Spliced RSJ help!

[Wynnester1825]

Hi, Could someone please give me an idea of whether adding an extra splice to an RSJ affects its load bearing capacity?The steels are fixed together with bolted plates.

 

[John D v2.0]

I think you're asking the question the wrong way around. Normally you'd get a beam designed to your requirements including loads and splices required, the the SE would provide a spec.
Adding a splice would only affect the strength if the splice was weaker then the plain beam.

 

[Wynnester1825]

Hi John, thanks for your reply. The issue is that the SE calculated for a beam with 1 splice and the fabricators made it the specified size but with 2 splices. Does the extra splice matter? Thanks

 

[John D v2.0]

Not sure tbh, you'll have to ask the SE and he can calculate back from the result. I think it depends on the stress profile in the beam which can vary significantly along it's length

 

[chappers]

Probably not but the person to answer that question is the engineer who designed the original splice.