Zambo
Civil/Environmental
- Jun 5, 2003
- 697
We are constructing a steel framed building with rafter spans of 24m. The steel has been fabricated in the factory by full strength butt welding of 2 x 12m long beams. This fabricated beam has then been delivered to site.
Our Client now claims the beams should not be welded in the middle. I am aware that for RC construction joints should be at 1/3 span or an area of low stress. However for steel construction I am not aware of any such requirement in fact it would seem unusual to me to contemplate cutting beams to introduce additional joints at a location other than midspan.
Am I wrong, is there any code requirement to locate joints away from midspan? Alternatively is there any statement anywhere that this is ok...
Our Client now claims the beams should not be welded in the middle. I am aware that for RC construction joints should be at 1/3 span or an area of low stress. However for steel construction I am not aware of any such requirement in fact it would seem unusual to me to contemplate cutting beams to introduce additional joints at a location other than midspan.
Am I wrong, is there any code requirement to locate joints away from midspan? Alternatively is there any statement anywhere that this is ok...