and design, create practical turf areas, select and group plants appropriately, improve the soil, mulch, efficient irrigation, maintain the landscape.

2. Xeriscape is a combinations of 7 common sense gardening principles that save water while creating a lush and colorful landscape.

5. Shade conserves water by reducing the direct sunlight that hits the ground. This means less water will evaporate from the ground and more is available for the plants to use. Also, limited sunshine means a cooler feeling for human comfort.

6. Trees are a major part of landscape design. As they balance and add a heightened effect to the landscape, they also put off a lot of shade.

7. It would be appropriate to provide shade in sunny open climates where there is a lot of sun. It would not be necessary to worry about shade in regions where there is little sun such as a woods because there is already ample shade provided.

8. Select plants based on their adaptability to your regions climate and soil.

10. In our climate, most plants will grow. The exceptions to this rule are tropical or desert plants. for our area, it is most efficient to choose plants that will not die off during the winter months. Some examples include: various varieties of black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, false blue indigo, or cardinal flowers. These plants range from small to bushy and will come up annually.

1. The number of inhabitants of the structure: commercial or residential
-- There will be 3 to 4 people working at all times. The intent is for this building to have 30 people an hour coming through.

2. The ages and gender of inhabitants
-- Customers will be of all ages. Workers will be from 16-45.

3. Future plans to add onto the structure: future expansion
-- Growth will be determined by necessity through demand.

4. A list of activities to be done with the structure (i.e., office use, office and living use, or storage only)
-- Food service

5. Entertainment habits
-- There will be televisions and gaming systems for movies and tournaments.

6. Desired number of rooms, minimum sizes, and types of rooms
-- 2 dining rooms, 2 restrooms and a kitchen all of fairly large size.

7. Kitchen with types of appliances desired
-- large commercial kitchen with commercial appliances

8. Bathrooms with the number, size, and types of fixtures desired.
-- 2 public restrooms and 1 employee restroom. 7 stalls and 4 urinals desired with 9 sinks.

9. Planned length of use of structure
-- years

10. ADA requirements
-- will be met

11. Budget for structure
-- a million dollars

12. Style of structure
-- cubic awesomeness

13. Special needs, i.e.: Handicap access
-- handicap restroom and entrances.

1. Why did we exaggerate the vertical scale when we did the profile layout of the road?
-- We exaggerated the scale so that we could see the road in greater detail/

2. What differences would there be in the design of a road if we changed the road type from a collector to an arterial?
-- The road would have to be much larger and curve very little because cars would be traveling at higher speeds.

3. What are some of the factors you would have to consider if you were asked to design a new parking lot for your local library?
-- I would consider the space and how level the area was. I would also consider how much traffic goes through the building and how the flow would be.

4. How would the design of ingress or egress change if a building were to be used as a day care center instead of a senior center?
-- For day cares, your entrances would need to be farther away to keep the darting kids out of the way. Senior center entrances need to be real close to the doors of the building so that the old people don't have to walk far.

1. Determine the following information about the PLTW firehouse plan:

· What is the diameter of the existing water main? - 6"

· What is the diameter of the proposed water service? - 8"

· What is the elevation of the top of the hydrant? - 301.79'

· What diameter pipe is used for the building’s sanitary sewer line? - 6"

· Where is the gas meter to be located? - south middle of the building

· What is the spot elevation in the front left-hand corner of the building? - 300.00'


2. Why do you think red is the color used to depict electricity?
Red = danger, and you should always stay away from electrical lines

DUMB!

1. Arterial: a high or moderate capacity road below a highway that carries large volumes of traffic between urban areas.
2. Egress: a way out or exit, an exit ramp on an interstate
3. Feeder: a smaller road that flows into a larger road
4. Ingress: entering, an on ramp on an interstate
5. Transit Line: a line providing public transit
6. Curb Cut: a ramp leading smoothly down from a sidewalk to a street
7. Cut and Fill: the process of earth grading by excavating part of a higher area and using the material to fill in an adjacent lower area
8. Delta Angle: the change in angle of a curve
9. Freeway: a broad highway designed for high speed travel
10. Point of Reverse Curve: a point in a rail or road where a left or right curve is quickly followed by a curve in the opposite direction
11. Point of Tangency: point at which a tangent line intersects a curve
12. Sight Distance: length of the roadway ahead visible to the driver
13. Tangent Line: a straight line that just touches the outside of a curve
14. Vertical Alignment: a combination of tangent grades and vertical curves which defines the vertical location of a highway
15. Vertical Curve: a transition between two elevations

1. What can the navy offer me?
2. What careers does the navy offer in engineering?
3. Have you ever killed a man?
4. Does Obama Know you're here?
5. What is an engineer's main duty on a sub?

