What Depth The Internal Floor Girder Pier Should Be?

Piers supporting girders for interior bearing walls must have a minimum nominal dimension of 12 inches (305 mm) and a maximum height of 10 feet (3048 mm). A pier and beam foundation is a series of piers, usually made of concrete, that support the beams of your home. The piers are usually spaced evenly around 4 feet apart, and the beams run perpendicular to the floor. The joists should be deep enough to install some piers.

The piers must be built at a grade so that the top of the pier will be a distance the same thickness as the girder below the bottom of the floor joists. Drop girders are also the most common type of pier. Thickness and diameter generally do not exceed 6 and 18 inches, respectively.

A pier and beam structure rests on piers that provide a deep foundation, while a slab rests on the ground or on a gravel pad. Piers should be spaced at an average of 5 to 6 feet apart for a two-story home and 8 to 10 feet apart for a single-story structure. The depth of the piers for a pier and beam foundation will depend on various factors such as soil type, building load, and local building codes. Generally, piers are dug to a depth where they can rest on.

For spans longer than 12 feet, add a second row of piers and a second girder at the center of the joist span. For calculating concrete amounts, see Estimating Concrete for Piers. Pier footings must be at least 2 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The depth of the footings depends on regional factors.

In summary, piers supporting girders for interior bearing walls should have a minimum nominal dimension of 12 inches and a maximum height of 10 feet. Piers and beams should be spaced evenly, with a minimum depth of 6 inches and a maximum depth of 15 feet.


📹 Sill Plates, Girders, and Floor Joists | Building A Mountain Cabin EP07

It’s the beginning of another adventure building a home start to finish with the Perkins Brothers and Crew!! As usual we are …


What is the minimum depth of a pier?

Bored piers are used to create stable pile foundations, drilling out soil and filling it with concrete. They can be up to 40m deep, but are typically only required for high buildings with heavy vertical loads. Mini piles, which can be driven up to 50m deep, are smaller but can be driven up to 50m deep, but are rarely needed for residential or light commercial buildings. The minimum depth of piles is typically around 3-4m, but experts in foundation construction, such as Techniblock in Melbourne, can reach depths of up to 26m, ensuring a sturdiest foundation for your building. Contact them for a quote today.

How deep should my piers be?
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How deep should my piers be?

Pier foundations are two types of foundations used in homes, with the size and shape depending on the soil and bed depth. Concrete pier foundations are typically built 1-1. 5 feet above ground to prevent moisture damage to wooden structures. They can be square, rectangular, or circular, with diameters of 6, 8, 10, or 16 inches. The depth is usually below freezing depth, around five to six feet.

Pier foundations offer several advantages, including easy availability of materials, less labor required, no extensive excavation, cost savings, and a wide variety of design options. They also allow utilities to be easily installed and accessed due to the space between the structure and the ground, making excavation easier. Increased air flow reduces heating bills by keeping air circulating underneath the structure, preventing flood damage to floors.

Concrete piers are an effective method of foundation repair for homes with damaged or sagging foundations. A hole approximately one foot in diameter is drilled to a depth of 12 to 20 feet underneath the home, ensuring the bottom of the pier is anchored in stable soil. Concrete is poured, allowed to cure for up to seven days, and steel bars may be used to reinforce the structure for added strength and stability.

Advanced Foundation Repair in Dallas offers precise inspections to pinpoint foundation issues before they become major problems, with easy payment and financing options. They also provide transferable lifetime warranties and Advanced Pro-Lift Technology to professionally correct foundation problems. If you believe your home’s foundation is in trouble, you can depend on Advanced Foundation Repair for the best in quality foundation repair and superior customer service.

What are the 2 most common type of deep foundation piers?

Deep foundations are divided into two main types: Driven Piles and Drilled Piers. Driven piles are driven into the ground using a strong hammer, while drilled piers drill holes, install a cage, and fill them with concrete. There are various types of driven piles and drilled piers, including specialty piles like micro piles. Driven Piles typically consist of timber, concrete, or steel piles.

What is the minimum spacing for piers?
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What is the minimum spacing for piers?

