An Engineering Insight authored by SK&A Associate Monika Crandall, PE, LEED AP. Follow Monika on Linked In.
From “simple” detail to on-site surprise
We started with a simple detail – an angle connection at the edge of an existing flat slab to support a new slab infill, all based on existing building as-builts. Straightforward enough.
Then, field verification revealed the slab edge wasn’t vertical. It had a step and a ledge. That meant revising the detail.
Next surprise: an existing continuous embed plate with headed studs, left over from an old railing. It sat exactly where our expansion bolts were supposed to go.
Instead of forcing the design, we found the original railing shop drawings. They showed the stud spacing and length – and that let us reuse the embed plate to support our new angle.
The result was a simpler, cleaner detail – and about 75% fewer expansion bolts.
The Takeaway
If you can verify field conditions early and locate existing drawings, you can save time, cost, and effort – and turn surprises into opportunities.
This insight was originally published by Monika Crandall, PE, LEED AP, on Linked In. View the original post and add your own comments.
