I Beam equivalent of wood 8" X 8"

[rickatnorthern]

I am rebuilding a 32' x 48' barn. It originally had 8 x 8 beams supported approx. every 10 feet for the 32' width. It then had 6" log "joists" 12' long, 2' OC spanning the * x 8's. The 6" logs were topped with wide planks that were 1 1/2 " thick. The sides of the barn were 10' tall, and the roof had a 6/12 pitch. The barn would be filled from floor to ceiling with hay, hay bales in later years, and stood for 160 years. Does anyone have experience with a similar senario? What I beam would replace an 8 x 8 and have a similer capacity? The barn burned down many years ago and there is nothing left to measure, the 8 x 8's may have been 10 x 10's, but not any larger than that.

 

[dicksewerrat]

I think you should hire a competent structural engineer to do your design. He/she will have knowledge of the local codes. Even if you get the beam size from someone, you still will need a permit and inspection before the insurance co. will write apolicy on it.