Licensed Engineer for Florida Project
Worldwide
I am in the need of a structural engineering letter for my stucco finish on an ICF project that is currently being developed and worked on right now. There is no product available in the market that provides a Miami-Dade NOA or a Florida product approval that for direct applied stucco on ICF. So, I am going to need specific structural calculations according to ASCE 7 Florida Building Code to ensure that the pressure and wind pressures that will be sustained in the area will the product will satisfy those needs. The product is STO Quick Finish. There are several bulletins, details, and technical hotlines on their website that state all of the technical details necessary. I would need an engineer to provide the calculations and a letter stating that this product meets Florida regulations and high-velocity wind zones. Please see the details below. 1. Wind Load Analysis (ASCE 7 / Florida Building Code) The engineer begins by determining the precise design wind pressures for the specific site coordinates, geometry, and exposure category: Parameters: Input the ultimate design wind speed (V 2 ) for the municipality, Exposure Category (typically Exposure C for open areas or B), Risk Category, and topographic factors. Pressure Zones: Calculate the design wind pressures (p) for both positive pressure and negative suction across all building zones, paying particular attention to Zones 4 (walls) and 5 (corners), where negative suction loads peak. Formula: Using standard ASCE 7 methodology incorporated into the FBC: p=q h ⋅[(GC p )−(GC i )] The engineer extracts the net design wind pressure (in psf - pounds per square foot) that the exterior wall assembly must resist. 2. Substrate and Bond Pull-Off Resistance Evaluation StoQuik Finish for ICF is a direct-applied finish system consisting of an EPS foam substrate (the ICF face), a polymer-modified basecoat (such as Sto BTS Plus), embedded reinforcing mesh, primer, and finish. The engineer must evaluate two critical failure mechanisms: Sto Corp. Adhesive/Cohesive Strength: Review laboratory test data (typically via ASTM C297 for tensile bond strength) establishing the force required to pull the basecoat/mesh from the EPS foam, or cause cohesive failure within the 1.5 pcf density ICF foam itself. Wind Uplift / Suction Resistance: Review ASTM E330 structural performance test data for the StoQuik assembly to identify its maximum allowable negative design pressure rating. 3. Safety Factors and Comparative Verification Capacity vs. Demand: The engineer sets up a governing equation comparing the ultimate wind suction demand (from Step 1) against the allowable or ultimate test capacity of the Sto system, divided by the required code safety factor (typically a safety factor of 3.0 for proprietary exterior wall finishes, or as mandated by local building officials). ICF Core Compatibility: Verify that the specific ICF brand's foam thickness, density (minimum 1.5 pcf), and surface preparation (rasping guidelines) align identically with Sto's published technical specifications (Sto Guide Spec 1700).
- Less than 30 hrs/weekHourly
- 1-3 monthsDuration
- IntermediateExperience Level
- Remote Job
- Ongoing projectProject Type
Skills and Expertise
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- Proposals:Less than 5
- Last viewed by client:last week
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About the client
- United StatesWest Park8:16 PM
- $62K total spent258 hires, 1 active
- 2,478 hours
- Science & MedicineMid-sized company (10-99 people)
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