When they poured the foundation, there was a formed square notch/or step about 1 foot wide x ½ foot deep at the top of each foundation wall.
When they installed steel I-beams to start the framing process, the ends of each beam that runs towards a foundation wall sits into this notch/step. Of course, the steel I-beams also have steel posts that anchor into a footing in the ground for additional support. What I noticed was that they used some kind of flat stone and steel shims inside this square formed notch to level and/or raise the steel i-beam (the steel i-beam ends sit on the steel shims, which in turn sits on this flat stone, which in turn sits on the stepped part of the concrete notch at the top of the foundation wall).
Just curious if anyone ever heard of this practice (flat stone, steel shims) when leveling a steel i-beam on a foundation wall(s). Its obvious they used them to raise the steel beams ½ foot so that the basement ceiling wouldn’t be below 7.5/8ft high however the steel beam doesn’t seem to bolt on anywhere. It just sits flat on the shims / stone, and the wood beams are laid on top of the steel beam. Maybe this is the way steel i-beams are installed but I have no idea - worried about structural integrity.
Is anyone familiar with what I am referring to? Could they still have work to do? The 1st floor above the basement (foundation) has been framed.
Thanks!
John
