Index

Issue A
Date 06/10/97 Page A

UNIT BEAMS - DATA SHEET CONTENTS

FORMWORK

Description Code No Page No

Components
Standard Components-------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ 1

Loadings
Safe Load Table ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

Notes
Laterial Restraint---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Explanation of Item C, Page 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Load Reduction Graph -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Frame Configurations---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Frame Configurations---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Frame Configurations---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Span / Deflection Graph ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9

© SGB UB010A.DOC
 Components
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page1

UNIT BEAM - Standard Components

Vertical tube
∅48.3 x 3.2
BS4360/50c* PLUG WELD

DETAIL ‘A’
DETAIL ‘B’
∅22 holes for 4 off
Long spigot for Black hex. Head bolt
location on M20 x 45 to BS4190
assembly. Vertical tube Grade 4.6 with 1.5 D
∅48.3 x 3.2 thread length and 4 off
BS4360/50c M20 nut and washer.

Brace tubes 26.9

o/d x 3.2 Brace tubes 26.9
BS4360/43c o/d x 3.2
BS4360/43c

48.3 o/d x 3.2 tube 48.3 o/d x 3.2 tube

BS4360/50c* BS4360/50c*

Weight = 43kg. Weight = 30kg.

(4mm Wall Tube) (4mm Wall Tube)
Weight = 36kg. Weight = 25kg.
(3.2 Wall Tube) (3.2 Wall Tube)

SEE DETAIL ‘B’ SEE DETAIL ‘A’

* ORIGINALLY 48.3 x 4 SCAFFOLD TUBE TO BS1139

© SGB UB001A.DOC
 Loadings
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 2

UNIT BEAMS - Safe Load Table

LOAD CONDITION 1. LOAD CONDITION 2 LOAD CONDITION 3

U.D.L. on top Chord Point loads at nodes Point load mid-span
Refer to page 6. Refer to page 7. Refer to page 8.

Span U.D.L. Total Load Total

in per load for per load for See Note 3 under
Metres Metre Span Node Span
3.66 4.38 16.03 12.35 37.00 *20.00

4.88 3.54 17.27 8.78 35.12 20.00

6.10 2.84 17.32 6.4 32.00 *16.00

7.30 2.3 16.79 4.6 27.60 13.00

8.53 1.86 15.86 3.3 23.10 *11.00

9.75 1.50 14.63 2.5 20.00 *10.00

10.97 1.23 13.49 2.0 18.00 *8.80

12.19 1.00 12.19 1.56 15.60 7.90

13.41 0.87 11.70 1.30 14.30 *7.20

14.63 0.80 11.70 1.10 13.20 6.60

NOTES:

1. All loads are in kilonewtons. The self weight of the frames has been allowed for.
2. The node loads given apply to internal nodes. Half this load shall be applied to the end nodes.
See page 7.
3. Depending on the frame configuration used to achieve the desired span, a node point will not
always occur exactly at mid-span. Where this is the case (noted in the table thus * and as
shown on page 8) the load must be positioned to the nearest node point off mid-span.
If exact mid-span loading is essential on those frames marked * , the load should be limited to
4kN in all cases.
For loads greater than 4kN, advice should be sought from S.G.B.
4. LATERAL RESTRAINT. The following notes on page 3, concerning the lateral restraint of unit
beams must be read and fully observed.
5. For guidance on deflections, refer to page 9.

© SGB UB002A.DOC
 Notes
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 3

UNIT BEAMS

LATERAL RESTRAINT

A. The loads tabulated on page 2 are achieved when adequate lateral restraint is provided to the
top chord at 1.22 M centres (but see ‘E’ below).

B. In Load Condition 1, the required lateral restraint will usually be provided by the members
imparting the U.D.L. providing these members and their connection to the top chord are
capable of resisting a total force of 1.05 kN distributed over the frame length, or use
requirements set out in ‘C’ below.

C. In Load Condition 2, it is convenient and normal practice to consider the members imparting
the node loads as providing the required lateral restraint. The total of these members must
therefore be capable of resisting a lateral force of -
+ ++ +++
1.05 + [0.525 x (number of frames - 1)]kN up to max. of 3.15kN

An explanation of this requirement is shown as an example on page 4.

D. In Load Condition 3, adequate lateral restraint is still a requirement at 1.22 M centres for the
point loads tabulated at the members used for restraint should also be designed in
accordance with ‘C’ above.

E. Restraint member centres may be increased to a maximum of 1.8 metres providing the
tabulated loads are reduced by the factor shown on the graph on page 5.

