SPAX length and head types, which one to use (for joining to horizontal beams)?

[Peter_C]

What does the engineer that calculated it recommend? That is who I would recommend asking. What is the point of the second non load bearing beam for? Is it structural or cosmetic?

Still I gotta admit I am lost on your drawings, maybe because I can't see the bigger picture. Does "floorboards" mean joists? Or stair treads? Are the beams not sitting on top of each other, but with the "floorboards" and a spacer in between?

Either way they should have some strapping going from one to the other. The engineer should have put it into plans.

 

[yetihunter]

For the ‘muricans reading this, no Spax does not go hardcore with certifications and providing literature the way Simpson and Fastenmaster do.  However, they don’t really have many products that fit in with our post simpson strong-tie and paslode way of doing things.  Framing wise, I believe (but don’t take my word for it) that their power lags can replace conventional legs and carriage bolts.  Fastenmaster’s various task specific “LOK” products are all code compliant and they’re all pretty similar to the Spax power lag.

Concerning price, the USA made Spax are insanely cheaper than the other brands (all made by the same plant in Taiwan, last I checked) in my parts.  Is it possibly a regional thing?  This doesn’t help the cat in New York but the powerlags are sold by the case at Menards for much cheaper than the onesies they sell at HD (half the price). 

 

[threesixright]

What does the engineer that calculated it recommend? That is who I would recommend asking. What is the point of the second non load bearing beam for? Is it structural or cosmetic?

Still I gotta admit I am lost on your drawings, maybe because I can't see the bigger picture. Does "floorboards" mean joists? Or stair treads? Are the beams not sitting on top of each other, but with the "floorboards" and a spacer in between?

Either way they should have some strapping going from one to the other. The engineer should have put it into plans.

My house is an hour drive from where I live and I don't have any pictures of this, to illustrate whats going on. I can imagine, not knowing the situation its bit complex to understand...