Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
(OP)
So I am just curious as to what people typically specify and what the reasoning is behind the methods used, but I have worked for two companies and the first one would always provide Wide Flange beams at the column lines for steel roof and floors and then infill with joists between them. My new company however does not think there is any need to provide a beam at the column and that it is cheaper just to use a joist. So my questions are as follows:
1. Do you typically provide joists or wide flanges at your column lines?
2. Is it really cheaper to go with joists or is this inaccurate?
3. Are there any other reasons to go with one way over the other?
Thanks in advance for your input!
1. Do you typically provide joists or wide flanges at your column lines?
2. Is it really cheaper to go with joists or is this inaccurate?
3. Are there any other reasons to go with one way over the other?
Thanks in advance for your input!






RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
2. Generally it appeared it's cheaper, for us up here north of the 49 it also passes liability on to the joist supplier.
3. The second half of my previous answer is a good alternative reason.
RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
3. Lateral-resisting systems may require or prefer beams that may provide moment connections.
RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
2) Considerably cheaper on a steel weight basis. Also, having the odd non-standard length joist doesn't seem to add any real cost with modern fabrication processes.
3a) Reasons to go with joists:
- Cheaper.
- Jayrod's interesting point regarding liability.
- I kinda like the uniformity in floor stiffness, particularly with a poured concrete floor deck.
- I like the idea of being able to maintain a uniform camber across column lines.
- Often mech stuff is run through the joists. Interrupt that with a beam and that sort of goes away or, at minimum, gets more complex.
3b) Reasons to go with beams:
- probably better for erection stability. Joists, however, seem to be good enough.
- probably better for column bracing. Joist, however, seem to be good enough.
- probably better for tying the building together as a whole (seismic etc). Joists, however, seem to be good enough.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column
I will also agree that mixing WF and joists on floors & roofs often leads to camber problems, especially with long spans and/or short spacings.
RE: Joists vs Wide Flange at Column