Homebuilding: Setting Basement Steel

One of the first steps in the construction of ayou get to a
new home isbeam pocket at the other end of the building, or
setting the steel beams and columns in thea column that
basement and/or crawlterminates at an opening.To keep beams level
space. This supports the floor joists and usuallyand straight, I like to use a dry line from
runs the lengthbeam pocket to beam pocket (this can also be
of the house at mid span in most homes. Notdone with a laser).
only does this systemFirst I drive a nail in the sill plate corresponding
support the floor, but usually has the weight ofwith the
bearing walls,edge of the beam. Most beams run pocket to
ceilings, second floors, second floor bearing wallspocket. If this is the
and sometimescase I'll drive a nail in the plate by that pocket at
roofs transfered down to it.The first step is tothe same
install the sill plates on the foundationdimension as the first nail, measured from a
wall . This gives you a place to nail 2x4 bracingcommon reference
to hold columns and beams in place while youpoint, usually the front or back sill plate. I now
install them. Once set in place these braces holdhave a
the steel till the floor joists are nailed in to takereference point to line up the edge of the beams
their place.Before I continue, a word of caution.with and result
Homebuilding can be ain a straight installation.Assuming the foundation
dangerous activity. Care and safety are a mustand sill plates are level, this string
in all phases ofcan be used to level the steel beams (again, a
the construction process. Setting steel definitelylaser can be
falls intoused). After most beam installations a 2x plate is
this category. Beams can weigh anywhere fromeither bolted
100 to 400 poundsor shot with a powder actuated tool to the top
depending on their size and length. Beams can beof the beam. This
lifted intois to bring it level with the sill plates and to
place manually but I would recommend the useprovide nailing
of a crane. Not onlyfor the floor joists. Using a 2x block as a gauge,
can the beams be put in place safely, but it canlay it on the
also quicken thetop of the beam where it sits on a column. This
process.With the sill plates in place the steel cansimulates the
be set. One end ofplate that will be installed later. Shim the column till
the first beam typically starts in a beam pocketthe
formed into theblock touches the bottom of the dry line. Repeat
top of the foundation wall. The other end sits onthis for every
top of a lallycolumn. Columns are shimmed with steel plates
column. A typical column is 3 1/2" in diameter andof various
filled withthicknesses. These shims are provided by the
concrete. It has a flange welded to the top withsteel supplier.The next step is to plumb the lally
holes in it thatcolumns on their concrete
match holes in the bottom flange of the beam.pads. Using a 4-foot level, the columns are
The beam is loweredtapped into plumb
onto the column and then bolted together.Towith a sledge hammer. Make sure the steel shims
make this happen, I like to use four people. Oneremain under the
to hold thecolumns. After all columns are plumbed up, the
beam in the pocket, one to hold the column, oneconcrete floor can
man on a ladderbe poured. This holds the columns in place.The
to guide and bolt the beam onto the column andnext step is to frame the floor. Once the floor
one man to nailjoists are
off bracing to sill plates. Braces (2x4's) are laidnailed in place all bracing can be removed. The
flat on thejoists are now
bottom flange of the beam on both sides of theholding the steel in place.Just like the foundation,
web and thensetting the steel straight and level is
nailed to the sill plates on opposing walls.The nextimportant to producing a quality home.(c) Mike
beam is now ready to be set. With one personMerisko Merisko has been a carpenter for 26
holding theyears. Most of those years were spent in the
next column, the next beam is lowered onto thehomebuilding and remodeling industries. He was
new column and thealso in business as a carpentry and general
previous column. Men on ladders guide it intocontractor. While that is his forte, he also has
place and bolt itexperience in bridge building, commercial
down. Again 2x4's are used to brace the beamconstruction, and exhibit building which is how he
to the outsideearns his living these days.
foundation walls. This procedure is repeated until