Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
(OP)
I am designing a 3-story building with steel columns and girders. Initially the MEP wanted to use steel joists to run mechanical through now he is saying it will be better for him to run the ducts under the joists. No need for the open webs now unless there is a cost savings. I will have to run the filler beams in the short direction because they want to reduce the height. I was running the joists in the long direction (longest span 36'). The short direction is approx 18'
If anyone knows a rule of thumb please share...otherwise I will go to RS Means.
If anyone knows a rule of thumb please share...otherwise I will go to RS Means.






RE: Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
BA
RE: Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
They have several drawbacks (for one, 20 years from now no one is going to know what load they're good for) and they're a lot more hazardous to work on, but if price is the driving factor, you're going to save money.
RE: Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
I usually estimate steel by weight. You can get the approximate weight of your potential steel joist design from the SJI catalogues available from any manufacturer... I think downloadable from Vulcraft. You can size preliminarily size your wide flange beams and this get their weight. Add up the total floor weight of both systems. Your joist dealer can give you a ballpark $/ton cost and so can your steel supplier. I don't have those numbers at my fingertips. But just the weight comparison will tell you a lot.
RE: Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
JWB
RE: Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
RE: Steel beams vs Open web steel joists for Economy...
My former company almost exclusively used this system in "higher end" buildings such as schools, hospitals and office buildings.
But I have also had success with floor joists.