Laminated beam

[bones1]

What can I use for a 30' span lifting beam that would go in a pole building.It would be used to attach a chain hoist to pull engines etc.Ideally a 4''x30 ft aluminum i beam would do,but a 30' one would cost way too much.Can I span 30' with a laminated wooden beam that would hold 1000 lbs?.

 

[Egon]

Easiest to check with the people that will laminate the beam. They can design it for your needs.

 

[schmism]

ill pull up my beam softwere and run some LVL for ya

my softwere says a 30' 2 ply 2x14 (1.75x13.875) Versa-lam 2800-2.0 will hold 3000lbs at center span at 97% capacity.

you might check with your local lumber yard as to what kind of LVL they can get. Working in the industry i can tell you it goes all the way to (at least) 2' deep
note at full load (3K) look for almost 2" of deflection. (1.92" says my softwere)

oh must add disclamer, the above is for refrance only... if you hang the empire state building from it and it crashes down on your head, dont come looking for me

 

[Tom_Veatch]

What can I use for a 30' span lifting beam that would go in a pole building.It would be used to attach a chain hoist to pull engines etc.Ideally a 4''x30 ft aluminum i beam would do,but a 30' one would cost way too much.Can I span 30' with a laminated wooden beam that would hold 1000 lbs?.

Do not, repeat do NOT use these figures to fabricate a beam yourself. They are simply "back of the envelope" numbers you can use to decide whether or not you think it's feasible to proceed. As EGON said, use your supplier to engineer and fabricate the beam.

Assumptions:
1.A simply supported beam with a 30' clear span
2. Working load = 1000#
3. Safety Factor = 4
4. Material = Clear Straight Grained Wood (max fiber stress = 1500psi, modulus of elasticity = 1,500,000. These are typical values and vary with the wood species)
5. Maximum deflection = span/360 (1")
6. Rectangular Cross Section

This beam is deflection limited rather than strength limited.

Minimum Beam Cross Section Sizes (inches):

Base Height
4" 19.9"
6" 17.5"
8" 15.8"
10" 14.6"
12" 13.8"

Note that the beam cross section can be reduced significantly if there is some way of providing additional support other than simply resting it on pillars at the extreme ends. For example, if you are going to attach a track to the bottom of the beam for the chain hoist, it may be possible to suspend the beam from trusswork above the beam.

 

[laurencen]

one way is visit a demolition site of a warehouse or business that has fabricated joists, they are cheap, you will have to weld a 4 inch by 1/2 flat on the bottom for the hoist to run on, will be cheaper than a steel beam and considerably lighter, if you get a 40 footer you can easily cut it down

 

[MrJimi]

How about a 16 inch H beam , I'm sure that would hold 1,000 pounds easy and you could put a roller trolley under it.

It weighs 31 pounds per foot

Jim

 

[schmism]

Youll need to specify which version of I joist you are useing. My softwere inventory lists nearly 14 diffrent versions of 16" I-jost material. 5 from Boise alone, of which only 1 Boise grade worked for the follwing.

30' 2 ply 16" BCI 90-2.0 DF will carry 3000lbs center span at 75% capacity. But the softwere flags an excessive defection at nearly 2.25" center span.

Ref only, disclamer from above bla bla bla

 

[shvl73]

Consider how it will be braced to prevent lateral deflection under load, ie: flopping over flat and collapsing under any applied load. Bracing that ties into it but also bears some weight on the proposed beam should be calculated into it and will deduct from its load bearing capability.

 

[bones1]

shvl73 good point.I see we have some mechanical engineers on the board.Very good.
Thanks everyone for the help so far.
Laurencen ,by fabricated do you mean wood or metal?.
Mr Jimi,can you deliver me a couple of those beams?

Tom, can you elaborate on this.I do have trusses above where the beam would go but do you mean support it on the ends and attach to the trusses?.Here is a picture http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c29/shenders/barn086.jpg

 

[MrJimi]

Morning Bones, I bought a 50 foot beam and had them cut me two 24' 4" pieces and I had a short stub almost 3 ' and I'll use that for a anvil. I paid around $450 for that including 2 cuts and I picked it up myself on one of my 11 trailers, and I picked it up with my homemade crane and it was easy, figure 31 pounds per foot times 24'4 feet, it does get heavy.
Poles or columns, no matter where you put them, there always in the way, I have a almost 50' span with one in the middle, I can live with that
Jim