Attach adjustable Column to steel beam and bottom plate – how
How would I attach a Tapco Steel Adjustable Building Column — http://www.tigerbrandjackpost.com/ad…e-columns.html —- to the top to a steel W5X15 beam and at the bottom to a 2×4 bottom plate?
I can see welding it to the beam would work at the top perhaps or blots ???
At the bottom, bolting to the bottom plate, subfloor below that or do I need special brackets between the interface of the top and bottom of the beam and the respective surfaces?
I am attempting to get a permit and have had an engineer “design” me a beam. She has also come up with a way to build the columns in wood but then said, hey why not do this with steel columns, more expensive but perhaps easier to install???
I am looking for sepcifics here and hopefully will get better results than DIYchatroom …… 🙂 – hope they are not related or I be in trouble.
Replies
Well, you'd probably need more than a 2x4 on the bottom. A 2x4 is only 3.5 inches wide, while the narrowest plate listed on that page is 4".
Except in earthquake country the attachment only needs to keep the post from slipping sideways -- the weight of the structure secures the post.
The OP isn't asking you how to engineer the project.
Dan,
There is an engineer of record for this job. Guess what? You're not it.
Seems like you answered your own question. Why can't you bolt the top and lag the bottom? The only thing mildly challenging is drilling your 9/16" bolt holes for your W section flanges overhead. For that , you don't need anything 'special" other than a good variable speed drill run at low speed, a decent bit, and some steady ass to put behind it.
If you haven't already settled on or ordered the W section, then specify the size and hole locations to your steel supplier and they'll punch them a whole lot easier than you can drill 'em.
To get any meaningful help, you will need to attach a drawing showing how the adjustable column interacts with the top of the wide flange beam. The web gets in the way, you see.
And I'm with Dan here regarding the bottom attachment to a 2x4. Do you plan on trimming the bottom plate of the column? If so, then what does the manufacturer say about that? Is doing this OK with your engineer... it's best to ask because the inspector might.