garage clearspan beam with living space above.

[mike4]

Hello all:

I want to build a 3 car garage in southern Wisconsin that measures 36'-0" wide by 28'-0" deep. It will have living space over half of the garage with a 6/12 gable roof. What size beam would I need and how should it be supported? The local steel fabricator figured a W18x71 with a 3 1/2" schedule 40 pipe column with end bolts at each end. I'm not sure about the foundation though. The concrete contractor suggests using a 24" x 24" concrete pier 48" deep with a #4 cage and a 48" X 48" X 18" thick footing tied into the foundation. The rest of the foundation will be 8" thick poured concrete with 18" X 8" footings. I want to make sure the pricing isn't so astronomical that I run out of money and they're not overdoing it.

Thanks

 

[ishvaaag]

Building structures like these use to be engineered, to protect life and value, so a local licensed structural designer will guide you about economical ways to meet your goals. For example, making too flexible the beam, you may end suffering disgusting vibrations at the living space above, or if you don't bother about, it may be inaceptable to alternative ulterior buyers. So codes exist to set what are understood required and commonplace standards, and you will make an illustrated decision by using the services of an able architect or engineer.