3D steel beam: WF won't render true when its role is an opening header in a wall.

[GeneDavis]

I need a wide flange steel beam over a big feature glass door opening, width of 18'4".  A W14x26 will perform nicely, so I specify it with its size in the door spec dialog.  Wanting it cleated top and bottom with 2x6s in this 2x6 wall, I specify "box header" (thanks, Chief!) and get what I want to see.

 

But while the steel member comes in when taking a 2D section, Chief seems to be wrapping the beam in timber or something.  Here is the spec dialog.

 

 

And here is the section view.  You can see the thin flanges and thin web.  Chief has not taken the next step in steel WF beams ("I-beams") to permit specifying flange and web thickness, but we can all live with it as-is.  But I-beam is so so antiquated as the term for these members.  It's wide-flange, please.  Anyhow, the section view.

 

 

I dimensioned it to proof my spec input.  See the "wrap" Chief is doing?  Here it is in 3D, and you don't get the surprise real steel inside by using surface delete.

 

 

So I go, hey, I've modeled real WF sections in Chief before.  Yes, but using General Framing, and placing it manually.  In a test plan, I placed the same piece of steel.  Here it is with the spec dialog shown.

 

 

And a view in 3D shows it as the real thing.  Note about material:  these members come in, in my setup, textured as framing, i.e., doug fir graining.  Like all the lumber.  I painted them gray.

 

 

I think this is a bug and will report it as such, but wanted to present it here, for discussion.

 

 

 

 

[robdyck]

You're correct, these don't model correctly in all 3d views. I'm also showing 2 views where the representation doesn't match, and I also painted the steel, turning off auto-framing.

If Chief does work on this, I would then love to see default material assignments available for different types of headers.

[Joe_Carrick]

Does anyone have details of the threaded studs to steel beam - ie: welded to beam with nuts & washers for the 2x plates?

[Chopsaw]

47 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

Does anyone have details of the threaded studs to steel beam - ie: welded to beam with nuts & washers for the 2x plates?

 

I have seen it done with ramset nails but really don't like the safety or security of that idea so would also like to see how others do it.

 

I think drilling with a mag drill is the much better option.

[Joe_Carrick]

I think I'm just going to note it as:

• 1/2" x 1-1/2" Threaded Studs @ 32" oc
• Welded to Steel Beam

These are standard products the Steel Fabricators are familiar with.

 

[Hammer7]

how would one show this in a vertical ppst orientation in plan view? if i can add to this thread...

[Chopsaw]

9 hours ago, Joe_Carrick said:

1/2" x 1-1/2" Threaded Studs @ 48" oc

 

Would you not want at least 2" so you could add a nut and washer or are you recessing those ?

[Joe_Carrick]

21 minutes ago, Chopsaw said:

 

Would you not want at least 2" so you could add a nut and washer or are you recessing those ?

Recessing in most cases because other things will be attached and I need a flush surface.

[rlackore]

21 hours ago, Joe_Carrick said:

Does anyone have details of the threaded studs to steel beam - ie: welded to beam with nuts & washers for the 2x plates?

 

Except for unique or high-uplift conditions I use:

 

arc stud groups

(1) 3/4x2-1/2" low-carbon steel, standard-thread, full-thread arc stud

(1) 3/4" A563 grade A hex nut

(1) low-carbon steel square plate washer

space studs along center-line of beam at 24" oc; joint to be finger tight; specified stud length is minimum post-weld length

[Joe_Carrick]

4 hours ago, rlackore said:

 

Except for unique or high-uplift conditions I use:

 

arc stud groups

(1) 3/4x2-1/2" low-carbon steel, standard-thread, full-thread arc stud

(1) 3/4" A563 grade A hex nut

(1) low-carbon steel square plate washer

space studs along center-line of beam at 24" oc; joint to be finger tight; specified stud length is minimum post-weld length

3/4" diameter @ 24" oc seems like overkill for 2x_ plates and/or trimmers.

[GeneDavis]

17 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

34" diameter @ 24" oc seems like overkill for 2x_ plates and/or trimmers.

 

1/2-13 is what I would specify.  

 

[rlackore]

2 hours ago, Joe_Carrick said:

34" diameter @ 24" oc seems like overkill for 2x_ plates and/or trimmers.

 

Sure, depending on the situation. If you have a lot of steel on the job (steel-to-steel connections, column base plates, etc.) it's sometimes advantageous to stick with the same diameter bolt/stud groups throughout the project (based on feedback I've received from fabricators and erectors). In high-uplift situations, the limiting factor isn't the stud or nut, but the plate washer bearing area and the wood plate crushing resistance (compression perpendicular to grain). Three-quarter inch washers will give you nearly twice as much bearing for any given spacing. But, nothing to prevent you from specifying whatever diameter you need for your project.