Frequently Asked Questions

ICC code compliance is quite complicated due to the fact that it is a compilation of several codes from different sources. At Hilton Engineering we pride ourselves on being accurate on code issues to protect your investment and peace of mind. Below are some common questions:

How do we get started with the engineering? How can I assist in keeping engineering costs low and efficient? How fast can a set of house plans be structurally engineered? What engineering products are typically supplied when services are performed? What payment arrangements are typical for new clients? What is the definition of "light framed construction"? What type of loads are considered dead vs. live loads? What is meant by tributary width or area? What are holdowns? What is a shear wall? What is a shear wall aspect ratio? How does the code define a "registered design professional"? How do we get started with the engineering? Send an email to Ralph Hilton with your contact information, the Utah county and city (if incorporated), with the design CAD files attached in .dwg or .dxf file format. We will examine the files and verbally quote the engineering before engineering work is commenced. When the verbal quote is approved, then it is assigned a job number (JB-XXXXX$R) and formalized in a written format and sent to the client. Then the work begins. Back to Top How can I assist in keeping engineering costs low and efficient? Please check your files for accuracy before submitting them. Often, substantial time is lost due to inaccurate design files or desired changes after engineering calculations have been completed. Pay particular attention to the exterior walls and window/door perforations. Most often the shear walls are located on the exterior walls of the home. Back to Top How fast can a set of house plans be structurally engineered? The quickest turn around time is about 4 working days if an accurate CAD layout is available of a simple single story gable roof using a slab on grade design. Usual quote time for most homes is 2 weeks. Back to Top What engineering products are typically supplied when services are performed? Depending on the government agency, 1 set of stamped calculations for code compliance to wind and seismic requirements in the specific Utah locality where the building is to be constructed. The calculations can be printed, bound and mailed or sent via email in Adobe .pdf format for customer printing. In addition, 1 set of stamped e-file Adobe .pdf structural D size drawings are supplied to customer. Back to Top What payment arrangements are typical for new clients? Hilton Engineering emails the structural drawings for review with invoice. On approval, the client sends payment via electronic money transfer or mails check. Upon receipt of funds, official stamped calculation set is sent. COD in person arrangements can be made also. Back to Top What is the definition of "light framed construction"? A type of construction whose vertical (walls) and horizontal structural elements (diaphrams) are primarily formed by a system of repetitive wood or light gage steel framing members. Back to Top What type of loads are considered dead vs. live loads? Dead loads are the weight of all materials of construction used in the building, including walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, stairways, built-in partitions, cladding, and other fixed service equipment. Live loads are produced by the use and occupancy of the building. They do not include construction or environmental loads such as wind load, snow load, rain load, earthquake load, flood load or dead load. For a roof, the live loads are the those loads produced (1) during maintenance by workers, equipment and materials; and (2) during the life of the structure by movable objects such as planters and people. Back to Top What is meant by tributary width or area? It generally is defined as 1/2 the transverse distance or area between two adjacient structural resisting columns, walls, and/or girder trusses. Back to Top What are holdowns? Holdowns are a class of concrete embedded anchors sometimes required at edges of shear walls depending on the calculated net overturning moment acting on the wall. "Retro holdowns" refer to another class of holdowns that perform a similar function, but are installed after the concrete cures. Their locations are shown on the structural engineering drawings. Back to Top What is a shear wall? A shear wall is a general term for walls that are designed and constructed to resist racking from seismic and wind by use of specially constructed wood framing. Other materials can be used, but often are not due economic reasons. Back to Top What is a shear wall aspect ratio? The ratio of the height to width (h/w) of a shear wall. The shear wall height is the maximum clear height from top of foundation or diaphragm to bottom of diaphragm framing above and the shear wall width is the sheathed dimension in the direction of applied force on the shear wall. The ratio must not exceed 3.5 using typical shear wall construction methods. Back to Top How does the code define a "registered design professional"? An individual who is registered or licensed to practice their respective design profession as defined by the statutory requirements of the professional registration laws of the state or jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Back to Top