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Replace shop columns with I-Beam

Bob Turan - Sunday, August 1, 2010 - 4:39pm
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This is a little off the "art" topic, but I'm redoing my basement shop (the wood shop, not the welding studio which is out in the "barn") and want to replace two lally columns with an I-beam so I have more clear space to work. I have looked up load-bearing info on some span tables to see what various beams can carry, but I don't know what the current load is. Is there any kind of scale I can put under a temporary column to take the weight off the existing column to see what the current load is?
The cellar is 22' x 24' and I want to replace two columns about 8' apart with a 20' I-beam supported on the ends.


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bigfootnampa's picture

A very complex question.

bigfootnampa - Monday, August 2, 2010 - 2:30pm

A very complex question. You can generally estimate the live load capacity of the beam by knowing the span, and the number of stories above it but such things as details of the beam supports and their placement as well as local inspection requirements can make things a bit murkier... especially if you are already lost where I start in about live/load-dead/load capacities. You may need a structural engineer to sign off on a plan and just as well have him design it then. Should be able to get it done (the engineering) for two or three hundred... cheaper than way overbuilding and WAAAYyy cheaper than accidentally underbuilding. Here is a url to a steel beam load table BUT it is 29 pages long and takes quite a bit of understanding to apply correctly. An engineer could be a bargain!

http://www.toolbase.org/Design-Construction-Guides/Exterior-Walls/steel-beam-column-load


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Bob Turan's picture

Thanks for your advice

Bob Turan - Friday, August 6, 2010 - 1:29pm

I could not open the PDF once it downloaded, but your advice is sound!
I called my local steel supplier and he echoed what you said. I'm putting the project on hold until I can get an engineer or builder to tell me what is needed.
Thanks again!


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bigfootnampa's picture

You're welcome Bob. I have

bigfootnampa - Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 6:03pm

You're welcome Bob. I have been a builder and have generally found that architects and some designers can be unconscionably expensive but most engineers are relative bargains. Engineers tend to be amazingly accurate too... the rare mistakes they do make usually make headlines and the evening news programs.


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