Closure Plate for HSS Column, Seal Welded? Strength? 2

[Rainbowtrout]

Hey all,

I am putting a closure plate at the top of a HSS column. I would like to make it water tight - thus seal welded. I am reading mixed opinions on seal weld strength here. The structure has roof deck and the closure plate need to be able to hold down the roof deck - the max un-factored load is approx. 2 k. Will a seal weld do? Here is how I have it right now. Should I specify the size of the seal weld? Really any size will do for this. What symbol should I use?

Also, I am curious - for a practical standpoint, how does the shop person get the closure plate inside the HSS column perfect and weld?

 

[dik]

The plate is slightly larger than the interior of the HSS and smaller than the outside of the HSS. This allows the plate to sit on the HSS and not 'fall in' and gives enough space for a small fillet weld to attach the plate to the HSS.

Dik

 

[paddingtongreen]

Looking this over, after the conversation, why not sit the beam on the cap plate? Any perpendicular beams can frame in to this beam, or vice versa. This, to me, is the normal way to frame it.

Michael.
"Science adjusts its views based on what's observed. Faith is the denial of observation so that belief can be preserved." ~ Tim Minchin

 

[racookpe1978]

Yeah, but then you have to oversize (make thicker!) the cap plate nd the cap plate weld so it IS strong enough o hold the twisting and moment forces.

But that has to be a field weld. Here, he is doing a shop joint (I hope!) on the bolting plate; followed by a field bolted joint of flat plate to horizontal beam.

 

[Rainbowtrout]

Hi paddingtongreen - at a few locations I also have a bracing connection, where I will a gusset plate to the beam. It is easier to detail the way it is. Also, yes, avoiding field weld was one of my priorities too.

 

[Rainbowtrout]

Hi Dik, I am so sorry I misunderstood you! The HSS column is only 1/2" (HSS 10x10x1/2) - which means realistically we only have 0.465" or so wall thickness because of HSS tolerances. I wonder whether it gives us enough space to fillet weld a plate that is cut just larger than the inside dimension? Your idea is very simple, practical and neat otherwise.