Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

Because space was limited, the new steel beam had to be lifted in two sections, using a Sumner material lift.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

With the lift holding the first section in place, shoring is erected below the beam. At this stage, the beam is slightly low to allow the crew to move it laterally into a beam pocket in the far wall of the basement.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

Prying against a joist pushes the first beam section into the pocket.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

The beam slides into the pocket.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

Grouted into the wall after the columns were set, the beam bears on a steel plate. Note the top plate on the beam installed with powder-actuated fasteners prior to lifting.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

The second beam section is lifted into place and shoring erected to safely support it.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

Ernesto jacks the beam, while Toby eyes a level.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

The author bolts the top of the steel columns to the bottom flange of the beam.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

The columns are sized to allow a steel shim to slip below the base; non-shrinking grout is added below each base before it is bolted down with Simpson Titan HDs

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

The author toenails through the nailer on the beam into the joists to keep them from rotating.

Slideshow: Raise High the Floor Beam

The far end of the second beam cantilevers beyond the far column. Above each column, stiffening plates have been applied by the beam fabricator to ensure loads transfer to the column.

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