Can I replace a W8x35 x 20 foot steel I beam with... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Ray · 03-14-2006, 06:24 PM

An LVL microllam, 7 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall by20 feet long?

The beam will span a 20 foot opening when I remove the existing 2x4 wall.

That wall is on the first floor of a 25 x 50 foot 2 story home, and its load bearing for floor joists that meet above that wall forming the floor for the two bedrooms above where I want to take the wall out.

Thanks

Ray

jmic · 03-14-2006, 06:41 PM

I'd say no way, to much span!

RobertCDF · 03-14-2006, 06:51 PM

It might be possible but you would have to talk to some engineers about it. Is it just holding the floor system or is it supporting a roof load as well?

handyman923 · 03-14-2006, 07:32 PM

A W8x35 has a stiffness (E*I) of 3,683,000 kip-in2
A 7x8.5 (1.9E) LVL has a stiffness (E*I) of 681,000 kip-in2

The W8x35 is about 5.5 times stiffer than the LVL beam. So unless the W8x35 was significantly over-designed, there is no way this LVL would work.

bergenbldr · 03-14-2006, 07:37 PM

From past experience i would say a 7 inch lvl would need to be around 18 to 24 inchs deep to carry the same load as the i beam.

K2 · 03-14-2006, 08:00 PM

What don't you like about the steel beam other than 700 lbs. ??

Kevin H · 03-19-2006, 09:00 PM

(3) 1 3/4" x 16 lvl's we did this over a garage carrying roof & floor load. I'd check with your lumber yard to be sure they'd be glad to figure it for you - Kevin

nadonailer · 03-19-2006, 11:13 PM

No Way........................ A 5 1/2 x 14" lami beam will carry that load for that span with lots of straps and hangers - barely......

Blackhawk · 03-20-2006, 03:38 AM

We took out a wait bearing wall on a two story like your on put three eightenn inch lams spanning about twenty feet or abouts and we got 3/4 deflection the minute we pulled the jacks out was suppose to be 1/4 at most so id stick with the I beam or talk to an engineer so be careful good luck ...