A compound beam ABCD (see figure) is supported at points A, B, and D and has a splice at point C.
The distance a = 6.25 ft, and the beam is a S 18 × 70 wide-flange shape with an allowable bending stress of 12,800 psi.
(a) If the splice is a moment release, find the allowable uniform load σallow that may be placed on top of the beam, taking into account the weight of the beam itself. [See figure part (a)]
(b) Repeat assuming now that the splice is a shear release, as in figure part (b).

plice I(a)(b) T I Moment Shear release release 4a (l 4a