How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
(OP)
I did a structural inspection on a 112-year old row house in DC. The property has 2x10 floor joists that deflected about 3-inch (12 - feet span.) The joists show no damage to the fiber. Two questions:
1- When would you say that you have a structural failure for solid wood joists? and does anyone have pictures to share?
2- Would you fail such floor?
1- When would you say that you have a structural failure for solid wood joists? and does anyone have pictures to share?
2- Would you fail such floor?






RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
There should be no problems with 2X10's spanning 12 feet. Technically, the floor has not failed stress wise, shear or moment, but the deflection limitations have been exceeded. Serviceability as an occupiable and liveable space has been compromised.
The floor structure needs to be replaced to be occupiable.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
Did they fail - probably not. Is the floor usable - probably not.
Once was in a 700 year old (verified) hotel in England. Walking around that room made me think I was drunk or had vertigo. Did I mind - NO - not for a couple of days - it was part of the "charm"
Would I have lived there - NO!!!!!!!!!!!
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
We went up on the roof, and there were 10 foot drifts behind a false parapet on the front shops of the strip mall. We started checking other stores, and found about 6 more stores with the same problem. Needless to say we got shoring in there ASAP, and some of the Contractor's crews were called in to start shovelling the roof.
That's what I would call a failed 2x_ member. I agree with msquared48 that what you have, while not a true failure, is more a serviceability issue and needs to be fixed.
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
Repair it.
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
The contractor can't sell the building with that much curve, so he (obviously without telling anybody what he is doing to cover up his mistake!) fills in the 12 x ?? 3 inch deep "wading pool" with concrete leveling mud. Then puts the flooring on.
Now you have a floor failure issue with excessive weight from the concrete leveling mud.
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails
RE: How would solid wood joist looks when it fails