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Question for a4architect
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mwenza
#471 Posted : Sunday, June 23, 2013 9:35:51 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 4/22/2009
Posts: 2,863
Apricot wrote:
I have independently verified that NO Y8's have been used in erecting the columns, they are Y12's. My contractor has also indicated that he is using the services of a structural engineer, so what I want to do is hire my own to confirm that I am getting the proper service.

Since I have paused the construction, I have time to travel and gauge everything before I decide to proceed or not.


There is something called load- bearing walls. In that case you do not require a single column in a building let alone columns with nominal rebars.
IF YOU EXPECT ME TO POST ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT ASENO, YOU MAY AS WELL SIT ON A PIN
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Apricot
#472 Posted : Sunday, June 23, 2013 9:48:45 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 10/26/2011
Posts: 181
Location: Nairobi
mwenza wrote:
Apricot wrote:
I have independently verified that NO Y8's have been used in erecting the columns, they are Y12's. My contractor has also indicated that he is using the services of a structural engineer, so what I want to do is hire my own to confirm that I am getting the proper service.

Since I have paused the construction, I have time to travel and gauge everything before I decide to proceed or not.


There is something called load- bearing walls. In that case you do not require a single column in a building let alone columns with nominal rebars.


Really! even if it's a residential highrise building with 4 storeys? Can the columnless load-bearing walls support the dead load?
First time in history we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let's not screw it up
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  | | Edit by user: Sunday, June 23, 2013 9:53 PM | Reason: Not specified
mwenza
#473 Posted : Sunday, June 23, 2013 10:00:02 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 4/22/2009
Posts: 2,863
Apricot wrote:
mwenza wrote:
Apricot wrote:
I have independently verified that NO Y8's have been used in erecting the columns, they are Y12's. My contractor has also indicated that he is using the services of a structural engineer, so what I want to do is hire my own to confirm that I am getting the proper service.

Since I have paused the construction, I have time to travel and gauge everything before I decide to proceed or not.


There is something called load- bearing walls. In that case you do not require a single column in a building let alone columns with nominal rebars.


Really! even if it's a residential highrise building with 4 storeys? Can the columnless load-bearing walls support the dead load?


Yes it can. Complete With 1.4 and 1.6 factors of safety for both dead and live loads respectively.
IF YOU EXPECT ME TO POST ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT ASENO, YOU MAY AS WELL SIT ON A PIN
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  | | Edit by user: Sunday, June 23, 2013 10:02 PM | Reason: Not specified
Apricot
#474 Posted : Sunday, June 23, 2013 10:20:59 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 10/26/2011
Posts: 181
Location: Nairobi
mwenza wrote:
Apricot wrote:
mwenza wrote:
Apricot wrote:
I have independently verified that NO Y8's have been used in erecting the columns, they are Y12's. My contractor has also indicated that he is using the services of a structural engineer, so what I want to do is hire my own to confirm that I am getting the proper service.

Since I have paused the construction, I have time to travel and gauge everything before I decide to proceed or not.


There is something called load- bearing walls. In that case you do not require a single column in a building let alone columns with nominal rebars.


Really! even if it's a residential highrise building with 4 storeys? Can the columnless load-bearing walls support the dead load?


Yes it can. Complete With 1.4 and 1.6 factors of safety for both dead and live loads respectively.


Can I assume that this is something that would/should have to be incorporated in the architectural and structural designs stages though?
First time in history we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let's not screw it up
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  | | Edit by user: Sunday, June 23, 2013 10:22 PM | Reason: Not specified
mwenza
#475 Posted : Sunday, June 23, 2013 10:28:56 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 4/22/2009
Posts: 2,863
Apricot wrote:
mwenza wrote:
Apricot wrote:
mwenza wrote:
Apricot wrote:
I have independently verified that NO Y8's have been used in erecting the columns, they are Y12's. My contractor has also indicated that he is using the services of a structural engineer, so what I want to do is hire my own to confirm that I am getting the proper service.

Since I have paused the construction, I have time to travel and gauge everything before I decide to proceed or not.


There is something called load- bearing walls. In that case you do not require a single column in a building let alone columns with nominal rebars.


Really! even if it's a residential highrise building with 4 storeys? Can the columnless load-bearing walls support the dead load?


Yes it can. Complete With 1.4 and 1.6 factors of safety for both dead and live loads respectively.


Can I assume that this is something that would/should have to be incorporated in the architectural and structural designs stages though?


