Removing A Load Bearing Wall 1

[Andage10]

I want to remove a load-bearing wall to join two rooms together. The structure is a single story (circa 1950) post-pier home with a low, gabled roof. Because the roof is low, there are soffits on the east and west ends of the home to conceal the roofline. The soffits run north-south and the wall to be removed rubs east-west.

To handle the load, I want to remove the 4x8 beam that runs along each soffit face (because of this bean, the soffit is rectangular rather than sloped) and replace it with a steel beam. Each end of the beam will have a steel post going into a cement footing under the house. The span of each beam is 27'.

1) I need to know the minimum sizes of the beams and posts I need. The smaller the beam, the more "shallow" I can make the new soffits.

2) Do I need to weld the beams to the posts? Can I bolt it?

3) What book(s) do you recommend I reference for this problem?

4) Is it necessary to envelope the steel beams (and posts?) in wood? Is this for fire safety?

I appreciate any info on this...

 

[LPPE]

A picture is worth a thousand words, and a thousand words is rarely worth a picture.
First, it's concrete, not cement.
Second, rule of thumb - Depth of steel beam required (in) = span (ft)/2
for 27', you'd probably need a W14.

 

[JAE]

You can bolt the beams to the posts. I would not recommend a book, but rather, recommend you get an engineer to help you out. There are, perhaps, a few engineers in your area who work as individuals (vs. a big firm) who can get you some help for a nominal cost.

Covering the steel beams in wood is not required or used for fire protection.

 

Most Lowes etc. have suppliers they deal w/ on beams I found a real nice guy through the beam company he is an engineer and rather than paying $80/hr for a structural eng. he is doing my engineering as part of my purchasing the beam.

What a deal...

I am a homeowner in Virginia

mike@fox2127.com

 

[Ingenuity]

tearing out my own,

What a deal indeed...but remember "you get what you pay for"...be real careful...or your "engineer" may be "tearing DOWN" your home!

The services of a profession consulting engineer are exactly that...professional services...no different from a doctor or laywer.

I trust that Lowes etc. also provide LEGAL services when the "engineering" department screw up!

LOL