Civil Engineering/structural Engg

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Expert: - 4/5/2010


Question
sirA.O.A.
i am in the process of designing a rcc structure with 9m column grid spacing on each direction with Beam-slab (beam 600x450 and slab 200mm) is this Ok
Secondly at locations span is twice i.e. 18m what do you suggest for framing either i ll go for rcc beam or for steelbeam or steel truss. pl give some idea.
Regards,

Sajid Usmani
Pakistan

Answer
Hi Sajid,

This depends on the live loading and also usage of the floor (defelction criteria). You may find that a slightly deeper beam (say 750mm) will result in much less rebar and so will be more economical overall). Also, the 200mm slab may not meet deflection criteria for a 9m span, so you may needs to thicken it up a bit.

As for the 18m span, again this depends on usage, etc, but probably steel trusses will be more appropriate if this is for a roof structure only.

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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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