Support for an lvl on sono tube...

[Jmeng1026]

I have a 22' long triple 1-3/4" x 18" microllam lvl that will be bearing on a 2x6 wood stud wall on one end and a p.t. 6x6 wood column on the other end. The lvl is support the end of a 28' long truss. So there is a 14' tributary load (60 psf snow load and 10 psf deal load) on the lvl. This is for a carport.

What is the best way to secure the column to the sono tube? A simpson post base or some kind of angle iron bolted to the column and sono tube? The contractor doesn't seem to like simpson post bases and thinks angle iron is stronger and a better option.

What is the best way to provide lateral support? Would putting a diagonal from the wood column to the bottom of the lvl work?

 

[jayrod12]

You're putting an LVL beam outside? Yikes. Would highly recommend choosing a different material. Even if it is fully covered by the roof, it is isn't wrapped inside the building envelope I'd be worried that the humidity and wind-driven rain would deteriorate the beam quite quickly.

I'm fine with a steel saddle, either a pre-engineered one from simpson, or a freshly fabricated one, but ensure it keeps the wood off the concrete.

What do you mean by bracing? Bracing of what? The wood post? What's the lateral system for the carport expected to be?

 

[phamENG]

I agree with jayrod about using outside, though more often than not I have to hold my nose and go with it since everyone around here does it and, at the end of the day, I want my kids to eat. There's a company on the west coast that has developed a treated LVL, and I believe XR250 said he's been able to get it for jobs as far east as central NC. I've taken to specifying that in my wood framing notes/specs, and then making a statement that if anything else outside the manufacturer has to guarantee the warranty for the application. My guess is they just use the untreated stuff and don't ask...it's all residential and I rarely hear anything after the drawing leaves my office.

If you have the latest Simpson Catalog (2021-2023), take a look at page 65. They have an image of an ABU post base supporting a beam on concrete. It's plenty strong enough. The downside to using something like that outside is going to be expansion and contraction of the beam. An LVL is quite stable, so it shouldn't be much of an issue, but there's something to be said for a saddle with elevated bearing tabs and slotted holes for the upper bolt.