So, I’ve never used plate ties or mending plates. When installing, do you use two, and put one on each face, sandwiching the joint?
With the pandemic, I’m having a hard (impossible) time finding joists to length (24’+) so i want to join perhaps 16’ and extend with 8’ as stringers on a wheelchair ramp I’m building.
Any experience/advice from anyone who’s actually used them this way or similar would be greatly appreciated and urgently needed. Didn’t know my go-to lengths wouldn’t be available.
Thanks so much.
Replies
Can you not provide a support at mid span? Using those for plate ties is a huge difference from spicing joists. 24' is a long span anyway.
I’m actually supporting them every 7 ft
If that's the case just make your splice over a support.
I will, then.
novice (hack?) here.
So... how to splice those joists.
My idea was to use a mending plate or tie plate and I still don’t know if I’m supposed to use one on each side of the joist.
Or just splice with plywood?
As I said though, they are joists (stringers) running below, supporting the decking of a wheelchair ramp - so the outside joists will be attached to posts
Even securing them to the posts will be a challenge if that’s where the joint is
Why not run a beam under the joists between the posts? Depending on the ramp width a dbl 2x6 might suffice. Then you have ample room tot support both joist ends. You wouldn't really have to overlap anything over the joists as long as both ends are supported. There are other options as well. I'm sure the ADA specs are online with recommended details also.