Steel I beam sizing

[j65giles]

I am planning a 30 x 32 garage build and need help sizing a steel Beam for a 32'clear span that will support an upstairs with 50psf LL and L/360 loading condition, there will not be attic storage above the floor. I intially thought I would need a W16x36 but I believe that my math may be wrong. There will be 2x10 floor joist 12" OC attached to this beam.

 

[SteelPE]

Get ready to hear "Hire a local structural engineer" over and over..... which is what you should do.

 

[j65giles]

I plan to hire an engineer as it will be necessary for an engineers stamp before I can begin building. I am looking general idea of the size needed so I can get a rough idea of how much money I will have tied up in this project, and compare the cost of steel i beam vs engineered trusses vs just using wooden header and support posts. I believe that the i beam will be the cheaper route if

 

[woodman88]

I think a W24x55 would look nice, if it works.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

W16x36 is right on the money - deflection controls.

STRONGLY suggest an intermediate column if possible.... then a W10 x 15 works quite nicely...

Get help - as mentioned....