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Civil Engineering/RCC LIFT SHAFT, Circular Stairs

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Expert: - 6/24/2008


Question
Dear Sir,
I have completed my civil engineering and now got a job as a structural designer.
I would like to know basics on the above subjects.
But since the forum does limit the length of replies i would like to know in brief :-

1. How do I design an RCC Lift Shaft
2. How do I design Circular Shaped Stairs ?
3. How do I design load bearing/ shear walls ?
4. Can you give me Web Address or Book Titles where I can read more about these topics ?
5. Also guide me as to which software is most powerful between ETABs / Staadpro ?

Thanking you Sir.

Answer
Hi Syed,

You have too many questions, most of which you should ask your mentor at work to help you with. Briefly:

1. Work out the overall second moment of section (Z-value) of the shaft and then design it as a column with P/A +/- M/Z (where P is vertical load, A is X-section area, M is overall moment and Z as above).

2. You mean spiral staircase? This is basically designed as a cantilever for each step from the central column, plus possible some support from the outer curved stringer.

3. Just like 1 above, but also consider out-of-plane moments.

4. See guidance in BS 8110 (or type key words in www.google.com and you will get many links).

5. ETABS is very powerful for high-rise buildings and STAAD.Pro is very good for general analysis and design of steelwork/RC, etc.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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