Offset Beams
Offset beams are modeled in the program with rigid links at their offset ends. This is depicted in first figure below where rigid links are shown with orange line and solid dots at their ends. Beams can be modeled offset to columns, other beams, and walls. The rigid links at the end of offset beams act as a stub beams for the purpose of gravity load distribution in a gravity framing system supporting one-way deck. An offset beam transfers the point load reaction, torsion or moment at its end to its supporting rigid link which in turn transfer these to the supporting member.
The rigid link may also see some load which gets tribbed to it directly as shown in the figure below. These rigid link loads are not the part of offset members since they do not get tribbed between the physical dimensions of the offset member. These loads however are considered in the analysis and they get tribbed to the supporting member of the offset beam through the link. Since, rigid link loads are additional loads which go on the supporting member one will not see the point load on the supporting member being equal to the offset beam reaction for such cases. Currently, the loads on the rigid link are not directly visible to the users in the program. It is to be noted that beam design is not affected due to it being modeled as an offset to any member. However, if a beam member is supporting an offset beam or columns then it may see some torsional loads compared to a situation where it is supporting a regular beam or column.