+ 1.05 = 2,1/2% x Max. Compression Force in Chord (42kN).

++ 0.525 = 1,1/4% x Max. Compression Force in Chord (42kN).
+++ 3.15 = 7,1/2% x Max. Compression Force in Chord (42kN).

© SGB UB003A.DOC
 Notes
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 4

UNIT BEAMS
EXPLANATION OF ITEM C, PAGE 3.

This requirement is an interpretation of Clause 26 e(ii), of British Standard 449, Part 2, concerning
a series of latticed beams, connected by a common system of restraint members.

The following example sets out to interpret this requirement.

PLANS

RESTRAINT MEMBERS
ALL SHARING ‘FH ‘ TOTAL HORIZONTAL FORCE ‘FH’ TO BE RESISTED
1 BY RESTRAINT MEMBERS AND ANCHORAGE FOR
BEAMS SUPPORTING THE TABULATED LOADS:

FH = 1.05 + (.525 X 1) = 1.575 KN.

RESTRAINT MEMBERS 1
ALL SHARING ‘FH
2/R KN (R = NO. OF RESTRAINT MEMBERS PER

FH = 1.05 + (.525 X 2) = 2.1 KN.

RESTRAINT MEMBERS 2
ALL TO RESIST ‘FH
3/R KN

RESTRAINT MEMBERS FH = 1.05 + (.525 X 3) = 2.625 KN.

ALL TO RESIST ‘FH 3
4/R KN

FH = 1.05 + (.525 X 4) = 3.15 KN.(MAXIMUM REQUIRED)

4
RESTRAINT MEMBERS
ALL TO RESIST
TH
3.15KN/R TO N BAY.
FOR BEAMS SUPPORTING THE LOADS
TABULATED THE MAX. FORCE THAT NEED BE
RESISTED BY THE RESTRAINT MEMBERS FOR
ANY NUMBER OF FRAMES IN A SERIES IS 3.15KN.
THE CODE REQUIREMENT BEING SATISFIED
AFTER 5 FRAMES. THE ANCHORAGE SYSTEM
SHALL ALSO BE CAPABLE OF RESISTING THIS
NOTES: FORCE:

1. The forces FH 1 to FH 4 remain constant for all frame spans.

2. ‘R’ will vary for different frame spans, being the number of restraint members used per bay.

3. The connection of the restraint members to the anchor member (wall or bracing, etc.) must be
capable of resisting the lateral forces calculated both in tension and compression.

4. All restraint members are to be continuous.

© SGB UB004A.DOC
 Notes
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 5

UNIT BEAMS Load Reduction Graph

LOAD REDUCTION GRAPH FOR

USE WHEN LATERAL RESTRAINT
ON TOP CHORD OF UNIT BEAM IS
INCREASED TO 1.8M. MULTIPLY
TABULATED LOADS BY
REDUCTION FACTOR FOR SPAN
CONSIDERED

E.G. 10.97 FRAME WITH

RESTRAINT AT 1.8M.
ALLOWABLE LOAD =
1.23 X 0.724 = 0.89KN PER.M.

© SGB UB005A.DOC
 Notes
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 6

UNIT BEAMS Frame Configurations

LOAD CONDITION 1
U.D.L. ON TOP CHORD.

= UDL as tabulated

Examples of members that can

apply this type of loading are:-

wood wool slabs

timber joists
metal deck units
planking units
shuttering
staging
etc.

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 Notes
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 7

UNIT BEAMS Frame Configurations

LOAD CONDITION 2
NODE LOADS

= Half node as tabulated.

Note that end node loads are
to be half of the internal node
loads in all cases.
= Node loads as tabulated.

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 Notes
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 8

UNIT BEAMS Frame Configurations

LOAD CONDITION 3
POINT LOADS
MID OR NEAR MID-SPAN

= Load as tabulated and

where it may be applied.

= Alternative to above.
Exact mid-span load cases
where these occur off a node
point. In all cases the load
must not exceed 4KN.

© SGB UB008A.DOC
 Notes
Issue A
Date 18/09/97 Page 9

UNIT BEAMS Span / Deflection Graph

DEFLECTION GRAPH NOTES

U.D.L. curve line relates to load

condition 1 (page 6).
Node load curve relates to load
condition 2 (page 7).

These graphs give approximate

deflections under load after any
slackness in the joints has been
taken up.
See examples below.

EXAMPLES:

1. 10.97 frame with U.D.L. as tabulated

approx. deflection at mid-span -12mm.
2. 10.97 frame with node loads as
tabulated approx. deflection at mid-
span - 16mm.

© SGB UB009A.DOC