JJI-JOIST TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT: JJI-Joist to Steel Beam Bulletin Number: Date Issued:

Connection
Sheet 1 of 7 25 Revision A 11.09.02

Introduction

Steel beams are commonly found being used as lintels, down-stand or up-stand beams. They are also
found within the floor zone as a beam to support I-Joists in situations where the span required is greater
than that achieved by the I-Joist or where masonry is required to be supported independently from the
floor system. Where steel I-Beams are used in the floor zone they must often be incorporated in to the
JJI-Joist floor system. This requires a fixing detail between the steel beam and the JJI-Joist.

This technical bulletin gives details of various methods of forming the JJI-Joist to steel beam connection
using either Face Fix Hangers, Masonry hangers or Top Fix hangers. The connection detail used
depends on several contributing factors such as steel beam depth and level, JJI-Joist depth and
whether three courses (or equivalent) of masonry is built-up on top of the steel beam. It should be noted
that the majority of steel beams used in floors are usually “I” section or “C” section as shown in Figure 1

Universal Universal Parallel Flange

Beam Column Channel

Figure 1. Typical steel beam sections

This bulletin presents various construction situations incorporating steel beams and gives details of how
the connection between the JJI-Joist and steel beam should be made.

Sheets 2 to 5 show the following construction situations:

• Steel beam in floor zone. Steel beam deeper than JJI-Joist

• Steel beam in floor zone. JJI-Joist deeper than steel beam
• Masonry hanger to steel beam connection, no blockwork above
• Masonry hanger to steel beam connection, blockwork above
• Steel beam in floor zone. JJI-Joist both deeper and shallower than the depth of the steel beam and
spreader plate
• Top of steel beam not level with JJI-Joist

Sheets 6 and 7 show thumbnail illustrations of various construction details to help identify which of the
foregoing details to use for a particular situation

Reference Number: TB 25 (Rev A) Issued By : - Keith Inglis BEng

 SUBJECT: JJI-Joist to Steel Beam Bulletin Number: Date Issued:
Connection
Sheet 2 of 7 25 Revision A 11.09.02

Steel Beam in Floor Zone. Steel Beam Deeper than JJI-Joist

Where the steel beam is deeper than the JJI-Joist (Figure 2) then the web area has to be filled with a
good fitting piece of kiln dried solid timber. A face fix hanger should be used, fitted flush with the timber
packer with all the available nail holes filled in order to achieve the hangers full safe working load.

It is the responsibility of the Building Designer to detail the connection of the timber packer to steel
beam. The JJI-Joist designer should advise the Building Designer of the load to be carried from the JJI-
Joists.

Version 2.4 of FloorMaster has an option available in the software that allows the user to select a steel
section size and incorporate it in to the floor design. However, the hanger specified will appear as
“undefined”, therefore each case is unique and must be referred to James Jones & Sons Ltd, Timber
Systems Division, Engineering Department (JJ&S TSD ED).

Face fix hanger by James Jones & Sons Ltd

approved metalwork supplier
Decking

Brick/blockwork

Web area of UB filled

JJI-Joists
with solid timber and
secured to Building
Designer’s specification

* All holes in the face fix hanger must be filled to achieve the full
safe working load of the hanger.

Figure 2. JJI-Joist to Steel beam connection using Face Fix Hangers

Steel Beam in Floor Zone. JJI-Joist Deeper than Steel I-Beam

Where the construction is as shown in Figures 3 and 4 and the JJI-Joist is deeper than the steel I–Beam
then a masonry hanger may be used. Doing so avoids the need for a timber packing piece to fill the web
of the steel beam. However, part of the JJI-Joist must project below the bottom flange of the steel I-
Beam in order for the back of the hanger to rest against the edge of the steel beam flange. As indicated
in Figure 6 the maximum allowable projection below the bottom flange of the steel I-Beam is equal to
30% of the depth of the JJI-Joist

e.g. a 300mm deep JJI-Joist can have a maximum of 90mm of Joist below the bottom flange of the
steel beam.

Alternatively, in some instances a face fix hanger may be used. Consultation with James Jones & Sons
Ltd, Timber Systems Division, Engineering Department (JJ&S TSD ED) is required in every case in
order to establish the hanger’s safe working load with the reduced nailing.

If the JJI-Joist is shallower than the steel beam see Figure 6b.

Reference Number: TB25 (Rev A) Issued By : - Keith Inglis BEng

 SUBJECT: JJI-Joist to Steel Beam Bulletin Number: Date Issued:
Connection
Sheet 3 of 7 25 Revision A 11.09.02

Hanger top plate shot fired

to steel beam to Building
Designer’s specification

Steel beam

JJI-Joist

Masonary hanger by
James Jones & Sons Ltd
approved metalwork supplier

Figure 3. Masonry hanger to steel I-Beam connection (no blockwork above)

Equivalent of 3 courses of blockwork

above masonry hanger

Hanger top plate

Steel I-beam

JJI-Joist
Masonary hanger by
James Jones & Sons Ltd
approved metalwork supplier

Figure 4. Masonry Hanger to Steel I-Beam Connection (blockwork built-up above steel I-Beam)

Reference Number: TB25 (Rev A) Issued By : - Keith Inglis BEng

 JJI-JOIST TECHNICAL BULLETIN
SUBJECT: JJI-Joist to Steel Beam Bulletin Number: Date Issued:
Connection
Sheet 4 of 7 25 Revision A 11.09.02

Steel Beam in Floor Zone. JJI-Joist deeper/shallower than Steel I-Beam, Steel Spreader Plate
Fixed to Steel Beam

Where the construction is as shown in Figure 5, the steel beam has a steel spreader plate fixed to the
top flange to provide a bearing for the masonry above. In this case a kiln dried solid timber packing
piece is required within the web area of the steel beam to support the back plate of the hanger and to
prevent it from rotating inwards. This packing piece should be cut 3mm proud of the flange of the steel
beam to account for any shrinkage of the timber and fixed to the Building Designer’s detail. The packer
is non-load bearing and is only required to prevent the hanger from rotating.

