Search the Community

Hey Guys I am a civil engineer by profession. I am working with a construction firm specializing in apartments and pensions design and building. However, now that I am much more experienced in my field, I will start my own work. Now I have started a small house construction project, and I am here to discuss the foundation design of that house. The foundation design is quite an important part of the construction as it ensures structure stability, safety, and support. It is difficult to measure the load-bearing capacity of soil in a small area like a house; however, we can ensure that our house's foundation is strong enough to hold its weight. We can begin by selecting the house's location with good soil quality and a stable foundation. Concrete slabs are often preferred for creating a house's foundation. This is because they provide more strength and stability than other foundations like blocks or timber frames. Moreover, it is important to use high-quality materials for the foundation, such as steel reinforcements, cement, and aggregates. The placement of the foundation should also be considered carefully. It should be placed below the frost line to ensure that it is not affected by frost heaves and other weather conditions. However, as a first-time solo builder, I am here to ask some questions from experts. What foundation is most suitable for a house close to the sea? What type of insulation should be used to provide additional protection against moisture and water seepage? How should the foundation be anchored correctly to ensure it is not affected by wind or other external forces? How should reinforcements, cement, and aggregates be used to ensure the foundation is durable? Where can I find coupons and discounts on the materials needed for the foundation? I'm looking forward to hearing your advice. Thank you in advance!

Hi All, Structural Design is all about either knowing the subject, or knowing where to find the information needed to complete design! My Question to you all: In Pakistan what are the "essential design guides and information" you have handy on your desk and use all the time during your day to day structural design activities? Codes? Drawing Software; Analysis Software; Steel beam tables; Reinforcement data; Khanna's Civil Engineering handbook (for desi tips)? etc. Reason for question: It would be good to share and collate this information, with a view to developing CPD activities for Structural Engineers in Pakistan. Here is some of my list: Codes: Eurocodes; Units: Metric (as used by 95% of the world); AutoCAD & Revit (Drawing); ANSYS, MasterSeries and Robot (analysis software);Reinforcement Detailing Manual; Pakistan Manufacturers data on structural Steelwork and reinforcement; Structural Steelwork Designers Handbook; Reinforced Concrete Designers Handbook; Khanna's Civil Engineering Handbook (for design tips and a smile), and much more….. Please do share .... knowledge shared, is the glass half full approach for the betterment of our Structural Engineering Profession ...?

Structural Design Codes in Pakistan? Can someone help me determine the "standard design codes" to be used in Pakistan for designing building structures; The Pakistan Building Code is a 'cut & paste' document with little practical guidance - hence superfluous I would say. Which codes do you use for 'structural design of elements’? 1. Wind Loading -? 2. Concrete design -? 3. Steelwork Design -? 4. Masonry design -? 5. Timber design -? 6. Geotechnical design -? 7. Earthquake design? & so on etc etc. There is the American Codes (ASCE, ACI, AISC, ADM) and European Codes (Eurocodes, EN, EC0, EC1, EC2 etc) for each of the above and more; Should Pakistan be adopting Eurocodes with the Turkey's Nationally Determined Parameters? Who is the custodian of the design codes ruling in Pakistan? PEC (another of the country's quango that is more interested in ticks box exercise, or am I wrong is that assumption) or is there another body that one can look to for guidance? Any feedback on the matter from learned Members would be most welcome.

Assalam-o-alaikum! start of professional career as an engineer, in the USA, is not a simple and easy process. Although actual requirements may vary somewhat from state to state, but generally a four-step process has to be followed for obtaining license to work as an independent professional engineer. (See the thread: http://www.sepakistan.com/topic/1610-benefits-of-getting-pe- licence/#entry3958, for learning the benefits of having a PE license.) Step 1: Graduating from an accredited engineering program (e.g., B.E./B.S./M.S in Civil Engineering,...) Step 2: Passing 'Fundamentals of Engineering' (FE) exam (Details available at: http://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/) and to become eligible for being classified as an intern, also known as Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT). Step 3: Obtaining required length of work experience relevant to chosen engineering discipline, after passing the FE exam. In many cases, the experience period is to be supervised by a licensed engineer, depending upon specific requirements of concerned State Licensing Board. Step 4: Passing 'Principles and Practice of Engineering' (PE) exam. Once an engineer has successfully completed the first three steps of this process, he/she may take the second exam in the licensing - the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. The PE exam tests the ability of an engineer to practice competently in a particular engineering discipline. It is designed for engineers who have gained at least four years’ post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline. Each PE exam has a total duration of 8 hours, and is split into a morning and an afternoon session. PE exam specifications and design standards, applicable for the forthcoming exam are posted on NCEES web site, 6 months before the exam date. Updates for April exams are posted in November, and updates for October exams are posted in May. The specifications and details of design standards for PE Exams 2015, related to five (5) Civil Engineering disciplines, are available at following links: Civil - Construction (https://cdn.ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Civ-Con-April-2015_Combined.pdf) Civil - Geotechnical (https://cdn.ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Civ-Geo-April-2015_Combined2.pdf) Civil - Structural (https://cdn.ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Civ-Str-April-2015_Combined2.pdf) Civil - Transportation (https://cdn.ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Civ-Tran-April-2015_Combined.pdf) Civil - Water Resources and Environmental (https://cdn.ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Civ-WRE-April-2015_Combined.pdf) The PE exam is an open-book exam. The examinees are allowed to bring reference materials to the exam, provided they are bound and remain bound during the exam. Further details regarding PE exam can be found at: http://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/ The design codes and manuals referred in these documents, are the ones to be followed all across the US, for the structural design of all kind of engineered structures. As such, these are the most important references, a civil or structural engineer (working in a jurisdiction, where US design codes are the basis of engineering design) will need to know, learn, and follow in his/her engineering design practice. Hopefully, this information will not only be beneficial for those, interested in taking the PE exam in near future, but would also help us improve our knowledge and understanding of code requirements regarding design and construction of various kind of civil engineering works. This, in turn, will make our structures safer as well as more code-compliant. Regards.