Deck beams atachment question...

[kng]

Hi !! I am ataching the deck beams of the grey seal, just making the notches at the sheer and I haven´t been very meticulous at this stage... and the notches aren´t the best... I think that epoxy will fill some gaps between the deck beam and the sheer but I was wondering about adding a bronce screw from the outside of the sheer that hold the deck beam, or with a piece of rounded wood, what do you think ?? would this make a diference or not?? well I hope you understand my question... thank you very much !!
Emiliano
http://personales.ciudad.com.ar/kng/0038.jpg http://personales.ciudad.com.ar/kng/0039.jpg http://personales.ciudad.com.ar/kng/deckbeams.jpg

[ 07-06-2004, 01:49 AM: Message edited by: kng ]

[John Meachen]

A screw driven into end grain is not the best possible fastening.It may be that if you are intending to use plywood for decks,the fit of the beam ends may be less important because the plywood will bridge and reinforce any gaps.If your plans are for the use of wood you may like to consider another alternative.I remember reading Lloyds requirements a number of years ago and learning that they would be happy with the use of vertical dowels that had their centre on the joint line of the beam and shelf or carlin.To amplify this description;imagine that your joint has been made with an epoxy mix to fill any gap around the beam and then drill a hole down the joint and drive in a dowel.This will give a mechanical lock as well as the glue bond.

[kng]

Hi John !! thanks for the answer.. and I have thought that idea too... I think it will be the best... I want to build the deck with a layer of plywood about 3/8" and then 2/8" or less of strips, may be the joints with the epoxy filling the gap are ok too? aren´t they? they fit ok.. but some of them has a gap on the lower part of the sheer, that´s because I didn´t take very carefully the angle of the deckbeam and the sheer... well thanks again !!
Emiliano.

[ 07-06-2004, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: kng ]

[NormMessinger]

Epoxy alone should do the trick. The plywood will hold the sides in while the beams will support the vertical force.