Doing phase construction inspections on a new house (for the builder, who is unexperienced (go figure)).
They have the beams in. Look at the post in picture 1, right in the center (not plumb), but especially, look at the mating of the beam from the right (picture 2). Is this mating OK? The beam from the right is not supported from below.
BTW: The backfill guy broke or bent about 1/2 the sill plate bolts (Picture 3).
The unsuported beam connection is no different than bridge beams that I have seen and most of the time that same connection will be three to five feet away from the support column depending on load above.
Will, when it comes to steel beams, it is all about span and loading, and unnecessary beam size costs money, so it usually is sized to the loading of the span and connections make the transition.
By the way, I blew up the picture and noticed there is no bearing plates and anchorbolts on the steel columns.
I would be curious as to how they set them the right height.
Typically, you would see a baseplate on 3/4" of grout or leveling nuts to set the columns.
Bent bolts are common and usually not a problem, but bent to this this extreme, once it’s been straightened it’ll be weaker than original specs. Pass on the liability.
I douby they would go to this extreme, chances are they would drill and use quick bolts or wedge bolts and probably not be galvanized nor stainless because of the PT. contact.
actually the J bolts need to be replaced, only because the bolts are bent to close to the 2 corners meeting together. If the bolts were more further away from the corners, they can just use a nail gun to sink in support, as we did for inner walls. Also depends on what state requirements are for Earthquack anchors for the corners. I’ll need to check my IRC or IBC, and get back with you guys, on what it will call for.
I know Southern Calif has to have Earthquack anchors on both sides of the corners, on all 4 corners of the home. My family uses them on every jobsite, for homes and apartments.
Damaged J-bolts as you call them come in a variety of sizes and get damaged everyday by people that don’t pay attention to what they are doing on most Construction Projects.
There are alternatives to the fancy post I put above which is something Jeff Pope would normally see in his area.
Most geographic areas are different and you should check with local AHJ’s.
Up here in Maine, damaged anchor bolts, can be replaced by 1/2" quick bolts, or wedge bolts of galvanized or stainless, epoxy anchors, or luck out and straighten the bent bolts and hope they don’t break. ha. ha.
The IRC requires 1/2" x 7" anchor bolts. In some areas it also calls for 3" washers and to be galvanized for PT protection.