GB2043801A - Mounting Pad for Steel and Other Beams Resting on a Masonry Wall - Google Patents

Abstract

A mounting pad intended to be placed between the top of a masonry wall and a steel beam to allow sliding movement between them. The pad consists of a layer of PTFE 3 sandwiched between two plates 2 of sheet steel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mounting Pad for Steel and Other Beams Resting on a Masonry Wall It is frequently the case that Architects specify steel beams in domestic and commercial premises where the load bearing walls are of brickwork or other masonry. When steel beams of whatever section are of considerable length such as when spanning a wide room or garage, it is evident that between the cold of winter and the heat of summer there is bound to be a considerable variation in the length of the beam due to expansion and contraction and consequently there is a tendency for the beam to bear outwards or pull inwards the walls on which it is mounted. This movement of solid masonry and brickwork walls is, of course, detrimental and bound to result in cracking of the masonry.

In some cases builders make a small concrete pad in the wall in which to rest each end of the beam but this does not necessarily help matters very much as the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces is high. Even worse is the use of a sheet of lead which is sometimes used.

This invention has for its object to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above and to provide a long-life pad for lying on the masonry on which the end of a beam is to rest so that such expansions and contractions that take place can readily be accommodated within the mounting pad itself instead of transmitting forces to the masonry or brick work of sufficient magnitude to cause damage thereto.

According to this invention there is provided a mounting pad for iying between a steel or other beam and a masonry wall, the pad comprising at least one plate of supporting material and one membrane of low friction material.

One form of pad made according to this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the pad and Fig. 2 is a cross section of the pad shown to an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawing the pad consists of three separate layers i.e.:-- two thin stainless steel plates 2 of appropriate dimensions, say 1/8-1/4" thick, with a low friction membrane 3 sandwiched between them. The size of the plates 2 may be made to match the size of beam to be accommodated; for instance a 6" wide rolled steel joist which has to be embedded 6" into a wall would be rested on a pad 6"x6", and so on.

The low friction membrane 3 can be one of a variety of low friction man-made plastic materials such as polytetrafloroethelyne (ptfe) and it is convenient to use the material in thin sheet form such as .010" thick.

The pad or sandwich is made up by temporarily sealing the edges in a simple way such as by using self adhesive tape and this keeps the three layers together in one until it is used after which it does not matter if the tape becomes detached or lost.

In mounting the beam on the pad it is, of course, desirable that the pad is properly bedded on to a flat surface on the masonry. The beam is simply laid on top of the pad with the surfaces in alignment.

Preferably the builder should either heavily grease or line with some membrane such as thick paper, the remainder of the surface of the beam which will come into contact with the masonry so that the beam is not gripped thereby and that the axial sliding action afforded by the pad can take place.

According to a modification the pad comprises only two layers i.e.:- one steel sheet and one layer of low friction material. In use, the steel sheet is of course laid in contact with the masonry and the low friction layer in contact with the beam.

Claims

1. A mounting pad for lying between a steel or other beam and a masonry wall, the pad comprising at least one plate of supporting material and one membrane of low friction material.

2. A mounting pad according to Claim 1 wherein the pad comprises three separate layers i.e.:-- two plates of sheet steel and a membrane of low friction material sandwiched between them.

3. A mounting pad according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the low friction material is ptfe.

4. A mounting pad substantially as described with reference to the drawing.

5. A building structure having a masonry wall, a mounting pad made according to any one of the preceding claims and a beam lying on the pad.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mounting Pad for Steel and Other Beams Resting on a Masonry Wall It is frequently the case that Architects specify steel beams in domestic and commercial premises where the load bearing walls are of brickwork or other masonry. When steel beams of whatever section are of considerable length such as when spanning a wide room or garage, it is evident that between the cold of winter and the heat of summer there is bound to be a considerable variation in the length of the beam due to expansion and contraction and consequently there is a tendency for the beam to bear outwards or pull inwards the walls on which it is mounted. This movement of solid masonry and brickwork walls is, of course, detrimental and bound to result in cracking of the masonry. In some cases builders make a small concrete pad in the wall in which to rest each end of the beam but this does not necessarily help matters very much as the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces is high. Even worse is the use of a sheet of lead which is sometimes used. This invention has for its object to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above and to provide a long-life pad for lying on the masonry on which the end of a beam is to rest so that such expansions and contractions that take place can readily be accommodated within the mounting pad itself instead of transmitting forces to the masonry or brick work of sufficient magnitude to cause damage thereto. According to this invention there is provided a mounting pad for iying between a steel or other beam and a masonry wall, the pad comprising at least one plate of supporting material and one membrane of low friction material. One form of pad made according to this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the pad and Fig. 2 is a cross section of the pad shown to an enlarged scale. Referring to the drawing the pad consists of three separate layers i.e.:-- two thin stainless steel plates 2 of appropriate dimensions, say 1/8-1/4" thick, with a low friction membrane 3 sandwiched between them. The size of the plates 2 may be made to match the size of beam to be accommodated; for instance a 6" wide rolled steel joist which has to be embedded 6" into a wall would be rested on a pad 6"x6", and so on. The low friction membrane 3 can be one of a variety of low friction man-made plastic materials such as polytetrafloroethelyne (ptfe) and it is convenient to use the material in thin sheet form such as .010" thick. The pad or sandwich is made up by temporarily sealing the edges in a simple way such as by using self adhesive tape and this keeps the three layers together in one until it is used after which it does not matter if the tape becomes detached or lost. In mounting the beam on the pad it is, of course, desirable that the pad is properly bedded on to a flat surface on the masonry. The beam is simply laid on top of the pad with the surfaces in alignment. Preferably the builder should either heavily grease or line with some membrane such as thick paper, the remainder of the surface of the beam which will come into contact with the masonry so that the beam is not gripped thereby and that the axial sliding action afforded by the pad can take place. According to a modification the pad comprises only two layers i.e.:- one steel sheet and one layer of low friction material. In use, the steel sheet is of course laid in contact with the masonry and the low friction layer in contact with the beam. Claims

1. A mounting pad for lying between a steel or other beam and a masonry wall, the pad comprising at least one plate of supporting material and one membrane of low friction material.

2. A mounting pad according to Claim 1 wherein the pad comprises three separate layers i.e.:-- two plates of sheet steel and a membrane of low friction material sandwiched between them.

3. A mounting pad according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the low friction material is ptfe.

4. A mounting pad substantially as described with reference to the drawing.

5. A building structure having a masonry wall, a mounting pad made according to any one of the preceding claims and a beam lying on the pad.