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