Pier spacing is crucial for the stability of a building, and it should not exceed 8 feet for a single-story building and 6 feet for a two-story property. A monolithic wing wall should be supported after every 8 feet, and a setback exceeding 3 feet and less than 9 feet should have at least 4 piers. Piling or Pier supports should be installed at each corner when an exterior wall changes direction, with a minimum of one piling support on every side of the corner piling.

A masonry fireplace should be supported by 4 piers for a two-story building and 3 piers for a one-story property. Accurate pier spacing in concrete slab foundation repairs is essential to prevent future failures. A well-designed foundation acts as a buffer against soil movement and external factors like wind, seismic activity, and soil moisture content. Working with experts who understand pier spacing requirements is vital.

How far apart should pier and beams be?
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How far apart should pier and beams be?

A pier and beam foundation is a type of foundation that consists of pedestals embedded into the ground and supported by wood beams. The foundation’s performance depends on two main factors: the structural integrity of the wood pier, which is typically cedar posts, which can resist moisture decay for a longer period than other wood species. Additionally, poor drainage properties can lead to foundation issues and movement, regardless of the foundation’s age or the home’s foundation.

Economic and architectural factors drove the construction of slab on grade foundations over pier and beam foundations. Before 1950, most homes used wood as an exterior finish and flooring, and the performance of pier and beam foundations was compatible with the finish. However, the use of cedar posts for piers has been replaced in recent years, highlighting the importance of proper drainage and structural integrity in foundation construction.

What is standard pier spacing?
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What is standard pier spacing?

Foundation piers are typically 8 to 10 feet apart, but they may be closer if the building is tall or made of heavier materials. This can create weak areas where the foundation sags, leading to structural issues. Engineered Solutions of Georgia, a geotechnical expert in Atlanta, offers reliable foundation repair services for businesses and property owners, including concrete leveling, underpinning, foundation piering, and basement waterproofing.

They back all of their services with a comprehensive triple warranty, ensuring your investment is protected. Engineered Solutions of Georgia provides information on foundation piers and types of structural supports to help businesses and property owners stand on solid ground.

How far down do pier pilings go?
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How far down do pier pilings go?

Piling depth is crucial for the stability and longevity of a dock structure, with an ideal depth of at least one-third of the piling’s length. Factors such as soil type, stability, and load calculation play a significant role in determining the ideal depth. Sandy or silty soils require deeper pilings for stability, while clay soils may need less depth. Insufficient piling depth can lead to collapse and safety hazards, while too deep pilings can be wasteful and interfere with utilities or water flow.

To build a secure and long-lasting dock, it is essential to consider factors such as soil type, stability, and the load the dock will bear. The ideal depth ensures the dock’s stability against forces like wind, currents, and waves. Using specialized equipment to measure soil resistance helps determine the optimal depth.

Determining the ideal depth requires a careful balance of soil analysis, load calculation, and environmental factors. Sandy or silty soils require deeper pilings, while load calculation involves understanding the maximum weight the dock can bear. Environmental factors like tidal fluctuations and storm surges also play a significant role, and deeper pilings are recommended in areas prone to extreme weather conditions.

How thick should a pier footing be?

The diameter of the pier footing should be twice that of the pier and of a similar thickness.

How to determine the depth of piers?
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How to determine the depth of piers?

To build a shed foundation pier, dig the footing holes to the required depth, usually at least 12″ below the local frost line. If required, some municipalities may require inspections before concrete is poured. Schedule the inspection for the end of the same day or the day after to avoid delays.

Once the footing holes are at the proper depth, insert pier forms, such as Sonotube® or ready-to-mix concrete companies, into the holes. These tubes can be found at large home improvement stores or can be cut to extend about 12″ below ground to maintain the visible part of the shed pier and allow the concrete to fill the rest of the footer hole. Ensure the top of the hole is tight enough to hold the form in place.

How deep should pier pilings be?
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How deep should pier pilings be?

Dock pilings are essential for the stability and longevity of any waterfront structure, as they are typically driven 10 to 30 feet below the ocean’s surface. The ideal depth for pilings depends on factors such as soil type, stability, and load calculation. Sandy or silty soils generally require deeper pilings for stability, while clay soils may need less depth. Insufficient piling depth can lead to collapse and safety hazards, while too deep pilings can be wasteful and interfere with utilities or water flow.

