Repair of Wood I-joist
Repair of Wood I-joist
(OP)
Has anyone successfully repaired the flange of a I-joist? Mechanical contractor decided to remove half the flange to make room for ductwork. Naturally in the zone where bending strength is required!






RE: Repair of Wood I-joist
The first thing I would do is require the contractor to submit a certified design for a method or repair. That way you force the contractor to do all the leg work and pay for the cost of tracking down a solution. Also keep in mind that the contractor probably cut the flange to save time and money. If he is reluctant to pay another engineer to develop a solution you might point out to him that your solution is likely to cost him more time and money.
If you are required to come up with the solution you are probably being pressed by the architect and owner to come up with a quick solution with little or no pay. A solution might involve the contractor removing his duct work so that the I-joist can be reinforced with a smaller opening designed into it to accept a smaller duct which the contractor has to buy and install at additional costs.
Another reason why you want to put the burden of finding a solution on the contractors back is that it probably involves contacting the joist manufacturer for their input. Which the contractor can do through the joist supplier.
A possible solution might to add full depth plywood on both sides of the joist to creat a box beam. The plywood could be glued and screwed to the joist flanges. Another possibility if the tension flange is damaged is to attach a light gage steel channel full length to the underside of the I-joist flange.
Part of the solution will depend on the material used in the I-joist flange. If it is a laminated veneer flange the use of screws may case splitting of the flange. If you are only dealing with one joist, then clamping and gluing of side plates may result in enough additional strength that the contractor can sleep at night.
RE: Repair of Wood I-joist
RE: Repair of Wood I-joist
The manufuacturer of most I-joists specifically say that you can not cut either flange, period, no question. That is a HUGE liability. If it were my personal house though, I would make him take it out and re-install one that is not cut.
RE: Repair of Wood I-joist