Steel Column Beam Joints in Parking Structures

They seem needlessly expensive... the first one, I'd have run the beam over the column for continuous construction, and connected it with bolts to the column, with a splice at 1/7 span roughly and framed the other one into the web with bolts... I probably would use metal pan, except for a 'throw away' form.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

They seem needlessly expensive... the first one, I'd have run the beam over the column for continuous construction, and connected it with bolts to the column, with a splice at 1/7 span roughly and framed the other one into the web with bolts... I probably would use metal pan, except for a 'throw away' form.

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It is the parking of the city building officials (in charge of approving all structural plans). Just built 2 years ago. What I'm concerned with is what if repeated seismic movement would weaken the welds. And one of the giant I-beam would just fall down. I got nervous whenever i drive under it. But gave me confidence that if such small welds can support the entire giant steel and flooring. Why can't my project w8x12 I-beam splice welds support just 1 meter height of wall above or even to brace a separate wall besides it.

ductility is nice with seismic... but on a positive note, they're only civil servants... no real loss.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

stripez said:

The I-beam 3.2 feet (1 meter) depth and span 65 feet (20 meter) were welded as simple as this.

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That isn't what I'd call simple!

stripez said:

This is typical? Would you have designed this too? Imagine a few welding supports the entire spanning. This is why I'm inquiring who were the welding team who did it to strengthen the splice of a small I-beam in my project, enough to brace a wall or carry 1 meter parapet above it (no decks supporting it directly). The parking can give confidence, isn't it?

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A 4 way moment connection isn't typical but I seen no immediate reason to doubt the design here, I see plenty of indications that a fair bit of thought has gone into designing these connections. You seem to be under the impression that welds are weak, I'm curious on what alternative method you would use to achieve the same result without relying on welding?

As far as the question about your splice goes, as long as the welders have done their job properly then it should reach comparable strength to the parent beam. Place it away from the point of maximum design moment and you are in a more than comfortable position.

More here on full penetration splices:

dik said:

They seem needlessly expensive... the first one, I'd have run the beam over the column for continuous construction, and connected it with bolts to the column, with a splice at 1/7 span roughly and framed the other one into the web with bolts... I probably would use metal pan, except for a 'throw away' form.

Click to expand...

But that would not achieve the same result. A 4 way moment connection.