1. How do you know when the design you’ve chosen for a site is the correct one?
-- The correct design is based off how efficiently you have used the space for its purpose. The property needs to flow well and be useful.

2. As a developer for the site, how does knowing about past owners and the uses of the property help you develop the site?
-- How the site has been used previously will govern how it can be used today. On the surface, the ground may seem safe, but you never know what has been buried or what the soil has been through.

3. In what ways do the view of a site, its terrain, the solar aspects, wind, and sound influence site orientation?
-- When building on a property, you have to know what its purpose will be and what its needs are in order to orientate it properly. If you're building a business, you probably want high visibility. If the building is tall, you'd want low winds. All these things

4. How does knowing about current neighbors help you in developing a site?
-- In smaller communities like Wells county, neighbors will make or break you. Word travels around quickly here and if your neighbors don't like what you're doing, life can be made rather unpleasant.

5. What difference does it make if you do or do not abide by the regulations and requirements for developing and building property?
-- If your property is not up to code, serious fines can be instated until you fix the issue. Building inspectors can deem the building unsafe and it will not be able to be used.

6. What regulatory agencies should you know? Why is it important to work with them in preparing to develop property?
-- Your local zoning and building committees. Also, it would help to work with the city council in order to be part of the city. By cooperating with these committees, you're ensuring a safe and smooth ride to completion.

7. Zoning is not a requirement in all localities. How does zoning help or hinder land development?
-- Zoning helps development by designating what can and can't be built in and around a property. Contractors interested in building a housing complex will be much more interested in a property if they know the area around them won't have large factories springing up anytime soon.

8. The environment is affected when land is developed. How does an environmental impact study help or hinder a developer in preparing to develop property?
-- In some cases this can help the ability for a contractor to build in an area because it may help the environment. On the other hand, as in most cases, if the study shows building may hurt the environment, different paths may have to be taken to replenish the environment in the long term.

9. What do wetlands, covenants, and prior ownership have to do with site selection?
-- Obviously, it would be more difficult to build a sturdy foundation in a swamp, so special procedures would have to be taken to drain the area to make it suitable. This may mean a higher cost to build which would make the area less desirable. The same would go for previous ownership. If the prior owner buried tanks for oil or gasoline, these will have to be inspected yearly which may mean more cost as well.

10. How did completing a traffic analysis around the property help in providing information about the property?
-- It will show how many cars travel around the property, it will also outline what the visibility is.

11. As an owner of the property, what issues were of concern to you and may affect the development of the property after you completed the viability analysis?
-- Once again, money is the biggest issue. If by completing a viability analysis, you realize you'll have to go through special hoops, you may be weary of building where you were thinking. Also, if you cannot attain the proper permits, you may not be able to build there.

12. What is the relationship of regulations to the viability analysis?
-- The more regulations, the more problems you will have with your viability analysis.

1. How do weight and applications of loads affect the design of a structure?
-- The heavier a building will be, the better the foundation will need to be. The may mean making the foundation thicker or reinforcing it better.


2. What are the factors that determine if soil is suitable to support a structure?
-- The type of soil is a major factor in determining the ability to sustain the structure. In some regions where soil is especially sandy, big structures could not be built with the soil conditions. Soil is often trucked in from other areas and filled into the area. Also, frost penetration plays a big role with the soil. If the frost reaches 20" at points, the foundation must go below that level.


3. How does the various load types, soil bearing capacities, and drainage influence the design of a foundation?
-- Depending on all these factors, different foundations can be chosen. Buildings may need to be supported by a continuous foundation, or maybe piling foundation.

1. If a beam bends in one direction, what is the effect on the column?
-- Depending on the location of the column on the bending beam, it will either compress or stretch. If the beam is bending down on the end of the column, it will compress but if the beam is bending down on the end opposite the column, it will stretch.


2. If a column compresses too severely, how does that affect a beam?
-- The beam will move down with the column and could crack the ceiling and ruin the structural integrity of the building.


3. In the design of a column and beam system, what are the geometric and physical principles that must be considered for safety and sustainability of a structure?
-- We would need to consider the weights of the materials being used and the length of the beams. If a beam spans a distance too long without being supported, it will bend to much and not support what it should.

4. What information is provided in column schedules? What additional information is needed in designing a column and beam bracing system?
-- A column schedule would tell you the type and number of columns being used. You would also need to know the type of beam being used to determine where the supports need to be placed.

