concrete pier question

[astidham]

Hello All,
i was wondering if my 20x36 1 story will need a row of piers in the middle at 10'? i plan on building 10' side walls so i can have a loft at one end and spacing my piers at 6'.
also is 6' to close spacing for them?

[dug]

Too many variables.

What plans?
Ridge beam or ridge board?
What size beams?
What size floor joists?

Most likely you wouldn't need center beam but it would enable you to down size floor joists.

[poppy]

More variables:

Any interior load bearing walls?
Climate/soil conditions?
Perimeter beams or inset to reduce joist span?

[astidham]

how i understand the plans, it is a 20x30 bought from this website with no interior loads.
my soil is very thick red clay.
i live in oklahoma so frost depth is only 16".
i was thinking of spanning the 20' with 2x material on 16s.
for the support beams i was going to build a 2x8 or 2x10 or whatever needed laminated with plywood.
the reson for this question is that phalynx built his 1.5 storey with only 2 rows of piers spaced 8' apart

[MountainDon]

John's 20" wide plans do not call for center beams or piers. (They also do not have interior load bearing walls.) All that is dependent on 3 things. 1. Using the material grades exactly as specified. 2. Following the plans without making changes that would increase loads. 3. Approval by your local building inspection department, where in effect.

The main floor plan can be modified to include a central beam and use smaller joists. It's my opinion that the foundation is easier with fewer piers.

As for the beams, the plans include details on the lumber sizes and grades to be used, as well as the maximum spacing of the  piers. There's no problem placing the piers closer together. Increasing the spacing should only be done with an engineer or architects guidance.

If you are increasing the side wall heights and already have John's plans you might want to post the question in the PLANS SUPPORT section. John will be sure to see the question there quicker than anywhere else.

[astidham]

thank you MountainDon i will