Steel framing design for elevator guide rail forces and reations

[XKIWII]

Hello, everyone.

I need guidance in how-to approach a beam design (part of the floor framing un braced length 7'-0") for the vertical force and specially the lateral reactions of the elevator guide rails, I have taken in consideration the vertical force, but I no sure of how to go about the lateral reaction, they area around 500#. They seem small, but it seems to me I should be worrying about the beams end connection instead, on side I have a clip connection and the other side rests on a cmu pocket ,someone's experience would be helpful.

Thank you.

 

[MisterBill]

I am no expert on elevators but I think the rails are designed to span floor to floor. Generally the rail is supported by an HSS section because the rail won't have the strength to take the imposed loads. The HSS section is welded to embedment plates installed in the shear wall or to an outrigger attached to the floor support beam.

Both the elevator cab and couterweight ride on the rails. The deflection control will probably govern. I assume this is traction control elevator. I think I would use at least L/600 for deflection control

Seismic will govern the rail design. You probably need to design for a lateral load of at least 0.5xcounterweight.

I don't think the rail will need to support any vertical load unless the elevator relies on it for fall arrest during a malfunction.

So try an HSS for the rail. You are proably looking at an HSS 4x4x1/4 or 6x6x1/4. Something in that range.