1951 Longspan Joist Puzzle

[Stress02]

Looking at an old set of plans dated 1951 and there are two longspan joist designations that I don't see in my limited vintage literature.

First: (26" Longspan Joists #2610) x 51' clear
Second: (26" Longspan Joists #2614) x 51' clear

Anyone have any information on these?

 

[Stress02]

ttt

 

[AmirZamanian]

Wow:
51' sounds like a bridge span!

 

[Stress02]

no, an auditorium

 

[jjeng2]

It looks like 26XX10 and 26XX14 with the letter designation for the series missing. I would think looking at what the typical series letters for longspan joists was at this time would be where to start. For example, if it was J series, my first guess would be 26J10 and 26J14. After that, beyond looking for tags on the actual joists, I would be at a loss. If you can find the manufacturer and measure the sizes of the members, that might help.

 

[Stress02]

Around here the tags only give the shop's job number; nothing ever of help, especially since many companies from that era are gone, and if not, the shop drawings are certainly non-existant.

The real stumper is that no joist tables that I have use 26" as a standard design depth, but I have to think they used some sort of reference to design the building.

 

[Stress02]

Puzzle solved.
Bethlehem Steel joists.

 

[kmead]

Do you have the 60-year joist manual from the Steel Joist Institute? I have used it very often to determine joist designations. Good luck.

 

[Stress02]

Bethlehem joists are not in the SJI manual.

 

[jcali]

We have lots of old joist catalogs in our office. We probably have the info you're looking for. Let me know how to get the info to you, and I can send you scanned pages.

JCali.

 

[Stress02]

JCALI,
Thanks; I got the load table that I needed.