1. Yes, the colder the climate, the deeper the frost penetration level. This makes sense, because the colder the weather, the more time the ground will have to freeze.

1. How are trusses able to span large distances?
-- Trusses are able to span large distances because of their shape. Generally trusses are constructed of some sort of triangle, the strongest of all geometric shapes. Triangles distribute the weight more effectively than other shapes.

2. What do I have to understand in order to use mathematics to predict truss strength?
-- For this class, a general knowledge of MD Solids is always helpful. In real life, a good knowledge of trigonometry would be helpful. This includes Pythagorean theorem and sine cosine and tangent.

3. How are different roof styles and pitches related to different architectural styles?
-- Different architectural styles have different roof pitches. For instance, the cubic style has very low pitched roofs whereas Victorian houses had very high pitched roofs. Different pitches give the house different aesthetic appeal.

4. What is the effect of different materials on the strength of a rafter or a truss?
-- Tensile strength, or the amount of bending a material can withstand before breaking, has a major effect on how strong a truss is. The higher the tensile strength of the material that makes up the truss, the more weight it will be able to hold.

1. What is structural engineering?
--Structural engineering is the area of engineering that deals with how a building will support itself and all the other loads that it may come in contact with.

2. How does the design of a structure impact how loads are dispersed?
--Different shapes and designs will handle weight differently. For instance, a flat roof would have a heavy force straight down all the way across the top possibly causing sagging, whereas an arch helps move some of the weight down toward the walls.

3. In what ways are wind, snow, and dead and live loads similar or different?
--They are similar because they all have an affect on the building. All loads need to be transfered by the building to the ground so that they will not ruin the building.

4. How does the use of mathematics help in understanding about the forces and loads on a structure?
--Math can show how much force a building will be able to withstand. By calculating all the loads that will affect the structure, you know what materials and how much materials will need to be used.

5. How do you determine what loads are applied to a structure?
--Loads are determined by the purpose of the building and what external forces will be acting on it depending on its location. For instance, a house in Pheonix, Arizona, would not have to worry about a heavy snow load as in Buffalo, New York.

6. Where would you locate a load table to assist your design process?
--The internet, anything can be found online!

1.How are the interior and exterior traffic flow patterns related? As a designer, why should you consider them when preparing a floor plan?
-- Interior traffic flow tends to be much tighter than exterior traffic flow. Exterior traffic flows have more constraints on where you can walk. Inside, there are main channels, but you are not limited to only one path through a dining hall.

2. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1997 provided clear guidelines for universal accessibility. What accessibility issues are important with a project?
-- There need to be wide hallways and paths for wheel chairs to easily manuver throughout the building. Also, the bathrooms must meet specifications on sink height and stall requirements.

3.What factors determine the functionality of a room and its size, shape, and location?
-- The purpose matters the most. You wouldn't make an office in a restaurant as big as the dining floor.

4.In preparing a floor plan, what is the purpose and value of floor plan symbols?
-- Floor plan symbols are important so that everyone knows what is going on when they look at the floor plan. They are good because they are universal and any engineer can look at it and have a knowledge of what's going on.

5.What is R-value and how is it determined?
-- The R-value equals the resistance to heat energy lost through the material. It is determined through testing.

6. Where would you find air leakage, and how could it be prevented?
--You would most generally find this around windows and doors. This can be prevented through proper caulkling and accurate measurements.

7. What is a vapor retarder? How is it used?
-- A vapor retarder is a sheet that prevents the transfer of water vapor through the wall. This is placed inside exterial walls.

8. What is a BTU and how would you calculate the BTUs needed for your building?
-- A BTU is a British Thermal Unit. You calculate BTUs by multiplying the reciprical of the r, the area, and the change in temperature together.

Final Renderings!

























Original Sketch

Bubble Diagram

Door and Window Schedule

Wall Section View

Elevation Views

Dimensioned Floor Plan

1. As a designer, in what ways did you try to influence your client?
-- I tried to simplify his ideas so that the house would be more usable, easier to construct, and cheaper to fit a budget.

2. How did making the sketches when working with your client help the design process?
-- It helped because they were able to make suggestions before we got too far into the designing process.

3. What relationship do the various drawings and renderings have to each other?
-- The first drawings were the original inspiration for the rest of the renderings. Essentially, the renderings the same as the drawings, just in a later stage.

4. How did the existing plot plan limit your design?
-- It mainly limited our designs in size and shape, we knew we would not be able to exceed the size of the plot, and our houses would not be able to be any obscure shapes.

