I’m installing a W16x26 steel beam, 20’ clear span underneath floor I-joists, 12” deep and 16”OC. The beam is plenty stout in terms of sheer and deflection but needs lateral bracing to account for bending.
Usually folks have joists butting into these beams so they don’t need to worry about it.
My question is, how is this generally done? Based on my calcs, I need to make the bracing 48” OC along the beam.
How is this generally done in a situation like this? My plan was to bolt or weld brackets into the bottom 1/3 of the beam every 48”, and have a 2×4 or steel going at 45 degrees up and securing to the floor joists above, maybe 2 or 3’ from the beam.
Would this be acceptable? Respectfully, I Don’t need advice to hire an engineer, the beam is almost in place, just looking for your thoughts on the bracing.
Thanks!
Best Answer
Are you sure your steel beam is a W16X26?
I doubt that beam needs lateral bracing, because that size beam will support about 31,000 lbs. per foot for a 20’ span. (That size beam can support my entire house and 3 of my neighbor’s houses.)
Lateral bracing is required when a beam is fully stressed (or overly stressed) and you need to keep the beam from buckling and “laying over”. This beam is not overstressed.
If you start drilling holes in the flanges, you’ll weaken the beam...don’t. If you need to attach something, drill holes in the vertical web.