I’m looking for info. on wood “I-beams. What sites can I check out to learn more about them.
-applications
-span ratings
I am planing on building a garage (in a barn style w/gambrel roof) and I was wondering if the beams can span the 24ft width while still supporting the second floor? (without support posts)
I saw an article in FWW about a one story garage with engineered joists that spaned the 24ft depth but only had a storage attic.
On my project the second floor will be used for storage, but I want to be able to convert the space to an apartment or guest suite some time in the future.
Thanks for the help.
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Replies
Call your lumber yard, and I don't mean Lowes.
WAHD
I-beams are sold as an engineeered package, with sizing and spans and layout all calculated in. Any place that sells them has the software to do the engineering for you.
There are at least three different profiles for different strengths.
You will need to identify for them you required load rating re local codes. Most fl;oors for living space in residences need 40 - 50#/sq ft
Simple answere is yes, they can easily do the job but you can't engineer it your self.
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http://www.tjm.com/products/restji.cfm
Excellence is its own reward!
You can do a search for "I-joist" and find manufacturers and download the span tables and assembly details.
I prefer using a center wall in a garage. It reduces the size of the joists and it allows you to have two separate areas in the garage.
http://www.tjm.com
http://www.bcewp.com/southspecguide3a.htm
If you have the depth, look at floor trusses as well.
Alternative, a center steel beam to split the span.
As has been mentioned, bring a set of plans (can be rough drawings) to a lumberyard that sells TJIs. They'll give you back a set of CAD plans with required materials and hangers to get the stiffness (L/???) that you want.
First off they're I-joists, not I-beams. I-beams are steel. I-joists are wood.
Go to a local lumberyard, as someone has already suggested. Ask them what brand of I-joists they have available, and hit 'em up for some literature. No sense researching a brand of I-joists on the internet that aren't available locally. Not all manufactures have the same recommendations, and they don't all have the same specs. Your local yard should have a book available which will give recommendations for this exact situation.
If you do this, resist the temptation to use a shallow I-joist with closer spacing. You'll probably find I-joist span charts that show you can span 24' with 14" deep I-joists if you use 12" O.C. spacing. I would consider something 16" deep to be minimal at that span, and 18" deep would be preferrable.
You might wanna think about going to wood webbed floor trusses on such a long span.
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