Reinforce wooden beam

Marre666 · 15 Mar 2016 at 12:53 PM

Hello

I am considering reinforcing a wooden beam that is 4.5 meters long and consists of double laminated/screwed K24 - 45X220 studs with a steel plate that is 4.5 meters long and 200 high and 10 thick to counteract deflection...will this result in a sustainable and significant reduction in floor sway with this?

Stefan1972 · 15 Mar 2016 at 1:05 PM

find it hard to believe that you need 10mm thickness but in theory it should work. However, one should consider the mounting method so that you don't simply weaken the beams if you make so many holes that you can fully utilize the strength of the metal sheet.

Marre666 · 15 Mar 2016 at 1:23 PM

Hi Stefan

Do you think less thickness will be enough?

Regarding the assembly, I was thinking about using adhesive as well as screws "6X50", two at each end and then zig-zag in between with cc 20, do you think this will work or will it just be a total mess?

ToRy · 15 Mar 2016 at 3:48 PM

Is it not possible to simply replace the wooden beam with a steel one of similar dimensions? (I ask without having any clue if it would provide better "anti-sway properties"....)

Marre666 · 15 Mar 2016 at 4:48 PM

ToRy said:
Isn't it possible to simply replace the wooden beam with a steel one of similar dimensions? (I ask without having any idea if it would provide better "anti-sway properties"....)

That would probably be the best...but it would be too large of an intervention.

Marre666 · 16 Mar 2016 at 9:24 AM

Anyone have anything to point out about mounting sheet metal to a wooden beam?!

roli · 16 Mar 2016 at 10:50 AM

Where would you mount the plate? On the side of your existing beam or on the underside? With the dimensions you mention, it seems like you would mount it on the side, which is not the best placement.... The best reinforcement is on the underside, but then the 200 mm measurement isn't the best since your wood construction is only 90mm (2x45).

Will the reinforcement be visible or built in?

Marre666 · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:03 AM

roli said:
Where would you mount the plate? On the side of your existing beam or underneath? With the dimensions you mention, it seems like you would mount it on the side, which is not the best placement.... The best reinforcement is on the underside, but then the 200 mm measurement isn't optimal since your wood construction is only 90mm (2x45).

Will the reinforcement be visible or built-in?

Hi Roli

I was planning to place it on the side, with the installation intended as follows: roughen the steel surface, prime with Sikabond Primer 3N, moisten the wood surface and then apply Sikabond T2 adhesive and screw the steel plate in a zig-zag pattern.

Do you think it's better to mount an HEA / HEB beam under the existing wooden beam instead? Would it work with one that is approximately 90 wide and say 90-120 high so as not to build too much, and then mount new posts on top of the existing ones that the steel beam rests on?

Stefan1972 · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:07 AM

roli said:
Where would you mount the plate? On the side of your existing beam or on the underside? With the dimensions you provide, it seems like you would mount it on the side, which is not the best placement.... You get the best reinforcement on the underside, but then the 200 mm dimension is not ideal since your wooden construction is only 90mm (2x45).

Will the reinforcement be visible or built in?

How is a vertical wooden construction supposed to become stronger by placing a metal plate on the underside?

ArneTW · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:08 AM

Is much better to place on the underside/topside.

Assuming it's a horizontal beam.

/ATW

Marre666 · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:17 AM

True, a plate of 10-12mm on the underside doesn't make a difference, it must be upright... the easiest was to set it as I thought, but the best is probably to place a beam underneath, the question is what size of HEB/HEA beam is needed to complement the wooden beam

?

Stefan1972 · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:39 AM

What is the problem from the start? House? Garage? Only a beam? It sounded a bit strange that you might be able to accept a beam on the underside?

Marre666 · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:42 AM

Stefan1972 said:
what is the problem from the beginning? House? garage? just a beam? It sounded a bit odd that you might be able to accept a beam on the underside?

Hello

The problem is that we want to eliminate the sway on the upper floor, so we want to stiffen it up a bit... The load-bearing capacity is not an issue.

We can accept another beam, say 90-130 mm, since we have high ceilings, so it doesn't matter.

Stefan1972 · 16 Mar 2016 at 11:51 AM

if there's so much wobble, there must be something really wrong or someone has either built freehand or demolished too many walls downstairs?

Marre666 · 16 Mar 2016 at 12:33 PM

Just want to stiffen up, it's not wobbly so it sways in the house 😁