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From: djdesch@comcast.net
Date: 8/21/2005
Time: 7:46:25 AM
Remote Name: 68.80.47.43
I would greatly appreciate some advice. I have a 2 story colonial house. We are finishing off our basement. One thing we are considering is moving the center support column that is supporting an I-beam that runs under our 1st floor. Currently the I-beam rests on cinder block at one side of the house, is then supported 11 ft. from this wall by the support column and then is supported by cinder block 11 ft 6" further at the crawl space and then is supported 11 ft. later by the other end of the house by cinder block. The I-beam is 8" tall and has a width (flanges) of 5" (total). Would it be possible to remove the current support beam and put two new support beams - 1 about 3 ft from the wall at the edge of the house and the other about 3 ft. from the cinder block at the crawl space - leaving an 18 ft span without support. I would greatly appreciate any advice as to whether this still allows for the structural integrity of the house and we will not risk the beam buckling at all and causing cracks in ceramic tile on the first floor above it or other wall cracks throughout the house. Thank you very much for your advice.