BH Class Blog

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.