Steel

The beams for the first floor are on site now.  Beam pockets have already been formed or cut in the basement walls and the structure calls for three beams to support the ICF floor. These beams need to be in place before the ICF subfloor can be setup.

Here's where they deposited four of the beams. I think these are going to be used for the first floor supports.  There's one span that holds up the rotunda and stairs, so that will probably need to be welded together.  Still a pretty mild winter so far.

Numbers written on the beams.  The framer says that once they're in place, they'll be coated to prevent further oxidation.

Some of the plates that will be welded to the posts and beams.  Bolts are driven down into the concrete footers so the posts don't shift.  The tops of the posts will be welded to the beams.

 Two more beams and two diameters of posts.  Steel beams will also be used to support the wrap around porch.  The thicker diameter posts are used inside the house, the thinner diameter posts are used to support the porch on the side of the house.

Here you can see the concrete footings for the side porch posts.  Once completed, the side porch will be about 10ft off the ground, overlooking the forest and the "front" yard.  It will be an awesome place to sit and enjoy a nice spring rain.

Beam in place.  This beam goes from the elevator shaft to the back of the house, sitting somewhere between the kitchen and mudroom.

This is how the beam sits in the pocket.  Rebar will be drilled down to peg the beam in place.  I'm pretty sure concrete will be poured to trap the beam.

Beam span under the kitchen.

Ground level shot of the beam.  You can see the pocket for the next beam on the left of the elevator shaft.  The third beam will span across the visible footings in the middle of the picture.