Got into it with a structural engineer on a job site last Friday over hanger spacing on a beam

I was on a light commercial job over in Oakdale last week, and the engineer showed up during the steel beam install. He says my hanger spacing is too wide by 2 inches based on the new load calcs. I've been doing it the same way for 15 years, following what the old timers taught me, and never had a problem. But he had the stamped drawings and a whole table of numbers proving his point. Part of me wants to stick with what I know works because that method has held up through dozens of builds. The other part says if the math says different, maybe I'm due for an update. So now I'm wondering if I should go back and re-space every hanger on the next job or just trust my gut. Has anyone else had to choose between what an engineer tells you and what you've seen work for years? What did you end up doing?

2 comments

2 Comments

butler.patricia1d ago

Are we really acting like 2 inches on hanger spacing is going to bring the whole building down? @milesp38 I get that the math says what it says, but I've seen old timers slap hangers on with nothing but a level and a prayer and those beams are still holding up parking lots. It's a light commercial job in Oakdale, not a skyscraper, you know? I'd probably nod along to his face, then go back to doing it the way that's worked since before he passed his PE exam.

milesp382d ago

That engineer's numbers must be tough to swallow after 15 years of doing it your way.