Support beam for 20x30

[jeffpettis]

I have looked for the last few days but can't seem to find anything specific. I am wanting to use the 20x34 plans but extend it to 40'. This will make my Living room roughly 20'x16'. My question is, without using engineered floor joists, where can I find a table or spec that tells me how big this beam should be or the maximum span for this beam. I have seen the specs for girders but I assume this is not considered a girder. If I extend the length to 40' is my only option engineered joists or a post in the middle of the floor. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[Steve_B]

Jeff... hold on just a bit, someone will answer with where it is in the code table.... I am no expert, so I leave it to someone else

[MountainDon]

It is not clear to me which beam is being referred to.   Maybe I've missed some reference in some other post, but I've been away a while and may not wade through all that has transpired in my ebsence.

[jeffpettis]

Thanks for the replies. Steve_B, I was referring to the beam that supports the second floor joists that span the living room in the 20x34 Universal plans.

[MountainDon]

I was referring to the beam that supports the second floor joists that span the living room in the 20x34 Universal plans.

Well, most of us do not have those plans and don't have a clue. . So I'm still assuming... assuming the beam that is referenced runs down the center in the 34 foot direction to support the center of the upper floor joists that run in the 20 foot direction. Then the missing information is what is the desired spacing between supports for that beam?  Maybe it's just me who's a tad dense.

[jeffpettis]

Yes the beam runs down the center in the 34' direction, well offset a little to one side. The "desired" spacing is around 16 feet between supports so I wouldn't have to put a support post in the middle of the living room floor.

[UK4X4]

Forte software will do that for you- pretty easy to use
your tributary is 10ft of the 20

If you post up post locations I can do it for you - or also your local lumber yard too if you have the spans and loads on a sketch.


As a note I have a 2 story 36 ft long 26 ft wide

My support beam is exposed

8 3/4" 24F V4 DF Glulam

with 3 equally spaced pillars

[Don_P]

Sweet