Hello!
I am going to take down a load-bearing wall, the opening is 3.80 but the total length of the beam will be 4.20 since it will rest on the already load-bearing construction in the wall.
I am not familiar with calculations,
It is a 3-story house and the wall to be removed is on the middle floor.
My question is: What dimension does the beam need to be?
Best regards,
Christoffer
I am going to take down a load-bearing wall, the opening is 3.80 but the total length of the beam will be 4.20 since it will rest on the already load-bearing construction in the wall.
I am not familiar with calculations,
It is a 3-story house and the wall to be removed is on the middle floor.
My question is: What dimension does the beam need to be?
Best regards,
Christoffer
You'll need a structural engineer to calculate that. Even though there are sometimes knowledgeable individuals on this forum who can offer advice, you shouldn't rely on it.
The hole you're planning sounds quite large, and there's a lot of unknowns that need to be identified for an accurate calculation. What's above it? Does it also take load from the outer roof? What can the wall it's attached to withstand? Does it need a certain fire rating (single or multi-family homes), etc.
For such an operation, you'll need to file a building notification (perhaps even apply for planning permission, uncertain), and to proceed, you must have approved construction calculations.
The hole you're planning sounds quite large, and there's a lot of unknowns that need to be identified for an accurate calculation. What's above it? Does it also take load from the outer roof? What can the wall it's attached to withstand? Does it need a certain fire rating (single or multi-family homes), etc.
For such an operation, you'll need to file a building notification (perhaps even apply for planning permission, uncertain), and to proceed, you must have approved construction calculations.
Given that the span is relatively large, it's likely that a glulam beam with a height of around 40-50cm will be required. Do you have ceiling height to accommodate such a lowering? If I were you, I would probably look into a steel beam instead. Of course, with the help of a structural engineer.
A free sizing program to download: Moelven Töreboda AB - Home Page
Go to Sizing Help etc...
Go to Sizing Help etc...
Hello, thank you for your help so far, I will try to explain a bit better:
The actual opening is 3.80, with the beam's total length being 4.20.
In the 3.80 wide opening, there are already 2 openings for doors.
So the existing construction resembles a construction meant to have a supporting beam, except that there is a wall of 1.20 in the middle.
This is how it is today:
Wall 60cm (will keep for the beam to rest on it.)
Door opening
Wall 120cm
Door opening
Wall 40cm (will keep for the beam to rest on it.)
The actual opening is 3.80, with the beam's total length being 4.20.
In the 3.80 wide opening, there are already 2 openings for doors.
So the existing construction resembles a construction meant to have a supporting beam, except that there is a wall of 1.20 in the middle.
This is how it is today:
Wall 60cm (will keep for the beam to rest on it.)
Door opening
Wall 120cm
Door opening
Wall 40cm (will keep for the beam to rest on it.)
The problem is that none of the above allows for calculating or even assessing what is needed to replace the wall that is to be removed. With some probability, both the walls that the beam will rest on may need reinforcement, as well as the walls/ceiling on the floor below (possibly even the basement). The details of the house matter and you haven't even described the wall type ;-)
So the short version: follow the DIY expert's advice and bring in an engineer to inspect and calculate it. It's worth the money.
So the short version: follow the DIY expert's advice and bring in an engineer to inspect and calculate it. It's worth the money.
Using this thread since it's about the same thing.
According to the calculation program, my LT beam will need a pillar that can handle 13.3kN, i.e., LT 90*90.
Can I replace this with 3 pieces of 45*70?
The wall consists of 70mm studs, so squeezing in a 90 is kind of tricky.
//Sture
According to the calculation program, my LT beam will need a pillar that can handle 13.3kN, i.e., LT 90*90.
Can I replace this with 3 pieces of 45*70?
The wall consists of 70mm studs, so squeezing in a 90 is kind of tricky.
//Sture
If you use MLD for the calculations, you will get suggestions for alternative dimensions for columns. Maybe there is an option that matches your width?
It is very educational and easy to use.
See attached link:
http://www.martinsons.se/default.asp?id=28185
It is very educational and easy to use.
See attached link:
http://www.martinsons.se/default.asp?id=28185
I have Vista and that doesn't work in Vista. Sad
this is the value from Moelven
2-story house, and this is the middle of the house.
Measurement B1 according to figure: 3200 mm
Measurement B2 according to figure: 3600 mm
Bearing span (L in figure): 1800 mm
Safety class 2
climate zone Stockholm
local type Residential building (Load group 1)
Beam deflection (service load):
Required support length:
Load for column calculation:
Self-weight beam:
Required beam dimension:
6 mm (L/525)
min 68 mm
21.3 kN
31 kg
LT 66x315
If someone else can try in the above-linked program I would be very happy
this is the value from Moelven
2-story house, and this is the middle of the house.
Measurement B1 according to figure: 3200 mm
Measurement B2 according to figure: 3600 mm
Bearing span (L in figure): 1800 mm
Safety class 2
climate zone Stockholm
local type Residential building (Load group 1)
Beam deflection (service load):
Required support length:
Load for column calculation:
Self-weight beam:
Required beam dimension:
6 mm (L/525)
min 68 mm
21.3 kN
31 kg
LT 66x315
If someone else can try in the above-linked program I would be very happy
Last edited:
Question no. 2. I need to tear down part of the outer wall, it is parallel to the floor joists from the upper floor. Do I need to insert a beam there as well? Not even those at the city planning department had a clear answer to that. Can't find a way to calculate it in that case.