Starting the House Framework

First we need to install the hold downs (foundation bolts) in the top course of the cement blocks. They are 12" x 1/2" bolts, threaded on one end with an L shaped hook on the other end. These bolts are cemented into the top course of block, not more than 6 feet apart, extended at least 2 1/2" above the block. Now we drill our 2 x 8 treated plates to be drawn down with a washer and a nut.
We also need to place a termite shield of aluminum or tar soaked cellulose sheeting directly on the concrete block before the plate goes down. My personal favorite for a termite shield is 1/2" thick concrete expansion joint in the size of the block width.
Next we can place our 2 x 8 treated plates on top of the entire foundation and bolt them down. Since our house is 26' wide we will need either a steel beam down the center of the basement or we will need to construct a beam of at least 3, 2 x 10's thick, glued and nailed together. you can also use today's popular laminated beams, 3 thick x 11 1/4". We need to place an FHA one piece foundation jack post not more than 12' apart under that beam and the end walls of the foundation need to be notched to allow said beam to rest to the outside surface of the block on the end walls.
With our outside walls plated and a beam down the middle of the house we can start our 2 x 10 floor joust on one end of the basement and continue down the wall 16" on center with the floor joist.
Now I feel we must take a pause here to explain what 16" on center means. The plate which lays on the end wall of the foundation is going to have the first joist standing on it with this joist standing flush with the outside of the block. The second joist on that side of the house will actually measure 15 1/4" to it's edge so that the center of the second joist is at 16", thus the center of the third joist is 32" and the fourth joist is 48" etc. Then the seventh joist center will be at 8' or 96" at the end of the first sheet of plywood.
When we get to the location of our stairway from 24' on out to 36' on center. We will leave the space between these joist open and cut 3, 12' joist to run the length of the house and between them. The first of these 3 joist goes on the edge of the center beam. The second of these joist goes 37 1/2" away toward the outside wall. This joist is from 37 1/2"to 39" fastened at the ends into the 19th and 28th joist. This is half of a carrier joist then the carrier will be doubled up on the inside for strength.
Now joist 19 and 28 will also be doubled up giving us a 36" x 11' 10 1/2" opening in the floor in which to install the stairway. We have our stairway side of the house floor joist, then we install the floor joist on the other side of the house, which lay along side the first set on the center beam, meaning they are 1 1/2" offset from the first joist. When our complete set of joist are installed, including the rim board, we will cover the deck with 3/4 tongue and groove OSB or plywood.
Till next time and the outside walls.
Phil