Curious as to the actual use of this memebr?

[Apexpredetor]

I have had a debate with other engineers in our office about the function of this member. See attached sketch. I am talking about the red member I have labeled "splice"

Can anybody elaborate?

Thanks

 

[Triangled]

wow. nice book sita.

 

[SLTA]

I have a ton of those old books. They're great for figuring out the structural system in an old building, and even better because they give explanations about what the original designers were thinking. Sometimes husband gives them to me for our anniversary!

 

[TDIengineer]

This is a splice to transfer out-of-plane wall loads so that you have a continuous cross-tie.

Even the old farts new they should do this before it became a code requirement. I think the problem was they didn't design the splice for enough load!

 

[Apexpredetor]

When you say "enough load" are you referring to pure tension longitudinally along the length of the beam?

Can you elaborate on the “out-of-plane wall loads” a bit?

I was thinking it was purely to tie the beams to each other?

Thanks again for the help.