Understanding the importance of piling depth is crucial when building a secure and long-lasting dock. Factors such as soil type, stability, and the load the dock will bear are considered. The right depth ensures the dock’s stability against forces like wind, currents, and waves. A depth of at least one-third of the piling’s length is typically aimed for, but in soft, loose soils, deeper depth may be necessary. Specialized equipment is used to measure the soil’s resistance, which helps determine the optimal depth. It’s a precise science that cannot be afforded to get it wrong.

What are the best piers for foundation repair?
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What are the best piers for foundation repair?

Steel piers are a versatile and effective foundation repair method, suitable for deep foundation repairs up to 70 feet. They can penetrate thick clay soils, rock or shale, and require minimal invasive installation. Experts and foundation engineers recommend the steel pier method due to its minimal risk of future cracks. There are two primary types of steel piers: straight steel piers, which provide excellent support and long-term results, and helical steel piers, which use a screw anchor for shallow bedrock. Both types offer long-term benefits and are recommended for long-term foundation repairs.


📹 Science of Simple Spans of Floor Joists

Learn about simple spans of floor joists, including load, bearing, span, height and width of joists, bridge blocking, and the code.


What Depth The Internal Floor Girder Pier Should Be
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Rafaela Priori Gutler

Hi, I’m Rafaela Priori Gutler, a passionate interior designer and DIY enthusiast. I love transforming spaces into beautiful, functional havens through creative decor and practical advice. Whether it’s a small DIY project or a full home makeover, I’m here to share my tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you design the space of your dreams. Let’s make your home as unique as you are!

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

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32 comments

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  • With this house, I finally became the owner of the house I always wanted to be in. The hospital elite package has 2 bonuses; the first is about the base and the roof, youtube.com/post/UgkxS-P9OAq3v4HNpPFqYFWNEq9A-E_PbZIN the second is about the confidential staff who give advice and the advice that worked for me. Thank you very much

  • 6:33 Lol! I never drove to the wrong jobside, but one morning, I went to work as always… After 15 Minutes of driving, I wondered why the Streets are so empty!? After switching on the Radio, the presenter reminded me that it was Saturday! Hell no! My frustration on getting out of bed for no reason, was quickly ousted by the joy of laying myself down again for a few hours! 🙂 Greetings from Germany! P.S: The Translation already done in the comments is right! Nothing bad, just You selling a speed square!

  • OMG, Jay is strutting around like a rooster with hemorrhoids, Ray’s beard…well it’s in serious need of a trim by an actual professional, Jaime is putting out dorky dad jokes (as usual) and Eric can’t find his way to work! Y’all are quite the rag tag bunch today. Johno and Arlo seem like the only two pros out there…🤣🤣🤣

  • 11:40 We usually screw one 6mmx90/120 screw from one board into the other at a 70-80 degree angle at the top. That will pull 300x50mm boards flush. No hammer or assistant needed. With three screws you can make 5m long boards flush. If you want to learn German, then study the words. German words often have the same first, or even second and third letter as the same word in english. Or they often have the same roots. If you study German you’ll largely understand Dutch, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish. All of these tend to often have very similar words to English, often starting with the same letters.

  • Hi Erik, translation to 18:32: On the upper right corner it says in French: “premium quality for your work”. Then in the middle: “very strong”. Next to your picture it says: “Recommended by a professional. This is certainly the most important tool you will have! This tool can do at least a dozen jobs! Erik Perkins, Master Builder”. Below the same text again in French.

  • I loved it when you realized you were headed to the wrong site. I feel better now. Every time I’ve started a new project I’ve done that more than once. It’s an autopilot feature of our brains and the fact that every contractor is thinking about twenty different issues at any given moment. I’ve been at this 38 years as a contractor and the only time it doesn’t happen is if the last project was in another county, state or country. Keep cranking out great articles…

  • 18:32 Recommended by a professional: That’s the most important tool you’ll need. This tool is able to manage a dozen tasks at least. Erik Perkins, professional home builder. btw. This was translated into German not by a native, maybe google translate. “…, das sie haben werden” sounds pretty weird in German.

  • What should really worry you is when on your way home nothing looks familiar. Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas in my hometown Mr Perkins, there are always beautiful places to hike in the Desert. We are just starting out build in the High Desert this spring. Merry Christmas to all the Perkins Crew and their lovely families. Thanks for all the hard work you put into making the articles it is really appreciated.

