LATERAL SUPPORT

SLIDE SHOW
Modified for use in CE470, Purdue University, April 2004
Fully unsupported beams. The unbraced length is equal to the entire
length of the member.
These beams are continually supported with the deck that is
mechanically attached with screws or welds.
During construction, these
girders are fully
unsupported. The unbraced
length is the full length of
the girder.
Once the joists are placed
in position and attached,
the unbraced length is
reduced to the joist
spacing.
Bracing is not only accomplished by joists. Here, beams
are used as blocking and spaced to provide the necessary
lateral support.
Similarly, for the Chemical Engineering Building addition
(Purdue), the beams have no lateral support during placement
of the metal deck. The girders, meanwhile, have an unbraced
length corresponding to the spacing of the beams.
Another image of placement of metal deck for the Chemical
Engineering addition.
The deck is attached to the beams with puddle welds. Shear
studs are also welded in place so that the floor slab and beam
will act as a composite section in flexure.
These beams are now fully laterally supported.
Lateral bracing must be used for any member loaded in
bending, including those that are curved or inclined.