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Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

(OP)
Greetings,

I'm not a structural engineer however I have a structural residential steel beam question. My daughter just purchased a newly-constructed 2-story house over a basement. The basement foundation is 8" poured concrete. There is a steel 'I' beam spanning perhaps 30' of a portion of the basement and it was to rest in a pair of pockets formed on either end of the concrete foundation, The pockets are ~6" deep into the 8" concrete wall. In addition, there are a pair or concrete piers evenly spaced along the beam's length supporting 2 steel columns. Here's the issue:

The beam is about 8" short, it only catches ~2" of the concrete foundation on either end. Initially, both ends of the beam were supported by temporary 2x4 wood supports. One end was perhaps 3/8" above the actual concrete pocket and the builder took a piece of iron about 3/8" high, only 2-3" deep and put it under the beam and removed the wooded support on that end. So the beam on that end only catches 2" of the concrete pocket and rests on small 2" piece of iron. No mechanical or weld fastening. It gets worse:

The other end of the beam is (still) supported by single 2x4 wedged into place. It too only projects 2" into the pocket and is raised more that 1/2" (closer to 3/4") from the concrete pocket, being supported by the temp 2x4 and the 2 center pier supports. The house passed occupancy inspection 2 weeks ago and my daughter moved in. I know there is no way that it should have passed, who knows the events around it. The builder says he will put a piece of metal under the end of the beam. My thoughts:

One at a time, each end of the beam should be jacked up slightly (1/16 to 1/8) and a piece of iron the appropriate height should be driven under the beam back to the end of the pocket, the jack removed, and that piece of metal should project 12" to 18" out under the beam where is should be permanantly welded in place along it's entire length and width. Repeat on the other end. Is my fix mechanically sound?

I'm temped to initially contact the head of the county inspectors and demand a meeting at the house, but fearful of might occur if it's re-inspected (daughter forced to move out until repairs are made, etc.) Appears it will be incumbent of me to decide on a correct repair, engage a local iron shop to make the repair and force builder to pay.

Sorry if this is not the proper forum, suggestions on a better forum are appreciated if appropriate.

Thank you, sorry for long post, I'll try to get a picture....
John


RE: Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

Was no structural engineer involved in the house design? If there was, he/she should be your point of contact. If not, then you have to bring the county inspectors back, hopefully one who knows something about building. What you propose does not sound appropriate. If you don't have a structural engineer, and the inspector is no help, you will need to engage one. There is no logical reason why your daughter should be forced to move out while the problem is rectified.

RE: Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

it might only need a pair of vertical steel members from floor concrete to beam against each wall to support the ends of the existing horizontal steel.

You need a picture and drawing here, and you need a specific legal and thorough evaluation on-site by a licensed engineer for your state or province.

RE: Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

A dimensioned drawing would be loads of help on this, it is entirely possible that 2" of bearing is acceptable for the beam.

I would contact the builder and request the beam design documents before bringing an inspector back in, but they have no obligation to provide you with it. If a structural engineer had been contracted to design the beam, they most likely will not be able to give you the design directly as you and your daughter aren't their client.

Informal word of advice when contacting the inspector: you win more flies with honey - 'demanding' a reinspection could result in a very quick 'no', expressing your concerns and requesting a reinspection would be more appropriate. Be prepared to pay the fees for the inspector.

RE: Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

Also: do NOT modify the beam or its support in any way without consulting a structural engineer and receiving stamped design / certificate.

RE: Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

(OP)
Thanks all, I'll try to get a few pics. One end of the beam is about 3/4" above the concrete pocket and is being supported only by a 2x4 with a bunch of bent nails in it that I (literally) believe they pulled out of the dumpster. It is wedged under the beam at perhaps a 30* angle. thanks

RE: Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

(OP)
Sorry, not a 2x4, but a 2x6 I recall. I'm sure that's exactly what the engineer had in mind in his/her design. ;^)

RE: Question on (short) Residential Steel Beam

This doesn't sound at all right, but things like this happen all the time and get repaired. You are getting good advice here.

- Don't do it yourself.
- Get LOCAL Structural Engineering help.
- Once you have the repair detail, offer the original builder the chance to effect the repairs. This may be though and annoying, but goes a long way to protecting your right to recoup if they refuse and you have to engage a third party.
- Get a permit for the repair work, and ensure that the county inspects the work.

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