Joining Floor Beams in a Simpson ABU46Z

I'm planning to build a large studio and will be using 4x10s as my floor beams. The studio will be 36' long, so I will need to join together multiple 4x10s. For support, the joins will be over the concrete piers which will be holding the beams (on a cement post, or diamond pier) using a Simpson ABU46Z. The question is how to join the two beams together over the ABU46Z. A friend is recommending a Butt-to-Butt join, but I'm unsure if that will provide enough support; especially with where the bolts go on the ABU46Z, only one side will be bolted and the other side will be supported on only 1/3 of the post. The other option is to do a scarf joint (or something like that). If i do this, when bolting in each half of the board, any concerns wrt having a bolt be near the bottom/top edge? How far into the beam should it be? I'm a beginner DIY, so leaning toward making it easy (and over-engineered) vs. efficiency/cost. submitted by /u/sicstrike [link] [comments]

Mar 29, 2025 - 17:46

I'm planning to build a large studio and will be using 4x10s as my floor beams. The studio will be 36' long, so I will need to join together multiple 4x10s. For support, the joins will be over the concrete piers which will be holding the beams (on a cement post, or diamond pier) using a Simpson ABU46Z.

The question is how to join the two beams together over the ABU46Z. A friend is recommending a Butt-to-Butt join, but I'm unsure if that will provide enough support; especially with where the bolts go on the ABU46Z, only one side will be bolted and the other side will be supported on only 1/3 of the post.

The other option is to do a scarf joint (or something like that). If i do this, when bolting in each half of the board, any concerns wrt having a bolt be near the bottom/top edge? How far into the beam should it be?

I'm a beginner DIY, so leaning toward making it easy (and over-engineered) vs. efficiency/cost.

submitted by /u/sicstrike
[link] [comments]