Do I need AISC, FEMA, or any other document to do my job as a fabricator or inspector?
Your contract documents should indicate whether your scope of work is in accordance with D1.1, D1.8, AISC, FEMA. So, you would definitely need these documents.
How do AISC and AWS work together to insure that the job is done properly.
There are a lot of tables, etc in the AISC manual that are taken straight from D1.1, otherwise, in general, the reader is referred to the related AWS standard. I see a lot of this, but I can't think of any instance where D1.1 refers the reader to the AISC manual. As you probably know, AISC handles design, and AWS handles welding. I guess it's up to us to be smart enough to read between the lines and figure out if there are any contradictions between the two specifications.
I was hopping to get the kind of answers that you, jwright650-swnorris-hogan, gave. It is such a benefit to be able to ask an important question and get responsible reply. I feel honored that you three answered. I have all of the documents mentioned, in the replies to my post, except for "irfd" and "asd". Frankly I have not the foggiest idea what they are. Please inform me. I try to keep up to date so that I can do my job well.
I am the QC guy and a fabricator and welder. Know body else at my place has the time or the inclination to pursue these topics. I don't have an office so I am not a dedicated asset to total QC. I put on witch ever hat I'm required to ware as the day proceeds, literally. I have had my fanny pulled out of the fire many times by you guys on the forum. It is not only when I post, but in reading the questions and answers of all of you.
Thank you
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
LRFD and ASD are basically two different design methods used by engineers. Regardless of which method the engineers use, the welds will be basically the same so you don't really need to know which method was used in design. Whatever methodology the engineer uses for design, the engineer will (should) spec the weld size and type and that is what you weld or inspect. How the engineer comes up with a weld design is his problem and you don't need to know, although I admire you for wanting to know.
Let me try an oversimplification: ASD divides the design strength by a safety factor to get the working load. LRFD amplifies the loads to achieve a safety factor. Why the different methods? LRFD is recent and is said to provide a more statistically reliable design by taking into account many more factors for unknowns than ASD does.
Bob Garner.
Bob,
Thanks for the concise and informative reply.
Dennis
I, too, think I am the only guy here that pursues seismic requirements and education. We just sell jobs without understanding the ramifications. We have had several projects come to our shop with the words "seismic" verbally attached but with drawings that do not look any different than any others. Conversely, we had 2 jobs hit the shop with seismic notes all over them and not a word mentioned anywhere previous to them hitting the shop. Stopped those 2 jobs cold (one until the client finally arranged to have one of those "special inspectors" come in from CA. I thought "wow, finally going to get to learn something from this guy. Boy was I disappointed because he surely was "special". He pretty much got a vacation to sunny FL.) Anyway, it would seem that there still is little understanding here the difference between siesmic and nonseismic no matter how much I try to educate. Engineers are not specifying what part of a frame falls under the seismic restraint and just try to call the whole job seismic. Then detailers don't detail it any different than a "normal" job. Once again I become a very squeaky wheel.
almost anyone can get the special inspector cert. if you can read you can pass it. all open book. no experience requirement.
Hello thcqci, I read your post and think you may gain some information regarding your questions by going to the website: www.aisc.org, they have a number of interesting subjects and examples under their Learning Opportunities section. I pulled up some information from their site after reading a response on another thread about moment connections, the information that I was able to retrieve showed in a very informative and simple manner the differences in simple connections and fully-restrained and partially restrained moment connections. It also had a host of other informative topics. I am sure that Hogan can give you other information on the definitions of seismic as he is located in an area where most all of the construction falls under earthquake code requirements very similar to those of california. Good luck and regards, aevald
Yes, I have been there and I have done a bunch of reearch and reading about seismic stuff. Problem is I need a bunch more people here doing the same instead of just relying on the QC guy to tell them AFTER the job is in the shop. Lack of planning and all that stuff.
Hello again thcqci, is there any way you can convince the shop superintendent to incorporate some presentations on those issues through a powerpoint presentation or a booklet or information pack or something like that? Just a thought. Regards, aevald
typically most seismic job drawings will look the same as any other drawing (more so if shop drawing). for seismic contract drawings you always start with the general notes. look at the design code ( if seismic than probably ICC). next look at the seismic zone. most additional requirements will come into play in zone 3 or higher. if you have these noted then there will be an additional heading in the general notes titled special inspection. this will tell you what is required to be inspected and if it is continuous or or not. also most of the additional requirements will only apply to the moment frame. keep in mind that there can be say 30 moment connections on a floor, but only 20 are part of the moment frame. different requirements for frame verses a moment connection.
"I thought "wow, finally going to get to learn something from this guy. Boy was I disappointed because he surely was "special".
LMAO!!!