Safety information search results

This is a technical note from a reporter about the methods their firm uses for punching shear design because there was concern about punching shear design spreadsheets possibly leading to potentially unsafe situations. .

The reporter is concerned that some structural engineers assume without adequate verification that their computer modelling is correct and accurate; that they do not understand the limitations or basis for their modelling; or that the model chosen may not be appropriate for that structure.

A reporter questions the validity of using two-dimensional finite element (2D FE) shells to model structural elements such as pile caps.

An example of a small design and build contract where poor design and management led to an inadequate structure being built.

A number of anomalies were detected in the outputs from a proprietary structural steelwork design program.

Concerns are raises after it was discovered that the steel design element of a software package did not automatically allow for nominal moments in the design of columns for simple structures.

A reporter’s firm has been carrying out building regulations checks for 25 years, but it is only in the last six or seven years (say 2000-2006) that concerns have arisen, some of which are described below.

A steel beam design package makes simplified assumptions that may carry risks if not used by competent engineers.

This report concerns the modelling of joints when using computer programs. In some cases, engineers are applying rotational releases to joints in models but subsequently designing the connections as rigid. This leaves a fundamental mismatch between analysis and design which may lead to unsafe structural connections argues a reporter.

A reporter touches on the topic of analysis and design of the structural systems for tall buildings which are asymmetric and may be irregular in plan.