I'm going to dig into a particular project I'm working on right now and lead you through some of the processes that you are expected to perform as an engineering taking on a job of this type!

This is the 6th article in my post a day challenge that I took @mattw on. On weekends, I'll switch over to videos because that's something I really enjoy doing. If you really enjoy my writing, or if you want to know something specific, feel free to comment below and I will address it in my next blog. I am a engineer by profession and I'm here to share my knowledge with you guys!

PROJECT IN PROGRESS

Earlier this year, a client of ours approached us with a set of drawings from a well known architect that detailed the complete renovation of their 29 story building in midtown.

In some cases, we have zero idea of what the framing layout of the building structure is so we would need to survey the building and go through their existing drawings that they may or may not have on file.

But, having worked on different parts of the building in the past few years, it was easy for me to pick out the architects changes which includes

• refitting the building to support higher floor loads(which may or may not nececcitate reinforcing the existing floor system)

• installing a new entrance from the street into the building lobby and then a a new entrance from the lobby to the 2nd floor elevator lobby. Yes this sounds weird but the elevators are on the 2nd floor.

• installing several new elevators and deleting a few existing stairs.

1st DELIVERABLES

Our first deliverable was a memo to the building owner (our client) , informing them of the locations where structural review was necessary, which is basically everything I listed above.

It took about 2 weeks to go through each of the existing drawings to circle and ID all the areas that we would need to review, why we need to review it, and what the scope of work at each everywhere was. The real purpose of this memo is to aid with the clients feasibility study. In our situation, the building was either slated for reuse, or demolition, therefore they wanted as much information about the cost of the modification to the building before they go with the demolition route.

For example, one of memo items was regarding a new elevator, which needed the existing framing to be cut and modified to create the opening and to support the weight of the new elevator and future passengers.

2nd DELIVERABLES

With the memo ready, the next deliverable is a schematic design drawing. The schematic design, also known as the SD phase iswhere we will actually perform rough calculations to determine which beams need to be reinforced and how they are to be reinforced. We'll also begin to rough frame new openings without steel beam sizes and then create a set of schematic drawings to help the client further with their feasibility study.

The key part of the SD phase is to create SD drawings. This gives the client an idea of where they will need to access and the magnitude of the job from a structural perspective.

That's all for today!

TODAY'S PHOTO IS TAKEN FROM THE TOP OF WHAT WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CITICORP BUILDING. I'M LOOKING THROUGH THE FACADE AT THE ROOF LEVEL TOWARDS THE CHRYSLER BUILDING.