×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Contact US

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

(OP)
When doing the structural design for a remodel how does everyone go about determining the floor framing direction and size where concealed by finishes?

For size we typically try and measure at the stairs where you may be able to see a side profile or try and measure total height at stair opening and subtract out the ceiling heights.

For direction I've seen a combination of looking for patterns in nail pops, using magnets to locate nails and seeing patterns, or selective demolition to open up areas. I've also thought about using a thermal camera.

Anyone have better tricks they employ?

We typically field confirm everything after demolition but better picture we get from the start the less chance for field revisions.

RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

(OP)
Stud finders are another option we tend to use as well.

RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

If you are doing remodeling/remediation, some pre-design destructive observation is necessary. Since the finishes will likely be compromised in the remediation that is not a big deal.

RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

Density based stud finders work well. Metal detecting stud finders are not as reliable.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)


RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

(OP)
Thanks Ron and Mike. I should also put these projects into perspective. I'm referring to relative small remodels for single family residences. For non-resoidential projects we always do some selective demo. For the single family residential projects we often get push back due to

1) other engineers in the area make do without it.
2) often construction is 6+ months away and the homes are being lived in.
3) often times a contractor is not yet involved with the project.
4) pricing is not finalized and occasionally the proposed work does not actually get built.

In a perfect world we would always have the areas opened up. However it's usually a pretty big uphill battle. For larger scale residential projects we require it. It's the small ones I'm talking about. Usually only an issue in 2 story construction and we have access to attic and crawlspace.

Does everyone just require everything be opened up or what do you do in these situations?

RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

Look for subtle clues such as where are HVAC outlets are compared to the location of the HVAC unit. If the outlets are in the ceiling of the first story or the floor of the second story, the ductwork almost certainly runs parallel to the second story floor joists.

Usually, layout of the second story floor joists will match the first story layout.

Interior stairs are likely parallel to floor joist direction.

In one historic home I investigated the floor joists were so long and "springy" that it was fairly easy to see, by inspection, which way the deflection curve ran.

This may be obvious, but I'll mention it anyway, make a sketch of the house floor plan, including any crawlspace supports. The floor joists probably run in the shortest direction. Lumber can only be so long.

The above are not sure fire answers, but pretty good clues.

www.SlideRuleEra.net idea
www.VacuumTubeEra.net r2d2

RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

Stud finders have not been reliable for me due to blocking etc. I usually look for clues such as hardwood floor direction, reasonable span limits, locations of beams in the basement and crawlspace etc. when demo is not an option. Using these methods, I get it right about 90% of the time. No matter what you do, you never get the entire picture until FULL demo has occurred.

RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

I've used thermal cameras to find studs at walls where I could get a large thermal difference between the two faces of the wall. For most interior walls the studs will not show up well unless you can drastically change the temperature (open a window in winter or something like that).

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com

RE: Determining floor framing direction where concealed by finishes

Depending on the flooring, whack it with a soft mallet and pretend you're a whale.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members! Already a Member? Login


Resources

Low-Volume Rapid Injection Molding With 3D Printed Molds
Learn methods and guidelines for using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printed molds in the injection molding process to lower costs and lead time. Discover how this hybrid manufacturing process enables on-demand mold fabrication to quickly produce small batches of thermoplastic parts. Download Now
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
Examine how the principles of DfAM upend many of the long-standing rules around manufacturability - allowing engineers and designers to place a part’s function at the center of their design considerations. Download Now
Taking Control of Engineering Documents
This ebook covers tips for creating and managing workflows, security best practices and protection of intellectual property, Cloud vs. on-premise software solutions, CAD file management, compliance, and more. Download Now

Close Box

Join Eng-Tips® Today!

Join your peers on the Internet's largest technical engineering professional community.
It's easy to join and it's free.

Here's Why Members Love Eng-Tips Forums:

Register now while it's still free!

Already a member? Close this window and log in.

Join Us             Close