Two or more rolled beams side-by-side to form a fixture member must be connected at intervals of not more than:

Two or more rolled beams side-by-side to form a fixture member must be connected at intervals of not more than:

• A. Not more than 3 ft
• B. Not more than 7 ft
• C. Not more than 5 ft
• D. Not more than 10 ft

Answer: (C)

When you create a fixture member by placing two or more rolled beams side-by-side, you must tie them together along their length so the group acts as a single unit. This keeps the beams aligned, ensures they share the load effectively, and prevents relative movement between the members under service bending or loading. Five feet is the standard maximum spacing because it preserves the integrity of the built-up member’s rigidity and load transfer. If the connections are farther apart, the individual beams can drift or buckle relative to each other, reducing strength and alignment, especially under bending or eccentric loads. So, the required practice is to connect the beams at intervals not exceeding five feet. Shorter spacing would increase rigidity further, while longer spacing would compromise it.

When you create a fixture member by placing two or more rolled beams side-by-side, you must tie them together along their length so the group acts as a single unit. This keeps the beams aligned, ensures they share the load effectively, and prevents relative movement between the members under service bending or loading.

Five feet is the standard maximum spacing because it preserves the integrity of the built-up member’s rigidity and load transfer. If the connections are farther apart, the individual beams can drift or buckle relative to each other, reducing strength and alignment, especially under bending or eccentric loads.

So, the required practice is to connect the beams at intervals not exceeding five feet. Shorter spacing would increase rigidity further, while longer spacing would compromise it.