Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
(OP)
We are adding load to a square building with expansion joints running down the middle in both directions. It has wall bracing in both direction at the exterior wall only.
It seems to me that the because there is only bracing in 2 directions for each quadrant and chords are discontinuous at exp. jts. that in theory building quadrants are not adequately braced. This assumes that there is no frame action, etc. A building unit, normally, needs at least 3 sides braced.
Any comments? Am I missing something here?
It seems to me that the because there is only bracing in 2 directions for each quadrant and chords are discontinuous at exp. jts. that in theory building quadrants are not adequately braced. This assumes that there is no frame action, etc. A building unit, normally, needs at least 3 sides braced.
Any comments? Am I missing something here?






RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
BA
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
BA
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
Thanks for the confirmation!
We will have to do something to fix it!
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
BA
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
Is that what you are going to do - expend the 300 SF penthouse over the entire building?
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
BA: The 2nd story contains mech. equip and is about
300' x 300'.
JNLJ: Agree, but this is an existing condition, built in 1970.
kslee1000: we are not extending the building, we are adding equipment, but am concerned about the existing stability
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
I believe it has stood because the columns are short and there is probably some frame action, even though base plates and cap plates are not much larger than columns.
Our concern is that it is a Seismic Category D.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
Anyway, besides the side talks, can you post simple sketches to continue this conversation? I believe many of us here are quite curious about, and interested in, it
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
RE: Building divided into 4 quadrants by Exp. Jts.
The diaphragm is completely broken across the expansion joints. Diaphragm does connect to outside walls but is broken at expansion joints. No bracing in the plane of the roof. Expansion joint in roofing also.