Two Way Expansion Joint in Steel Structure

[canstruct]

One way of providing expansion joint is to have double columns at joint. Another is you can have horizontal slotted connection for a box structure cut in half for example. If you cut a square in four pieces and allow to move independently at expansion joint location in both horz. directions. How the detial would be, can somebody have a sketch to explain it, Can horizontal slotted connection be modified to allow movement in both horizontal direction. Can all the four structures can behave separately instead of relying on other in any direction. Client don't want double column, as it is the mall area.
Appreciated for an advice.

 

[hokie66]

I don't normally give advice to detail expansion joints other than with double columns. Avoid horizontal slotted connections, they seize. Plenty of building failures are caused by this type connection. Where your 4 structures meet, you could consider providing a large single column with slide bearings designed to allow movement in both directions.

 

[Lion06]

look up fluorogold slide bearing system. It is a low-friction bearing pad for the type of application you are talking about.
There is another brand also, but I don't have my binder at home with me and I am struggling to remember the name.

 

[Lion06]

Fabreeka is the other product.
See

http://www.fabreeka.com

Fluorogold Slide Bearings have a better worked example. There are design considerations regarding pad size and beam end rotation.