A coupled beam is a structural element used to connect two separate vertical components, typically shear walls, enhancing a structure's ability to resist lateral forces like wind or earthquakes.
A coupled beam is a structural beam specifically designed to link two independent elements within a building's lateral force resisting system. Its primary role is to improve its lateral force resistance. By bridging two separate, independent items together (like shear walls), they add stiffness to the overall system.
Key Characteristics
Based on structural engineering principles and the provided reference:
- Purpose: Primarily installed to enhance the lateral force resistance of a structure.
- Function: They act as a bridge, connecting two distinct structural elements, commonly shear walls.
- Effect: This connection adds significant stiffness to the combined system, making it more resilient against horizontal loads.
- Form: Coupled beams are typically described as being short and thick, often resembling deep beams in their proportions.
Role in Structural Systems
Coupled beams are integral to systems involving coupled shear walls. When shear walls are linked by these beams, they don't act as independent cantilevers under lateral load. Instead, the coupling beams force the walls to interact, creating a much stiffer and stronger system that can resist overturning moments and lateral deflections more effectively. The design of these beams is crucial as they are subjected to significant shear forces and bending moments transferring load between the connected walls.
Examples
A common application is linking the walls of a high-rise building's core (containing elevators and stairs) or connecting individual shear walls spread throughout the structure.
