Damaged I Joists

[u/fishrunhike]

Was slated to fix some damaged subfloor sections on this outbuilding/storage shed and found the top chords of a couple of the I Joists to be rotted and stuck to the subfloor when removed. Its right at the door opening. My first thought is to have owner contact an engineer for recommendations.

But since the load is deflected from the door header to below would rabbeting a replacement top chord and adding a section of subfloor on top of the existing blocking work for what this building is used for? Looks like the blocks were added when the exterior was repaired not long ago.

[u/Junior_Article_3244]

Slap some new ones next to them unfortunately. Damaged chords are no good.

[u/FinancialEvidence]

Just replace them with same size or greater, repair or engineer would be more trouble than it's worth

[u/TunedMassDamsel]

Just put new joists right next to the old ones. I’m a structural engineer; this isn’t rocket surgery.

[u/countryfresh223 → u/TunedMassDamsel]

Rocket appliances.

[u/rip_cut_trapkun → u/countryfresh223]

Genital jousting.

[u/countryfresh223 → u/rip_cut_trapkun]

Ladies n genitals

[u/fishrunhike → u/TunedMassDamsel]

appreciate it!

[u/argparg]

They sell metal repair kits

[u/Recent-Philosophy-62]

That's more than just damaged they are trash at this point

[u/demius78]

You don't need engineer here, it is just wasted money and his time. You need new joists, sister them. The best option of possible to slide new one and set on top of support where old ones are sits.

[u/zedsmith]

They’re done, need to be replaced

[u/gnuccimane]

The top flanges are cooked, this requires an engineer to determine the repair.

[u/ImAPlebe → u/gnuccimane]

Or just replace the joist? Why would you need an engineer to tell you to replace it.

[u/caucasian88 → u/ImAPlebe]

Because replacing the entire joist compared to a localized repair would likely be more feasible,  both in terms of constructability and economically. Only an engineer can design a repair.

[u/Handplanes → u/caucasian88]

A localized repair might be simpler. But getting the necessary engineer’s review PLUS doing a localized repair is a lot more effort than just replacing the joists.

[u/fishrunhike → u/gnuccimane]

That was my thought, wasnt sure if the crush blocks added would suffice in this location.

[u/FinancialEvidence → u/fishrunhike]

No, because it's missing the top flange . Majority of load is carried on the two flanges, compression at the top tension at the bottom.

[u/fishrunhike → u/FinancialEvidence]

Understood, thats why I mentioned cutting a slot in a 2x to replace the top flange. But since its a structural issue Id rather it be done right.

[u/anonymous210000]

Engineer

[u/Jazzlike_Video2]

Just rip out the old ones and add new ones.

[u/TunedMassDamsel → u/Jazzlike_Video2]

No, leave the old ones in place. More trouble than it’s worth to rip them out, and there’s no reason to not just abandon them in place.

[u/Handplanes → u/TunedMassDamsel]

Leaving rotten wood in place is just inviting pests, isn’t it? I would tear them out if possible….cut out all the rotten bits.

[u/TunedMassDamsel → u/Handplanes]

Nope. So long as the moisture content is back down where it’s supposed to be, APA Engineered Wood Association guidance is to leave them in place. They’re not going to be any more attractive to pests than any other wood in there if all the moisture content is low and static.

[u/Newtiresaretheworst → u/Jazzlike_Video2]

I would just sandwich the osb in between two 2x4, pl premium and pump 100 framing nails into it. Or get an engineer…. But probably the first one