An engineer’s walk through of the design requirements for flood resistant design of building components With Engineering Express’s early start with floodproofing designs for floor barriers and exterior glazing in projects across the US, we quickly became experts in this field. We’ve witnessed and directed static and dynamic flood testing, sat on industry meetings, met …
Flood Resistant Design & Floodproofing of Buildings Read More »
Many don’t understand how wind works & state that a product is rated to a specific wind speed. This is false advertising & not true. There’s no such thing as “Rated to XXX MPH wind” This is frequently seen in marketing materials which is a false & misleading statement that comes with many unwritten …
Tek® screws have become an essential tool in construction and manufacturing, valued for their self-drilling capabilities that simplify a variety of projects. These screws eliminate the need for pre-drilling, saving time and effort while ensuring strong, reliable connections. Ideal for applications like metal roofing and steel framing, Tek® screws deliver durable, high-performance results, making them …
TEK Sheet Metal Screws (SMS) – About – Sizes – Gauges Read More »
Interior Glass: Not Just For Looks When designing interior glass, you must consider both structural concerns and code requirements to ensure safety, functionality, and performance— Here are some important code items and other concerns to consider: Code References Regarding differential horizontal movement: From Both the IBC 2021 Section 2403.4 and FBC 2023 Section 2403.4, Interior …
Designing Interior Glass? Here are some engineering code items to consider Read More »
Product Approvals for building components are the general rule in Florida. Building officials, architects, insurance companies, even homeowners ask for them all the time, frequently refusing permits, insurance discounts, and product installations. So what is the legal ruling on when and if product approvals are required for this product? The Florida Building Code requires only …
Case Study: Phantom Screens – Is a Florida Product Approval Required? Read More »
Footings Move When Soil Freezes. Let’s Explain. Building codes describe the design requirements of shallow foundations in regions where soil is subjected to seasonal ground freezing. Codes require that footings be protected from frost to prevent a phenomenon known as heave. Frost heave occurs when water penetrates the ground soil and subsequently freezes. When water …
Frost Protection For Concrete Footings On Grade – Heave Explained Read More »
TER – Technical Evaluation Report (Product Performance Evaluation) Explained A TER or Technical Evaluation Report, is an engineering evaluation based on testing and/or rational analysis for the performance of a building product or component. In the case of Engineering Express, we are evaluating the structural aspects of a product only. The authority for a qualified …
What is a TER and how is it used for permitting? Read More »
Per the Aluminum Design Manual (ADM) 2015, the allowable bending stress of round tubes shall be determined for the limit states of yielding, rupture, and local buckling: that given by section F.6.1 (compressive yielding), or that given by section F.6.1 (tensile yielding), or that given by section F.6.1 (tensile rupture), or that given by …
Procedure For Calculating Aluminum Box Beams For Bending Read More »
Per the 2015 National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS 2015), section 12.1.4.6, the minimum length of lag screw penetration Pmin not including the length of the tapered tip, E, of the lag screw into the main member of single shear connections and the side members of double shear connections shall be 4D where D …
What’s the minimum penetration for lag screws into wood? Read More »
Minimum Edge Distance Requirements for Bolts & Screws in Metal (Steel & Aluminum) Proper edge distance is critical to avoid tear-out, maintain bearing strength, and ensure fastener installation tolerances in metal members. Insufficient edge distance can lead to deformation or cracking near the edge of the metal, especially when larger fasteners or tight spacing are …
Minimum Edge Distance Requirements for Bolts & Screws in Metal (Steel & Aluminum) Read More »
There is often confusion as to which size product a client actually needs – Pipe Size or OD Tubing Size. Keep in mind that pipe size refers to a nominal – not actual – inside pipe diameter. Schedule refers to the pipe’s wall thickness. The dimensions provided for OD tubing on the other hand refer to the actual …
What’s the dimensional difference between a pipe and a tube? Read More »
What Is A Window Or Door Buck? Openings in buildings are frequently not exact and are referred to as rough openings for that reason. When window products are placed into openings, they often need to be shimmed into place to properly fit the opening. Sometimes, windows come with a ‘fin’ that requires a buck to …
What’s The Difference Between ASD & LRFD Design? Put in layman’s terms, think of a wood plank designed to stretch between two supports. You’re going to walk across the piece of wood. The person that designed that plank needed to figure out if it will hold you. They had two options when designing: 1) Reduce …
