DM04 04 PDF

STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
and SECONDARY STRUCTURAL DESIGN FRAMED

PRACTICES OPENINGS
A. GENERAL
Mechanical units are commonly placed upon the roofs of buildings and are referred
to as ROOF TOP UNITS (RTU). These units are often supported on the building
roof by a metal roof curb which is in turn supported by:
• Curb sub-framing
• Framed opening
• Structural primary and secondary members.
B. USES AND LIMITATIONS

The RTU units can be A/C units, heaters, blowers or some other processing unit
which can be put on the roof to save floor space in the building.
• RTU units can vary in size from 2 or 3 square feet to hundreds of square feet.
• RTU’s weight can vary in weight from a few hundred pounds to several thousand
pounds.
• RTUs can either sit on the roof structural or penetrate into the building shell itself.
o If the RTU sits on top of the roof, the designer’s concern is to provide sufficient load
carrying capacity with full span WBTPs.
o If the RTU penetrates into the building, and the dimensions of the RTU are
significant enough to require the cutting of WBTPs, a supplemental roof framed
opening with special length WBTPs must be designed to carry the loads.
In some cases, the load carrying capacity of the supporting WBTP members can not
be increased because they have already been designed to the maximum sizes to
carry the enviramental loads. In those cases, beams will have to be added to
transfer the RTU loads directly to the framing.
C. DETERMINATION OF RTU LOADS FOR WBTPS

RTU Footprint
Figure 1 RTU Footprint
VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

BUILDINGS, 06/30/04 Rev.0 Page 1 of 16
INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
RTU point loads for the WBTPs must be determined and located to be considered
in the building design: The first step is to determine the RTU loads and its load
locations to be applied to the individual WBTPs using the following three pieces of
information. This RTU information must be obtained from the VP builder using the
OCF form.
• Magnitude of Loads: Determine the maximum loads of the RTU. The RTU loads is to
be devided by the number of supports. The support load is the load that will be applied
to the individual WBTP membersThe loads from a RTU do not normally include the
weight of the roof curb. This roof curb load will also need to be determined and added
to the toal design loads.
• RTU Footprint: The location and size of the RTU are critical. So the exact dimensions
of the unit and the direction of those dimensions are required. The locations of these
dimentions and whether the unit penetrates below the roof surface will have a major
impact on the design.
• Type and Number of Supports: Determine the type, locations, support loads and
number of supports for the RTU unit.
Compare the RTU loads to the WBTP allowable load groups listed below to
determine the next course of action. (The RTU loads are the individual loads
actually applied to each WBTP and all loads must be reported to the VP
Building designers.)
• Loads < 50 lbs may be located anywhere along the chord without additional vertical
web members.
• Loads > 50 lbs < 500 lbs must be located within 6” of a panel point or a vertical web
member. Otherwise, vertical web members can be field added per the Standard
Erection Details.
• Loads > 500 lbs must be reported so that special provisions for their support can be
included in the design and detail of the WideBay members.
In some situations, the RTU loads are minor and can be supported using a support
beam with short columns (NBVP) that can be located on the top of WBTP chords.
Columns & Beam NBVP
Figure 2 Support Beam

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
The short column can be welded to a punched plate.
Then column/plate assembly is attached to the WBTP chords with self-drilling
screw fasteners to avoid any welding to the WBTP chords.
With this type of RTU support, extra care should be taken to provide for lateral
stability by a moment connection between the short column and the support beam
above the WBTPs.
Include cross bracing in the WBTP system at supports when the total of the support
loads exceed 1000#.
0.25” plate
5/16”
Holes
Figure 3 Column Support on WBTP
D. RTU LOADS EXCEED CAPCITY OF FULL LENGTH WBTPs

If the RTU loads applied to the WBTPs exceed the WBTP load carrying capacity,
consider:
• Increase the size of the RTU support platform to obtain a larger footprint to
spread the loads over additional WBTP units to reduce the individual RTU loads
on each WBTP.
Inc rease the R TU F oo tprint
RTU Footprint
Figure 4 Increase RTU Footprint
• Provide additional WBTPs under the RTU footprint to reduce the applied RTU
load to each WBTP. These WBTPs can be added in VPCommand to have them
properly designed and detailed.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
When providing additional WBTPs, watch for the ductwork and other
penetrations which might be blocked with the additional WBTPs.
Increase the Number of WBTPS under RTU Footprint

