Wood Column-to-Beam Missing Connection?

[LearningAlways]

I know very little about wood structures. The following photos are of my basement, we moved in a couple years ago and it struck me that there was no direct connection between column and beam. House was built in 1979.

Is this normal in wood design? Do I need to post install something? I'm versed in concrete design and am used to seeing some sort of connection between the two.

Same question at the floor. It appears to only be sitting on the slab.

Counter argument: House has stood for over 40 years, so not an issue. But the fact there isn't a connection has me wondering.

 

[STpipe]

There probably should be a connector there. You could easily install a connector from Simpson Strongtie.

Is it me or in the first picture, is the beam spliced above the column, with a very small bearing length?

 

[Tomfh]

I grew up in a house with the same detail (except the beam was solid piece, no splice, and no metal plate). No idea what connection it actually had, if any. I don’t think you can justify it. In one location I ended up installing timber fly braces (90x90 timber) at the beam.

If I owned your house it would end up looking like this (strap plates both sides). Of a fly brace or stiff post on the inside, if you can’t access the other side.

 

[LearningAlways]

Thank you both so freaking much.

To answer your question STpipe, the one side of this beam is spliced at the column but on the other side it is continuous at that location.

I became curious about the other end of this beam, and it looks to be a very similar case.

Would a built-up column be the best approach where the bearing is less than an inch?

Would any of these connections work? Is there a 'best' option?

 

[lexpatrie]

There are better retrofit post caps.

You should get an engineer out to give you a reinforced design they stamp. You can perhaps scab a piece of wood to the vertical elements to supplement the bearing but it's a design choice for your engineer.

 

[kissymoose]

My opinion is hiring out a design for this is overkill. It's stood for decades, is unfortunately common, but easily remedied with any sort of connection between the two elements. Any sort of bracket, post cap, angle, plate, or even toe-screw will provide positive connection and if my house, peace of mind.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Is this normal in wood design? Do I need to post install something?

No and Yes.....

"No" in that this is not something that you will normally seen in a building that has been engineered and inspected. But, there are a lot of wood buildings (or additions) out there that are "designed" without the input of an engineer.

I should also point out that sometimes there are internal wood connectors that give the appearance of pure wood. This is usually for more expensive structures were an architect is going for a particular aesthetic. This is NOT one of those times.

Tomfh's ideas (IMO) are right on. Both with the additional connection of the double members and the strap from beam to column. Just an FYI, I very much prefer connections that use screws and nails to those that use bolts. Even if you have to pre-drill for the screws, it's a much tighter connection that you get with bolts.

PS: I love your handle. "LearningAlways" could be the engineering mantra of my career.