Extensions

9m Steel Ground Floor To Support Upstairs And Loft

Anonymous user 16/03/2024 - 3.30 PM

Hello, I am looking at getting a downstairs extension and the original aim was to remove a load bearing column supporting the upstairs and expand to the side. I have received mixed information as to whether a proposed 8.5m steel would still need to be supported centrally by a load bearing column. The 'yes you can' to the 'you probably cannot' has come from two different designers who are both confident there Structural Engineer will support them. Obviously I don't want to commit and agree to a design if it's not actually possible! To add to the build challenge, the 8.5m Steel would need to connect to another 3.5m Steel, in effective causing a T shaped style connection. Is it common in the building industry to do such a thing without having a load bearing column? My concern is that with the size and weight of the steels in question, we would need a load bearing wall near where those two steels join. Also, Is it possible to have one Structural Engineer say it's not feasible and another stating that it's fine? Do they all comply with the same rules, or is it entirely possible that speaking to two different Structural Engineers would render completely different results? How do I ensure that I don't choose a Structural Engineer that is an 'outlier' or who chooses 'to go rogue' in this circumstance? My sole priority here is safety first, design second. I don't want anything to collapse, crack, droop or sink over time. Many thanks in advance.

J Ashley &S Dix building & Landscapeing

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Warminster

As a builder if the 2 structural engineers drawings were different I would contact a 3rd engineer to see what his calculations and drawings were , I would not just take it upon myself to decide until building control were happy with all calculations and drawings

Answered7 March 2024

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W Scott Building Services

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Batley

A chartered Engineer will design the steel depth, thickness, width etc to the desired length. If your wanting a span of 9m, then you’d be looking at a RSJ depth of anything between 400mm to 600mm depending on the load it’s carrying, importantly to remember you have a “Pointload” also with you cross beam which will be a big consideration when the engineer designs it all. You need to submit a Building Notification also to your local Building Control Office and they will need to see the Engineers conclusions

Answered11 March 2024

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Colin Hardy

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Birmingham

You really shouldn’t have a difference of opinion.! I would check their credibility and go from there. As a builder in the trade for 40 plus years with out a correct calculation & full working drawings I would not be doing the job.

Answered12 March 2024

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