Hardware for mounting items to steel structures

By Pat

Date 01-19-2009 21:24

I have posted this question on another site, but got to thinking this may be an excellent forum for this question. In the past in some industrial environments I have seen items mounted to steel beams, trusses, joists, etc that were not directly welded to the existing structure. I believe this is because in some, or many instances welding on certain parts of the structure is a no-no. Anyways, this hardware (for lack of a better term) if I recall correctly can be a steel plate with through holes for bolts, or a steel plate with beam clamps incorporated (welded) on it. These plates are then bolted to the structure, then the support, bracket, etc is then welded to these plates. I have searched the INTERNET but can not find what I am looking for because I do not recall what these are called. I figured there has to be some ironworker's or engineers here that can supply me with the name of these things, or some links to where they would show what I am referring to...............thanks.

By BryonLewis (****)

Date 01-19-2009 21:40

Could it be stud welding?
http://www.nelsonstud.com/Portal/Portals/0/pdf/Catalog/StudWeld/Threaded/External/CFL.pdf

By Pat

Date 01-19-2009 22:34

Thanks for the response. I am sure it was not stud welding. What I remember is for example...........................lets say you have a piece of 8" square 3/8" plate. On one side the (what looked like heavy duty beam clamps) would be welded on the plate, then on the other side there would be some holes where the beam clamps could be bolted to that side of the plate (probably to allow the plate to be positioned on the beam because if both sides had the clamps welded you could not get the plate on the beam). I also saw them where all the beam clamps were bolted to the plate instead of welded on.

On the plates that attached to the joists, there would be an upper and lower plate that were sandwiched between the upper or lower portion of the joist by 2 long bolts that went through the holes in the plate. Then after the bolts were torqued down, whatever they wanted to suspend from the joist was welded to the bottom plate. As I see it these things were installed so they did not have to directly weld to the beams or joists. I am wondering now if maybe the Ironworker's or whoever needed to install the equipment, made up their own plates, and never actually purchased them....thanks again.

By aevald

Date 01-19-2009 23:17

Hello Pat, there are a number of different types of "hangers" that are used by electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, HVAC, and likely many other of the other crafts. As you mentioned though, the ones that you saw could have been fabricated on site to serve a particular purpose. There are a lot of simple hangers that are designed to use all-thread so that there is a lot of adjustability. Others use straps, flats, or angles, that have sequentially punched holes to allow for multiple uses and adjustability. You might check with "Ferguson", "McMaster Carr", "Grainger", or some of the other industrial suppliers for additional choices. I know of the sorts of things that you have described in your post, takes a bit of hunting though to find a specific item. Best of luck and regards, Allan

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 01-20-2009 02:43

How do the codes treat welding to existing structural components "after the fact"? Wouldn't that require a greater ammount of engineering than ataching something mechanically?

I think the parts being described may be shop fabricated specificlly to avoid having to weld on sight.

By thomasyyz (**)

Date 01-22-2009 20:10

exactly, if the client doesn't want to open hot permits you have to do all welding in shop and bolt everything on site.

By thomasyyz (**)

Date 01-19-2009 22:31

from what I understand you are looking for a "mechanical anchor", what you need is to understand physics 101 and common sense.
often I'm limited to construct a line or whatever and being limited to weld only in the shop. try to understand that many times these artifacts are used to connect a lifeline and should be calculated to withstand an elephant. if you can give a little more input of what is the structure you have to work with and what you need to adapt there are an abundance of hangers for structural steel.

By Bob Garner (***)

Date 01-19-2009 23:03

Are these Lindapter products?

Bob G.

By hogan

Date 01-19-2009 23:14

Try a search for signal pole mounted sign structures.