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through bearing, which provides a good deal of stiffness. On This does not sound like a reasonable approach. I don’t think
the tension side, the check is based on a yield-line approach, it will work, and I’d be surprised if it is more cost-effective
similar to Kapp, but such connections have been tested. than the more traditional approach of installing a self-leveling
I think your proposed connection probably deserves a compound (and reinforcing the beams for the additional
little more attention than a more typical connection. Before weight, if required). The process you describe involves a
determining the strength, you might want to first establish number of trades. Since I imagine there will be debate over
whether or not this can even be considered a moment who bears the burden of the cost for this repair, it is probably
connection and whether it is fully-restrained. Obviously no best to go with a simpler approach that involves the fewer
connection is truly fixed. Fortunately the Commentary provides parties in the solution.
guidance and states: “If KSL/EI ≥ 20, it is acceptable to consider Some further things for you to consider:
the connection to be fully restrained (in other words, able to 1. I do not believe the jacking of the beam will give you
maintain the angles between members).” Though B3.6b places the result you are after. When a beam is cambered in
requirements on the connection relative to “strength limit the shop, a permanent, inelastic deformation is induced
states,” it should be noted that the Commentary criterion is into the beam. In contrast, since the upward deflection
based on the behavior under service loads. created by the jacking force is an elastic deformation,
It may not be necessary to determine precisely the as soon as the jacking load is removed, the associated
moment-rotation behavior of the connection in order upward deflection would disappear and the beam would
to classify the connection. You might opt to begin with rebound back to its original shape. The downward
simple, conservative models, such as the beam model for deflections from the gravity loads would then be
which deflection (and therefore, connection rotation) can additive to the rebounded beam deflections. It’s basic
be readily determined. If the behavior from these models superposition. Since we are talking about relatively flat
satisfies KSL/EI ≥ 20, then you might deem the connection angles of curvature in the beam, I do not think the new
to be fully restrained. If the stiffness falls well short, then concrete strip would “lock-in” the upward displacement
you might decide this configuration is a dead end and opt like you might see in a structure with enough curvature
for something more traditional. to develop arch action.
Structural steel is a nice material to design in. It 2. Jacking the beam in the field will induce stresses due
conforms well to many of our basic design assumptions. It to rotations at the connections, which have presumably
is inherently ductile, relatively homogeneous and isotropic, been tightened down. This may or may not be an issue,
and there is generally a relationship between strength and but should be considered.
stiffness. When something looks right, it generally is. When Susan Burmeister, P.E.
something looks wrong, it may not be wrong but we need
to pay attention. When our designs conform to what has The complete collection of Steel Interchange questions and answers is available online.
always been done, we can relax a little and get away with Find questions and answers related to just about any topic by using our full-text search
some degree of plugging and chugging. However, when we capability. Visit Steel Interchange online at www.modernsteel.com.
JULY 2015