Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Replace internal load-bearing wall with header

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Structural
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 21 Jan 2002
Time: 11:17 PM

Comments

You are correct that additional information is required to determine the size of beam that would be required to properly support the load above. We have a good mental picture of your situation. Can you tell us what other loads there are above? Is there one or two stories? Does the roof transfer any load to the interior walls. If they do, then all bets are off unless the roof loads and locations are known. With some additional information, we can makes some estimates. Please send detailed specs or drawings with dimensions to info@builderswebsource.com

One reason that there is no "rule of thumb" is that walls are very strong in vertical compression. They are much stronger than a single beam (in this case, 12') that must carry some unknown load from the structure above. As a result, there is no simple formula for estimating unless all distributed and point loads are known.

Builders Websource

Article Tools

Builders Websource® is a corporate member of ASTM International—a non-profit engineering body dedicated in part to the standardization of building materials specifications, products, systems, and test methods for improved health, safety, and reliability of residential and commercial structures.

Copyright © 1999 - 2008 Builders Websource®, an InBuild™ company. All rights reserved.