HELP!
I have to set two steel beams in beam pockets in my foundation on Tuesday. The bottoms of the beam pockets are ROUGH, and I would like to put something in there to shim or level up the bottom of each pocket so that the beam isn’t sitting on two or three high points of the concrete.
Is there any specific kind or brand of grout, thinset or mastic that can be applied to frozen concrete in sub-freezing temperatures, such that it will set up and be hard? The only stuff I could find at Home Despot is a surfacer that will only work above 50 dgrees F. I thought about just laying on a thick coat of construction adhesive, but am worried about flexibility.
Any thoughts?
Jon
Replies
I'd check with HILTI, I've used their 2-part epoxy to bond rebar into holes I've drilled in house foundations to tie in addition foundations. This epoxy is cured like steel in about 60 seconds! Also, I was thinking about using a piece of angle iron and bolting that to the foundation as a resting point -grouting later.
Can you post it temporarily until a couple of warmer days??
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
Well, here's the scenario: The pockets were cast too shallow for the beams I needed to use, so we spent some time with a demolition hammer and a couple hand chisels getting the depth right. So the surface is rough, but not more than 1/8" to 3/16" low in any particular spot. I could put the beams in right now, and they'd be flush with the top of the wall, but they would only be sitting on little nubs of concrete. I just want to smooth over the low spots so that the whole surface of the beam is bearing on *something*. Metal shims won't work because I'd have to chip more concrete out of the pockets.
I figure, I have four pockets, and worst case, each one is going to need maybe half-a-cup measure of thinset or grout in order to bring it up level. I can warm up the concrete and heat the water, and keep it warm for maybe four to six hours, but that's it. And Monday's the day I have to do it, can't postpone because the framing crew starts Tuesday morning.
The epoxy thing - if that sets up hard inside of a few minutes, that probably will work. Like I said, I don't need much. What type of store might I find that in? Regular hardware store? Masonry supply?
AND, you'd have to keep the steel warm.................
You said the steel will come flush with the foundation. Then go ahead and put it in.
Maybe later you can jack it a 1/4" and put something under it. Or post it and undercut it then fill in.
Basically, you are a slave to the weather. I don't know of a product you can use in sub freezing weather, maybe someone else does.
Good Luck!
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
You could chip off any really small high points then use metal shims (fender washers or something like that. They don't need to be large, but should be located under the web. It's not necessary to shim under the flanges because they carry no load, except for balance. Then, when the concrete has warmed comfortably, you can apply non-shrink machinery grout.
It can be mixed and stuffed in, but is often mixed a tiny bit runny and it will slowly ooze in, so long as you build a temporary dam, even of caulk.
It's available from masonry suppliers.
Do you have any leeway in the pocket....is it the exact hgt. of the beam? As mentioned, use a brick chiesel to knock down the high spot and use a metal shim.
I didn't do it....the buck does NOT stop here.