| One of the first steps in the construction of a new | | | | foundation walls. This procedure is repeated until you |
| home is | | | | get to a |
| setting the steel beams and columns in the basement | | | | beam pocket at the other end of the building, or a |
| and/or crawl | | | | column that |
| space. This supports the floor joists and usually runs | | | | terminates at an opening.To keep beams level and |
| the length | | | | straight, I like to use a dry line from |
| of the house at mid span in most homes. Not only | | | | beam pocket to beam pocket (this can also be done |
| does this system | | | | with a laser). |
| support the floor, but usually has the weight of bearing | | | | First I drive a nail in the sill plate corresponding with the |
| walls, | | | | |
| ceilings, second floors, second floor bearing walls and | | | | edge of the beam. Most beams run pocket to pocket. |
| sometimes | | | | If this is the |
| roofs transfered down to it.The first step is to install | | | | case I'll drive a nail in the plate by that pocket at the |
| the sill plates on the foundation | | | | same |
| wall . This gives you a place to nail 2x4 bracing to | | | | dimension as the first nail, measured from a common |
| hold columns and beams in place while you install them. | | | | reference |
| Once set in place these braces hold the steel till the | | | | point, usually the front or back sill plate. I now have a |
| floor joists are nailed in to take their place.Before I | | | | reference point to line up the edge of the beams with |
| continue, a word of caution. Homebuilding can be a | | | | and result |
| dangerous activity. Care and safety are a must in all | | | | in a straight installation.Assuming the foundation and sill |
| phases of | | | | plates are level, this string |
| the construction process. Setting steel definitely falls | | | | can be used to level the steel beams (again, a laser |
| into | | | | can be |
| this category. Beams can weigh anywhere from 100 | | | | used). After most beam installations a 2x plate is |
| to 400 pounds | | | | either bolted |
| depending on their size and length. Beams can be | | | | or shot with a powder actuated tool to the top of the |
| lifted into | | | | beam. This |
| place manually but I would recommend the use of a | | | | is to bring it level with the sill plates and to provide |
| crane. Not only | | | | nailing |
| can the beams be put in place safely, but it can also | | | | for the floor joists. Using a 2x block as a gauge, lay it |
| quicken the | | | | on the |
| process.With the sill plates in place the steel can be | | | | top of the beam where it sits on a column. This |
| set. One end of | | | | simulates the |
| the first beam typically starts in a beam pocket | | | | plate that will be installed later. Shim the column till the |
| formed into the | | | | block touches the bottom of the dry line. Repeat this |
| top of the foundation wall. The other end sits on top | | | | for every |
| of a lally | | | | column. Columns are shimmed with steel plates of |
| column. A typical column is 3 1/2" in diameter and filled | | | | various |
| with | | | | thicknesses. These shims are provided by the steel |
| concrete. It has a flange welded to the top with holes | | | | supplier.The next step is to plumb the lally columns on |
| in it that | | | | their concrete |
| match holes in the bottom flange of the beam. The | | | | pads. Using a 4-foot level, the columns are tapped into |
| beam is lowered | | | | plumb |
| onto the column and then bolted together.To make | | | | with a sledge hammer. Make sure the steel shims |
| this happen, I like to use four people. One to hold the | | | | remain under the |
| beam in the pocket, one to hold the column, one man | | | | columns. After all columns are plumbed up, the |
| on a ladder | | | | concrete floor can |
| to guide and bolt the beam onto the column and one | | | | be poured. This holds the columns in place.The next |
| man to nail | | | | step is to frame the floor. Once the floor joists are |
| off bracing to sill plates. Braces (2x4's) are laid flat on | | | | nailed in place all bracing can be removed. The joists |
| the | | | | are now |
| bottom flange of the beam on both sides of the web | | | | holding the steel in place.Just like the foundation, setting |
| and then | | | | the steel straight and level is |
| nailed to the sill plates on opposing walls.The next | | | | important to producing a quality home.(c) Mike Merisko |
| beam is now ready to be set. With one person holding | | | | Merisko has been a carpenter for 26 years. Most of |
| the | | | | those years were spent in the homebuilding and |
| next column, the next beam is lowered onto the new | | | | remodeling industries. He was also in business as a |
| column and the | | | | carpentry and general contractor. While that is his |
| previous column. Men on ladders guide it into place | | | | forte, he also has experience in bridge building, |
| and bolt it | | | | commercial construction, and exhibit building which is |
| down. Again 2x4's are used to brace the beam to | | | | how he earns his living these days. |
| the outside | | | | |