Steel column not under center 3rd of I-beam

[Randall Clark]

New construction. I thought the center 3rd rule of thumb no longer applied and columns (masonry piers, too) had to be centered squarely under the load. Anyone know where the language is in the code book referencing columns and/or piers and where a beam and/or girder rests on them?

[Gunnar Alquist]

New construction. I thought the center 3rd rule of thumb no longer applied and columns (masonry piers, too) had to be centered squarely under the load. Anyone know where the language is in the code book referencing columns and/or piers and where a beam and/or girder rests on them?

Randall,

Lots of folks looking, no one responding.

I am afraid that in my area of CA I do not run into steel much, so I have no specific recommendations. With wood post/girder connections, direct line-up is necessary, particularly when using metal hardware. In that case, I would put it in the report. If someone wanted documentation, I would point them to the hardware manufacturer's installation instructions.

I can't tell from you pic, is the post attached to the girder?

As far as a specific code, I do not have one for you. 505 in the CRC covers cold-formed steel. I assume the IRC is the same, but I don't know exactly where to find what you are looking for. Maybe refer to the building plans and/or engineer for clarification?

[Jerry Peck]

Maybe refer to the building plans and/or engineer for clarification?

That's the correct answer. :)

[Gunnar Alquist]

That's the correct answer. :)

Like a loose cannon, if I keep firing, I am liable to hit the target. Eventually.

[Jerry Peck]

Like a loose cannon, if I keep firing, I am liable to hit the target. Eventually.

That's why people used to use punt guns :cool:, then they were, as I recall, deemed illegal to use.

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/punt-gun-1910-1920/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTQQfKxkZpk

[Randy Mayo]

Steel basement support posts are only designed for concentric loads, i.e. the load must be centered over the post. The testing perform such as ICC-ESR-1767 do not test for eccentric (offset loads), tensile loads, bending loads or lateral loads. The placement of the beam over the post in your photo is eccentric loading, which creates bending loads in the post. In this case the contractor would need a structural engineer to calculate the bending stresses in the post to see if it's within the allowable limits. The cost of the engineer would far exceed the cost of another post and/or contract labor to just move the post. When you use a manufactured product such as a post most building codes refer you back to the manufacturer if its being used in a manner it was not designed for.