If you’re in the US. Any time you have a height difference of 30″ or more you need guardrails 42″ high.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
What is the most common phase of matter on Earth?
Ian Marr·June 25, 2020Architect There are several ways to answer your question. The whole earth? The mantle makes up the bulk of the Earth, so liquid. From the ground up? By volume? That would be the atmosphere mostly, so gas. From the ground up? By mass? Either liquid (the oceans) or solid (solid matter) depending …
Continue reading “What is the most common phase of matter on Earth?”
To make a staircase 117 inches high with just the runs, how far do I need to measure from the wall to the last tread at the base of the stairs?
You’re missing some information in your question. In order to answer this question you need to have decided the number of treads and risers. At 117″ you can have risers at about 8″, but this is steep for most people (15 risers). Most residences are around 7″ (17 risers) to 6″ (20 risers). You have …
Along the gridline some of the secondary beams can be connected directly to the column (like tie beam). Since it’s not connected to primary beam but it’s taking load from the slab (so its purpose is not a tie beam). What would the beam be called?
In my field, we would probably just call that a beam. We might give an additional descriptor like flush, drop, or similar.
Is it cheaper to keep your house at a constant temperature?
No. The cheapest method would be to adjust the temperature of your house the least amount possible. Other than keeping your house at an extremely different temperature from its current one, constant temperatures require constant cycling of the system. Unfortunately, this is exactly what most thermostats are designed to do because they are easier to …
Continue reading “Is it cheaper to keep your house at a constant temperature?”
Why are buildings in D.C. not tall?
A number of persons have covered this subject, but maybe I can address it a bit differently. Pierre L’Enfant did the masterplan of Washington DC back right before 1800. This was to be the great city of the west with every detail mapped out including all future buildings and monuments. At this point, a ten …
What measures how well insulation resists heat loss?
That would be the U-value or heat transfer coefficient. It is measured in watts per sqft*Kelvin. The easiest way to find this is to look up the R-value or insulation value of a specific material per inch thickness. From there you find the inverse, which is the U-value. You can find R-value lists all over …
Continue reading “What measures how well insulation resists heat loss?”
What timber are stairs made out of?
Principally Douglas Fir (also Larch which is frequently marked as Douglas Fir). Less common, but still used: Hemlock Common Fir Southern Pine Spruce Also, most stair lumber is rated #1 at a minimum.
Assuming the subase is adequately installed, which concrete driveway slab is less prone to cracking: a 3,000 PSI 6″ slab with #3 rebar, or a 3,000 PSI 4″ slab with both #3 rebar and fiber reinforcement?
Both can be good but it will come down to the following: Environmental conditions Specific loading Relief joints – the biggest single issue if all others are equal
Does a lift shear wall of 5 floors require a piled foundation?
The height or type of building isn’t what decides pile foundations, or rather they are secondary reasons (the weight of the building). The quality of the soil on which it is placed is the primary reason. If the weight of the building exceeds the bearing capacity, has a geologic hazard, or provides an unsuitable layer …
Continue reading “Does a lift shear wall of 5 floors require a piled foundation?”
MKDesign 