Build Up Beam Question

[Micah]

I cannot get 4"x6"x14' beams so Im going to take Johns advice an make my own. Heres my problem. I have 2"x6"x14' boards but I have no way to transport a beam of that size. Could I do this instead? Cut the 14' do to 9' and 5' and assembly them like this

          9'        5'
----------------|--------
--------|----------------
   5'           9'

With 1/2" ply between. Then assemble when i get to my site. The directions (Here http://www.countryplans.com/builtupbeam.html ) say "each joint in the joists no closer than 4' from another joint". With this spacing I have 4' between ends so I should be ok right?

Also do I need to seal the cut side of the osb so it doesn't expand if it gets wet?

[diyfrank]

Your cuts or joints need to be placed where they land over the center of your posts or piers. If they are placed at a point that is not supported, you have lost the strength of the beam.

[Micah]

See thats what I thought to. Good thing I asked. Looking at the plans I could get them in half since there is a pier right in the middle. Do I need any special brackets to join them together?

[diyfrank]

I don't think you need any special bracket but you need some way to connect them to your piers.
I'm not sure what your building.  If your using one of johns plans He or someone that is familiar with your plan can be more specific. 

[Micah]

Im building the 10x14 from the Little House Plan. My foundation is going to be Sona tube with a PT 4x4 post.

[Bob S.]

Micah,

Have you thought about possibly renting a trailer so as to be abel to transport the 14' boards? This would be a onetime expense and might solve the problem.

[Micah]

I actually have a trailer but no way to tow it. I had to get rid of my truck a few months ago to get a mini van. Its hard to cart 4 kids around in the front seat of a truck  If I had the money I would rent a Uhal but that would cost $230.

[Micah]

Anymore input about cutting the beams to 7' ? Here is a picture of how I plan to do the foundation



Only im using a 4x4 post in an 8" sona tube 30"+ in the ground.

[John Raabe]

I would build these on-site and get at least one of the joints to land on the posts. Since this is only two laminations, if you have to have two cut lines at the same place then you have to be over a post. Make sure the splice is well nailed into both 2xs.

Personally I would do what you show in your diagram and with good nailing and some glue you don't need to worry if all the joints are over the posts. They work as a composite beam.

[MountainDon]

The method I used to get every single beam joint to all over a pier involved some small amount of waste. I cut the component pieces to such lengths that allowed the joints to fall directly over a pier. Worked or me. Sme of the cut offs were used other places like for blocking.

I built the 30 foot long beams on site, right on top of the piers where they were going to stay. I actually built them slightly long and then trimmed them off after each beam was complete. That was easier than trying to lift the completed beam into place and trimming to length made it easier to get to precisely the required length and squareness.

[Micah]

Awsome 9 and 5 foot it is. What about sealing the piece of OSB in between? Should I worry about that expanding?

[John Raabe]

Probably not a bad idea to paint or seal the beam ends and tops where they might be exposured to wind and rain.