Beam Failure

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Betcha didn't know I was a master carpenter tooWas sitting in the kitchen a while back, and got to figuring that my house was collapsing down around my headThe idiots who built the house didn't pay too much attention to proper techniques, and the central carrying beam which supports the floor was giving way.  As you can see, the beam wasn't built right, and cobbled together from bits and piecesThe first step was to build a temporary stud wall to support the floor while the beam was removedThe wall, hidden by the beam, extends from the bottom of the floor joists to the ground.The next step was to remove the beam.  Jack it up to relieve the load, and chop it out piece by piece.Up she goesCut out in pieces between the floor joists (makes it easy to remove the nails, just rock the cut piece and out it comes)Now the house is resting on the temporary stud wallThe steel stuff is in the next post"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I don't like cinder blocks for supporting heavy loads.  They can crumble without warning.To replace the cinder blocks I decided to make some steel pylons, and jackstands.The pylons were fitted up, and weldedNote that the part of the pylon which will rest on the concrete pad is minimalized by fitting the cross piece above the surface of the concrete.  This allows for any uneven surface on the concrete pad.Finally, a piece of 3/16 plate was added to the top for supporting the new beam along a large areaTypical 7018AC weldFour main pylons, and 3 jackstandsInstallation is next"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:heavy duty and nice looking welds
Reply:To replace the failed beam, I made up an old school glue lam.  Two 2x10's with a piece of 1/2" plywood sandwiched between the pieces of dimension lumber.  I chose 2x10's, even though they're a bit undersized, in order to allow for increased clearance, and ease of handling underneath the buildingGlue lam.The new beam was made in 3 pieces in order to get it under the building, and to make it possible to work around the plumbing underneath the floorThe new beam was placed on top of the pylons, then lifted to support the building, then wood shims were placed underneathBecause the new beam was slightly undersized, the jackstands were placed at midspan to relieve the loadThe temporary stud wall will now be removed, and it's all done"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Good work, that's tough business in crawl spaces.  I used to work as a carpenter, and those bottle jacks are really useful.
Reply:nice idea on the steel supports in place of cinder blocks...why someone thought them things are good for structural supports is beyond me...hell, you can bust them into a million pieces with a small hammer..
Reply:You get all the fun jobs.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Some big but very clean welds there.Good helper there too."These instructions are at our present level ofknowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.Technical issues subject to change."_________________________________________Lincoln MIG PAK 180Lincoln AC-225
Reply:Very nice job samm, Tackled in a sensible manner as usuall, Good looking welds too. By the way does the broken beam run under your sleeping quarters and is suffering from too much"bedroom action"Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:Damn fine work! In a crawl space to boot. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of some of the things the people that built my house did. I don't think they owned a level, just went at it with a Budweiser and a hammer.
Reply:Your helper does not look too excited about the project. Maybe he needs some of those motivational treats.
Reply:Hey that looks like my brother?    Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Looks like that was not  the only thing they did wrong.   They should have used concrete blocks and sill plates for supports and they should have never put wood on the ground unless it was pressure treated lumber.  What part of the US are you located and do you have issues with termites?
Reply:Why not just leave the temporary stud walls in place, as extra earthquake protection. Can't hurt.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:So let me get this right, the original beam was only two wide? It never ceases to amaze me what some people will do (wrong). Great repair! Is that a slab or dirt? I hate working in crawl spaces now.
Reply:What, You didn't go with a steel beam?!!!   Nice job there Samm. I see the new boss is keeping an eye on you. Probably thought you were hiding out and napping on job under there. Clarence probaly let him know what a slacker you are if you aren't watched closely. .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Man that is the cleanest crawl space I have ever seen. Here in Az you got blackwidows, brown recluse, snakes of the rattling variety , scorpions and cockroaches living in there. I suppose thats why most homes here are built on slabs. Sweet welds , nice job, at least you wont have to do it again.
Reply:nice work on the beam sam. keep up the good work there.If you like my stuff you can find me on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/theangryanv...ngryanvilforge
Reply:You went to all the trouble of building the stud wall, it was stronger than the beam you replaced, why not leave it in?
Reply:I would like to have warmer and dryer weather for more of the year, but the stuff you guys call a foundation, woa. Nice repair Sam, But we could never get away with that hear in the North East. Guess that's why everything here cost so damm much. Also we have inspectors who just ride around looking for someone even thinking about working on their home without a permit.  Surprised you didn't build a full length metal truss. LOL>"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Originally Posted by allfluxedupMan that is the cleanest crawl space I have ever seen. Here in Az you got blackwidows, brown recluse, snakes of the rattling variety , scorpions and cockroaches living in there. I suppose thats why most homes here are built on slabs. Sweet welds , nice job, at least you wont have to do it again.
Reply:Nice work, welds and photos! Nice dog too.You get what you put in and people get what they deserve...
Reply:Good lookin' job, Samm!! Those pylons and stands should last forever. I built the header for my garage several yrs ago, except I had to rip 2x4's down to 2 1/2". Then build the frame w/ them and glue and screw 1/2" plywood to each face. It was 23" tall and 16' wide. Seemed to work very well. That plywood in yours should stiffen the beam quite a bit. Tho w/ the support you have under it I don't think there's any worry.   That new helper is lookin' good! Did the job pass his inspection?                                                  MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by allfluxedupMan that is the cleanest crawl space I have ever seen. Here in Az you got blackwidows, brown recluse, snakes of the rattling variety , scorpions and cockroaches living in there. I suppose thats why most homes here are built on slabs. Sweet welds , nice job, at least you wont have to do it again.
Reply:WHAT?!  No safety orange paint?  Must have run out.Awesome job and good to hear from you Samm.That new "boss" is growing like a weed.  Does he have a name?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!The temporary stud wall only had the gig for the duration of the project.Wood that stays in contact with the ground would not last long before termites begin gnawing their way right into the rafters. When you see them molt out in the springtime from the eves like a line of smoke from a chimney stack, then your wood is gone. After that it's only as strong as a house of cards. It never ceased to amaze me how many office trailers we worked on where the set up crew ran the plywood skirt right down into the grass and dirt. I think all of them did. Every trailer we worked on had termite infestations, we found termite detritus in all of them. It looks like black pepper and course salt mixed together. Cut into any stud wall member and you would see a New York Subway running in every direction, multi-levels. I wouldn't be too concerned with earthquakes in Oklahoma. City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I'm curious as how you determine that all was level once you got everything replaced?ChrisLincoln Pro Mig 180TMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:Originally Posted by KnacKI'm curious as how you determine that all was level once you got everything replaced?
Reply:My old homemade water level works good for a project like Samm's.                                                        MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:very cool project. I get a lot of info and ideas from you guys.Weldanpower 225 G7Ironworkers Local #24
Reply:Hey FarmerSam;With that kind of bracing , your problems are over with to be sure! yeah, some guys who throw a house up never would buy the thing for themselves either. Them stands you fabricated ae made far better than what is out on the market too. Purdy welds.