Chapter 8: Beams

1. Introduction

Proper installation of the beam is extremely important because it supports the floor joists and along with the sill plate determines if the floor will be level. A second beam will be used for two story houses to support the floor joists of the second floor. The beams may be either steel or LVL (an engineered lumber product).  It should be noted that some house plans do not have a beam.  If this is the case, this chapter can be ignored. Consult the plans and HFHSL construction staff to learn what will be used.

2. Safety Issues

• Care should be taken to avoid falls. Review the Fall Protection Morning Safety Huddle Topic Sheet for Subfloor.
• Safety glasses should be worn when using power tools.
• Wear hard hats when in basement, under overhead work, or when hoisting steel.
• Position workers in a manner which eliminates the potential for injury if the beam falls during placement.
• Wear gloves when handling steel.
• Assure that ladders used for access to the basement are stable.
• Caution workers about the sharp edges on snapped snap-ties.

3. Prior Tasks to Have Been Completed Before Starting

• Foundation poured, stripped, snap ties removed, braced if necessary, and backfilled.
• Measuring and ordering beam. After the foundation is stripped, the Site Coordinator will measure the length of the beam required making sure that it extends at least 4" into the beam pocket at each end. Using a level, the Site Coordinator will measure the difference in elevation from the column footings to the top of the foundation. Check both the footing pads and several points around the foundation. An adjustable column length should be selected which will put the required column length in the mid to upper part of the 3" adjustable range. Check the plans for the specifications for the beam and columns and order the lengths required.
• Beams, shims, and columns on site and correct size and length. (check beam length with beam pocket distance back to back)
• Crane scheduled and onsite if necessary.

4. Recommended Staff/Crew Assignments

• 2 people clean off column footings pads, beam pockets, and top of foundation walls.
• 2 people place extension ladder for access to basement, move steel columns, 4 foot levels and two 6 foot step ladders to basement.
• 1 person using laser level or 2 people with level instrument find high spot of foundation. That will be elevation at which the steel beam is to be set.
• A crew of 2 to work with the crane to lift the beam into place.
• A crew of 2 to measure and mark the location for the steel columns on each column footing pad and then to install the steel columns under the beam when it has been lifted into place.
• 2 crews of 3 to install temporary 2 x 4 bracing across the foundation holding beam in place in 2 locations.

 5. Order/Tasks to be Completed By Whom?

____1. Clean out column pads, beam pockets, foundation 2 people
____2. Locate high spot elevation of foundation 1 - 2 people
____3. Prepare columns in basement 2 people
____4. Place steel shims in beam pockets to approximate height 2 people
____5. Lift beam into place 2 people
____6. Install columns in place 2 people
____7. Install temporary lateral bracing 6 people

6. Tools/Equipment List

• Crane
• 4 foot level
• Level or laser level
• Rotohammer and expansion anchor bolts
• Wood blocking to block beam in beam pocket
• Drill, ¾" bit
• Hammers
• Large screwdriver
• Socket wrench
• Circular saw
• Reciprocating saw

7. Materials List

• Nails, 16d
• 2 x 4, 16' (4)
• 2 x 4, 1' (4)
• Steel beam or LVL beam
• 3" adjustable steel columns (2) in basement only
• Steel shims
• Construction adhesive
• Caulk gun

8. Quality Checkpoints

 ____Beam at right elevation for entire length
____Beam centered in house according to plans
____Beam plumb and blocked in place
____Columns right location and plumb
____Columns top flanges pounded around and over lower flange of beam
____Column base plate bolted or shot to concrete pad

9. Construction Drawings and Text

Using a laser level or other leveling device, locate the high point of foundation walls. This point will be the point that the top of steel is leveled to. Place shims in the beam pockets to a height that will bring the top of the beam to the appropriate level. The sill plate may have already been put in place and may also need to be leveled. Since the laser level is already set up, the appropriate shims can be determined at each anchor bolt at this time.

Set up extension ladders to basement and move one or two steel columns (consult plans), a 4 foot level, and 2 step ladders to basement. Clean off the column footing pads and beam pockets. Measure and mark the column locations on concrete pads. Consult the plans for proper locations. Measure and mark the centerline of the beam on top of the wall at each beam pocket.

If possible, attach a 2 x 4 to top of steel beam. If it is not done now, it will have to be done working off of ladders after the beam has been set. This is done by first nailing 16d nails into both 1 ½" edges of the 2 x 4 approximately every 2 feet. Nails should only be driven halfway. Apply construction adhesive to the top of the beam and place the 2 x 4 over the adhesive. Bend the exposed portion of the nails under the top flange of the steel to anchor the 2 x 4 in place.

Stand the beam up on the bottom flange and block it up. Wrap lifting straps around it at quarter points of beam, if possible. Position straps to hold the web of the beam vertical while lifting. Carefully lift beam into position with one man on the outside of the foundation at each end to guide it into place. Check the centerline as the beam is lowered into the beam pockets. Check the top of beam elevation. Shim if necessary.

Temporary bracing should be built in advance using 2 x 4's sufficiently long to reach the far side of the beam. Two short 2 x 4's should be nailed at one end; one will go on each side of the beam to prevent movement. The other end will be nailed to the sill plate if it has been installed or into some other temporary bracing near the foundation wall.

Working from the basement, install the steel columns and hammer the flanges over the lower flange of beam. Plumb each column and adjust the elevation of the top of beam by turning the threaded adjustment at the bottom. The proper elevation can be determined by pulling a string the length of the beam.

Use expansion anchor bolts, tap con, or shot anchor to secure the steel columns in place.

Grout the beam pockets.

If setting the beam for the second floor, the framing should be done as instructed in the plans or by HFHSL construction staff so that the beam will be adequately supported and the top will be level with the top of the cap plate. It should be noted that if the cap plate has not yet been installed, the top of the beam will be 1 ½ inches above the top plate. This beam is typically a LVL beam.

Check the plans to see if several beams are to be joined to support the second floor. If this is the case they should be joined prior to lifting the beam into place. Construction adhesive is applied to the side of one beam and then another is placed next to it. Fasten securely with 16d nails, 3 or 4 every 16 inches. Care must be taken to ensure that all edges are flush, otherwise proper fit will be difficult and other problems may result.

Working off of stepladders, the beam is placed into the beam pockets in the framing. The beam is checked for proper location and walls are rechecked for plumb and then the beam is nailed securely to all framing with 16d nails.

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  Page last updated Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 6:39:50 PM