Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
(OP)
non-composite concrete slab over steel decking is puddle welded to a steel beam. Is this steel beam laterally braced by the puddle welds to the decking?
Concerns:
- Puddle welds failing due to beam bending
- Any code issues/documentation?
Are the puddle welds needed for lateral bracing? (Don't think I will design this way even if you guys say yes)
Concerns:
- Puddle welds failing due to beam bending
- Any code issues/documentation?
Are the puddle welds needed for lateral bracing? (Don't think I will design this way even if you guys say yes)






RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
It's braced as long as it is connected to the compression flange. I say this b/c I know someone out there is going to point out wind uplift on a roof if I don't!
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
Or, the decking with concrete is considered flexible enough to allow some "bunching" at the welds?
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
AISC - Steel Construction Manual - Edition 13 (black book)
Turn to Appendix 6 just before the commentary section.
6.3.1a - Equation (A-6-5)
Lateral Bracing
Bracing shall be attached near the compression flange...
The required brace strength is...
Pbr = 0.008 Mr Cd / ho = (kips)
0.008 (unitless)
Mr (k-in)
Cd (unitless)
ho (inches)
Then it goes on in the next equation to describe the required brace stiffness.
Anyway, with a little effort you should be able to feel better or immeasurably worse about your previous designs.
Try this calc on any wide flange holding up the first floor of a wood frame building (like your home perhaps)and notice that the lateral bracing comes from little nails bent around the top flange of the beam. Yikes! Unless they took the effort to shoot a plate with PAFs and sufficiently toe nail the joists there are many under designed beams in homes around the country.
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
However I would have thought it would be cost efficient to make this a composite beam and use shear studs, at least that is the common practice around my town.
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
However, if the gage is 22 or lower and 1.5" in depth, no problem. Depending on the manufacturer, you may need to spec weld clips though to make it work.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
The bearer to deck situation where they external or internal environments? if internal was this a high humidity environment thus galvanitic corrosion was possible?
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
RE: Decking to Steel Beam - Laterally Braced?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering