Originally Posted By: pdickerson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
When I first looked at the photo, I thought there there were plywood pieces nailed onto the joist web. Upon further inspection, I can see that there is actually a large rectangular hole cut in the webs, and that the plywood I can see is actually the floor decking. I agree with several previous posters, that those holes are way too big and are likely to cause problems. I would recommend having a structural engineer take a look at this one.
Originally Posted By: pdickerson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
By the way, it doesn’t matter if there are several holes in consecutive joists that line up as long as they do not violate the manufacturer’s specs on size and location.
Originally Posted By: ccoombs This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
When I get calls for such things in the field I look at the manufacture’s specification. If that doesn’t work, I then call the manufacture directly. Depending on the conditions, you can put as many as two holes per joist that remove the web completely between the top and bottom chord. However, these are round holes and not square and need to be calculated/engineered for the specific condition.
A fix for this condition would be rather easy. I would expect to see a 1.5" timberstand (or similar) nailed to the web. I would expect the timberstrand to be a minimum of 3 times the width of the cut web. The nailing should be from the web side into the timberstrand.
Bottom line, I wouldn't want this in my house and I wouldn't that floor on my liability insurance.
By the way, the manufacture will probably provide an engineered fix at no cost.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
There are also steel web reinforcement plates that can be designed for that. Many options, but it looks like someone went a little crazy with the saws-all …
– Robert O’Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
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NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: five.five This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
my client said the builder told him the joists came from BISON, already cut like that in the center.
I said that was unlikely, as the cuts looked like the were done on site.
I told him to have the builder provide him with the drawings showing the cuts, that should be with the shipment of joists.
I looked at the BISON website briefly, as I am at my “regular” job, and found no contact numbers.
I did find a “builders guide” Adobe file that lists specifications on the engineered joists.
It’s printing now, and I am going to take it home for review, oh, BTW, the BISON site linked the joist “builders guide” to a “Boise Cascade Southern Engineered Wood Products - The Builders Guide”.
So I guess Boise Casacade builds the joists for BISON?
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’d like to know the final outcome to this. A couple of experts that I respect have given their opinion opposite of mine. I still believe this to be a non-issue based on the location of the void (relevant to the support points).
When installed properly, a substantial portion of the web can be removed with very little compromise to the integrity of the joist.
Having said that, as Home Inspectors, we should always point out any deviations from the manufacturers recommendations unless we are acting as (and being paid as) experts in a given field.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
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