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northidaho1986
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2017 21:39
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First off let me thank the community here for all of the good and free advice! I'm a long time lurker, but now that I'm actually in the process of building a cabin I figured I better sign up!
The first thing puzzling me is the built-up-beam idea. I've read the build-up beam method mentioned here, and have decided to utilize that as part of a pier and beam foundation. My question is regarding the positioning of the joints.
I plan to utilize 3 rows of 5 piers spaced 8 feet apart for the foundation. For the beam itself I plan on using three 2x12s nailed and glued together.
Now I know that you are suppose to have the joints staggered, as well as have them positioned over the piers. I would like to avoid 16' lengths due to issues getting lumber that size to the site. This poses a problem because of common lumber lengths it would be hard to have all three joints staggered AND positioned over the pier, without a lot of waste.
So basically my question is would it be sound to use a 12' length of 2x12 sandwiched between two 8 foot lengths. The 8 foot lengths would fall on the piers and the 12 footer would extend past it and act as a nailer for the next set of 8 footers. This would leave the middle joint floating which worries me, but it is the best I can come up with...
Any advice for this newbie would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!
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Greenland South
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2017 23:41
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Yes that would work. Lose the glue idea, it will do nothing to strengthen the beam that you're going to build. I don't want to start quoting code requirements, but glue is not mentioned anywhere in part 9 of the BC building code that I'm aware of. That includes the often mentioned gluing the sub flooring to the floor joist discussion.
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northidaho1986
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# Posted: 14 Jul 2017 00:31
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Hey if I don't have to glue that makes my life that much easier! thank you for the reply.
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Absolutely
Member
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# Posted: 14 Jul 2017 00:59
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An 8' member would only be in contact with two piers. A 16' member would have 3 point contact. Unsupported joints are poor practice imo. I know only too well the difficulties of moving large lumber but I'd find a way to use 16 footers.
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benny8
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# Posted: 14 Jul 2017 06:56
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As long as the two outside 8' break joint on your piers, you will be fine. Just make sure to crown your material. Crown is always up.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 14 Jul 2017 17:33
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How have you decided that 3-2x12 on 8 foot spacing will support the load?
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ICC
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# Posted: 14 Jul 2017 17:43 - Edited by: ICC
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And just to be sure I understand the question, you mean the row of 5 piers would be a 32 foot length and the three rows means a 16 foot wide building? One story high? Snow load?
And what is it that makes 16 foot long so difficult. If it is the trailer size, rent a longer one, then you can also dispense with the center row of piers
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northidaho1986
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2017 00:02
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24' by 32' on the cabin. Soil test confirms that planned foundation will bear the load. Trailer size is the issue, and funds are tight so I would like to strike that balance between affordable and done right. Plus I'm working alone so the shorter the lengths I can get away with, the easier it is for me to drag the damn things in since access means I can't pull right up!
Thanks for the reply!
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northidaho1986
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2017 00:03
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Quoting: benny8 As long as the two outside 8' break joint on your piers, you will be fine. Just make sure to crown your material. Crown is always up.
Thanks, that was my assumption as well, but I figured it would be better to be safe than sorry!
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KinAlberta
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2017 11:42 - Edited by: KinAlberta
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Our main cabin is 24'x30' with beams on concrete blocks.
I sure wish my father had raised the cabin a foot or two higher to provide access. (To insulate, run plumbing, etc)
That and I sure wish he'd over-built the beams in the first place (it held up remarkably well for decades but letting the eavestrough water dump water at the end of the cabin (for about a decade or more) softened the ground and let the building settle an inch or two. Levelling just meant jacking at various points along a wall and I reinforced the outside beam before tiling a kitchen countertop above it, but stronger beams would have ensured far greater rigidity across spans under the building. I can't get under the cabin to check the inner beams to make sure none are now floating, etc.
It was built in the 1950s, much of it by hand for lack of power but I sure wish a few more dollars were spent on the beams.
Note: piers can settle too.
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