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Beam Bears on Concealed Steel Bearing Plate with Knife Plate

Wood beam is connected to wood girder with a custom-fabricated steel connection consisting of bearing plates for both the beam and girder, and a beam knife plate connected to the beam. Beam bears on seat in slot and is connected to steel knife plate with dowel-type fasteners. The connection is fastened to the girder with partially-threaded screws or lag bolts through the bearing plate.

Purpose: Transfer of vertical load from wood beam to wood girder.

Design Notes

  • Bearing plate size is dependent on perpendicular-to-grain bearing.
  • Method of concealing bearing plate will determine the construction sequence.
  • Designer must account for eccentricity between load and reaction.
  • Dowel connector is for positive connection only.
  • At top-bearing connections, designer should account for fit of material above. CLT is not typically notched to accommodate connections.
  • Face-mount connection is possible where blocking is used below bearing plate, as shown in lower image.
  • NDS allows notching glulams with limitations outlined in section 5.4.5 while considering requirements for shear capacity in 2018 NDS 3.4.3.2 (or 2024 NDS 3.4.3.1) and 5.3.10. Bending capacity at notches should consider the net section per NDS 3.1.2. Refer to AITC Technical Note 19 and APA S560 for more guidance.
  • Notches in wood elements including glulam may be strengthened by fully-threaded screws reinforcing the potential crack location. One design method of screw reinforcement is provided in MTC Solutions’ Timber Reinforcement Guide.
  • Verify connection is NDS compliant for shear over the reduced cross-section per sections 3.4.3.2 and 5.3.10.  Reduced section is generally the top of the member to the bottom dowel or bearing point of the connector.
  • Deck not shown for clarity. Beam may require bracing for lateral-torsional buckling.

Other Applications:

  • Table 10: Mass Timber Beam Support at Mass Timber Wall Panel, at top of panel or where bearing notch is provided
Class
Class 2
Load
Load High
Cost
Cost $$$
Const.
Constructability Advanced
Fire
Fire Rating I

Beam Bears on Concealed Steel Bearing Plate with Knife Plate

Wood beam is connected to wood girder with a custom-fabricated steel connection consisting of bearing plates for both the beam and girder, and a beam knife plate connected to the beam. Beam bears on seat in slot and is connected to steel knife plate with dowel-type fasteners. The connection is fastened to the girder with partially-threaded screws or lag bolts through the bearing plate.
03.A - Beam Bears on Concealed Steel Bearing Plate with Knife Plate