Boise "I" Beams

[John]

How about sharks in there and a big seat for Blofeld?

[Don]

I'm gonna hire this dood to design my next crib! ...bring the girls over......LOL

[Don]

Of course. Thats why they make consultants. ;-) FWIW: I've used prolly several thousand miles worth of plywood-n-glue joists in the homes I've designed. A little bit o' glue and a personal hang-up won't stop be from doing my job. heh

[Matt Whiting]

The bigger issue isn't with welds per se, it is with welders. Making high quality welds in the fields isn't always easy and the variability of field welds can be high. Shop welds are pretty reliable. Bolts are reliable also because they are made in factories and are pretty tolerant at installation.

Matt

[Don]

There ya go, human error. Happens all the time. My brother was a *mechanic* on the carrier Midway during the Iran thing in the early 80's and his job was to run continuous magnaflux scans on the welds in the hull, inside and out. He told me that they made simultaneous welds, inside and outside cause the steel was so thick, and variances can occur. Back in the old days they just lapped the stuff and riveted it. What alot of people might not know is that a large military ship is like a seive, there is water leaking into it all the time so they run bilge pumps 24/7. Apparently this is something thats inherent to the nature of the elements and the size of the vehicle.

[John]

They also make compartments and fill them with concrete when the leaks get so bad.

[RebarGuy]

Do they use any rebar in that concrete?

:-)

[John]

Nope, as it is all one well supported lump.