  • Hey Erik, looks like the German quote might be from your articles on the speed square. It is saying, “Recommended by a professional: This is surely the most important tool you will have! This tool can do at least a dozen tasks.” The bottom part is french, so I cannot help you there. But it is way too hard to read the red part.

  • Translation: Recommended by a professional: “This tool will definitely be the most important one you will ever own! This tool can be used in at least a dozen different tasks.” Eric Perkins – Construction Lead Should be pretty close anyways. I would contact them if I were you. I would not like to stand with my name for someone else’s product 😉

  • Hello, here the translation: “Recommended by a professional. This is certainly the most important tool you will have. This tool can do at least a dozen jobs. Erik Perkins, Builder” The speed square is not very common in Germany, but I bought it and it is really a very useful tool. I enjoy your articles. Keep up the good work. Thanks.

  • I really like the Timelapse Sequence towards the end. It’s a real nice review of everything you’ve built in this episode. Hope the New Year is a safe and healthy one. Ps. On our honeymoon in ‘97, my wife and I watched a car flip on the highway in Orlando, cars didn’t even slow down… Use the Hotel Shuttle for sure.

  • Guys – International Drive is no where near what most Central Floridians would consider Orlando. It is an area of retail and hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops close to Universal and on the way to Disney. It is an area where everyone drives from one place to the other (for the most part), and where they decided to put the Convention Center because it has everything most conventioneers want all in one place. People walk in Orlando every day without any problem. But there are not many sidewalks in the oldest part of International Drive and that is the only area you really do not want to walk. But that is a small area and not the closest part to the Convention Center. Just to clarify and defend the city of Orlando!

  • Personally, I would stay at the doubletree Hilton at universal entrance. It is a short drive to the convention center and well worth it. There is plenty of wood within walking distance. We just visited universal and Disney in October. Great place to stay with a great pool and breakfast. Edit: I’m really hoping you see this and respond if you stay there, I’ll totally fan girl over it….

  • Hey big fan .Enjoy all your articles .I’m a retired Carp. Back in say mid 90’s I framed a small rancher and let the ceiling joists run long as you allowed the floor joists .In my case I failed my framing inspection cause the inspector claimed the overlap has to be 6″ or less as the joist would tend to warp and pop the drywall.??? I was kinda po’d but I cut every one back and catspawed every nail out.Never ran nothing long again …Hope it’s kosher for you young guys ..Keep up the great work .

  • Translation of German & French was already done correctly in the comments so far. The issue is that it is most probably a Chinese knock off product which they want to provide with more western indorsement.. however the possible incorrect 2 issues of this advertisement is that they claim that you have endorsed “their” product (and not generally speed squares) and that they did not ask you..(typical nefarious Chinese way… not usual in Germany nor in France!). The story behind why they have reverted to using US praises for speed squares is that these are not very commonly used in “non inch” countries in Europe (that’s all countries appart from Great Britain & Ireland)

  • RECOMMENDED BY A PROFESSIONAL: This is certainly the most important tool that You will have! This tool can Complete at least in dozen tasks/* Erik PERKINS, builder CONSEILLÉ PAR UN PRO: “Cest sorement /’outil lu plus ammorrome That vous allez avolr / Cet outil peut faire u mons uno deucine de m Erik PERKINS, Maltre Constru

  • I’m German, I can translate this 18:30 for you. It basicly sais: “Recommended by a professional. This certainly is the most important tool, that you are going to own. This tool can handle at least a douzen tasks. – Erik Perkis – Building professional” Which is a kinda nice statement, tho I wish you would have been asked for permission.

  • much more than 6 inches overlap is not needed. lots of overlap is bad as well as that can lead to the overlapped ends moving up slightly if loads on the center of the joist cause the joist to sag slightly. can make squeaks between the faces of the joists & potentially loosening sub & finish flooring.

  • I am from Pikeville, TN & Cumberland Mountain/Plateau Sequatchie Valley. I live in El Paso and miss that pretty scenery in the Appalach. The only construction I’ve done is rock walls aka Mexican stone masonry and standard masonry like concrete and cinder blocks. There’s rock walls in almost every yard here. I love rammed earth construction, ancient artisan style traditional construction and all forms of exotic masonry and these southwest old ass adobe houses are amazing, too.

