Load combo's on footing subjected to large wind loads

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fat Ryan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Load Wind
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on designing a footing for 1-4 Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs), each weighing 2-2.5 kips, subjected to wind loads of 100-140 mph. The intern is updating a spreadsheet that checks for overturning, moment capacity, shear, sliding, and soil bearing capacity, while aligning with AASHTO specifications (2009), ASCE-7 08, and ACI 318-08. A key challenge identified is the load factoring for lateral wind loads, which differ from self-weight and other loads, complicating the load combination equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of structural load analysis
  • Familiarity with AASHTO specifications for signs/supports and highway bridges
  • Knowledge of ASCE-7 08 and ACI 318-08 standards
  • Proficiency in spreadsheet design for engineering calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research AASHTO load factoring guidelines for lateral wind loads
  • Explore methods for simplifying load combination equations in structural design
  • Learn about the differences between ASD and LRFD methodologies
  • Investigate best practices for updating engineering spreadsheets for clarity and accuracy
USEFUL FOR

Structural engineers, civil engineering interns, and professionals involved in the design of foundations subjected to dynamic loads, particularly in wind-prone areas.

Fat Ryan
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
I am working on a spreadsheet for designing a small footing to support 1-4 Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs). These are vehicle scanners weighing in around 2-2.5 kips a piece and roughly 7.5'Hx3'Wx1.5'D. they are arranged on the footing in a few different configurations. aside from the self weight, they are to be designed for wind loads around 100-140 mph. they also have input for ice and snow loads.

in my spreadsheet, its assumed that the RPM/footing connection is fixed and i do not need to supply a design for it. so in the spreadsheet i have checks for overturning, moment capacity, shear (1-way and 2-way), and sliding of the footing. also, i have a check for soil bearing capacity.

before i go any further...i am an intern, and this is the previous interns work that im... basically redoing completely lol

back on topic, i feel as though i pretty much have all the theory set right with a few assumptions here and there. I am still working on formatting (the previous interns spreadsheet was horrendous!), but i think its still easy enough to follow so far. one major issue with the spreadsheet though is that it references old code/standards. a lot of it was ASD with random interjections of LRFD and other methodologies (dont ask me why, it wasnt my doing). also, it references TIA standard...i don't see the previous intern's logic here. so I am trying to update the whole thing in conjunction with AASHTO spec for signs/supports (2009), AASHTO spec for highway bridges (if i have access to it), ASCE-7 08, and ACI 318-08.

my major issue comes in load factoring. it seems as though in AASHTO sign/support it says to factor the lateral wind load. however, the moment arm for the wind is different than that of the self weight and other loads. id think i should factor the loads at a common level (i.e. M for moment capacity, q for soil bearing, etc.). However, if i were to do that, it'd literally have thousands of iterations of the load combo equations to do...to account for wind in all directions, stress induced in +/- directions on both x & y axes. i just don't have time to do that kind of data entry, i have other spread sheets to work on.

am i missing something here? or what are my options, rather? thanks in advance.

(i tried attaching the spreadsheet, but it exceeds forum size limits. i can't access sites like megaupload.com here at work, so ill get it up when i get home)
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
i got home waaaay later than i had planned last night, so i didnt get it up. but perhaps someone can help me with the load factoring without having the spreadsheet?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
7K