What Size Steel Beam?

[Al Stevens]

I am adding 600ft to my ground floor home. We have Adobe clay soil and I just completed a pier and grade beam foundation. The piers were drilled to bedrock at 10ft and the grade beam is 8" thick.
I am planning to frame my floor joists using 2x8 lumber which will be set on top of the foundation on 3 walls and joist hung off the existing house foundation on 1 wall.
I have one long span of 21'-6" that will need a perpendicular support. The span of the support is 23'-4" and I would like to use a steel beam rather than adding anymore footings into adobe clay soil.
Can anyone advise me on the size of steel beam I will need to order. It will span the entire length of 23'-4" and be supported on each side by attachment to my new foundation.
Thank you for all suggestions.

[pmgca]

Hi Al Stevens,

For your own safety (and your family's), let me explain some issues, starting with the building codes
As we all know, there are building codes, but each state / province has its own version / adaptation. An Architect, Engineer, etc must elaborate the interpretation / application of the Building codes, calculation of structures and foundations, for each project, etc. Not only for the technical understanding of these issues, but for the liability.
An advice regarding a technical subject (something basic as the beam dimension and independent if you are paid for this advice or not) implies liability.
Follow a structural advice provided through Internet is DANGEROUS
Structures / materials are quite different depending the characteristics of the project, load, soil / topography, wind conditions and seismic calculations.
Certainly, if you don't know these answers, then it is not a DIY task so I'd recommend a consultation with an structural engineer in order to analyze the whole situation