Integrated Buildings & Structures

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  • 1.  Office-to-apartment conversions can be done safely, engineers say

    Posted 20 days ago

    This was the title of the lede article in the July 20th Source. Was this ever a real question in anyone's mind?

    From the facts* that have emerged after the recent Manhattan building column buckling incident, the more relevant question appears to be about the construction process and the role, or lack thereof, of the structural engineer in assurance. 

    *) ENR article is behind a paywall but is one of several sources where the project's structural engineer alleges that required reinforcing steel was never installed.

    https://www.enr.com/articles/63332-structural-engineer-claims-reinforcement-was-never-installed-on-troubled-nyc-tower

    The circumstances also call into question the integrity of the other conversions developed by MetroLoft.

    What do others think (without getting into the specifics of the Manhattan incident)?



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    Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
    Houston, TX
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  • 2.  RE: Office-to-apartment conversions can be done safely, engineers say

    Posted 12 days ago

    What does this community know about Structural Observation? These are somewhat dated articles. Where are we today?

    https://www.structuremag.org/article/jurisdictional-inspections-structural-observation-and-special-inspections/

    https://www.structuremag.org/article/structural-observation/



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    Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
    Houston, TX
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  • 3.  RE: Office-to-apartment conversions can be done safely, engineers say

    Posted 7 days ago

    After the information about reinforcing the column came out there were questions about inspections asked at my firm.  I tried to find out exactly what responsibility independent inspectors have, and could not find a clear answer.

    There are different committees that determine best practices for different materials and procedures.  And in the building code there are requirements for special inspectors, but is there a committee that reviews inspection and construction oversight recommendations based on best practices?  Or is this left up to the individual state and government entity?  Because the special inspections in the building code seem to be for certain work, but not the overall construction sequence.



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    Sarah Halsey P.E., M.ASCE
    New York NY
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Office-to-apartment conversions can be done safely, engineers say

    Posted 5 days ago

    This is a great question and really needs to be looked at in a broader sense.  Think of the other structures that have been converted into abodes like in ground missile silos and slip form/jump form concrete silos that were for bulk matl storage.  Now there is a even a section in the IBC for making structures out of shipping containers.



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    Daniel Deaver P.E., S.E., M.ASCE
    Vice President of Manufacturing
    Valdosta GA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Office-to-apartment conversions can be done safely, engineers say

    Posted 13 hours ago

    I had not thought about those types of structures, and they have their own set of challenges.  For example, a conex box is strong, but then to make it usable for humans you cut holes in it.  Now it may fail.

    AND: another building being transformed to residential use in NYC has had its construction halted:

    https://pix11.com/news/local-news/full-stop-work-order-issued-for-another-nyc-building-dob/



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    Sarah Halsey P.E., M.ASCE
    New York NY
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    Original Message


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