I Beam ....or Another Alternative

bkcm111

Hi,

I am remodeling a kitchen and a great design is being held back by a single vertical beam supporting the attic above (it is a ranch house) I want to get rid of the vertical beam and extend the ibeam another 10 -12 ft. What kind of Ibeam should I use? Is there an alternative to a steal IBeam? The full lenth of the new ibeam will be appox 22 ft.

I never replaced a ibeam before, but understend that I need to make a supporting wall on both sides of the beam, before removing the ibeam. The I beam that is up there now is a wooden one, consisting of two 2X12" beams. I want to make the beam smaller in size, but longer in length.

How hard is it to do this job? And what type of I beam would you sugest?

Please help.....this delaying the kitchen project.

thom

Professional is not a trade

beams are not vertical


I think you have the wrong forum

PacNWStructures

I second that. Vertical beam?

bkcm111

I meant to say vertical post that is holding up the I beam. I want to take the post away, but would need a stronger I Beam.

thom

You need an engineer.

Answering your question is really impossible without a lot more information. The real issue is, you don't understand the physics of what's going on. Even if we asked all the questions to get the answers to engineer this thing, there is no reason to believe we would not have missed something really important by not actually looking at the job.

The fact that you didn't consider the horizontal loads makes it clear you don't understand what's going on. The fact that you believe the answer can be derived from knowing the length makes it clear you don't understand what's going on. Screwing up on a beam can bring down a building and can kill people.

Beyond that, this requires real engineering and a real engineers seal. You could do it with software but that would require the training to use the software.

So, in short, you need an engineer.

Michaeljp86

Not only would you need a stronger beam you would need stronger supports on each end of the beam. Then you need to look at whats under the verticle beams supporting you new I beam. You cant just have 2 4x4s sitting ontop of your floor holding up a 22' I beam with 5000lbs on top of it. You can easliy need to look all the way to the foundation. There would be alot of engineering in something like this. This isnt a ricks handman service job.

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Jason Whipple

This sounds like a perfect example of what I caution prospective customers about. You hire someone with less experience because they are less in price, it will come back to haunt you. In the end, poor planing and lack of experience will drive the cost up and will delay progress.

Sounds like you're in it up to you're waist now! How could you start this project without dealing with this issue first? If you're really the contractor and not the H/O, you're about to make a name for yourself on this one. Buy the way expect to spend at least a grand on an engineer to solve this for you, not to mention the fact that you have no idea what the proper fix is so how did you price it
I'm sure the H/O's wont be offended when you ask for another 2-3k

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gregj

Hey, he's learning. In his previous post back in 10/2006 he pulled out his ceiling joists before asking the proper way to put in a cathedral ceiling. This time he asked before removing anything.

BuiltByMAC

Quoted from one of his earlier posts -

Thank you for your imput.....
Yes the run is 9' 6", with appox 12'5" rafters. The guys that I have hired seem to be tearing out everything. I am concerned about proper support! I am sure that you way is the correct way, but would a few collar beams connecting the rafters also give proper support? At this momemt in time, I am concern to let these guys cut into my roof rafters.


Kill the thread and let the HO post in DIYChatroom.com

Ed the Roofer

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