  • One guy can toe-screw from proud joist to low one and suck it down to flush. Done it many times. Takes one guy, not two. Glad you guys are laid-back. If I’d done that in 1980 on the framing crew I was on I would have been “DOWN THE ROAD!” as the boss, Gordy, would say. We wasted no time. We got ‘er dun. Basement Stem walls to 2nd floor roof decking in four days flat. Just framing. We were a speed-framing crew. It was brutal, but fun. I learned a lot. I learned how to produce.

  • Sehr stark – very strong Dies ist sicherlich das wichtigste Werkzeug das Sie haben werden – That will be surely the most important tool you will have/posess Dieses Werkzeug kann mindestens ein Dutzend Aufgaben erledigen – This tool can do at least a dozen tasks At least this isnt translated from chinese to english to german. Amazon Germany is full with it, with rather funny results if words have several meanings

  • About driving routines – I once worked in a place where we drove each other to and from work. At the same time I studied in different place, but the beginning of the route was the same. Anyways I once picked up the gal I worked with and drove on, turning to the uni… she managed to sit still for about 100m before asking – highly stressed out – “where are we heading?” Why no water barrier between the block work and sill plates?

  • I don’t speak German and seen you have had replies but iPhones have this trick now where it can highlight text in a photo abs copy it or translate this so I took a screen shoot of your phone and translated what it says: -This is certainly the most important tool that You will have! This tool can Do at least in dozens of tasks! Erik PERKINS, builder

  • So it says: “Recommended from a pro(sessional): ” This is certainly the most important tool you will have! This tool can do at least a dozen tasks.” ” Though you get a lot of advertisements that sound like that. So it’s not necessarily a valid recommendation and might be simple marketing trick. One needs to know you and see you work to really appreciate that recommondation in the first place.

  • 6:52 I’ve done that more than a few times on long contracts. I usually blame the beans for not having enough caffeine. Of course if you skipped your coffee at home in the morning and drove straight to the jobsite knowing the espresso machine was onsite, you could bet your brain’s ‘autopilot.exe’ would inevitably fail one morning.

  • Ive started to look at all these framing crews and carpenters crews on YouTube now that ive got time on my hands. This website is new to me. Im very sorry to ask but i noticed the guy with the green shirt has an aid on his hand, that looks awesome. It may well also help me ( a fellow carpenter ) i was electrocuted a little over 2 years ago and lost on my right/ dominant hand. Id give anything to be able to get back to work and id really appreciate any help u could give me. Thank you Ger 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

  • So, question concerning how the joists attach to the girders/beams. I noticed in most areas, you had the joists running over the top of the girders, but in one area, you had the joists hung on the face of the girders using brackets when the floor joists change direction. Are there situations when you would and wouldn’t use one or the other methods?

  • “This is for sure the most important tool that you can have. This tool can do at least a dozen of different jobs.” Basically it states that you have said a speedsquare is a very good and important tool. They really shouldn’t use your name without letting you know, but as I understand it, it is not made in a way so that it seems you are recommending their square in particular – just speedsquares as a tool in general

  • Im in the middle of my fundamentals of carpentry class right now to get started somewhere in the construction game somehow in the near future. And studying for a test, but these text books and their pictures are not enough lol. I needed to see a article like this to really grasp the work and to see each element of carpentry being put to work. Currently been a barber for like 8 years and have fun with it, but it would have been cool if I would have gotten in this field earlier as well. You guys know how to have fun while spitting game and knowledge. I subscribed off the this first article and look forward to perusal more of your content. You guys are fucking hilarious lmaoo. Keep up the good work and knowledge.

  • Have you ever considered the technique of Shou Sugi Ban for your floor support columns/posts? You char the wood and then coat it with oil and it will last longer than pressure treated lumber. You can also use the technique on pressure treated lumber so it last even longer but you need to wear a respirator because the fumes from pressure treated lumber are carcinogens.

  • It’s funny you say trowel and error, Jamie. I live in Pittsburgh PA metro area and it’s sounds like people say trial but they are saying trowel. Lol. It’s just part of the Western PA dialect. Great joke as always my friend. And Eric I most definitely have drove the wrong way before. A contractor always has a hundred things on his mind. I feel ya my friend.

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