New Hole in Existing Steel Beam

[phamENG]

Have a steel beam that needs a few holes in it for new duct work. Primarily wood construction.

Not going to let them torch it...drill holes in the corners and use a grinding wheel to make the side cuts? Seems the simplest. Anyone have any insights or suggestions? I'm usually successful in quashing these, but this time it's happening. The beam can take it easily, just want to make sure I set the requirements appropriately.

 

[XR250]

What size beam, what size holes?

 

[phamENG]

12" beam, 8" square holes spaced 12" clear. I've done the analysis and worked all that out - just trying to figure out how tightly I need to tie their hands to keep them from a) compromising the beam and b) burning the house down. (b is secondary as means and methods of fire prevention are theirs alone.)

 

[XR250]

That seems reasonable. I assume you mean a cut-off wheel in a grinder?

 

[phamENG]

I assume you mean a cut-off wheel in a grinder?

Correct. Thanks for the sanity check.

 

[EngDM]

I've done the analysis and worked all that out

For my own curiosity, how did you go about analyzing this given that it is many holes? I try to avoid holes in wood beams like the plague.

 

[jerseyshore]

OP is referring to a steel beam, but FYI, Forte lets you analyze holes in wood beams pretty easily.

 

[Flotsam7018]

A cut off wheel will still send out a ton of sparks. There are cold cutting methods that could work such as a metal cutting jigsaw if the corners were drilled out first as you say, dependent on the web thickness.

 

[phamENG]

EngDM - AISC design guys 2. If you need a lot of jokes, the castellated and cellular bean design gigs is good.

Holes in wood - manufacture specs or IRC notching and hole guidance. If I'm worried, I reinforce with screws perpendicular to the expected crack plane.

Flotsam- thanks. They'll have a fire watch. Contractor preferred the cutting wheel anyway.

 

[EngDM]

Yup - I am blind lol

 

[phamENG]

Hmmm... I'm on my phone, so that last post is full of errors. Maybe I'll fix them Monday...