Lally

Lally

Lally is a structural support column, typically cylindrical in shape, used in residential and commercial construction. The term lally is derived from the surname of John Lally, a U.S. inventor who patented an adjustable metal building column in the early 20th century. Lally columns are commonly made of steel, though they can also be fabricated from concrete or other materials. These columns are designed to provide vertical support for beams, girders, or other structural elements, effectively transferring loads from upper floors or the roof to the foundation. They are often used in the construction of basements, crawl spaces, and decks, as well as in post-and-beam framing systems. Lally columns are known for their strength, stability, and adjustability, with threaded end fittings that allow for precise height adjustment to accommodate uneven floors or settling foundations. The load-bearing capacity of a lally column depends on factors such as its material, diameter, wall thickness, and overall length. Proper installation is crucial to ensure the column's structural integrity and to prevent issues like buckling, corrosion, or shifting. In modern construction, lally columns have evolved to include advanced features such as built-in jack screws for fine-tuning adjustments and protective coatings to enhance durability in damp environments

structural support, load-bearing, adjustable, cylindrical column, steel, concrete, foundation, post-and-beam framing, jack screw

— John Armstrong

CITATION : "John Armstrong. 'Lally.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/lally?E=432700 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"