I am trying to calculate the size of a steel beam.

I am removing 2.3 metres of a brick supporting wall, that is currently 
carrying two sets of 2.5 metre long joists.

I hope this picture explains:- http://www.crewinblack.co.uk/celica/plan.JPG

I.E. The wall in question is an internal wall, there is one set of joists 
running from the outside wall on one side of the house onto this internal 
wall, likewise there is another set of joists running from the opposite 
outside wall onto the same internal wall. The joists are only carrying the 
floor of bedrooms, and a stud wall (almost directly above the wall in 
question). There is no weight from the roof being transmitted down through 
the stud wall.

I want to use a 9 inch by 4 inch steel beam (for asthetic reasons), sitting 
underneath the joists mentioned above.

I need to calculate if a 9x4 is strong enough, and what "weight" or "rating" 
steel beam I need to order.

Can anybody offer me any advice ?

Thanks,

Paul.

Paul Whitmore wrote:

> I am trying to calculate the size of a steel beam.
> 
<snip>
> Can anybody offer me any advice ?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Paul.
> 
> 

It's going to be holding your house up.  Rather than trust a random 
stranger on the internet, shouldn't you ask a structural engineer?

Andy

> I need to calculate if a 9x4 is strong enough, and what "weight" or
"rating"
> steel beam I need to order.
>
> Can anybody offer me any advice ?


I think you better have a good solicitor in case anybody gets crushed in
your house after you've done your mod. In other words, don't be a fool, and
shift the legal burden to a professional (architect maybe?)

I've discussed such matters with the local building regs officer and he's 
always been very helpful and looked up in the book what the dimensions 
should be.

Rob Graham

Ask your local council building inspector. A job like this has to be 
approvedby them anyway. You may also have to get a certificate from a 
structural engineer; but you would need to produce proof of a job properly 
done if you tried to sell, anyway.

cpollock wrote:

> Ask your local council building inspector. A job like this has to be
> approvedby them anyway. You may also have to get a certificate from a
> structural engineer; but you would need to produce proof of a job properly
> done if you tried to sell, anyway.


Second that.
We sent in our building regs application and when the Inspector came
round he was most helpful suggesting the sizes and weights, plates and
bolts.
One thing though we opted for u-columns and u-beams so had to dig an
exploratory hole for the inspector to confirm that the existing
foundations were up to the job.