How big of beam to span 16 feet in my pole barn?

[rambler]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yes, I made a mistake in the subject of 16 feet, I really want to span 24 feet. The post I want remove supports 3 - 2x8's bolted together for the roof. The splices for the 2x8's are all above the post, I don't know why the guy that built is did it this way , but he did. Roofing material is tin. I want to remove two posts and put two beams in. The opening for the building has two 12 foot wide door in it already. This would give me a clear span of 24 x 24 which would make it easier when working on tractors or cars instead of having to work around the posts. I thought if I could do it at a reasonable enough price it would be worth doing.


Bobg )</font>

Are you removing interior support beams - in the middle of your shed>Or are you removing beams along an end wall? Or are you removing beams along a sidewall?

My understanding is interior support beams - in the middle of your building. This is easier than removing sidewall beams, but still as the others say, your rafters & such all will be affected, getting a much better idea of the building is needed to help you out with real suggestions.

What is above these beams? a floor, open attic, pole goes up to the peak, or??????

Gotta go, lightening close & I'm on dialup........ Sorry for being short, blew 2 computers in my day, gotta run,

--->Paul

 

[Tom_H]

As others have said, there are too many variables here. You really need to have an engineer do calculations for you. Rafter type, roofing materials, snow load, local code..... The guy who said this is like, "How deep is a well?" had it right. I'd also make the beam strong enough to mount a hoist in case you ever want to pull an engine, lift implements, etc.

If my child had broken ribs and injured organs, I wouldn't go here to ask for advice on how to fix her. I'd take her to an internist (doctor of internal medicine). There's a lot of good advice on this board, but this is a question you need to ask of an engineer. There ARE several engineers who contribute to this board, so if you take the advice of anyone here, make sure that person is actually qualified to give this advice.

 

[beenthere]

Tom_H
I wouldn't fault him for coming here. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The many that read this or contribute to the thread are likely enjoying the 'chit-chat' and what may go into figuring out how to get rid of a support post that is in the way. As I read the comments given, no one has given advice on what to use. But instead are pointing to some things to consider and also pointing to the sources (supplier, architect, engineer, etc.) for him to go next. At the moment, this isn't an emergency situation such as 'broken ribs', IMO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I went to an engineer (worked with developing the tables for different wood species that go into the engineering specs for wood trusses and laminated beams) to get help in designing a beam for my garage years back when I wanted to build it myself. He and some other engineers put together the design and did the calculations, and it was 24" depth. Their final word was "try this, we think it will work". I really wasn't in the mood to experiement with a beam that was holding up my house. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tom_H]

Sorry if it sounds as though I'm "faulting him". That is not the intent. I agree with you, no one has given exact specs. I get the impression that he may have been asking for more specific info. than has been given, however. Let me rephrase what I am trying to say. This IS a great place to get info. The question you are asking though, is a one that needs a lot of specific data to answer accurately and it is one of the few things that probably needs an expert.

 

[beenthere]

That's a good way to put it, and will be interested in how this pans out. Hope we get a picture of the situation and learn about his solution. I hope he has the depth needed to 'getRdun'. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jim_wilson]

Not sure what type of beam you are going to use but if you go to the Weyerhauser Trusjoist website - Trusjoist web site - look in Residential or Commercial, and find a specifiers guide for beams or headers and you will find span tables for how big a beam you need to span a certain distance.

I think you said you wanted to span 24 feet - well I think with a Trusjoist Parallam beam you are looking at a 7" x 18" beam to span that type of distance. I am looking to do the same thing myself in a garage I am designing - I dont want any columns interupting the space so I need a 24 ft clear span.