huangyhg

load capabilities of steel fletch plates
i need to find out if two 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in x 12 ft steel fletch plates bolted to 4 2x6's will carry the load of a floor with a water bed on it
what's the span of the 2x4s? what's the weight of the water bed? how many people will be in the water bed? what's supporting the 2x4s? more info is needed!!!!
assumptions:
1) fletch plates are steel plates bolted to the top and bottom (in the bending axis) of the wooden 2x6's.
2) a somewhat standard spacing of 10"-16" for the 2x6's.
3) a king size water bed, 7'x7'x9"
4) using standard water density of 62.4 pcf. i know that extra chemicals are added to the water bed to prevent bacteria growth but lets consider them negligible.
5) walls are of sufficient strength to carry the load and moment.
if you bolt the plates to the wooden beams every 6-12", then they will carry the load of the water bed.
btw, in general a standard residential floor will carry the weight of a waterbed without reinforcement. this assumes the floor and structure are in good condition and follow good construction and engineering practice.
disclaimer:
this does not constitute a professional opinion on any specific matter but a generic answer for informal knowledge. please consult a local structural engineer for specific instances.
to: imagineer:
what is your live load on the bed?
i think your confused on what a fletch beams traditionally consists of. a fletch beam is compsosed of two wood members sandwiched around vertical steel plates. through bolts connect the composite members together. they are not typically cover plates as discribed by imaginner. see "applied structural steel design" by limbrunner for an excellent design example.

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