Modular Construction is Here... and we're missing it...?

See this article in the DJC.

Looks like a 3 story modular project went in on Capitol Hill.

DCI is the engineer... Seems like we should be the ones getting in on this ground floor situation... Do we have any "corporate knowledge" of this facet of MFR...? Would be nice to have this on our resume... Lets talk about this.

 

Concrete Specifications - ACI 318 Ch4 - Durability

The 2008 ACI had the ch4 revised for durability requirements. Anne had mentioned this a while back.

It has a potentially large impact on the specifications for concrete mixes.

We will be updating the structural notes for the concrete section to take this into account.

With some exceptions, the IBC 1904 section points us to ACI ch4, and essentially prescribes some water/cement ratios that may easily overide design considerations for the concrete mix. These prescriptions are related to:

• Freeze/thaw
• Sulphate Exposure
• Permeability requirements
• Corrosion protection of rebar

Has anyone already incorporated these code requirements into their "structural notes" yet... (and not updated the company standards?)...

Please weigh in as you feel inspired...

2012 IBC - Seismic Design - Help?!

I was reminded this morning about upcoming changes to the code for a host of different issues - not least of which is seismic. A geotech engineer was asking me how we are approaching the changes... i was not sure. Hence this note!

Has anyone started to dial into this topic yet. We will need to get up to speed fairly shortly. Also, i predict that we will see a "rash" of work trying to complete their projects under the IBC 2009 (first blush appears that 2012 will more onerous for seismic) prior to the expiration of the "grace period" which normally last 3-4 months after the adoption date. According to this post (see above) - the final date for "switch-over" happens on October 13 - a Sunday.

Nels reminded me that we had a little "introduction" to some of the changes to the 2012 IBC with a SK Ghosh webinar back in January.

In reviewing some notes we took, there are a couple of key words that could appear to some to be "alarming". These could include the words:

• Risk Target (MCEr not equal to MCE)
• Updated source model (Nehrp 2008/9 i think)
• Changes in statisical basis for design (was 2% probability of EXCEEDANCE in 50yr -> now going to a target risk of COLLAPSE of 1% in 50yr)

Can we please start a conversation on this topic.