Flushing an I beam

[jmoin]

I am in need of some advice.

I had a company move an existing steel beam flush with the joists to add head room in a basement. They "packed" the web of the beam with 2X material and hung the joists from that with joist hangers. They used powder actuated nails and glue to attach the 2X material to the web of the beam, is this acceptable or should they have bolted the wood to the beam? also they did not use top mount hangers they are regular hangers attached only to the packing in the beam

Thanks in advance

 

[amecENG]

This is a common detail but the timber is usually bolted through the steel web. I certainly wouldn't rely on the adhesive to stick to the steel due to the possiblity of corrosion dust or residual oils present from the steel fabrication process. The powder actuated fasteners probably would not have enough shear capacity to transfer the load. It would depend on how many were used I guess but the norm is through bolting. I would definitely recommend that they bolt it which is still relatively easy to do now that it is constructed.

 

[Ron]

Most of the major suppliers make joist hangers specifically for this application. Check Simpson StrongTie

 

[strucguy]

Jmoin -

The detail you mentioned is not that uncommon. If you are concerned, please have an engineer look into it. He may be able to tell whether the contract has used the right type and number of powder actuated fasteners. Any detail is acceptable as long as a rational approach has been followed to arrive at it (obviously by and engineer).

 

[msquared48]

This is a common detail, but should be thru-bolted as previously mentioned.

As Ron Mentioned, special thicker and weldable top hung hangers are available from Simpson.

Watch out though. Not all of the hangers can be welded - some are too thin or not rated for that type of attachment.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[strucguy]

msquared48,
don't see a reason for thru bolted fasteners here, when even paf's have comparable pullout resistance when driven into steel.