RTU Footprint
Figure 5 Increase WBTPs Under RTU Footprint
• Provide a secondary framing system consistening of beams to transfer the RTU

loads directly to the main frames similar to the one discussed in the following
Roof Opening Penetration section.
In the actual design of WBTPs for RTU units, consider the possible lateral in-plane
loads from snow build-up and overturning from the wind and seismic loading.
On some buildings, the exact location of the RTUs can not be determined. When
that occurs, a loading zone will need to be determined and all WBTPs in that
loading zone will be designed with the worst case load application in that zone.
This method is not preferred, it is not cost efficient because of the overall
higher cost to design WBTPs for loads that may not be applied. The location and
size of the loading zone must be shown on the erection drawings.
E. IMPACT OF ROOF OPENING PENETRATION ON WBTPS

• For small roof penetrations where the opening penetration is less than the
support spacing, the curb will rest on the roof panel spanning between WBTPs,
where a reinforcement of the roof covering may be required. An individual sub-
framing member can be used to distribute the RTU load to the WBTPs, such as
is done for purlins or joists.
• For large roof penetrations where the opening dimension perpendicular to the
WBTPs is greater than the secondary support spacing and the roof opening
penetration extends below the roof line, a structural framed opening will be
required because the WBTPs can not extend through the roof penetration area.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
• The applied loads and the size of the roof opening penetration area will
determine the framed opening header design and its connections as well as the
design of the adjacent WBTPs.
o The framed opening will include header assemblies which will impose
concentrated loads on the adjacent WBTPs.
When the RTU Extends Below the Roof Line

RTU Footprint
Figure 6 RTU Pentration
o These header assemblies, will carry the RTU loads as well as the reactions
from any WBTPs required be cut out of the roof penetration area.
o The headers can be supported on the WBTPs if the loaded WBTPs can carry
the loads.
Warning: Don’t Cut The Strut Line With An Opening Pentration.

If one of the strut WBTPs is cut by the RTU opening penetration extending
down into the building, either the RTU opening or the location of the cut
WBTP strut line must be changed because:
o All struts must be in a continuous line for the full building length.
o The header assembly connection will not be strong enough to transfer the
applied strut loads.
• The WBTPs adjacent to the framed opening will not be automatically designed
or detailed in VPCommand, unless the following steps are taken:
• Use the VP Command workaround procedure.
• Deduct the full length WBTPs that will be replaced.
• Determine the WBTP lengths on either side of the framed opening. The
program will identify the WBTPLeft and WBTPRight .
• If the lengths are over 11’-0”, a WBTP can be designed and detailed in
VPCommand as explained in the VP Command work around procedure.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
When the RTU Extends Below the Roof Line
WBTP Left
WBTP Right
Figure 7 WBTPLeft & WBTPRight
o The depths of the WBTPLeft and WBTPRight will be generated as required

by their individual WBTP designs. WBTPs will have different panel
spacing from the main building WBTPs because the same depth WBTPs
with different lengths will have a unique panel spacing based upon its
length.
• This different panel spacing in the individual WBTPs will create a problem
when sprinkler lines and ductwork go through this area.
• Because the minimum WBTP length is a factor of the WBTP depth, if a
specific depth must be held, the minimum WBTP length will be as shown in
the following table.
WideBay Depth
18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Minimum Bay Spacing 11’ 12’ 13’ 14’ 15’ 16’ 17’ 18’ 19’ 20’ 21’ 22’
• When the WBTPs must be supplied with lengths less than 11’-0” (Minimum
WBTP length limit for 18” depth), a WideBay Replacement member must be
made as shown below.
• These WideBay Replacement members consist of a chord member with two
WBTP seats and will be supplied with the WBTPs. The chord member sizing
criteria is in the MEMBER AND CONNECTION DESIGN section later in this
document.
Bay E .
Interior Bay 0”
End Bay 4 ½”
End Bay 10 ¼”
Maximum Length = 11’-0”
E
Figure 8 WideBay Replacement

