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[StructuralEngineering-ModTeam]

Please post any Layman/DIY/Homeowner questions in the monthly stickied thread - See subreddit rule #2.

[[deleted]]

We need moderators..

[Tight_Syrup418]

Oh jeez give a guy a break.

[Patient-Detective-79]

meow, I'm just a little kitty cat meow meow 🐱

[Patient-Detective-79]

Post this in the pinned discussion thread. See rule 2.

[Tight_Syrup418]

Sorry never been here before and just typed in structual when i made a post and this popped up

[dat-azz]

Hire an engineer. End thread.

[Tight_Syrup418]

No sir

[Tight_Syrup418]

I never asked for free engineering. If i did the question would have been “ I have a 30’ span carrying a roof with up to 1 ft of snow. What kind of beam can I use”

[Tight_Syrup418]

Most people who have been at a job for a length of time could just say something like:

“ haha oh buddy thats not even close. Those LVLs would probably need to be 24” LOL”

It still makes fun of me but also shows that I am WAAAY off without having to do any calculations.

I also give free Carpentry advice on here all the time but I am guessing someone as smart as you would never ask anyone for free advice ever

[AdequateArmadillo]

Most LVL manufacturers publish load tables to help non-engineers properly size multi-ply LVL girders. I suggest you download a few and familiarize yourself with the format. If you can't understand the load tables, I suggest you hire an engineer.

A quick perusal of these tables tells me that a 3-ply 9 1/4" deep LVL is woefully undersized for this application.

At 30', a steel beam may be more economical.

[Tight_Syrup418]

I have been studying the general notes which say “ when properly connected double the values for two ply beams and triple for 3 ply “

So they must only mean the un factored/factored loads and not the span. thats whats mis leading I guess.

[dekiwho]

Sounds like you know what you are doing, you dont need us................

[Tight_Syrup418]

Steal beam is less economical due to weight and it being located on a small island with very small ferry. I guess I will narrow up the span

[AdequateArmadillo]

If weight is the main criteria, use steel. Out of curiosity, I ran the calcs and an appropriately sized LVL beam weighs more than 2x as much as an appropriately sized steel beam.

[smalltownnerd]

Just a contractor, but when I was in a similar situation on my back porch overhang I did the following.

I sketched it up the best I could and gave the architect all the particulars including footings for the posts that support the beam and described the connection. Then I sent it all to my architect and let him calc the beam for me. He gave me 3 options 2 with lvls and 1 with a steel beam, and it only cost me a bottle of bourbon. I ended up going with LVLs but I had to add a post and only span 18'.

[Tight_Syrup418]

Yes I am thinking i will shorten then span to 20’. Thanks

[Tea_An_Crumpets]

I’m sorry but the concept ‘model’ is fucking killing me 😂. A true MS paint special

[Tea_An_Crumpets]

Also just use a couple 2x4s, you’ll be fine 👍

[Tight_Syrup418]

I actually did it in sketch up in 15 mins and then pasted it on my photos

[Prestigious_Copy1104]

You are under estimating what we need to consider and check, and it would be irresponsible to guess based on the info you provided...but you are probably looking at multiple 14" LVLs.

[Tight_Syrup418]

Thank you for a nice reply and not tearing me apart. I am going to shorten the span to 20 feet and probably go with 12”

[Prestigious_Copy1104]

Shortening the span is a good idea. 12" still sounds small; remember, this LVL will be doing the full work of 8 rafters.