Yes of course. It's only from the architectural drawings that a structural engineer can decide to go for either load- bearing walls or a frame structure.
IF YOU EXPECT ME TO POST ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT ASENO, YOU MAY AS WELL SIT ON A PIN
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a4architect.com
#476 Posted : Monday, June 24, 2013 9:54:59 AM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 1/4/2010
Posts: 1,668
Location: nairobi
@apricot. Construction projects the whole world over follow the simple rules below.
1. client and architect
2. client, architect, qs
3.client, architect, qs, engineer
4.client, architect, qs, engineer, contractor.
5.client, architect, valuer,end use
Any other method of implementing a construction project, no mater how big or small, will most likely lead to failure in terms of viability or structural integrity.
What i can deduce is that you are not using this procedure.
Your architect is mandated by law to first explain to you how construction industry work. This is step A in the CAP 525 of the Laws of Kenya. See here http://a4architect.com/about-us/fees-breakdown/

Its your responsibility as a client to find and consult a registered architect who is trained and has the necessary experience and certification to offer this service to you.
After this, you will not have the kind of problems/questions that you have expressed below.
Once you have retained an architect, he will advice you the roles of engineers, contracotrs etc.
The world over, it is the responsibility of the owner to retain a structural engineer. Its not the responsibility of the contractor to do so.If the building collapses, its the owner, not the contractor who will be held responsible for structural defects.
Also, in selecting contractors, select registered contractors who can also advise you on the norm in the construction industry when you are wrong e.g. when you have no engineer as opposed to a contracotr who takes advantage of the situation and gives you wrong advice.
Previously, Kenyan laws could not enforce developers to use laid down procedures. Currently, the kind of fines you are facing are kind of huge, basing from the new construction laws. The law is drafted such that its impossible to feign ignorance.
Google for Built Environment Bill 2012. It has specified huge fines for developers who don't follow rules. Last time i checked, the fines were in between hundreds of thousands to millions.

My appeal for developers is for them to ensure they follow rules so as we dont make Kenya another Haiti with alot of unplanned and un supervised collapsing buildings.

The reason construction cost in Kenya is higher than in South Africa is coz Kenyan developers avoid/are ignorant on the use of consultants to enable cost savings .Kenyan developers mostly use fundis/contractors for the wrong skill/set hence dont benefit from use of cost cutting techniques/ideas which come about from consultants.
As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
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  | | Edit by user: Monday, June 24, 2013 10:54 AM | Reason: Not specified
majimaji
#477 Posted : Monday, June 24, 2013 10:46:56 AM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 4/4/2007
Posts: 1,162
Apricot wrote:
mwenza wrote:
Apricot wrote:
I have independently verified that NO Y8's have been used in erecting the columns, they are Y12's. My contractor has also indicated that he is using the services of a structural engineer, so what I want to do is hire my own to confirm that I am getting the proper service.

Since I have paused the construction, I have time to travel and gauge everything before I decide to proceed or not.


There is something called load- bearing walls. In that case you do not require a single column in a building let alone columns with nominal rebars.


Really! even if it's a residential highrise building with 4 storeys? Can the columnless load-bearing walls support the dead load?


@Apricot, @Mwenza is giving you some good advise. But @a4architect is giving you even better advise, that is, get a structural engineer to design and supervise your structural bit. A stru engineer will give you the most economical and sound design, you may discover you don't even require the columns. And note that in Kenya, the structural eng mat be that guy also called a civil engineer.
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dunkang
#478 Posted : Monday, June 24, 2013 10:53:57 AM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 6/2/2011
Posts: 4,824
Location: -1.2107, 36.8831
a4architect.com wrote:
@apricot. Construction projects the whole world
over follow the simple rules below.
1. client and architect
2. client, architect, qs
3.client, architect, qs, engineer
4.client, architect, qs, engineer, contractor.
5.client, architect, valuer,end use
Any other method of implementing a
construction project, no mater how big or small,
will most likely lead to failure in terms of viability
or structural integrity.

Why would a QS come before an Engineer? just asking!
Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you.” ― Rashi

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a4architect.com
#479 Posted : Monday, June 24, 2013 10:58:37 AM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 1/4/2010
Posts: 1,668
Location: nairobi
@dunkang. Once a client shapes the building design to a preliminary size and shape, the Qs comes in with input to further adjust the size,cost and shape in relation to building economics. The structural engineer comes in when the design has already taken a more or less comlete shape that is in agreement with the client budget and taste. This way, the engineer is saved from redoing /redesigning his structures all over . Most of the redesign is left for the architect to do hence saving costs and time for other consultants.
As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
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Dahatre
#480 Posted : Monday, June 24, 2013 11:14:12 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 602
Also Apricot:

Did you obtain the necessary permissions to build from the county/council authorities? if you had, they would have asked for the structural drawings, then you would have known to consult with an structural engineer to generate those drawings.
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