connect plate to beams

[SweetDewMe]

Here is my question:

Can you connect a plate to a beam? Say for instance I have four W 8X24 beams, making up a square. Now I make up a plate (4" thick concrete) using the same four nodes I used for the beams. Can I connect the beams to the edges of the plate so that any forces I place on the beams also act on the plate?

 

[SteveGregory]

The short answer is yes. If you connect the plate to only the 4 nodes at the intersection of the beams, then the plate and the beams will not act together. You need to subdivide the beams and the plate and connect all of the nodes to get them to work together.

 

[SweetDewMe]

I was hoping that wouldn't be the answer