Framing question - 1/31 update

[dcarter636]

I am jealous, that certainly simplifies basement finishing. Bentonite (sp?) clay is so common here that floating basement walls are code.

Sorry about introducing the red herring.

[lexrex]

Feb 2, 2010 17:53:41 GMT -6 dcarter636 said:

I am jealous, that certainly simplifies basement finishing. Bentonite (sp?) clay is so common here that floating basement walls are code.

Sorry about introducing the red herring.

No, I should have called the building department anyway, you just reminded me of that fact. Thanks

[TDHofstetter]

Feb 2, 2010 17:53:41 GMT -6 dcarter636 said:

I am jealous, that certainly simplifies basement finishing. Bentonite (sp?) clay is so common here that floating basement walls are code.

Sorry about introducing the red herring.

Yep, Bentonite. Neat stuff, we pay big bucks to BUY it out here - use it to patch cracks in the outsides of basement walls. We've got nothin' here 'cept sand, "ledge" (mica-bearing rock), and a little common slick-as-chit-during-mud-season non-hydraulic clay. Mostly sand & ledge.

[Ruffnek]

There is no telling how many 100 lb. sacks of bentonite I have handled while mixing drilling fluid (mud)... well into the thousands, though. The oilfield generic name for it is "gel" because it's used to viscosify the drilling fluid. It also has some neat properties in that it is made up of platelets that coat and seal the interior walls of the wellbore.

Oilfield gel is made from Wyoming bentonite. I guess it's a purer grade or more abundant there than in Colorado. Back around 1994, I got sent the day after Christmas to work on a well about 50 miles north of Casper, Wy...on the east flank of the Teapot Dome. Some of you may remember reading about the Teapot Dome scandal in American History.

Anyway, I was up there for 16 days and only one day did the ground sort of thaw out. Let me tell you that walking on wet Wyoming bentonite is nearly impossible. I couldn't wait for the temps to drop below freezing again.

FWIW, it also makes a good sealer for stock tanks that don't hold water. ;D

[Mark T]

Directly from my plant structural engineer: You can drill 1/4" holes in your beam all day long with no effects whatsoever to it's structural integrity. Drill and bolt it with 1/4-20 bolts and nuts every 16-24".

My two cents is that adhesive is a waste of time and effort.

[lexrex]

Thanks Mark!