Recent content by Stever60

Nothing wrong with fly ash engineering wise. I have been reading articles about 25 years. I work in engineering but have always worked around the coal fired power side. (So personal preference I don't want fly ash in/on my slabs.) Admittedly this is like someone working in a chicken...

The concrete mix is important but as long as it is a good mix is less important than what happens on site. I always ask for no fly ash - I want a straight cement mix. I also ask if the contractor plans on adding water to the mix after they get on site. Concrete strength is directly...

You likely can use the precast pad as mentioned. Excavtate by hand a few inches and any loose material. Back fill the spot with small gravel - compact it a couple of times as you bring it back to level. I have my compressor on a mat and 3/4" treated plywood. That separates the feet from the...

Thanks jives for the links. I have seen the large portals, gyms, churches - but not the smaller with just dimensional lumber versus "gluelam beams".

I think there is a reason this building system did not catch on. I agree with the trusses. For a DIY rigid frame steel frame I would use leftover stock wide flange beams. We have pile of W14 x22s & 26s that I can use. I would have to buy Z-purlins & girts but those are economical sections...

New here but I found this interesting. This frame has some advantages for someone accustomed to framing with wood. Insulating would be easier than a steel rigid frame. Protecting the side wall insulation would be simple framing. I imagine some time to build a complete rib though. I live in...

Not sure what roof pitch you are going with but you can gain some extra head room by using engineered scissor trusses. Still clear span but instead of a horizontal bottom chord the bottom chord slope up. That would give you some added height in the center of your garage.

Been reading the forum for a few weeks. Enjoy seeing everyone else's hard work and skills. Saturday morning, cup of coffee and I am about to head out into my shop and see if I can get something done. These new vacuum sealed SS coffee cups decrease my productivity - eeeeh, life is short and...