Project Overview The Porter Ave. Residence is a residential project located at 1337 West Porter Avenue in Fullerton, CA 92833. Encanto served as the structural engineering firm for this development, delivering a comprehensive set of construction documents. The structural package includes detailed foundation plans, first and second-floor framing layouts, and complete lateral diaphragm and shear wall designs to ensure the stability of the entire structure.
Technical Design Criteria The structural engineering for this home strictly adheres to the 2022 California Building Code (CBC) alongside all applicable state and local regulatory agency requirements. The building’s lateral force-resisting system is specifically engineered to withstand Seismic Design Category D demands and a baseline ultimate wind speed of 95 MPH under Exposure Category C. Foundation designs are predicated on an assumed allowable soil bearing pressure of 1,500 psf. To ensure a stable and secure base, the site preparation specifications mandate that the exposed subgrade be scarified, moisture-conditioned, and mechanically compacted to a minimum of 90% relative compaction in accordance with ASTM D1557.
Core Materials and Specifications
High-quality building materials are specified throughout the project to guarantee structural integrity and code compliance:
- Concrete and Reinforcement: Foundation components require concrete with compressive strengths ranging from 2,500 PSI to 4,500 PSI depending on the specific application or specification class. Reinforcing steel complies with ASTM A615/A615M standards, utilizing Grade 40 rebar for sizes #4 and smaller, and Grade 60 for sizes #5 and larger.
- Lumber and Engineered Wood: The primary structural framing relies on Douglas Fir-Larch (DF-L) sawn lumber maintained at a maximum moisture content of 19%. For structural spans demanding higher load capacities, the design incorporates Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) with a 24F-V4 profile, featuring a bending stress of 2400 PSI.
- Advanced Lateral Systems: The lateral force-resisting system consists of timber roof and floor diaphragms acting in tandem with wood shear walls. To maximize shear capacity, the design heavily integrates Simpson Strong-Tie hardware, explicitly utilizing Strong-Wall® WSWH High-Strength Wood Shearwalls anchored with specialized hold-downs, heavy hex nuts, and heavy bearing plates.
