Cutting holes in I-Joists
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2005-11-04 118914
At the bottom of the tractorpoint home page is an ad for Georgia Pacific engineered lumber. The picture of the installed I-joists shows some BIG holes cut in the webbing - much larger than I would have thought allowable. Is this legal with those things? I understand how they work with tension/compression but that looks scary.
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL Pics |
2005-11-04 118944
Ken, I have roof joists in my house which are engineered beams. They have holes that large. There is a local company called trimjoist and their beams have larger holes in the center. ....
Link: Trim Joist
 
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa Pics |
2005-11-05 118955
In I-beams used in a horizontal application with a vertical load, the center of the beam takes virtually no load. Th majority of the load is concentrated at the outer webs. But it sounds like you alreayd understand that. But understanding still doesn't help the freak-out factor you get from seeing such big holes! ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2005-11-05 118961
Peters, that link did not work for me but it looks like it should. Maybe a DNS glitch.
Thanks for the info guys. I'm planning to finish our basement and have some forced air ducts to run and would rather not have to soffit around them. I guess the right thing to do is read the manufacturer specs for our I-Joists. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
sloancon
Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 16 North Carolina |
2005-11-07 119086
framing contractor in NC. Most wood I-beams have punch outs for wires and plumbing. Any cut outs big enough for duct work or flex have to be engineered by the supplier or an independent engineer in NC. $100.00 for an engineer is a cheap insurance policy. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2005-11-07 119087
Sloancon, thanks for contributing your expertise. I'll contact a structural engineer before cutting any big holes. If nothing else it will put me at ease. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL Pics |
2005-11-07 119094
I cut some 2x10 and made them into I beams. I had tripled the number of beams so there is only a 4 ft span. The beams are also increased. I know that I am still over build, but at lest I don't have the ducts intruding into the ceiling height. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
kyvette
Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 194 Central Kentucky Pics |
2005-11-10 119169
Kwschumm, this idea maybe too late. If you construct 9' basement walls you can install your hvac, electric, etc. on the surface of the joists. This way you won't have to cut or drill the joists. This should give you about a 7'10" clear ceiling height.
Dave ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Cutting holes in I-Joists
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2005-11-10 119181
The basement does have a 9' ceiling but I'd rather not squish it down to less than 8 feet if possible. We'll put in a suspended ceiling which will take a few inches as well. Worst case, we will run the ducts around the perimeter, soffit around them, and have a tray ceiling. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Go Top
Share This