[Shop-talk] looking for wooden beam suggestions

[Pat Horne]

Thanks to all for the suggestions, I knew I could count on y'all!!

The Flitch Plate was the structure I was looking for, it is cheaper than 
either steel or LVL beams and easier to get hold of.

Thanks again for your help!

Peace,
Pat
Thusly spake Pat Horne, On 6/15/2012 10:01 AM:
> List,
>
> I have an 8' roof overhang on my shop building that is starting to bow 
> from the load. It is supported by a 5-1/2"x3-1/2" wood beam across two 
> posts, 14' apart. The roof is standard 7/16 ply with one layer of 
> shingles on it; the framing is 2x4. The beam that is in there now is a 
> double 2x6 with a plywood filler to bring it out to 3-1/2". I can grab 
> the center of the beam and move it up and down over one inch. The 
> existing beam is standard yellow pine and is less than a year old. I 
> know the rule of thumb is 1/2" if beam height for every foot of span, 
> so this beam is too small for the 14' span.
>
> The problem is that I can't put in a taller beam because of other 
> clearances, so I will have to go to a different type of beam that will 
> still be 5-1/2" tall by 3-1/12" thick. I am considering an LVL 
> (laminated beam) - $100, steel Channel (8.5 lbs/ft.) - $230, but  I 
> would like to keep the price down.
>
> We are located in central Texas, so snow load is not a consideration. 
> We do get fairly high winds here, but nothing that has caused the 
> overhang to lift off or collapse.
>
> I have not been able to find any information on sandwiching a thin 
> piece of  steel between the 2x4's to stiffen it. Anyone have any 
> experience with this kind of beam? I figure that if the steel plate is 
> kept flat it should have pretty good resistance to bending.
>
> Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Peace,
> Pat
>

-- 
Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems
(512) 797-7501 Voice		5026 FM 2001
Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com	Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
www.hornesystemstx.com
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