How To Calculate Porosity of a Louver – Sign – Fence Per ASCE 7
Porosity – How ‘Open’ A Surface Is – Explained The porosity of open structures is defined in ASCE-7 standard under
Knowledge Base
Articles to help StruXure & general Outdoor Spaces installers & designers continuously curated from permitting, engineering, and general design needs.
How To Determine Uplift Reactions For Canopies-Carports-Pergolas
Canopies & Wind Uplift – An Introduction First, Understand This A backyard canopy or pergola, trellis, or a lightweight sunroom/screen
Snow Build-Over On Pergolas, Trellises & Mechanically Louvered Roofs (Cornice Effect)
Beware of Snow Buildup On Open Roof Areas An important and frequently overlooked requirement for checking snow loads on open
Sunroom Terminology
The following is a summary of sunroom-related terms provided courtesy of the National Sunroom Association. Click Here for the
ASCE 7 WIND EXPOSURE CATEGORIES AND HOW EXPOSURE ‘D’ WORKS
Wind Exposure Category Overview ASCE-7 is the governing referenced standard for design loads on buildings & other structures for building
How To Use Performance Evaluations – TER’s – Calculator Reports Purchased From Engineering Express
READ BELOW BEFORE USING NON SITE-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONSFROM ENGINEERING EXPRESS FOR YOUR PROJECT General Information About Non Site-Specific Plans: Certified
What’s the difference between aluminum T5 and T6 temper (like 6063-T5 vs 6063-T6 alloy)?
How do you get from a T5 to T6 temper? Heat treatment is done by raising the alloy temperature to
Understanding Canopies: Design and Load Considerations
A canopy is an overhead structure that offers protection from weather elements like rain, snow, and sunlight. Canopies can come
About AAMA 2100 and Sunroom Categories
Sunrooms across the US are categorized into 5 categories. AAMA published these in their AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100-12 publication which made its
How to Avoid Contact With Aluminum & Dissimilar Metals
This is provided to inform clients of the dissimilar metal protection requirements of the 2015 Aluminum Design Manual, Chapter M
Why are spacing, edge distance, and embedment important for concrete anchors?
When an anchor is installed into concrete, there is an area surrounding the anchor called a cone of influence in
Types of At-Grade Footings Explained
Here’s a description and illustrations we’ve created for footing types we frequently reference in our work for sunrooms, pergolas, carports,
CHECKLIST FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS – SUNROOMS
CHECKLIST OF DESIGN ITEMS NEEDED FOR SCREENED ENCLOSURES, OPEN, & ENCLOSED PATIOS, PERGOLAS & SUNROOMS Engineering Express provides signed &
What wind information is required for construction documents?
From the 5th, 6th &7th Edition of the Florida Building Code (2014, 2017, 2020) section 1603.1.4 as well as from
Metal Fasteners UNC vs Spaced Thread
Overview Metal fastening is designed per the requirements of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC): Specification for Structural Steel
Perforated Design Method vs. Segmented Design Methods for Shear Walls
Perforated Design Method vs. Segmented Design Methods for Shear Walls The International Building Code (2018) defines a shear wall
Wind Speed vs. Wind Pressure Explained
Many don’t understand how wind works & state that a product is rated to a specific wind speed. This is
TEK Sheet Metal Screws (SMS) – About – Sizes – Gauges
Tek® screws have become an essential tool in construction and manufacturing, valued for their self-drilling capabilities that simplify a variety
Typical Information Needed For Engineering Design of a Patio-Pergola Roof
Here’s a chart illustrating some of the many dimensions and components needed to design a site specific open patio /
Where To Buy Extrusions & Parts
We’re frequently asked by our clients where they can purchase many of the products specified in our plans. Below is
Procedure For Calculating Aluminum Box Beams For Bending
Per the Aluminum Design Manual (ADM) 2015, the allowable bending stress of round tubes shall be determined for the limit