INSTRUCTOR: Alexander Newman, P.E., F.ASCE   

Purpose and Background

The design scope of many engineering projects includes structural supports for equipment, signs, towers, tanks and similar items, yet this topic is rarely included in the engineering college curricula. The requirements and guidelines for designing these supports are spread out throughout many specialized publications, and it might take years to master them all. In the meantime, the engineers are left to learn on the job, a process that often produces different designs for similar installations. In some cases the design of supports is performed by the engineers who may or may not even have structural background, but any failure is likely to be expensive and disruptive - and invite claims and litigation.

There are two main types of the elements that require structural support. ASCE 7 differentiates between "nonstructural components" that are supported by the building and "nonbuilding structures" carried on their own foundations. The former include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) equipment, pipes, signs, rooftop tanks, and antennas; the latter include process equipment, highway posts and sign poles, ground-supported tanks, and transmission poles and towers.

Because nonstructural components are borne by the building, their support solutions depend in part on the capacity of the building structure. Some components can safely bear on, or be suspended from, the roof or floor deck, while others have to be carried by a steel frame spanning over the roof. The design of foundations for nonbuilding structures reflects many variables as well. The engineering firms that specialize in the design services for this work have compiled a wealth of relevant information, but it is not available to others.

The purpose of the seminar is to provide an overview of the practical methods used in the design of supports for both nonstructural components and nonbuilding structures. Based on four decades of design and forensic experience, the instructor discusses common solutions and explains where the design information and software, much of it freely available, can be found. The discussion is illustrated by many practical examples and must-have design details. The attendees are encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation and to suggest alternative design solutions for the problems being discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Determine whether a rooftop HVAC equipment can be supported on the roof deck or beams, or whether a structural frame has to be erected to span between the building columns
• Explain the differences between the provisions of ASCE 7-10 and ASCE 7-16 regarding the wind loads on rooftop structures and equipment
• Quickly estimate the lateral drift of a rooftop frame
• Examine practical details for suspending pipes and equipment from cold-formed Z purlins, wood I-joists, and concrete slabs
• Explain the differences between the foundations for statically and dynamically loaded equipment
• List three main methods of designing foundations for dynamically loaded equipment
• Design deep and shallow foundations for towers, highway signs, and elevated tanks

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Participants will become familiar with various methods of designing structural supports for equipment, towers, tanks, and similar items, whether carried by the building or by separate foundations. The instruction will utilize a combination of lecture, working through design examples and case studies, answering the participants’ questions, and refreshing the discussion through a short post-seminar exam.

Who Should Attend

Structural and civil engineers interested in learning about practical solutions for the design of supports for nonstructural components and the design of foundations for nonbuilding structures.

Seminar Outline

TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

DAY 1

Supports for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) equipment, signs, tanks, antennas and
other nonstructural components (including working with existing buildings)

• Rooftop supports
• Floor supports
• Suspended items
• Seismic bracing

DAY 2

Foundations for nonbuilding structures

• Static equipment
• Dynamic equipment
• Highway signs, lights and traffic signals
• Antennas, telecom and broadcast towers
• Transmission towers and pole structures
• Conclusion, final Q&A, post-course test

Hotel Information

Discounted hotel rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. See discount deadline and rates below.