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Multiple Beams Bear on Girders on Bearing Plate with Steel Standoff

Columns are separated by a custom steel standoff with bearing plates, beams bear on girder, and girder bears on lower column bearing plate. Positive connections between the beams and girders vary. Bearing plates are attached to columns with screws or threaded rods with adhesive.

Purpose: Transfer of vertical load from beams and girders to column. Connection accommodates column above.

Design Notes

  • Alternate connections for columns include bucket plates with through-bolts.
  • Alternate connections for beams include knife plates, which also provide capacity for drag element.
  • Girders may be simple-span or continuous over column.
  • Capacity is limited by girder perpendicular-to-grain bearing.
  • It is recommended that screws installed in beam are slightly overdriven to account for beam shrinkage.
  • 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 full-threaded screws reinforcing the potential crack location. One design method of screw reinforcement is provided in MTC Solutions’ Timber Reinforcement Guide.
  • Deck not shown for clarity. Beam may require bracing for lateral-torsional buckling.
Class
Class 2
Load
Load High
Cost
Cost $$$
Const.
Constructability Advanced
Fire
Fire Rating III

Multiple Beams Bear on Girders on Bearing Plate with Steel Standoff

Columns are separated by a custom steel standoff with bearing plates, beams bear on girder, and girder bears on lower column bearing plate. Positive connections between the beams and girders vary. Bearing plates are attached to columns with screws or threaded rods with adhesive.
03.B - Multiple Beams Bear on Girders on Bearing Plate with Steel Standoff Supporting Column Above