Architecture - What Size Steel Beam?
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Al Stevens
04-12-09, 08:28 AM
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.
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
04-12-09, 09:20 AM
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
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