Civil Engineering/tie beam

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/5/2011


Question
Dear Arshad,

I have a wall lengthening more than 25 meters in one direction, therefore i wanted to introduce at least one expansion joint at the middle. At the same time i want to tie the wall with intermediate columns. I was wondering, the expansion joint will definitely separate two walls. Does it mean that tie beam also has a break at expansion joint? In that case two walls is not been tied.Please advise.

Answer
Hi Ananta,

I am not sure if I fully understand your question, but if you have 25m of wall, with one intermediate column at the middle, then your wall is already split into two halves. Then you can have 2 options for the tie-beams at the top of the wall- either take the rebar through (i.e. no joint), or else introduce some dowel bars (with each one having one end de-bonded) in the tie beam on one side of the column, so that this has some movement (expansion/contraction) capability along the plane of the wall, but will act as a restraining beam for the wall at right angles to the plane of the wall.

I hope you understand.

Civil Engineering

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.