Archives by Month: January 2014

Is there anything new under the sun?

Posted by in Wood | January 27, 2014

  I got a real chuckle this week reading an article entitled Lateral Loads Generated by Occupants on Exterior Decks on page 36 in the January 2014 issue of Structure magazine.  As the title indicates it was about lateral design loads… Read More →

What caused my brick porch pier to lean like that?

Posted by in Masonry, Soil Issues | January 20, 2014

I don’t know how many leaning porch piers we have evaluated, but I can say – “a lot!” Leaning porch piers are usually noticed by the tenant or owner of the property after a strong wind storm, a vehicle impact… Read More →

The Making of a Ceiling Collapse

Posted by in Ceilings, Simple Forensic Methods, Wood | January 16, 2014

We have seen ceiling collapses that have been caused by pressurizing of the attic with high winds after a gable end wall failure, from someone stepping on the drywall rather than the ceiling when in an attic, or from excessive… Read More →

Collar Ties Vs. Rafter Ties

Posted by in Roof, Structural terms, Wood | January 02, 2014

In common rafter framing the rafters support the weight of the roof construction and snow or live load by pushing against the opposing rafters (at the ridge plate at the peak), pushing horizontally outward at the top of the supporting… Read More →