Cap Plate?
Cap Plate?
(OP)
I have a client, a fabricator, who asked me my opinion about an issue they are having. I am not involved with the project at all other than the fact my client asked me to look at this picture.
The picture shows a round tube that is used to support a hanging running track inside of a building. The track is supported from the roof along the inside edge and by building columns along the outside edge. The building was completed about a year ago. The tubes were capped with a steel plate that was tack welded on the bottom of the hanger. As you can see, the tack welds are failing and the plates are starting to come loose. The client is wondering what is causing this issue.
I am wondering if the wall of the hanger is deforming slightly causing load to be attracted to the plate (which wasn’t designed or welded to resist such load). I am wondering if this is a valid analysis, or if something else is going happening?
The picture shows a round tube that is used to support a hanging running track inside of a building. The track is supported from the roof along the inside edge and by building columns along the outside edge. The building was completed about a year ago. The tubes were capped with a steel plate that was tack welded on the bottom of the hanger. As you can see, the tack welds are failing and the plates are starting to come loose. The client is wondering what is causing this issue.
I am wondering if the wall of the hanger is deforming slightly causing load to be attracted to the plate (which wasn’t designed or welded to resist such load). I am wondering if this is a valid analysis, or if something else is going happening?






RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
If the cap plate is genuinely structural and is there to prevent that deformation, then replace them with ones that are better connected. If the cap plate is purely architectural (which I suspect) then replacing it with something more flexible that will allow the deformation, but which still provides the desired aesthetic.
RE: Cap Plate?
Dik
RE: Cap Plate?
Assuming no other structural issues (wall thickness is sufficient for concentrated load from shear plate, overall tube section is okay for combined tension/moment from connection, etc.), would think you could probably unload the platform as best you can and weld cap plate back on with a sturdier weld.
RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
RE: Cap Plate?
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.