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
F. ROOF PENETRATION FRAMED OPENING FOR WBTPS
For large roof opening penetrations, a structural framed opening will be required.
The RTU loads and the size of the roof penetration area will determine the framed
opening design and its connections as well as the loads on the adjacent WBTP
members.
When the RTU Extends Below the Roof Line and the
Support Header loads can be supported by the WBTPs
WBTP Left
WBTP Right
Support
Headers
Figure 9 RTU Support Headers
• The framed opening will included support header assemblies which will impose
concentrated loads on the adjacent WBTP members supporting loads. The
support header assembly carries the loads of the RTUs as well as the seat loads
from any WBTPs required adjacent to the roof penetration area.
o A support header assembly is similar to the following detail. It will consist of
a header beam, with two header clips welded to the beam
5”
Figure 10 Support Header Assembly
o The header assembly’s use will be limited by the adjacent WBTPs load
carrying capacity to carry the RTU and WBTP seat loads from the support
header with the header clip (WBHC1) assembly.
o Header assemblies are to be used on both sides of the framed openings.
o The design of this assembly is discussed in the MEMBER AND
CONNECTION DESIGN section later in this document
o The following detail shows an in-place assembly for this support header
assembly shown follows.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
Support Spacing Support Spacing Support Spacing
Figure 11 Header Support Cross Section
Figure 12 Header Support ISO
o If the opening penetration is less than 2 support spacing wide, two more
WideBay Replacement members can be used to frame the smaller opening.
Figure 13
• The use of double WBTPs can be done when a single WBTP is not able to carry
the header loads.
o When double WBTPs are required, add a WBTP 5” from the adjacent
existing WBTP on the Supports screen in the Spaces folder in the Secondary
Folder in VPCommand.
o To apply the RTU loads in VPCommand, split the RTU load and apply the
reduced load to each WBTP in the double WBTP condition.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
Support Spacing Support Spacing Support Spacing
Added WBTP located downslope if required per Roof Secondary Drawing
Figure 14 Double WBTP Header Cross Section
(With the current VPCommand, the required hardware to create a double

WBTP assembly will have to be added manually.)
• Structural beams spanning between the main frames are used when:
When the RTU Extends Below the Roof Line and the Support
Header Loads Can Not Be Supported By The WBTPs
Support Beams
WBTP Left
WBTP Right
Support
Headers
Support Beams
Figure 15 Support Beams
o If only one side header assembly can be used but the other side header
requires a support beam off the main framing, use the support beams for both
headers.
o The total applied RTU loads and the WBTP seat reaction loads exceed the
load carrying capacity of the adjacent WBTPs.
o The total header clip load exceeds the header clip capacity.
o This framing system is used when a larger number of WBTPs are cut in
length or when the adjacent WBTP members are too heavily loaded to be
able to support the additional loads.
Most larger RTUs will probably used this system.

When more than 3 WBTPs are cut for the roof opening penetration, this
system should be used.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
Figure 16 Support Beams ISO
o The 3-plate beams are laterally braced on one side to the WideBay bridging
system in the adjacent WBTP as shown in the following detail.
Figure 17Support Beam Lateral Bracing.
G. MEMBER AND CONNECTION DESIGN

• WideBay Replacement Member
o The WideBay Replacement member consists of a chord with two WBTP
seats and will be supplied with the WBTPs from the Monterrey plant.
o These WRM members can be any length up to and including 11’-0” For any
length greater than the minimum of 11’-0”, the designer will have to check the
0.120 chord to determine if it will meet the design requirements.
o If the 0.120 chord is not be able to carry the loading, the designer will have a
choice of a 3-plate beam instead of the WideBay Replacement member or
to reduce the spacing between the WideBay Replacements to use the 0.120
chord thickness.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
Bay E .
Interior Bay 0”
End Bay 4 ½”
End Bay 10 ¼”
Maximum Length = 11’-0”
E
Figure 18 WideBay Replacement
o To determine the thickness of the chord, do one of the following:

• Use 0.120 for all small quantities of the WideBay Replacement members
• When a large quantities of WideBay Replacement members is required,
use the WideBay General Design Tool to design the chord section by
determining the part length and the loading moment to be entered in the
CHORD Stress Check spreadsheet to determine the required chord
thickness.
• Header clip
The header clip is desiged to be the controlling element on the header support
assembly
Two width header clips are designed.
o 10” wide for lighter loads
Figure 19 - 10” Wide Header Clip
o 20” for heavier loads.
Figure 20 - 20” Wide Header Clip

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
o Header Clip Capacity (Use 0.25” thickness for header clip.)
Header Clip e Load (Kips) for Bracket
Thickness 10” 20” wide
Wide
0.25 2.33” (Single WBTP) 1.67 3.35
0.25 2.33” (Double WBTP) 1.67 3.35
2.33” 2.33”
Verticals Within 6” PAllow PAllow

of Header Assembly Verticals Within 6”
of Header Assembly
For Example:
10” Wide by 0.25” thick. (Single WBTP) 50ksi
Mallow = (b t2/6 )(.75 Fy) = 3.91 kip-in
Mallow = (2.33”)( Pallow)
Pallow = Mallow /2.33 =3.91 /2.33
Pallow = 1.67 kips
20” Wide by 0.25” thick. (Single WBTP) 50ksi

