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Expert: - 10/27/2009


Question
Dear Sir,
thanx so much for your presence sir.I would like to get clarified on following
1.upto howmany floors that we could follow static analysis rather than dynamic analysis in etaabs
2.Is it possible to start a concrete column from a concrete wall .here the column size is 250x700 and wall thickness is 250
3.what is the difference between spandrel and pier while modelling in etaabs.

Thanking you,

Answer
Hi Ravi,

1. This depends on the slenderness and natutal frequency of the building as well as local codes. In general any building with an aspect ratio (height/width) of less than 3 will not require dynamic analysis.

2. Yes, so long as the 700 is parallel to the wall, and the concrete grades of the column/wall are similar.

3. Piers are for vertical (wall) elements and spandrels are for horizontal (lintol or deep beam) elements. For analyis it makes little difference, but for design of rebar etc, ETABS treats them differently.

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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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