Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
(OP)
I would like to get some opinions on the preferred method of detailing a concrete block wall supported on a steel edge beam with open web steel joists framing perpendicular to the beam. In this scenario the block wall is just intended to be an infill non-load bearing wall one storey tall.
I have attached two options:
Option 1: the concrete block wall is constructed on top of the composite steel deck with a bond beam at the first course to span between the open web steel joists
Option 2: the concrete block wall is constructed directly on top of the steel beam and notched around the open web steel joists
I have attached two options:
Option 1: the concrete block wall is constructed on top of the composite steel deck with a bond beam at the first course to span between the open web steel joists
Option 2: the concrete block wall is constructed directly on top of the steel beam and notched around the open web steel joists






RE: Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
1. No direct shear connection between diaphragm and beam.
2. Masons have to cut block over the joists.
3. Rebar must be field welded onto beam without knowing exactly where the CMU cells are located (can be figured out but more work).
4. Lateral forces on the parapet are resisted by the beam flange, web, and to some extent flex in the joist top chord seat.
5. No lateral angle brace at the top of the wall to take lateral forces into the joist/deck system (beam will be torqued)
RE: Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
RE: Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
In Option 1:
a) Would you specify the bond beam to be allowed to cure for 7 days before constructing the rest of the wall?
b) Would you provide the vertical dead load reaction on the open web steel joist shoe for the owsj designer?
c) Is it a good idea to let the weight of the wall bear on the owsj shoe or would you add a HSS between the joists (similar to a drag strut) even if it is not needed for diaphragm capacity?
RE: Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
b) You could and probably should if the parapet is significantly high....or see c)
c) we add 2 1/2" steel tubes between joists to drag diaphragm shear in to the steel beam below.
d) we also provide the joist manufacturer any wind/seismic reaction loads from angle braces off the bottom of the steel beam.
RE: Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
RE: Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
RE: Infill Concrete Block Wall Supported on a Steel Beam - What is the perferred detail?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering