W Beam Lintel and Unbraced Length
W Beam Lintel and Unbraced Length
(OP)
I have a W beam lintel, supporting CMU. First course of CMU on top flange is a bond beam with 2 bars, and shear studs on top flange of W beam at 16" oc. Masonry wall runs 10 feet up clear before intersecting roof elements.
Question is - Does the CMU (bond beam or other) brace the top flange of the W beam? Simply put, can the beam be designed as continuously braced or unbraced it's entire length (neglect composite action of shear studs embedded in first course bond beam)? This has been a topic of discussion for as long as I've been practicing, with different thoughts by different engineers.
Question is - Does the CMU (bond beam or other) brace the top flange of the W beam? Simply put, can the beam be designed as continuously braced or unbraced it's entire length (neglect composite action of shear studs embedded in first course bond beam)? This has been a topic of discussion for as long as I've been practicing, with different thoughts by different engineers.






RE: W Beam Lintel and Unbraced Length
RE: W Beam Lintel and Unbraced Length
I am of the opinion that the beam should be designed as unbraced. You will need a stiff beam anyway to control cracking in the masonry, so I don't think checking the strength as an unbraced beam will have a significant penalty in terms of beam weight. You also don't have to rely on the workmanship of the masons.