Movable Gallery Partition Wall
Movable Gallery Partition Wall
(OP)
I'm investigating a movable partition wall for an art galley. It needs to be 3m high x 3.7m long x 610mm thick. It's got a layer of gyp and plywood all around and rests on a light angle frame supported by casters.
I was asked to investigate this thing for stability when art work is hung from it and/or when it's moved by gallery personell. The real trouble, however, is that it isn't anywhere near stable enough to resist the code mandated 5 psf wind load for interior partitions. The wall is not supported at the top in any way.
I wonder: is this a misapplication of the 5 psf code provision? Would there be any reasonable justification for ignoring or relaxing it? Pressure differentials would presumably be equalized on either side of the wall.
Thanks all.
I was asked to investigate this thing for stability when art work is hung from it and/or when it's moved by gallery personell. The real trouble, however, is that it isn't anywhere near stable enough to resist the code mandated 5 psf wind load for interior partitions. The wall is not supported at the top in any way.
I wonder: is this a misapplication of the 5 psf code provision? Would there be any reasonable justification for ignoring or relaxing it? Pressure differentials would presumably be equalized on either side of the wall.
Thanks all.






RE: Movable Gallery Partition Wall
RC
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke
RE: Movable Gallery Partition Wall
RE: Movable Gallery Partition Wall
Perhaps these would be reasons to use a lateral force:
1. Seismic event (unless the partition is on wheels and just rolls with the seismic event.
2. Unbalanced weight placed on the partition.
3. Lateral force from accellerating the partition sideways (a gang of workers moving it too quickly)
4. Lawyers
RE: Movable Gallery Partition Wall
Art can be expensive. We do not want the wall to tip over and damage expensive art work. Go conservative. JAE gave solid rational. I wonder if code 5 psf lateral load applied to moveable walls though? i need to read my code.
You will have overturning due to the way they hang the art work. It usually few inches from the face of the wall which added to the eccentricity.
Regards,
Lutfi
RE: Movable Gallery Partition Wall
If you put the casters under outriggers to increase the righting moment, you have to make sure that the outriggers don't become tripping hazards, e.g. by making them as pilasters.
Arbitrary wind load may be irrelevant. The other tipping moment that you have to consider is your typical high school football team, once they discover they can have fun by rocking the wall into resonance and over. Hell, they do it to >automobiles<.
I think that's why movable walls in schools and other public buildings are typically suspended from a track in the ceiling.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Movable Gallery Partition Wall
BA
RE: Movable Gallery Partition Wall
You should consider embeds or holes in the floor where special connections (temporary) can be utilized to stabalize the panel when in use, or storage. It can be designed and detailed. You just need to use your imagination.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering