Wood Joist to Steel Beam - Top flange or face hanger?

[bookowski]

When connecting a wood joist to a steel beam what are most people specifying, a top nailer plate + top flange hanger, or packing out the web + face mount hanger? I know that either is possible - just looking for any pros/cons or things to watch out for.

Also, if you do a face mount hanger are you still providing a top nailer plate for sheathing attachment? How about for steel beams parallel to typical floor joists - top nailer plate on those as well?

 

[msquared48]

If you can tolerate the extra depth, the use of the top nailer is much cheaper. Just make sure the plate covers the full width of the flange and does not overhang it.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[bookowski]

And if you are not using the top plate what happens to the sheathing over the steel beam, does it get fastened in any way? What about in conditions where the steel beam is parallel to other wood joists?

 

[msquared48]

If it is a blocked wood diaphragm, then either you have the top plate, or blocking/joists go to one side, or both sides, of the beam. Just a little more complicated, but not impossible.

If the diaphragm is unblicked, it may not be an issue depending on the orientation of the diaphrabm wrt the beam.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[msquared48]

As a further simplification here to attach the top plate, check out the TB Collated Screw system that Simpson makes. Self tapping...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[demayeng]

Where you need to come into the side of the beam to save head height, instead of a face hanger we often put a nailing plate on the bottom flange and notch the joist

 

[bookowski]

Looks like the TB Collated Screw system is only good for steel up to 5/16" thick.

So no issue with the sheathing sitting right on the steel beam with no nailer? Assuming no structural issue - I'm asking if there are any serviceability issues - fit up, squeaking etc.

 

[charliealphabravo]

In general when mixing wood with steel it is best to be liberal with wood nailers, ledgers, blocking, scabs, web filler, etc., that are bolted or screwed to the beam/column so that you can use off-the shelf wood-to-wood connectors. This makes the average framer happy too. I think they fear structural steel the way most people fear electricity.

maybe you could post a sketch of the configuration you are thinking about...i'm having trouble visualizing the relative sizes of the beam, wall, joist, etc.