Alternatively, in some instances a face fix hanger may be used (see figure 2 and accompanying notes).
Consultation with JJ&S TSD ED is required in every case in order to establish the face fix hanger’s safe
working load with the reduced nailing.

675mm or equivalent of blockwork

above masonry hanger

Masonary hanger
top plate

Kiln dried timber

packing piece cut
3mm proud of steel
flange width

Steel spreader Plate

JJI-Joist

Masonry hanger by
James Jones & Sons Ltd
approved metalwork supplier

Steel I-beam

Figure 5. Masonry hanger to Steel Beam connection (steel beam with Spreader Plate)

Reference Number: TB25 (Rev A) Issued By : - Keith Inglis BEng

 SUBJECT: JJI-Joist to Steel Beam Bulletin Number: Date Issued:
Connection
Sheet 5 of 7 25 Revision A 11.09.02

Steel Beam in Floor Zone. Top of Steel Beam not Level with Top of JJI-Joist

P a c k in g pie c e m u st b e fitte d
3 m m p ro u d of th e in sid e f a c e of th e
fla n g e of th e ste e l b e a m to allo w f o r a n y
sh rin k a g e in th e p a c kin g pie c e

T o p fix h a n g e r re q u ire d f rom

C u lle n B u ild in g P ro d u c ts

3 8 m m m in .

N o m a so n ry sh o u ld b e b u ilt u p B o ttom fla n g e of J JI-J oist

a b ov e p a c kin g tim b e r m u st re st a g a in st th e b o ttom
fla n g e of ste e l b e am
Figure 7. JJI-Joist to steel I-Beam connection with timber packing piece

In circumstances where the top of the steel beam is not level with that of the JJI-Joist a packing piece of
timber may be used as shown in Figure 7. The packing piece of timber should be kiln dried and be
3mm wider than the steel flange to allow for any shrinkage with a minimum thickness of 38mm and
should be fixed to the steel beam to the Building Designer’s specification. Part of the JJI-Joist must
project below the bottom flange of the steel beam with no more than the equivalent of 30% of the JJI-
Joists depth hanging below the level of the bottom of the steel beam (see Figure 6a). A TFI hanger, as
contained in Cullen Building Products “JJI-Joist Connector” brochure, can be used for safe working
loads up to 4.2kN in this application. For loads exceeding this, a consultation is required with JJ&S TSD
ED or a member of the Cullen Building Products design team to establish a ‘special’ hanger
specification.

Where this fixing detail is used, in no circumstances should masonry be built up above the timber
packing piece.

NOT ALLOWED.
Filler block required to
provide restraint to
hanger

Maximum
30% of depth Filler block required
JJI-Joist in web of steel
I-Beam.

Figure 6a. Correct JJI-Joist to steel UB connection Figure 6b. Incorrect JJI-Joist to steel UB connection

Reference Number: TB25 (Rev A) Issued By : - Keith Inglis BEng

 SUBJECT: JJI-Joist to Steel Beam Bulletin Number: Date Issued:
Connection
Sheet 6 of 7 25 Revision A 11.09.02

Construction Detail Selector

Select the following construction detail that can be most closely identified with the situation in your floor.
The associated text will direct you to one of the figures. The figure will offer a hanger solution and a
description of the installation procedure.

Shot fired
Building
specification
D i ’

Max 30%
Soffit Level of JJI-
JJI-Joist < Steel depth
use face fix hanger
see Fig 2
Top Level
JJI-Joist
use masonry
see Fig 3

If none of the connections shown in this

Technical Bulletin match your particular
situation then please contact James Jones &
Sons Ltd, Timber Systems Division, Engineering
Dept. IF IN DOUBT ASK.
Top level
JJI-Joist < Steel
use face fix hanger
see Fig 2

At least 675mm
of set masonry

Max 30%
of JJI-Joist
depth
Top Level
JJI-Joist >Steel
use masonry hanger
see Fig 4

Reference Number: TB25 (Rev A) Issued By : - Keith Inglis BEng

 SUBJECT: JJI-Joist to Steel Beam Bulletin Number: Date Issued:
Connection
Sheet 7 of 7 25 Revision A 11.09.02

Construction Situations (continued)

min 38mm

Soffit Level
JJI-Joist >Steel.
Use TFI hanger
as Fig 7

At least 675mm
of set masonry

Soffit level
JJI-Joist > Steel
(masonry built up)
use masonry hanger Top level
with cut course block/brick JJI-Joist < Steel
see Fig 4. use masonry hanger
see Fig 5.

At least 675mm
of set masonry

Steel spreader plate

on steel beam

Max 30%
of JJI-Joist
depth

Top level
JJI-Joist > Steel
use masonry hanger
see Fig 5.

If none of the connections shown in this Technical Bulletin match your

particular situation then please contact James Jones & Sons Ltd, Timber
Systems Division, Engineering Dept. IF IN DOUBT ASK.

Reference Number: TB25 (Rev A) Issued By : - Keith Inglis BEng