Welding a square tube metal building

[Ldouble619]

Good morning. I have a 20x20 metal tube garage that I am building and attaching to the end of an existing wood garage.

This is a bolt together versatube type kit.

I’m considering welding the trusses in addition to bolting it together. In my area there is a 35 snow load requirement.

I figured welding would increase strength in a possible failure area.

Thoughts?

 

[PCustoms]

Waste of time and will not strengthen the joints at all.

If the building fails it won't be a joint, it would be a tube.

What snow load is it spec for?

 

[Ldouble619]

It’s spec’d for 35. Thanks for the feedback

 

[LXCam]

I wouldn’t waste my time. You’re going to need to grind off the galv and clean and coat all your joints. Depending on how good a welder your are you could introduce area prone to cracking. And with the fact the building is literally dependent on shear and compression, the bolts and screws will handle anything that gets thrown at it. You’re only real concern IMO is structural failure of an under rated roof system.

 

[ZRX61]

Snow load in Florida?

 

[readhead]

I am a Versatube dealer and I have had customers ask that question. There is no advantage at all to weld the joints. In fact welding would create an unwanted stress riser at the joints. These companies spend lots of money on engineer’s to design the connections. The main thing is to install the screws per plan.

 

[mcbane]

Good morning. I have a 20x20 metal tube garage that I am building and attaching to the end of an existing wood garage.

This is a bolt together versatube type kit.

I’m considering welding the trusses in addition to bolting it together. In my area there is a 35 snow load requirement.

I figured welding would increase strength in a possible failure area.

Thoughts?

It's very unlikely you will ever see that much snow in Florida, but if the snow load spec is incorrect there is a chance the wind load spec is also incorrect. It may be worth your time to get the design checked for consistency with local design loads.

 

[gmcgeo]

I would not weld it. if you want it stronger, you will need to buy bigger tubes

 

[Ldouble619]

Thanks everyone. Global warming has me worried about the snow in FL.

Garage is going in Michigan