Hydrology and Flood Frequency Analysis Flood frequency analysis uses statistical methods to estimate the probability and magnitude of flood events for the design of hydraulic structures. The annual maximum flood series records the highest instantaneous flow in each year of the historical record. The flood frequency curve plots the flood magnitude against the recurrence interval […]
Reinforced Earth and Soil Nailing Reinforced earth is a construction technique that uses tensile reinforcement within the soil mass to resist lateral earth pressures. The reinforcing elements are typically galvanized steel strips or geosynthetic sheets placed horizontally within the soil at regular vertical intervals. The friction between the soil and the reinforcement transfers the tensile
Construction Bonds and Surety Construction bonds are three-party agreements between the owner, the contractor, and the surety company that guarantee the contractor performance and payment obligations. The bid bond guarantees that the contractor will enter into the contract if awarded the project and will provide the required performance and payment bonds. The bid bond amount
Structural Glass Design Structural glass systems use glass as a load-bearing element in buildings, typically for fins, beams, and columns that support glass facades and canopies. The structural glass must be laminated with interlayers of polyvinyl butyral or SentryGlas to provide post-breakage strength. The design of structural glass elements must consider the tensile strength of
Trenchless Technology Trenchless technology methods install and rehabilitate underground utilities without the disruption of open trench excavation. Horizontal directional drilling uses a drilling rig to bore a pilot hole along a curved path between two surface points. The pilot hole is enlarged by back-reaming to the required diameter, and the utility pipe is pulled through
Security System Design Building security systems protect occupants and assets through access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection. The access control system uses card readers, biometric scanners, or keypad entry to control entry to secured areas. The system maintains a database of authorized users and their access privileges. The video surveillance system uses cameras positioned
Commissioning Process Building commissioning verifies that all building systems are installed, tested, and capable of operating according to the design intent. The commissioning process begins during the design phase with the development of the commissioning plan. The plan specifies the systems to be commissioned, the testing procedures, and the acceptance criteria. The TAB process for
Curtain Wall Design Curtain wall systems are non-structural exterior cladding systems that are attached to the building structure. The curtain wall carries its own weight and the wind loads but does not support any structural loads from the building. The aluminum frame system consists of vertical mullions and horizontal transoms that support the glass or
Acoustical Ceiling Design Suspended acoustical ceiling systems are the most common ceiling finish in commercial buildings. The ceiling consists of a metal grid suspended from the structure above, with acoustical panels that lay into the grid. The panels are manufactured from mineral fiber, fiberglass, or other sound-absorbing materials. The Noise Reduction Coefficient measures the sound
Plaster and Stucco Systems Gypsum plaster has been used for interior wall finishes for centuries, providing a smooth, durable surface. Modern gypsum plaster is applied in three coats over metal lath or gypsum lath. The scratch coat is applied first and scratched to provide a key for the brown coat. The brown coat builds the
