Hi all builders!
I am in the process of remodeling my home and as part of that, we need to reinforce the joists between the ground floor and the upper floor. The house is an old Skånelänga with beams spanning from one long side to the other, and there is no load-bearing wall under parts of the house. The beams are approximately 6.50 meters long, which is quite long. It flexes noticeably when walking on the upper floor. We are considering placing an I-beam in the middle, across the existing beams, and supporting the I-beam with steel columns. The ceiling height on the ground floor likely allows for a steel beam but is not generous enough for a glulam beam.
Question 1: Does anyone know where you can conveniently buy steel beams (I live in Skåne) and what they usually cost per meter?
Question 2: The foundation consists of lightweight concrete blocks (crawl space) where the columns will be placed. What is the best way to anchor the columns in the blocks, bolts straight down into the blocks, or some other method?
Question 3: Is a structural engineer required to determine the dimensions of the beam and columns, or can I do this myself based on the length of the joists and the length of the I-beam?
Thanks in advance,
Petter
I am in the process of remodeling my home and as part of that, we need to reinforce the joists between the ground floor and the upper floor. The house is an old Skånelänga with beams spanning from one long side to the other, and there is no load-bearing wall under parts of the house. The beams are approximately 6.50 meters long, which is quite long. It flexes noticeably when walking on the upper floor. We are considering placing an I-beam in the middle, across the existing beams, and supporting the I-beam with steel columns. The ceiling height on the ground floor likely allows for a steel beam but is not generous enough for a glulam beam.
Question 1: Does anyone know where you can conveniently buy steel beams (I live in Skåne) and what they usually cost per meter?
Question 2: The foundation consists of lightweight concrete blocks (crawl space) where the columns will be placed. What is the best way to anchor the columns in the blocks, bolts straight down into the blocks, or some other method?
Question 3: Is a structural engineer required to determine the dimensions of the beam and columns, or can I do this myself based on the length of the joists and the length of the I-beam?
Thanks in advance,
Petter
1. Check with the nearest mechanical workshop, it usually ends up being the simplest and cheapest.
2. Hard to say, but assuming the block can handle the load, you can weld a plate on the underside of the column and drill a couple of holes for bolts/threaded rods/facade plugs.
3. If you need a building permit, the municipality may require calculations from a professional, otherwise, it seems like whatever beam you put there will be sturdier than it is today. If you aim for a beam as low as possible, HEA or preferably HEB is a better choice than IPE, but on the other hand, they weigh a bit more in relation to strength.
2. Hard to say, but assuming the block can handle the load, you can weld a plate on the underside of the column and drill a couple of holes for bolts/threaded rods/facade plugs.
3. If you need a building permit, the municipality may require calculations from a professional, otherwise, it seems like whatever beam you put there will be sturdier than it is today. If you aim for a beam as low as possible, HEA or preferably HEB is a better choice than IPE, but on the other hand, they weigh a bit more in relation to strength.
Hi Gabbe and thank you for your responses. As you said, whatever we put there will be more stable than what we already have. I'll see what mechanical workshops are nearby.
Petter
Petter
Well...
You probably buy steel beams best from a steel wholesaler.
Check out, for example, Stena Metall, Tibnor or why not
http://www.montano.se/dept/HEA-BALK_77610/SWE/SEK
As a price example:
I have a 200 mm HEA beam sandblasted/painted/cut. Cut to 5400 mm.
Purchased at Stålprodukter in Halmstad AB in 2010.
Price 5000 including shipping and VAT.
You probably buy steel beams best from a steel wholesaler.
Check out, for example, Stena Metall, Tibnor or why not
http://www.montano.se/dept/HEA-BALK_77610/SWE/SEK
As a price example:
I have a 200 mm HEA beam sandblasted/painted/cut. Cut to 5400 mm.
Purchased at Stålprodukter in Halmstad AB in 2010.
Price 5000 including shipping and VAT.