I know a lot of you folks are out pub crawlin and generally goofin off but here is an easy on for ya…keeping it simple…
I have a 5 foot span supporting an evenly distributed load. What are the relative strengths?
4 X 4
double 2 X 4 on edge
double 2 X 4 on flat
double 2 X 4 on edge with plywood center spline
All nailed or screwed together.
thanks,
Replies
the two 2x's on edge about the same...
the 4x4 is weaker than the on edge construction..
flat some where's in the relm of ornament...
what are you trying to hold up....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Actually this is an 8 ft square garden shed/shop that I decided to make the roof longer so that the roof overhangs the entrance area. The beams will be supported by building wall on one end and a 4x4 post on the other. Not rocket surgery but I didn't find anything on strength vs configuration searching the webmany thanksI like your approach....now lets see your departure
2 - 2x4's are not enough...
it'll sag over time...
go to 4x6 at a min... 4x8 would be the ticket...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
It would look better too, if it's left exposed,
bigger would be more asthetic too...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Ok here is an unscientific test I did today just for S&G It is attached as an excel sheet. The span in the test is 8ft because 5ft just didn't show enough deflection to have any accuracy in measurements. I didn't have an 8ft 4 X 4, just a 4 ft Cedar one, to equate against double 2 X 4 so I just verified that Cedar is crapola for strength.While this is a loose test, the numbers do show real closely that 2 ea 2x4 will deflect half as much as a single. As I suspected, screwing double 2x4 together makes a significant difference, by cutting the deflection in half when measuring the flat side deflection. I would suspect that double screwed together 2x4 will deflect similar to a 4x4 however a 4x4 has a little more wood meat one direction compared to double 2x4.You guys are correct about the looks of a rough exposed beam. Even if I went with a small dimension, I was going to cover it. Not that it is needed but I do have some 6x6 I could use for the posts but I think that will be out of proportion to the rest of the building. A rough 4x6 for the beam would look good.Thanks
I like your approach....now lets see your departure
Ooops forgot the attachment.I like your approach....now lets see your departure
The only problem with a solid beam rather than 2 piece built up beam is defects in the wood. A knot that goes straight through a 4x6 beam essentailly makes it a 4x4 beam in that one spot... and will deflect mostly in that one spot. Two 2x6 beams are not likely to have defects in the same place, so they will have less variation throughout the span.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
BTW don't ferget the construction adhesive...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!