Replies

1. 
   BillBrennen | May 20, 2006 03:52am | #1

   sebastian,

   I have mortised a pocket for a girder into a filled block wall, but it was an interior application. Outside is tricky because a wood girder (assumption) will shrink and swell quite a bit.

   The bottom of your pocket would need to be sloped to drain out any water, and the top needs to be filled with a sponge backer and a wide, 2-sided caulk joint that can move both ways without failing. Wrap the wood with ice and water shield so it doesn't wick water from the masonry. Grout the sides and bottom, but leave the top free to move.

   Bevel the bottom of the beam end so it forms a 1/4" per foot slope when filled around with high-strength builder's grout. Separate means will be needed to keep the girder from pulling out of the pocket.

   In short, it is doable, but much more work than a ledger detail would be. Is this wall poured concrete, block, ICF, or what?

   Bill

1. 
   sebastian | May 20, 2006 04:15am | #2

   Thanks for the input. It is a concrete foundation and the girder would be a pt. (2) 2x 10. Maybe a ledger attached with ss drive bolts. would be an easier solution.

2. 
   trout | May 20, 2006 08:36am | #3

   It seems that Simpson would have a hanger for this purpose.  At most, you could put a moderately short ledger to attach the hanger to.

1. 
   sebastian | May 21, 2006 03:23am | #6

   I was thinking along the lines of a hanger, but i am not sure of the attachment.

1. 
   gordsco | May 21, 2006 06:20am | #7

   Bolt a heavy 3"X3" or 3"X5"angle to the concrete wall. Wedge style anchors will work, try 5/16" or 1/2 "

   If you have the capability, I prefer chemical (epoxy)fastening systems.

   Also remember to fasten the beam to the angle.May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.

   Gord

                           

    

    

1. 
   sebastian | May 21, 2006 10:36pm | #8

   Thanks, That sounds like the easiest solution.

3. 
   Matt | May 20, 2006 02:38pm | #4

   So you want to attach the end of a beam to a concrete foundation...

   Personally, I disagree with using a beam pocket in an exterior application where moisture might sit in there.  Besides, who wants to mess around with cutting a beam pocket in a concrete wall unless you really have to... Hope the wall is at least 10" thick, since the pocket would need to be around 4" deep.

   Short ledger to support a beam?  Wouldn't fly in my neck of the woods.

   Hanger?  I'd be suspicious of the attachment method to the concrete wall.  Maybe it could work, but this is a pointload... Maybe if Simpson has a bracket specifically made for this application...

   Best thing would be a pilaster that went down to the house footing, which would hopefully have enough projection to pick up the pilaster.  A 4" thick pilaster would be sufficient but it would need to be tied to the wall somehow too...  Maybe even just a 4x4 post bolted to the wall that extends all the way down to the house footing.

   No, best thing would be to just scrap the >> i would like to attach a girder to the foundation eliminating a footing. << idea and just suck it up and dig another footing.  Probably be faster too since you already have some other footings to pour.

   Your profile doesn't say where you live... how deep do your footings have to go?  If your answer is >4', my advice is to move south... :-)

1. 
   sebastian | May 21, 2006 02:49am | #5

   Thanks for the advice. Job is in Mass footing depth is 4 ft. I was thinking of some type of structural hanger. I figured someone has done something similar in the past.

2. 
   trout | May 22, 2006 03:38am | #9

   Short ledger to support a beam?  Wouldn't fly in my neck of the woods.

   Beam ends are connected to appropriate sized ledgers with hangers all the time.  It flys anywhere.