Lally column

A lally column is an architectural term for a long, round, steel pipe oriented vertically to provide support to beams or timbers stretching over long spans. Lally columns are typically positioned in the middle of the span to bear the weight of the structure, and to reduce the tendency of the structure to sag or flex. The lally column is usually, but not always, filled with concrete to provide additional rigidity and strength. These columns can almost always be found in the basement of most residential buildings and homes.

Architects should specify the size and location of lally columns in their plans and blueprints.

The lally column is named after an Irish inventor, John Lally, who owned a construction company that started production of these columns in the late 1800s.