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Residential Steel Design

Residential Steel Design

Residential Steel Design

(OP)
I am designing a residential steel and composite concrete slab structure?  Does anyone have any information on what an acceptable initial deflection for steel beams would be?  I know that in commercial applications, it you does not matter due to a higher tolerance allowed by finishings i.e suspended ceilings.  A house however could be unforgiving with a much more strict allowable deflection criteria.  I was trying to keep the initial deflection to 0.75 in.  I know that the the floor will be poured flat, but I wanted to know if anyone just had a reference on construction deflections.  Thanks.   

RE: Residential Steel Design

When I design beams for custom homes, I look at deflection but I also consider vibration due to walking.  A typical criteria I use to design steel beams is that the depth should be at least L/20.  This, I believe, comes from one of AISCs steel tips booklets.  For deflection, I will try to keep it around L/360 to L/480 for TOTAL loading (DL + LL).

RE: Residential Steel Design

Don't forget to take into account that load bearing walls below will be framed to the bottom of the floor/roof system.  There is nothing worse than a falling cieling line or crushed dry wall at the tops of walls!

RE: Residential Steel Design

(OP)
This house is a full steel frame with a composite concrete floor system.  I am looking for the allowable initial deflection (construction deflection).  Do you know any publications or articles that disuss allowable construction delflections.  Thanks.

RE: Residential Steel Design

I would think that construction deflections would be an OSHA thing.

RE: Residential Steel Design

Final LL and DL deflections would be local code i.e: FRC, IBC, UBC, etc.  And of course, these are all minimums.  Discuss with the contractor the materials and systems going below the steel and the order of their installation and make a "judgement" based on your research.  You can also discuss with the owner/contractor the cost increase of increasing sections to limit deflections vs. the possiblity of falling cieling lines etc.  Document everything! CYA

RE: Residential Steel Design

(OP)
Thanks.  I think that is the best solution.  Make an agreement with the architect and contractor on an allowable deflection.  

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