Tall wall design solution for Wisconsin Cabin
The front tall wall of this cabin did not have enough qualified bracing to withstand 115 mph winds. It has a tall wall, three windows and a patio door. To improve the structure's lateral wind resistance heavy duty tension ties were bonded to the concrete foundation. A portal frame was constructed over the patio door and window. Coiled strapping was used to tie the tall wall securely to the foundation and ultimately pass inspection.
Ball Park Shelter - Lateral Resistance and uplift due to Wind Pressure
Phase 1 of this project includes a fan shelter with ADA bathrooms, first base patio and utility storage. Since the area is in an exposed area (Exposure Category C), extra effort was spent to ensure the structure would handle 115 mph winds per ASCE 7-16.
Wall Bracing Solution
Once a house is drawn up customers are reluctant to make many changes. This can be a challenge if there are a lot of windows and doors and not enough structural braced wall. There are 16 methods of wall bracing available in the 2021 International Residential Code. The engineering challenge is to pick the right combination of the 16 methods available and the correct braced wall lines to resist the cardinal coordinate winds and meet the code requirements.
Existing Structure Investigation - Tree Damage
Is it better to install new trusses when a tree falls on your roof or repair the trusses in place? A site inspection may be necessary to answer this question. Installing new trusses can be invasive and time consuming. It may make more sense to fix the trusses in place.
Existing Structure Investigation - Water Damage
If there are construction delays and your building is exposed to the weather for over a year, will the building materials retain their strength? A site inspection is likely needed. A moisture meter can be used to measure the wood, drywall and concrete content to determine the level of dampness. The structural members can also be probed for another data point. Are all the truss nail plates still intact? Are there any signs of water stains or mold growth?
