Builder installed smaller steel beams than plans by 2/3 of steel weight
Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.47 PM
Hi,
my builder has installed two out of three steel beams in my loft under sized. Engineers are adamant work must be rectified. Are there any solutions like welding on extra steel, packing 'I beam' out with timber etc?
My beams span 7.7m, rest on a party wall padstone and a gable wall stone wall with timber kit (these padstones/supports have been OK'd by structural eng) and support full weight of slated dormers.
Job spec was 48kg/m steel and based on measurements and internet searches it looks like 30kg/m. I provided structural eng with sizes who also confirms they may be 30kg/m beams.
I am in a really bad place as I cannot foresee the builders next move. I know he will propose the cheapest solution and may not be the best.
I have arranged a chartered surveyor to inspect work and they stopped their survey when they realised the severity of the structural problem created and steered me back to the engineer.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Is there any walls below that can be used to break the span? Unfortunately steels are dictated by the span of the original roof, the bigger the span the bigger the steel. Also slicing the steels Into 3 will also make the steel size increase. Could potentially weld steels together to create 1 full steel or break steel span with either centre steel to run underneath gable steels or a steel post hidden in a wall below
Answered2 June 2019
1
Anonymous user
I woould sooner weld than extra
Steel in to position and maybe brace it up a little rather than use timber
Whatever the solution it needs an engineer's approval, otherwise no BC approval. Therefore, the solution lies with the engineer. Their specifications must ALWAYS be adhered to.
Hi,the wrong steels must be taken out and the correct size steel must be fitted as to structural engineers instructions,the correct size steels must be fitted to take the load of the roof.Building control will not pass the job with incorrect steels in the job.
I think the option of welding a plate to the beams would be ok if a structural engineer could support a design. But given that the floor beams and dormer is bearing onto steel beams this may be more difficult than to remove and Re install the correct steel beams really does depend on the engineer as some using cad seem to over engineer the beams.
If the builder has tried to cut corners and save money by putting a cheaper steel in than was specified, then he will be held liable in court for incompetent and dangerous work.
This steel is vital for the structural stability of your property, which is why engineers get paid so much to get it right. The builder needs to change the steel or pay for someone else to change it. You have the law on your side.
Unless your engineer can come up with another safe and legal way to strengthen the steel.
Sorry for your predicament.
Answered2 June 2019
0
Anonymous user
Hi you can put a 12 mm flitch either side of steels, use a mag drill and bolts rather than welding in loft , or a another steel on top of the wrong sized ones.Can you tell me If was 203x203 x 46kg or a 203x203 x52kg was used ideally a 203x203x60kg would be correct (e4lofts@aol.com
