Reinforcement of load-bearing timber with flat iron?

[Kai_Lundgren]

Hello!
How can I possibly reinforce the load-bearing timber beams in the ceiling? I have a barn built in 1900 and want to eliminate a couple of timber posts in the middle of the room. The posts support the load-bearing roof timbers, which each have a scarf joint in the middle of the room, the entire width of which is 6 meters. (That is, the roof timbers are also, of course, 6 meters long and cannot support the loft ceiling without the supporting timbers or other reinforcement.)
I'm wondering if "flat iron" on one or both sides of the two roof timbers along the entire sides could be a solution??? If so,
- how to determine how thick the flat irons should be? (The roof timbers are 15 x 15 cm and, as mentioned, 6 meters long.)
- and where can one find "flat iron" or alternatives?
Hoping for ideas!
Regards
Kai

 

[Manberg]

Do the posts support the joint? In any case, no flat iron in the world would help, can you brace diagonally from the wall?

 

[valter53]

If you are going to reinforce with iron, it should be on the top and bottom. That is where the compressive and tensile forces are present. A U-beam along the entire length underneath and flat iron on the top, joined with through bolts, might work.

 

[Manberg]

I agree with the previous speaker. Sure, it can be fixed, but then you might (certainly) end up with the same cost as asking a sawmill to set aside 2 trees and then debark, dry, and put up/replace.

 

[Kai_Lundgren]

Yes, the two supports are placed right under the joints of two of the roof beams. And indeed, diagonal braces would at least increase the exposed floor space, but it would be great if the entire floor space could be free and you could swing around a full-length board Planning to use this barn section as a workshop.)

Kai