Mallow = (b t2/6 )(.75 Fy) = 7.8125 kip-in
Mallow = (2.33”)( Pallow)
Pallow = Mallow /2.33 =7.81 /2.33
Pallow = 3.35 kips
o Check the weld holding the 3-plate beam on the header clip.
Weld capacity = 0.928 x (Length of Weld on the web)x(Weld Fillet in 16ths )
Length of weld = (18”) one side Weld
Weld Fillet = 3/16”
Weld capacity = 0.928 x (18) x (3 ) = 50 kips < 3.35 kips OK
o Because these header clips will have to be attached to WBTP top chords,
they will have 5/16” holes shop drilled in them for a screw attachment of the
header clip to the WBTP chord. (No field welding is allowed with the
WBTPs.)

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
These screws don’t carry a load and are used only to firmly secure the
header assembly to the WBTP
Four or eight #14 screws are used on top to attach header assembly to
WBTP.
o The following chart shows the possible seat reaction on the header assembly
for certain WBTP lengths and certain Live / Snow Load (psf).
Seat Reaction = 1/2 x Sub WBTP length x 5' spacing x (Live Load + 2.5 psf)
Seat Reaction Loads on Header Clips

WBTP Seat Reaction
Sub WBTP (Length)
Live/Snow Load (psf) V 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
20 0.84 1.13 1.41 1.69 1.97 2.25 2.53 2.81 3.09
25 1.03 1.38 1.72 2.06 2.41 2.75 3.09 3.44 3.78
30 1.22 1.63 2.03 2.44 2.84 3.25 3.66 4.06 4.47
35 1.41 1.88 2.34 2.81 3.28 3.75 4.22 4.69 5.16
40 1.59 2.13 2.66 3.19 3.72 4.25 4.78 5.31 5.84
45 1.78 2.38 2.97 3.56 4.16 4.75 5.34 5.94 6.53
55 2.16 2.88 3.59 4.31 5.03 5.75 6.47
o The following charts show the possible header clip loads from loading
combinations on the header assemblies from the possible seat reaction on
the header assembly in the previous chart (Spacing is assumed to be 5’-0”
on center.
The following tables give the beam capacities for different point loads
- Load on Header Clip = 1/2 x Sum of Seat Reactions
- Beam size is based upon the maximum header clip capacity for a beam of
that length with the number of reactions described.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
One reaction on a 10 foot long header assembly.
Header Clip Load
One Seat Reaction Load on Beam ( Header Assembly Length = 10 feet)
Sub WBTP (Length)
20 0.42 0.56 0.70 0.84 0.98 1.13 1.27 1.41 1.55
25 0.52 0.69 0.86 1.03 1.20 1.38 1.55 1.72 1.89
30 0.61 0.81 1.02 1.22 1.42 1.63 1.83 2.03 2.23
35 0.70 0.94 1.17 1.41 1.64 1.88 2.11 2.34 2.58
40 0.80 1.06 1.33 1.59 1.86 2.13 2.39 2.66 2.92
45 0.89 1.19 1.48 1.78 2.08 2.38 2.67 2.97 3.27
55 1.08 1.44 1.80 2.16 2.52 2.88 3.23
10" Wide header Clip 6” by 0.1875” 20" Wide Header Clip 6” by 0.3125”
1.67 kips 3.35 Kips

8” by 0 .1345” 8” by 0.1345”
6” by 0 .1875” 6” by 0.3125”
Two reactions on a 15 foot long header assembly.

Header Clip Load
Two Seat Reaction Loads on Beam ( Header Assembly Length = 15 feet)
Sub WBTP (Length)
20 0.84 1.13 1.41 1.69 1.97 2.25 2.53 2.81 3.09
25 1.03 1.38 1.72 2.06 2.41 2.75 3.09
30 1.22 1.63 2.03 2.44 2.84 3.25
35 1.41 1.88 2.34 2.81 3.28
40 1.59 2.13 2.66 3.19
45 1.78 2.38 2.97
55 2.16 2.88
10" Wide header Clip 5” by 0.1875” 20" Wide Header Clip 6” by 0.25”
1.67 kips 3.35 Kips
8” by 0.1345” 8” by 0.1345”
5” by 0.1875” 6” by 0.25”
Three reaction on a 20 foot long header assembly.

