Can you hang an I beam from an I beam?
jerseyjeff
| Posted in General Discussion on
So M-F I am teaching middle school science, and one of my dreams is to have a small I beam and a series of I beam trolleys to hang from it to do big motion experiments from
nothing says fun like sailing through the classroom like superman….
I know there is a massive I beam up about 18-20 inches above my drop ceiling running down the center line of the classroom, The beam is about 12-14 wide and 14-18 tall ( I could measure it)
In an ideal world I would love to have some way to hang a beam below it to use as a track for physics. Is there any way, maybe with threaded rod to hand a beam below a beam?
Jeff
Replies
There are any number of ways. Might want to ask the metal shop teacher if he has a long extension cord for the stick welder.
Probably best to weld an upside down T to it. Drilling a lot of holes in the flange of an I beam can really weaken it
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
There are bolt-through flange clamps just for that purpose....probably available from your local steel yard. You'll need to know the size of the existing beam and the size of the beam you want to hang so you get the right size.
BTW, no drilling required. The clamping bolt goes through the two flange clamp halves and between upper and lower beam.
Edited 5/21/2006 5:43 pm by Notchman
if the massive I beam will hold the extra load, yes, they do it all the time. just a drill flange
Sure it can be done but the reality is that you must:
A. Ask the physical plant department of your school district if it is OK.
B. Be prepared to wait a long time to have it happen.
They will answer:
1. NO
2. NO NO NO
3. Maaybe, but it has to be requested in writing, engineered, put in the planning que, project que, and paid for by some departments budget.
BIG liability here and if you were to do it without following the process...your continued enjoyment of a steady paycheck in jepardy....
I agree the I beam install will be easy compared to the time and effort involved in getting it up there.
Also what about the suspended ceiling? You'll have to take the grid apart just to use it. What are they gonna think about that.
I just got the OK to install a rock climbing wall at our local ele. school and it took three years and thats with donated time and material. My kid will get to use it one year before she moves on to middle school.
I don't mean to rain on your parade, just something to think about.
Dave
Edited 5/21/2006 8:03 pm by DaveMason2
Edited 5/21/2006 8:04 pm by DaveMason2
I am planning on sticking around for a while, and I know have to wait out the system and NOT do it myself. I think I might get it in about oh 17 years. I will make sure it is approved top to bottom before it starts. I know of another physics lab that has one, so I am not setting precedent.
Could a portable gantry be an easier solution?
I have to agree with the gantry crane idea as a possible best solution. It may be that a small gantry crane wouldn't cost much more than the purchase of just the I-beam that you are contemplating. I see lots of old, gantry cranes sitting rusting away in the back lots of a several firms in our area. Perhaps you could sweet talk a local manufacturer into giving you an old one (particularly with a small blurb in the local paper). Doing a Google search on gantry cranes gave me the following and a large number of listings (disclaimer: know nothing about this outfit, for illustration purposes only) (however, shipping may add a substantial amount to the prices listed)
http://www.low-cost-cranes.com/gantry-cranes-HSI.html
now thats cool!
I think that would fit the bill, just gotta figure out
a) can I have it
b) where can I store it?