In a past blog, I have discussed the background behind common phrases which originated in the maritime industry.[1] For your enjoyment, this blog will discuss various measurement terms, where some have originated from, and what the use of some more arcane measurements you may (or, hopefully, may...
Every year, wildland fires destroy structures in the Wildland Urban Interface – defined as the line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetation fuels. In 2021, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, a total of 58...
You typically hear weather forecasts that include wind speeds in your neck of the woods. But how does a wind speed in miles per hour (mph) translate into a wind load in pounds per square foot (psf)? The general public is not aware of how strong (in the structural sense of the word) a 50-mph wind is...
Have you ever heard of a concrete ship? The idea of a concrete ship may contradict your initial reaction – concrete doesn’t float. In fact, concrete can float. Objects can float in almost any medium under one of two techniques. The first, perhaps simplest, technique is: an object of lesser density...
Many structures in the San Francisco Bay Area are constructed on bay mud. The San Francisco Bay Area is one of many areas in the United States which has structures supported on bay mud. Bay mud is the result of alluvial, sand deposited by streams flowing out to the bay. The material deposited is...
Today’s steel structures are often complex assemblies of components, such as beams and columns. Each beam and column have a unique place in the structural system, which makes the structure function. To ensure that each piece is erected where it belongs, every beam and column is labeled in the...
Solar panels may be a good fit for your household if you're looking to save on energy costs and plan to stay in your home for the next five to ten years.
Damage to single-family residences supported on cripple wall foundations was extensive as a result of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Cripple walls are typically walls shorter than one story which support floor framing for the first floor. This creates a crawl space below the floor framing. The...
Financial losses can be avoided with periodic inspections of the crawl spaces under residential structures. Oftentimes, a homeowner is unaware of issues in their crawl space until damages have progressed into the interior of their residence.
The design and analysis of the foundation system are equally important to provide support to the building. However, more often than not, an adequate investigation, design, and preparation of the ground where the structure and its supporting foundation system are to be built are not taken into...
I am often asked, “does this balcony guard meet the building code?” This question often arises in response to an injury or when a renovation is being contemplated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of nonfatal unintentional emergency...
Everybody has experience with condensation – On warm summer days, while enjoying a cold beverage, the outside of our red plastic cups have inevitably beaded up with moisture and dripped onto everything beneath them. The moisture on the outside of the cup is condensation that has formed from warm...
