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Is Sagging Floor a Major Problem?

August 3rd, 2010

A newspaper ran the following article recently. It caught my eye because the subject concerns one of the most common problems I address in my engineering practice.

The columnist …


Brick Lintel Trouble

July 2nd, 2010

A builder recently asked if I could help them with a brick cracking problem at the lintel supports at their double garage doors. The brick in question is full-sized brick veneer with stick-framed wall behind.

Here is a sketch of the …


The 2009 IRC – An Engineer’s Opinion

June 10th, 2010

I attended a 3-hour IRC (International Residential Code) update class yesterday. The IRC is, in my opinion, a classic example of shooting yourself in the foot.

I’ve written about the IRC before (“When Is Engineering Required Per the 2003 IRC?” blog, …


When Is Engineering Required Per the IRC? (2003 International Residential Code)

June 10th, 2010

Dear Tim,

…Well, the honeymoon is over: in many jurisdictions local building officials refuse to approve a plan without an engineer’s stamp, even though it’s been designed using the prescriptive tables in the IRC. From snow loads to soils to foundations, either …


Collar Ties and Ridge Beams

February 17th, 2010

[Author's Note - By popular demand, I'm posting this Builder's Engineer article. It was previously published in NAHB's Nation's Building News, and can be found in my book, CRACKS, SAGS, AND DIMWITS - LESSONS TO BUILD ON, available at Amazon or ...


Over-Engineer Kills Project

February 12th, 2010

I got a call recently from Stylus R. Ofom, a sales rep for a brand of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF).

 “Tim,” he carped, “I’ve got a new high-end home project in San Francisco that an engineer WAY overdesigned. This guy spec’d …


Twitters and Forums and Blogs, Oh My!

December 9th, 2009

It seems that every marketing tip these days includes a screaming imperative for some sort of internet-based social media. It’s so boggling I’m not even sure I said that right.

Rule number 1 in all business is you survive only if …


ProBeam Solved Example: Floor Joist 16′ Span

November 4th, 2009

(From email:)
Hi,
Your product looks wonderful. On the previous page I read that I could send you a problem and it “may appear” on the web site…….
I want to add second floor in his recently completed shop. THe …


Why Haven’t These Buildings Toppled?

October 30th, 2009

(Following is another section from my upcoming book on Green Framing.  TKG)

Building codes are a relatively new invention. The first widely-accepted building code in the U.S. was written in the early 1900s. Today’s building code, the International Building Code (IBC), …


Chimney Sweep – Part 1

October 16th, 2009

“Tim, I smell smoke!” my gal, Cindy, rasped the other day. “I’m getting a headache. Can’t you do something about that stupid wood stove?”

“What are you talk-hak-kaf-ing about,” I replied. “I can’t smell a thing. And I can’t believe your …