Header Clip Load
Three Seat Reaction Loads on Beam ( Header Assembly Length = 20 feet)
Sub WBTP (Length)
20 1.27 1.69 2.11 2.53 2.95
25 1.55 2.06 2.58 3.09
30 1.83 2.44 3.05
35 2.11 2.81
40 2.39 3.19
45 2.67
50 3.23
6” by 0.25”
20" Wide Header Clip
3.35 Kips
8” by 0.1345”
6” by 0.25”

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
• The Header Beam
o The header beam will be a 3-plate beam 8” deep with 6” wide flanges to carry
the WBTP seat loads. Get the web and flanges sizes from the previous
tables,
o The beam top flange will be punched to allow bolted assembly of the WBTPs
to the beam.
Figure 21 Header Support Beam
• Support Header Assembly

A support header assembly is similar to the following detail. It will consist of a
header beam, with two header clips welded to the beam
5”
Figure 22 Header Support Assembly
H. BRIDGING:
• When the RTU does not extend into the building and is above the roofline, extra
diagonal bridging should be used to stabilize the RTU area when the RTU
weight exceeds 1000 lbs.
Figure 23 Diagonal Bridging
• When the RTU extends into the building and prevents the installation of the
WBTP bridging rows, the bridging members have to be properly anchored on
either side of the RTU. When sub-framing WBTPs and a framed opening are
used, consideration is required to properly support and anchor the bridging
members.

INC.
STANDARDS WBTP ROOF
PRACTICES OPENINGS
No Bridging
required for
WRM_ parts
Figure 24 Framed Opening Bridging
• When support beams are used, the beams can be laterally braced to the
adjacent WBTP members using diagonal bridging. This bridging is to be located
at the WBTP bridging runs as shown in the following drawing.
No Bridging
required for
WRM_ parts
Figure 25 Support Beam Bridging Figure 26
• No bridging will be required when the WideBay Replacement members are used.

INC.

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STANDARDS WBTP ROOF

and SECONDARY STRUCTURAL DESIGN FRAMED

B. USES AND LIMITATIONS

C. DETERMINATION OF RTU LOADS FOR WBTPS

Figure 1 RTU Footprint

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Columns & Beam NBVP

Figure 2 Support Beam

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Figure 3 Column Support on WBTP

D. RTU LOADS EXCEED CAPCITY OF FULL LENGTH WBTPs

Figure 4 Increase RTU Footprint

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Increase the Number of WBTPS under RTU Footprint

Figure 5 Increase WBTPs Under RTU Footprint

• Provide a secondary framing system consistening of beams to transfer the RTU

E. IMPACT OF ROOF OPENING PENETRATION ON WBTPS

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

When the RTU Extends Below the Roof Line

Figure 6 RTU Pentration

Warning: Don’t Cut The Strut Line With An Opening Pentration.

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Figure 7 WBTPLeft & WBTPRight

o The depths of the WBTPLeft and WBTPRight will be generated as required

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Figure 9 RTU Support Headers

Figure 10 Support Header Assembly

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Support Spacing Support Spacing Support Spacing

Figure 11 Header Support Cross Section

Figure 12 Header Support ISO

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Support Spacing Support Spacing Support Spacing

Added WBTP located downslope if required per Roof Secondary Drawing

Figure 14 Double WBTP Header Cross Section

(With the current VPCommand, the required hardware to create a double

Figure 15 Support Beams

Most larger RTUs will probably used this system.

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Figure 16 Support Beams ISO

Figure 17Support Beam Lateral Bracing.

G. MEMBER AND CONNECTION DESIGN

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

o To determine the thickness of the chord, do one of the following:

Figure 19 - 10” Wide Header Clip

o 20” for heavier loads.

Figure 20 - 20” Wide Header Clip

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Verticals Within 6” PAllow PAllow

20” Wide by 0.25” thick. (Single WBTP) 50ksi

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Seat Reaction Loads on Header Clips

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

1.67 kips 3.35 Kips

Two reactions on a 15 foot long header assembly.

Three reaction on a 20 foot long header assembly.

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Figure 21 Header Support Beam

• Support Header Assembly

Figure 22 Header Support Assembly

Figure 23 Diagonal Bridging

VP DESIGN MANUAL Section: 4.4

Figure 24 Framed Opening Bridging