Force transfer across building expansion joint
Force transfer across building expansion joint
(OP)
Consider an existing 40-50 year old construction with a proposed new addition to its two sides. The new addition is large enough to warrant use of an expansion joint between the two buildings (new and existing). I have worked on few projects like this and never considered transferring any lateral or vertical forces across the expansion joist as I always thought that this was the conventional approach.
But is it advisable/possible to transfer lateral forces from new to the existing across the expansion joint? The new addition is as tall or less than the existing and the governing lateral force is wind. The existing building already has a lateral system designed for these forces and the idea would be to save some cost by not providing a new lateral system.
But is it advisable/possible to transfer lateral forces from new to the existing across the expansion joint? The new addition is as tall or less than the existing and the governing lateral force is wind. The existing building already has a lateral system designed for these forces and the idea would be to save some cost by not providing a new lateral system.






RE: Force transfer across building expansion joint
Obviously, you's have to look carefully at the bolt connection to the existing structure, but I've done similar things in the past. I'd highly recommend inspecting these elements during construction- something that can easily be screwed up in the field.
RE: Force transfer across building expansion joint
RE: Force transfer across building expansion joint
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Where you have wind blowing "into" the new addition instead of the existing building, and you want to transfer this lateral force into the existing building. The problem is that this is precisely the direction that needs to be free from restraint to prevent damage from thermal expansion.
Brian C Potter, PE
http://simplesupports.wordpress.com
RE: Force transfer across building expansion joint