Solar panels, architectural sunshades, and complex multi-level rooflines are no longer the exception; they’re the norm in modern Canadian building design. While they score points for energy efficiency and visual appeal, they also create a minefield of unexpected snow and ice loads for structural engineers.
read more
You’re finalizing a set of drawings, cross-checking load cases against the National Building Code, and wondering if you’ve caught every little detail. The NBCC is a dense document, and its companion, the Structural Commentaries, is packed with the “why” behind the rules. It’s in those commentaries that we find the nuances that can make or break a design, or at least save us a headache during a plan check.
read more
So, you’ve just been handed a project with a decently sized retaining wall, and it’s in a location with some seismic kick. Immediately, you know that your standard static analysis isn’t going to cut it. The response of a retaining wall to seismic loading is a complex soil-structure interaction problem, and figuring out the right approach can be daunting. This is a classic example of where we move beyond simplified prescriptive rules and into the world of engineered precision using Part 4 principles.
read more
Canadian projects see everything from heavy snowfalls to strong winds, so our designs constantly have to stand up to the elements. The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) gives us the rulebook, but how we apply those rules can differ significantly, especially when we’re talking about Part 4 (Structural Design) versus Part 9 (Housing and Small Buildings).
read more
The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) gives us two primary structural design pathways that show up in everyday practice: the engineered requirements of Part 4 and the prescriptive provisions of Part 9. Deciding which one applies—and where they overlap—is a fundamental part of our work as structural engineers in Canada.
read more
In this article we’ll be looking at seismic. Specifically, let’s chew on something that’s been a hot topic since the NBCC 2020 dropped: the growing gap in seismic design philosophies between Part 4 (Structural Design) and Part 9 (Housing and Small Buildings). If you’re juggling projects that dance on the edge of Part 9’s limits or work across different seismic zones in Canada, this is a conversation you need to be in on.
read more
Welcome to my structural engineering blog! I’m Arun Kishore, a Structural Engineer based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This blog is a space where I plan to document my continuous learning journey, share insights, and discuss the diverse world of structural engineering – from codes and standards to design procedures, innovative ideas, and material-specific topics.
Know More