Sorry in advance if this has already been addressed ad nauseam. It’s pretty common to see steel beam construction with concrete over a corrugated metal deck (see Exhibit 3.32 in the 2016 handbook for a picture). This kind of construction can fall into three categories (correct me if I’m wrong):
1. Unobstructed 2. Obstructed – Beam and Girder Construction, when the beams are spaced 3 ft. to 7.5 ft. on center 3. Obstructed – Panel Construction, when the beams are spaced more than 7.5 ft. on center when the area of each panel is limited to 300 S.F. Now, for Panel Construction, there is some wording that states “there should be no unfilled penetrations in the cross-sectional area of the bounding structural members including the interface at the roof”. This wording is not included in the definition of Beam and Girder Construction. So my question is: Do the spaces between the top of the beam and the deck that are typical to this type of obstruction preclude you from defining it as Panel Construction? Further, since the wording about unfilled penetrations is absent from the definition for Beam and Girder Construction, can I call it obstructed construction in areas where the beams are close than 7.5 ft. on center, even with these openings? [NOTE: In this scenario there is no fireproofing filling the voids between the roof deck and the tops of the beams.] Thanks. -Kyle M
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