Splice in the mid-span 5

[xyyy]

It is an aluminum beam. The span is 36 feet. The load is 210 plf (dead load + live load). It needs to be spliced at mid-span at the construction site and field welding is impossible. This is requested by the contractor.

I am uncomfortable with this. But the contractor already cut the beam. Can a beam be spliced at mid-span?
Your help is appreciated.

 

[zcp]

What size beam was this to begin with?

Time to design this from scratch. Put splice(s) in low moment locations (cut beam if needed). Top and bottom splice plates and double shear plates. Use zinc plated bolts instead of stainless steel(closer on galvanic chart). Have any welded sections removed / replaced. OR replace the entire beam (assuming the original design was adequate).

To educate the contractor, show them the strength charts for welded vs non welded aluminum for that beam alloy. It will go a long way to helping future projects. Many only have experience with steel and assume they can use the same methods and connections.

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[rb1957]

IMHO, weld the splice plates to the beams is a mistake ... why not just weld the beams together.

and your proposing bolting the beams together with the bolts working in tension (for reacting the moment load) if i understand "end plate" correctly.
in this case the welds are doing all the work (they are the connection between the beam 1/2s and the splice) ... bad, very bad

bolt, don't weld !

shear splice, not tension.

where is this building ? (so i know where never to go)

 

[xyyy]

Thank you for all your help.
I am reviewing contractor's engineer's calculation. What is the equation for allowable tension capacity for stainless steel bolt? The bolts are SS316, 3/4 inch diameter. We do not have ASCE 8-02 in office. I can find the allowable shear capacity from book or by google. It is about 3.5 kips to 5 kips.

 

[SteelPE]

I have a great idea.... get a new beam or put a column under the splice.

 

[msquared48]

To h*() with the beam, get a new contractor!

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com