Rotated main beam - What is too much?

[RustyGold]

100+ year old home. Main beam (7"x9") has rotated about 8 degrees out of the vertical. Beam rests on brick piers that have wood shims (appeared to be tongue-0in-groove boards) on top.

I know that some beam rotation (especially for a solid member) can be expected; however, is there a practical limit?

Any ideas on how to provide some bracing without replacement?

 

[apsix]

Is there a reason to intervene, other than it looks twisted?

 

[diarmud]

Need more info, photos? 8 degrees, if the beam has remained square means the top edge of the beam rose almost an inch. Any indication above of floor movement?

How long is the beam? Is there any evidence of shims where the beam sits on the masonry piers?

A 7"x9" beam seems somewhat small for a main beam if it's 20' long and has a tributary area of 10'. It "seems" to be okay for a 10' long beam.

But as always, I could be wrong.

 

[RustyGold]

Random comments based on questions posed:

1. Beam is about 8 feet long - tributary loading is only about 12 feet.
2. When constructed, wood shims (actually a board) was installed on top of the column.
3. If I had to make an educated guess, this condition has been like this for some time.
4. Unfortunately, photos taken did not come out.
5. Previous owner installed 2 screw jack columns just to the inside of the brick piers under the beam section that is the most twisted (generally the middle of 3 sections - outer two sections are relatively plumb).
6. Because the home was framed with recycled/reclaimed lumber (lack of uniformity; previous mortise and tenon holes in joists, etc), there are many shims/blocks between the joists and the tops of the beam.
7. There was no visible distress as a result.

My guess is to leave it along, though I wonder if placing a permanent column under the middle of the section that is twisted the most (to replace the ugly and unapproved screw jacks) would be a visually preferable alternative. I was not provided any reason why the jacks were installed.

 

[diarmud]

I'm off on the deflection . . . obviously.

Sorry.

 

[kslee1000]

Sounds like a floor beam/joist. Is there a wall on the beam? How about add another beam next to it?