] [Thread] [Date] [Author]

[Rhkratzse(--nospam--at)aol.com]

In a message dated 10/1/05 3:48:51 PM, ad026(--nospam--at)hwcn.org writes:
> On the nose. I designed a support grid for a substantial glass wall. The
> members were "large" for deflection considerations. The owner likes to
> joke that the building will blow down but the windows will still be
> standing.
Once upon a long-ago time I also designed a replacement mullion system for a series of tall existing windows.   When the architect noticed that my calculations indicated a deflection of around 2" under full wind load he was concerned ... until I explained to him that the existing mullions that had been in the building for 20+ years had a calculated deflection under the same load of 24".    :)   

And practically every one of my residential addition clients tells me that the addition I designed for them will be the safe haven for the entire neighborhood in the event of a major earthquake.   

It must have bee nice to practice in the "good old days" when standards and liability appear, in hindsight, to have been abysmally low.    Or is my view distorted?   

Ralph Hueston Kratz, S.E.
Richmond CA USA
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