Standards
Practical applications
Punching Shear in Spread Footings to CSA A23.3
Size a spread footing for punching shear to CSA A23.3-24: the size effect factor, the 2d footing exemption, the depth quadratic and a one-way check.
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Practical applications
Design principles
Why Your Software Says ‘Singular Matrix’
Decode the dreaded singular matrix error in structural software by understanding rigid body motion and boundary conditions
Choosing the Right Finite Element Type for Your Structural Model
When to use membrane, plate, shell or solid elements based on your analysis objective, the loads involved and the output you need for design.
Why Your Pipeline Settlement Analysis May Be Wrong
Learn why pipeline settlement analyses fail due to misunderstood characteristic length and why adding nodes won't fix sparse survey data
Building Structural Models the Right Way Step by Step Approach
Learn the systematic approach to building effective structural models-from simple sketches to refined analysis-while avoiding costly mistakes.
Finite Element Meshing
Effective finite element meshing strategies for structural engineers, covering convergence orders, aspect ratios, and mesh density rules for wall panels.
Shear Deformation in Deep Members
What shear deformation is, when shear deflection matters in deep beams, girders, coupling beams and squat walls, with a worked W610x125 example.
About Me
I’m a structural engineer at Associated Engineering in Vancouver. The work is civic infrastructure: water and wastewater structures, seismic design, and the analysis and drawings that go with them, on projects across Canada and the U.S.
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