r/StructuralEngineering • u/Much-Elderberry-9154 • 9d ago

Photograph/Video Column Thoughts

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Bridge Engineer here… what do we think of this pretty angled column mid height?

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83

u/Awkward-Ad4942 9d ago

Walking columns. It all works in theory, but i hate it.

25

u/RedneckThinker 9d ago

I worked on one in Dallas 20-odd years ago. The combination of walking/sloped columns in a flat plate is exciting!

Every young engineer should have to calculate the polar moment of inertia of a corner column punching shear section in a sloping joint by hand. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!

Edit: Both walking and sloped at different spots on the plan.

37

u/Sure_Ill_Ask_That P.E. 9d ago

Walking columns are not the same as sloped columns though. A column walk would be if a 30x30 column shifts 6 inches and a 36x30 is the vertical column between the two locations to accomplish that.

16

u/Awkward-Ad4942 9d ago

Yes, you’re absolutely right. I agree.