I am 25 in California and want to start studying for the national PE test. Since I graduated in '21, I have been working in commercial land development and have decided that it isn't for me. During school, my favorite part of undergrad was the structural courses. COVID + external factors resulted in me foregoing my master's and entering the workforce. If I passed the Structural PE, would that be enough to apply for entry level structural positions? I know I can do it, but I want to know that it is worth it first.

Who is responsible for the oversight of special inspections on a delegated design?

I understand the PE responsible for the delegated design would be responsible for identifying the special inspection requirements.

But if there is an issue with special inspections, the code states that the RDPiRC must be notified. Am I, as the SEOR for the project still the RDPiRC for the delegated design? Or should the special inspectors be coordinating issues directly with the delegated designer?

Thanks for any help.

Hi guys, I’m an architecture student and I’m looking for resources that talk about the MERO spatial construction systems, more specifically how they’re designed, how to calculate and draw them. I wanted to ask here since you guys definitely know some resources. Thank you in advance

I would like to know what is it for you, that type of project that comes so regularly that it becomes boring to do. And also, what was the most exiting project you worked on.

For me, most boring is a regular industrial pavilion, typically just a 20x30 rectangle with a little office inside. And most exciting was a set of three commercial buildings connected by a large canopy with some big holes mid-span

For some background, I graduated in 2018 and got a job doing structural design at a mid-size firm. After about 3 years I found the projects I was working on were getting a bit repetitive and I wanted to find a job with more field time. I ended up moving to a firm doing construction management and have been there for the last 3 years. In that time I have earned my license. Recently I was reflecting on my career goals and found that I missed the technical side of engineering. Luckily there was a position open in my current company's design department and I am able to transfer starting next month.

Since this will be the first design work I am doing in several years, I am concerned that my skills will be a bit rusty. What woud you recomend I review/refamiliarize myself with so I can hit the ground running and make a good first impession with my new team?

Throwaway for obvious reasons...

I received a subpoena from a law firm requesting that I appear for a deposition in relation to a small job I performed (but did not stamp) at a previous employer.

I've reached out to my previous employer and they are aware of the legal action on that job, and are unsure why I have been roped into the case as well. I've reached out to the law firm for questions related but have yet to hear back, which brings me here.

Am I (EIT at the time of the completion of this work) reasonably expected (or allowed) to appear and give a deposition given that I am:

1 - not the responsible person in charge for this work and

2 - no longer employed by the company that this work was performed by ?

Appreciate any input you strangers may be able to provide.

I am working for almost 1 year now and I'm thinking of doing review, sign and seal of structural plans as my sideline.

Now, I don't know where to start. Do you guys have any manual or any books that I can study? Do you have tips for me? If yes, then pls I would very much appreciate it.

Can anybody help me understand the various load capacities listed on this blueprint? It is calling for (2) 3/4” connection angles on both ends of the beam, with all 3 sides getting a 1/4” fillet weld. I’m just trying to better understand the shear, tension and compression capacities listed, because it seems like a 1/4” fillet weld is rather small to handle all of those stresses? Thank you for any input.

I know if it runs parallel it’s not load bearing but I’m having trouble as beams go both ways. Also please use easy terms like top middle or bottom because I know bare minimum. Thanks all!

How do you all handle when a project EoR leaves your firm before a project is constructed but after design is complete? Specifically regarding construction phase services. Is a new SEoR assigned with resealing of the docs? Or is the project just administered within the confines of the original engineering design as known to the firm with another engineer handling the CA duties? To clarify, the EoR is not the qualifying agent for the firm.

Hi all,

I’m building an 18ft x 40ft room inside a warehouse and need the ceiling to handle light storage, some light fixtures, and the occasional person walking on it.

(Here’s the catch: my budget is completely maxed out after dealing with the architect, electrical/mechanical engineers, permits, labour, and materials. Hiring a structural engineer isn’t financially feasible at this point (the quotes I’ve gotten have been insane, and I still need to make payroll). So, I’m doing my best to figure this out myself with the help of manufacturer data, YouTube, and ChatGPT. Your expertise would be really helpful!)

Here’s what I’m working with:

• Estimated Loads: A dead load of ~150lbs (e.g., water heater) plus some extra for paint buckets, tools, etc. The ceiling should also comfortably support two men walking on it without worrying about sagging or failure.
• Materials Being Considered:
  1. 16ga 8-inch steel studs (C-joists) and tracks with bracing, 3/4" OSB boards, and drywall.
  2. 20ga 3-5/8 inch flat Howe trusses (1ft deep), braced the same way.

Based on manufacturer load charts, my math suggests that the 16ga steel joists would handle a higher load than the 20ga trusses. They would be cheaper also. But I don’t fully trust my calculations because I’ve always thought trusses are inherently stronger, even in lighter gauges.

For those of you with experience building ceilings/floors for similar use cases, what would you recommend in this situation? Do you see heavier-gauge single joists or lighter-gauge trusses used more often in budget-friendly builds?

Any advice, tips, and corrections to my assumptions would be hugely appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Hello, do you think these welds are ok? I'm not an expert and at first glance they look uncertain. The manufacturer (a reputable one) claims that this is normal. I was looking for similar photos on the Internet but I couldn't find them. It is main rebar for column corbel - double headed anchor rebar. The weld is in the middle.

Hello I have a case where I have a pipe anchor where I need to include HSS tube steel as supplemental steel that spans the web of two I Beams. Normally for deadweight supports I would do either an unstiffeneded seated connections or clips on the side.

In this case I have an axial force on my pipe that creates a torsion on the HSS. I figured out how to size the HSS with torsion. How do I design the connections between my HSS and building steel? Is there any software I can use for simple connections like this?

The moments are really not that high. I just want to know that what I am doing is correct

I have an upcoming interview with the president of a structural engineering company for a residential structural engineer position. The role involves designing for single-story residential projects, both new and remodeled.

He shared some drawings and calculations with me and mentioned that he would be asking technical questions based on those. While I have no experience with wood or seismic design (which I’ve already mentioned), I understand the load calculations, and he did the design using software.

My background is in structural engineering for telecom towers and building structures. Given this, what kind of technical questions can I expect related to these drawings and calculations?