Systems and methods for constructing a building structure

Abstract

A system having a beam having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is offset relative to the longitudinal axis in a first direction, and wherein the second end is offset relative to the longitudinal axis in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A beam assembly for use in a post-and-beam type structure, wherein the post-and-beam type structure includes a connector having four plate portions forming a cruciform cross-section for the connector, the cruciform cross-section extending in a vertical direction, at least one of the four plate portions configured for coupling to a beam formed by the beam assembly, the beam assembly comprising:
 a first beam member with a first end and a second end that is opposite from the first end; and   a second beam member with a third end and a fourth end that is opposite from the third end;   wherein the first beam member and the second beam member is coupleable to each other along their lengths so as to be longitudinally offset with respect to each other;   wherein when the first beam member and the second beam member is coupled to each other, the first end of the first beam member is offset relative to the third end of the second beam member by an offset amount, the first end of the first beam member being configured for placement in one of four quadrants defined by two of the four plate portions of the connector; and   wherein the first end of the first beam member has a first hole configured for receiving a fastener to non-destructively couple the first end of the first beam member to the connector.   
     
     
         22 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first beam member and the second beam member is non-destructively coupleable to each other. 
     
     
         23 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first end of the first beam member has a first side for facing a first one of the plate portions, and a second side for facing a second one of the plate portions. 
     
     
         24 . The beam assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the first side and the second side are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         25 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first beam member directly abuts against the second beam member when the first beam member and the second beam member are coupled to each other. 
     
     
         26 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one spacer plate for spacing the first beam member and the second beam member a selected distance apart when the first beam member and the second beam member are coupled to each other. 
     
     
         27 . The beam assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the selected distance is equal to a thickness of one of the plate portions. 
     
     
         28 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first hole has a longitudinal axis that forms an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the beam formed by the beam assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The beam assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the first end of the first beam member has a second hole with a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first hole, the second hole configured for receiving a portion of another fastener. 
     
     
         30 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the offset amount is longer than a horizontal length of one of the plate portions. 
     
     
         31 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein a horizontal width of the first end of the first beam member is longer than a horizontal length of one of the plate portions. 
     
     
         32 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first end of the first beam member is configured to conceal two surfaces of the connector when the beam formed by the first beam member and the second member is coupled to the connector. 
     
     
         33 . The beam assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first beam member and the second member are configured for installation and removal separately in situ. 
     
     
         34 . A post-and-beam type structure comprising:
 a connector having four plate portions forming a cruciform cross-section for the connector, the cruciform cross-section extending in a vertical direction, wherein the four plate portions define four quadrants;   a first column configured for detachably coupling to a bottom portion of the connector; and   a first beam with a first end configured for detachably coupling to a first one of the plate portions;   wherein the first beam comprises a first beam member and a second beam member that are coupled to each other, and wherein the first end of the first beam is configured for placement in a first quadrant of the four quadrants.   
     
     
         35 . The structure of  claim 34 , further comprising a second beam with a second end configured for detachably coupling to a second one of the plate portions, the second end of the second beam configured for placement in a second quadrant of the four quadrants. 
     
     
         36 . The structure of  claim 35 , further comprising a third beam with a third end configured for detachably coupling to a third one of the plate portions, the third end of the third beam configured for placement in a third quadrant of the four quadrants. 
     
     
         37 . The structure of  claim 36 , further comprising a fourth beam with a fourth end configured for detachably coupling to a fourth one of the plate portions, the fourth end of the fourth beam configured for placement in a fourth quadrant of the four quadrants. 
     
     
         38 . The structure of  claim 37 , wherein the four plate portions provide eight planar surfaces, and when the first end of the first beam, the second end of the second beam, the third end of the third beam, and the fourth end of the fourth beam are coupled to the connector, the eight planar surfaces are concealed by the first end of the first beam, the second end of the second beam, the third end of the third beam, and the fourth end of the fourth beam. 
     
     
         39 . The structure of  claim 34 , further comprising a second column configured for detachably coupling to a top portion of the connector. 
     
     
         40 . The structure of  claim 34 , wherein the first end of the first beam has a hole for receiving a fastener, the hole having a longitudinal axis forming an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first beam. 
     
     
         41 . The structure of  claim 34 , wherein the first one of the plate portions has a first opening for receiving a first fastener for coupling the first end of the first beam to the first one of the plate portions, the first opening having an opening axis forming an acute angle relative to a surface of the first one of the plate portions, and wherein the first one of the plate portions has a second opening for receiving a second fastener for coupling the first column to the connector, the second opening having an opening axis forming a perpendicular angle relative to the surface of the first one of the plate portions.