Required bearing for a steel beam

[username]

We are building a new home and the steal beams were just set. The longest beam spanning the entire width of the house is sitting in the beams pockets on a poured concrete foundation wall. The beam pockets are about 6" deep into the wall. There are to be (2) intermediate posts.

My question is, how much bearing does the beam require? Right now, one end has almost 2" bearing on the concrete and maybe 3" on the other end. The second steel beam has about 2 1/2" bearing on each end. Shouldn't there be at least 4" of bearing?

[Sweep]

I agree that the bearing seems small without a steel bearing plate insert inmbedded in the concrete.

The steel beam was designed by an engineer and the minimum bearing (if not the bearing detail) will be shown on the stamped documents. If your builder doesn't have them, the building department will and you can see anything at the building department, it's public information.

[username]

Thanks. I called a structural engineer today and was advised that there should be at least 3 1/2" bearing. He suggested bolting an angle to the wall below the beam and welding the angle to the beam to, in essence, extend the bearing. I called the Contractor this afternoon but he was already gone for the day. I guess I'll see tomorrow what his reaction will be to adding the angle.