Ralph,
Have you seen the Stata Center? And, do you know of anything Gehry has done recently that was not screwed up? And if a structural engineer doesn't know how to detail a building so it will be waterproof he/she should stick to southern California where it hasn't rained for over two years.
Richard Hess (living in So. Cal. but educated elsewhere)
-----Original Message-----I definitely agree with your "chiming in" comment, just so you don't take responsibility for the inevitable leaks. (Hey, if they couldn't build a leakless Stata Center at MIT for $300M, what chance does a little house engineer have?)
From: Rhkratzse@aol.com [mailto:Rhkratzse@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 9:57 AM
To: JCoombs@carollo.com; cbanbury@arkengineering.net; seaint@seaint.org
Subject: Re: underground house
What do you mean by "It's" been done a lot? Are you referring to underground buildings, or to engineers specifying waterproofing, etc. (that I don't feel very expert in).
Ralph
In a message dated 11/29/07 9:51:17 AM, JCoombs@carollo.com writes:
It's actually been done a lot. And the SE should always be aware of the waterproofing used, and chime in if he believes it is insufficient.
>>> On 11/29/2007 at 9:00 AM, <Rhkratzse@aol.com> wrote:
Check out some of Malcolm Wells' books; he's been doing this since the 1970s. (I don't know if he's still active.) I'm curious: As an engineer why are you involved in the nonstructural aspects of the design, such as egress, waterproofing, ventilation--not to mention potential claustrophobia? Shouldn't the architect be handling them? I stay as far away from waterproofing design, and its potential liability issues, as I possibly can.
Ralph Hueston Kratz, S.E.
Structural Engineer
Richmond CA USA
In a message dated 11/29/07 6:54:50 AM, cbanbury@arkengineering.net writes:
Hi all.
I've been asked to engineer a single story residence that will be built into the side of a hill and covered with earth. The walk-out front elevation will be exposed.
Can someone direct me to some resources that address issues of water proofing, ventilation, egress, etc? The exterior walls will probably be reinforced masonry but I'm not certain of the type and configuration of the roof system.
Thanks in advance.
Christopher Banbury, PE
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