Good day all,
Yes, I’m afraid it’s a basement finishing project that I am undertaking and I’ve a question about how far an 8″ steel I beam can span. Here’s the deal;
The space is about 25′ W X 30′ L. There is an existing steel I beam that runs the 30′ length, supported on each end by pockets in the poured concrete foundation walls, and with 2 steel support columns, all spaced roughly equally apart. The beam supports the main level floor which is framed with 2×10’s, 16″oc. The floor joists run across the width of the basement. The main level has a cathedral ceiling constructed of trusts and there are no bearing walls to be supported by the I beam.
Very clever design (well, ok – shear luck) conceals one of the existing support columns inside of a wall but, As luck would have it, the other column is in exactly the wrong spot. So, given the structure outlined above how far can this 8″ steel I beam span?
Many thanks,
Dan