5. What are some of the things you would do differently? How would you change the process to accomplish them?
-- I would mainly get a better client. He sucked. Really, I liked this process for outside of class consultation, for in class really all that would be needed is the design on the computer.

6. What impact will the property have on the surrounding area if it is developed?
-- Assuming there has been nothing there before hand, developing a house or any other structure can disrupt the wildlife of the area. Animals will have taken habitat in that area, and you will now be destoying it. that is why people try to keep it to a minimum

7. How do you know if your design is ready for implementation?
-- As the designer, I had to make sure that it was usable over all. Then I had to get it approved by the client and make any necessary changes.

8. How does the use of software and other tools aid in the development of an idea?
-- Software really helps you visualize how the structure will look in the place where you plan to develop it. It gives the client an exact idea of how it will all come together to make sure they are on the same page as the designer.

9. What design ideas would you incorporate in your vacation house versus your year-round house?
-- The vacation house would be all around smaller. Overall, I would design it to use space more efficiently. In an all year house, there would need to be more space for more belongings. I would also add a dining room to an all year room whereas in a summer house you can eat outside.

10. What is something you learned today that you did not understand or know before?
-- Today, I learned that you are able to change the landscape of the renderings from dirt to grass. How incedible!

1. How are lines, color, texture, and proportion used in the design of a structure?

--Depending on they style of architecture being aimed at, all of these elements will be taken into consideration. The lines of a building have a huge impact on how the eye sees the building. some people look for rough edges whereas some people want rounded corners and turrets on their buildings. The same goes for color, texture, and proportion, they are all based on interpritation.

2. What architectural styles are typically seen in residential design? Industrial design? Commercial design?

-- Typically in residential buildings, you will see a some form of cubic or Victorian architecture, cubic being more modern and Victorian an older style. In the industrial setting, cubic will be used often because it is cheap and has a high volume of usable space. Commercial buildings like to use styles that are appealing to the eye.

3. What architectural style is most common in your area? What are the common components of that style?

-- Around here, cubic buildings are common. Typically they are 2 stories with low vaulted roof and hard, 90 degree angles.

4. What are the neighborhood and environmental influences that determine the style of a structure in your area?

-- In our area, there is a lot of land used for farming. Buildings are typically multiple stories to have a large square footage, but not occupy much ground.

1. Are civil engineering and architecture the same? From the viewpoint of a civil engineer, what is civil engineering? From the viewpoint of an architect, what is architecture?
-- No, they are not the same. CE's are lower paid engineers that work mainly on public buildings and roads. Architects design mostly residential buildings.

2. When a structure, such as the aqueducts, was built, what was known about civil engineering? How has it evolved since then? From the time of the pyramids, architecture has taken many forms or styles. How are modern structures influenced by past designs?
-- At the time, not much was known about CE, but through time and practice, we have been able to learn a lot about why buildings are able to support themselves and what types of shapes will be the strongest. For example, we have been able to learn that an arch will not be structurally sound without the most important part, the keystone. Modern architects sometimes use ancient structures to influence how they design their buildings. They see the lines and shapes of the buildings and incorporate them into their own design.

3. How do the major individuals and agencies that are involved in the design and development of civil engineering or an architectural project affect the outcome of a project?
-- Depending on who is designing a project, the end product can be very diverse. Each architect and company will have their own tendencies that they will incorporate into most of their designs.

4. How do I know what career opportunities in civil engineering or architecture are available to me?
-- During schooling, students are able to take internships at places they hope will one day employ them, but the best way to find available work places is to talk directly to a CE or architect.

1. When designing the shed, what is one aspect of the design process you must remember to help you be most efficient in using the computer software?
-- I feel that it is most important to remember to take each step one at a time. Before, we never had to work in layers, but with this program, we need to start with the floor and work our way up to be most efficient.

2. If you were given additional time to make a change to your design, what would you change and why?
-- I would design the shed with some different dimensions to make it more practical. From a realistic aspect, and 8'x8' shed wouldn't be very big at all. Depending on what is stored in there, it would fill up very fast. Also, rather than a regular door, i would add double doors so that you get things in and out easier. I would also like to take some time with outside details like adding trim.

Civil Engineer:
What are your daily reponsibilities?
What type of company/organization do you work for?
What do you like/dislike about your job?

Architect:
What are some of your responsibilities as an architect?
What schooling did you have to have to get your job?
Coming out of college, was it easy to find a job in your field?

WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH!! This is crazy!