Can I remove the column under the load bearing beam?
#1
06-27-19, 10:04 AM
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Can I remove the column under the load bearing beam?
Hi,
I recently ripped apart my basement and found a column under a load bearing steel beam that I'd like to remove. The load above the beam is my floor only. The floor above is all open space without any additional columns touching the steel beam below. So it's really floor only being supported. The steel beam spans 15 feet from foundation to foundation with only that one single steel column in the middle. I'd really like to remove that column. I'm not even sure why it's there. Maybe it was required prior to the renovations of the rest of my house which had a column above it which supported the roof as well but that was removed and the load redistributed elsewhere. Can someone tell me if it can be safely removed? I've attached some photos.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsebJLwdThdOg5wbXU1KpChb6pTaAQ
Photo
Thanks.
I recently ripped apart my basement and found a column under a load bearing steel beam that I'd like to remove. The load above the beam is my floor only. The floor above is all open space without any additional columns touching the steel beam below. So it's really floor only being supported. The steel beam spans 15 feet from foundation to foundation with only that one single steel column in the middle. I'd really like to remove that column. I'm not even sure why it's there. Maybe it was required prior to the renovations of the rest of my house which had a column above it which supported the roof as well but that was removed and the load redistributed elsewhere. Can someone tell me if it can be safely removed? I've attached some photos.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsebJLwdThdOg5wbXU1KpChb6pTaAQ
Photo
Thanks.
#2
06-27-19, 10:21 AM
If there is a steel beam with a column under it I would say NO you cannot remove the column. That's a pretty massive I beam with what appears to be a footer so make that a double NO. I can assure you that beam and column is doing more than just holding up floor. You should consult with a structural Engineer to find out your options.
#3
06-27-19, 11:30 AM
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There is nothing but the floor and an ikea island above that beam and column. As I mentioned, there used to be another column on the floor above that held the roof but it was removed and the load redistributed to another beam. So it's really nothing but floor above the basement. But yeah should probably consult at expert.
#4
06-27-19, 05:09 PM
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https://www.awc.org/codes-standards/...tware/spancalc
Where does this 15 ft span land in this span calculator. If outside parameters, the floor will bounce. Column was put there for a reason, you can't just assume without a structural review by a qualified person.
Where does this 15 ft span land in this span calculator. If outside parameters, the floor will bounce. Column was put there for a reason, you can't just assume without a structural review by a qualified person.
#5
06-27-19, 05:26 PM
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Chris, its a steel beam, not wood. A structural engineer would need to know the size and gauge of the beam. It's probably 800 lbs just on its own. Not to mention the building materials and 40 lb/sq ft load rating.
#6
06-28-19, 06:55 AM
If removing the column is a high priority, getting a licensed structural engineers approval/disapproval before taking action should be a higher priority. Finding out down the road you have created structural problems due to removing the column is not something easily reversed.
#7
06-28-19, 03:16 PM
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Was thinking more of the joists that are supported buy this steel beam. Would imagine that this is the central point for a floor system that extends out in two directions from the steel beam. So the span calculator is still a potential valid tool in this instance.
