Panel Zone

This is a close up of the panel zone. Basically, the panel zone is purposely used to weaken the upper beam of the SMRF (Special Moment Restrain Frame). I mentioned this during my lesson 1 presentation, but not a close up view. In this perspective, it shows how the panel zone connects with the column and the SSDA beam (the upper beam). There's lots of welding within the steel between the column and the beam. Currently, I'm still trying to redraw this panel zone (it's the picture without any labels).

Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

How can a structural engineer design a hospital that provides the best resistance towards earthquakes in California?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.  Examples:

Understanding the earthquake stresses that impact a hospital will help structural engineers create new building codes to designing better structures for hospitals in California.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

The most important source that has helped me come with my answer to my working EQ is the book that my mentor, and the book given by my mentor, Building Construction Illustrated Second Edition.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

 My mentor is Tzuoh-Jaw Wu, structural engineer associate. I volunteer at the company called, Kanda and Tso, and at home. Recently, I have been learning how to calculate loads and stresses. Loads and stresses relate to my working EQ because earthquakes causes stress around the foundation of the building, each structural element composed in a building has certain limits in the amount of load it can carry. By understanding the limitations of the amount load each structurally element can carry, I can understand how structural elements withstands earthquakes. I also been learning how to use the AutoCAD, which is a software that lets me design structural parts for buildings. Learning to design is important because I can create structural elements and I visually see where an earthquake would impact a building.

Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

First, my mentor will teach me the basic duties of a structural engineer. He will let me practice these duties during my mentorship.

Once, I've learned the basics of what my mentor thinks I'm capable of doing, I'm going to do a series of calculations of components that affect buildings. These components range from dead loads, live loads, lengths of columns and beams (specifically), and the weight of columns and beams. During these calculations, I will be using a book that gives a list of measurements of each building element.

I will also be doing lots of work on the computer. My mentor does most of his drawings on paper, so I will be helping transfer those drawings on the computer. My mentor will also tell me what building components he wants me to design on the computer for his future building projects.  

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

I'm going to take pictures of my calculations and drawings and I will post these pictures on the blog. I will also physically bring the actual work of my calculations for my independent component.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

I will be reading text books to give me more of an overview of different loads that affects buildings and different building elements. I will also be learning more about the engineering design program, AutoCAD, so I can see a better picture of what I am designing.