CMU Lintel Bearing on Steel Columns

[YESPLLC]

I am looking for some references for a CMU lintel bearing on steel columns. The client 'prefers' not to do a steel beam with soaps, so looking for references on this type of construction. I think embed would be fine, but I don't want to inset, so may need to be a long embed to be uniform. Thanks for any direction.

 

[dik]

Not sure what you're thinking of; do you have a sketch?

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[YESPLLC]

Here is a quick sketch.

 

[phamENG]

A bearing check for the CMU, a bending check for the steel plate, and check the studs for whatever lateral force is required to brace the top of the column.

What are soaps?

 

[MotorCity]

At first glance, I think this arrangement could be made to work. Just make sure you have adequate bearing distance at the column and a sufficiently stiff bearing plate.

I would be hesitant to use this detail for any out of plane loads. Since I see no other steel or bracing, I assume the column is cantilevered from the base.
If thats the case, even the slightest out of plane movement could wreak havoc at the support and lead to undesirable cracking.

Alternatively, you could add a steel plate below with headed studs into the bottom of the cmu as a belt and suspenders. A plate would be almost unnoticeable.

 

[YESPLLC]

I think it is possible with plates, but just not seeing much of it documented, so curious if not that common and possible drawbacks. Soaps, are basically face shell members that you placed in wide-flange beams to make it 'appear' as CMU (doesn't match perfectly). Something like below.

 

[YESPLLC]

It is a long ribbon window, with anticipated stub columns, so I am looking at the bottom CMU being cantilevered with steel stubs. I have made comments on the pending issues, but trying to vet all possibilities prior to moving into something that changes their aesthetics. Basically, this is the start of the issues, and working to others. Ha.

 

[phamENG]

Ah. Interesting. I just call those face shells.

I'd probably want to run those columns up from the footing with a fixed base assumption - the mason can cut block around them so they line up in voids in the CMU. Then I'd want to make sure there's a way to brace the wall above the ribbon window to the roof diaphragm so there's no out of plane loading at the column to lintel interface as MotorCity was talking about.

 

[azcats]

Where do you put control joints in a setup like this?

 

[dik]

I've not done it, but for small loads, it will work as long as everything is checked out.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[phamENG]

azcats - I would align them with the steel columns

 

[azcats]

I was thinking the same phamENG, but what good are they with a bearing plate and studs connecting both sides?

 

[phamENG]

Good point. That is tough to detail with the studs. You could studs on one side and then let the other just sit there with a standard out of plane transfer detail in the joint. EDIT: not so sure...I'd have to stare at the detail for a while to make sure I'm okay with it.

Another possibility...what about a WT with a short stem or double angles between the columns? Then you can flip a bond beam block over so the shortened webs sit above the stem and the full height face shells sit on the flange/out-turned legs?

 

[azcats]

The very first company I ever worked for engineered these steel/CMU lintels for a steel company using somewhat that theory.

Some contractors liked them b/c they didn't have to build forms/scaffold to support the CMU.

https://powerssteel.com/lintel-l2-benefits/

https://powerssteel.com/lintel-ibeam-uses/