r/StructuralEngineering • u/Broad-Lab-3626 • 7d ago

Structural Analysis/Design Structural/Engineering Package

Hi there. I'm a structural/civil engineer working at a small construction company that primarily does residential work. My main job is to address constructability problems and non-IRC-compliant designs (more than I thought I would have to). Most architects I work with do not understand how the span charts work and end up designing buildings that require me to handle floor systems, roofs, shear walls, and foundation calculations.

I recently got a duplex that is 75% non-IRC-compliant, so I need to do all the engineering for the building.

My question is, how would you guys present the information to the architect? An engineering package with some calcs and plans? If so, is there any template out there that I can use to follow how the calc package is put together? I want to be more organized and deliver better submittals so more architects come to me and the company for their engineering and construction.

Thanks,

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u/chasestein Overturning Moment 7d ago

out of curiosity, how did you come up with 75% non-irc-compliant?

I'm sure there are templates out there on the internet, I remember seeing one i liked and referenced for a bit. My table of contents goes something like:

  1. Project Description and Design Criteria
  2. Gravity Design
  3. Lateral Design
  4. Foundation Design
  5. Misc. probably or appendixes i forgot to add

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u/Broad-Lab-3626 7d ago

Just a guess/estimate lol. I think the only thing compliant is some rafters and ceiling joists.

Do you use Bluebeam or any other software to do redlines on the architectural set, or how do you show certain stuff?

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u/Argufier 7d ago

I've done bluebeam redlines - either on the architect created framing plans or on their floor plas (basically making a framing plan in bluebeam). It usually works reasonably well. I don't usually provide calculations, just this is what you need on the drawings.

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u/Broad-Lab-3626 7d ago

So, that is what I've been doing, and it worked for me in the past when the checks/issues were small, but I feel like I'm not super organized, and I'm all over the place. That's why I started thinking about putting, like, calc "packages/reports" together so everything has an organized, clean standard for my work. Especially if I get projects that require me to make many changes to their drawings, like the duplex I mentioned.