BH Class Blog

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.