Steel beam - wood equivalent

[joeu235]

I need to frame a 72" wide opening on a load bearing first floor wall. Header tables say double 2x10s are sufficient. Due to ceiling height, there is not enough room for a 2x10 header. I have searched all over and cannot find a steel equivalent. Please don't respond with "ask a structural engineer" If there are approved span tables for a material with inconsistent strength like SYP wood, there must be something similar for A36 steel that has a consistent strength.

Note I'm not afraid of math.

 

[ktm250rider]

Its been a while but it sounds like you have one unknown. Use the deflection based on double 2x10 and the maximum height. Solve for modulous of elasticity and then find a material that meets that number.
Like i said, been 20 years since a dynamics class.

 

[EddieWalker]

How much room do you have? I'm not a steel guy, but I have seen some options for short spans like yours using three and even four 2x6's. I've also seen where a flat piece of metal is used between 2x's to gain the needed strength. If you use steel instead of wood, how will you attach it and still meet code? Even if you are outside an area requiring code, it's still important to build to code to be sure it's done right.

 

[EddieWalker]

You said first floor header. Is there a second floor above the first floor? Can you make your ceiling joists into the header and hide them inside the second story, flooring?

 

[/pine]

I need to frame a 72" wide opening on a load bearing first floor wall. Header tables say double 2x10s are sufficient. Due to ceiling height, there is not enough room for a 2x10 header. I have searched all over and cannot find a steel equivalent. Please don't respond with "ask a structural engineer" If there are approved span tables for a material with inconsistent strength like SYP wood, there must be something similar for A36 steel that has a consistent strength.

Note I'm not afraid of math.

I don't have the reference material handy...but you might be able to use 2x8 with a steel flitch plate ??

 

[joeu235]

You said first floor header. Is there a second floor above the first floor? Can you make your ceiling joists into the header and hide them inside the second story, flooring?

I thought of this right after I posted. But I'd still like to know how to get the steel equivalent. I've got 4.5 inches of head room. It's my own steel building I'm putting a two story living space into a part of it. No code inspection but absolutely want it safe.

 

[s219]

I don't have the reference material handy...but you might be able to use 2x8 with a steel flitch plate ??

Agree, that would be my approach. However the OP hasn't told us how much space he has, only that a 2x10 won't work. Lots of options though.

If this is a drywall application, deflection will probably be the deciding factor, so I'd determine the max allowable deflection and then back out the characteristics needed for the available beam height. Then see what beams, whether wood/steel/wood or steel W-beam, meet the need.

 

[s219]

You said first floor header. Is there a second floor above the first floor? Can you make your ceiling joists into the header and hide them inside the second story, flooring?

Often, you can sneak a tall LVL beam into limited space by making it poke above the second floor. If lined up with a wall above, it works very well. Here's an example:

 

[EddieWalker]

Often, you can sneak a tall LVL beam into limited space by making it poke above the second floor. If lined up with a wall above, it works very well. Here's an example:

View attachment 516171

Never seen or thought of this before. Very smart!!!!

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

This website provides some conversion charts for glue-lam to steel.

They also include conversion charts for 2x material to glue-lam.

AITC Glulam - Manufacturers