Structural Engineer in Okotoks/Calgary

[Barton]

Can anyone recommend a structural engineer in the Calgary area. I have a main beam that runs under my floor joists on the main floor of my 2 story house. I would like to move it up into the ceiling by attaching the floor joists with hangers.

Just looking to see if anyone has worked with someone they would recommend.

Thanks.

 

[ferniesnow]

Can anyone recommend a structural engineer in the Calgary area. I have a main beam that runs under my floor joists on the main floor of my 2 story house. I would like to move it up into the ceiling by attaching the floor joists with hangers.

Just looking to see if anyone has worked with someone they would recommend.

Thanks.

Talk to the building inspector and maybe he will give you some ideas....should be a cheaper first step.....

 

[Barton]

But then I'd actually have to get permits.

Your right...it's probably a good place to start.

 

[Al "ley Cat"]

Can anyone recommend a structural engineer in the Calgary area. I have a main beam that runs under my floor joists on the main floor of my 2 story house. I would like to move it up into the ceiling by attaching the floor joists with hangers.

Just looking to see if anyone has worked with someone they would recommend.

Thanks.

Im not a engineer but , most of the times the space between the beam and top of joist is the perfect place for plumbing pipes,duck work for furnace,cold air returns,electric wiring,vent stacks...etc.The beam will most of the times line up with a wall that is supporting your 2nd story fl. joists.This wall is 2 by 6 to accommodate; plumbing and heating ducts.Is your basement ceiling open?If it is take a look in between the joists for these things .How old is the house? Moveing the beam could be done but youd have to reroute all your pipeing , venting ...ect. MAJOR $$$$$$$$

 

[Barton]

Thanks Al. I do realize what is involved. This is the beam that supports the second story floor joists. No electrical runs to worry about. May have to move a heat duct or two but I think I can run a central chase to get everything where it needs to go. What I really hate is having this beam that divides the room. Still working through all the details.

 

[maxwell]

i take it your house will be completely torn apart? because the second floor joists will need to be supported and cut so the beam can be raised.

what do you need the structural engineer for? sizing of the joist hangers>?

the other issue is the supporting ends...how is the beam supported at either end now? does it run the full length of the house? is there teleposts?

how deep is the beam? if it is deeper than the floor joists you will need to resize the beam. so it is hidden. may require adding an additional telepost.

i can size all of these things for you i am a construction engineer. cant sign anything though!

 

[Cyle]

Chances are there is going to be a lot of things in there they tend to put plumbing, heating, electrical everything you can think of on the beam. You could easily hanger all the joists onto the beam, but your in for a lot of work. A few calls to someone like simpson would give you all the details on the hangers you need, no need to pay an engineer. The floor is already engineered for span, etc and your not changing that. Not to mention, you have to rip out all the beam supports to raise them up. New teleposts, or whatever is used. Why don't you just build a bulkhead to drop the ceiling the 13" or whatever thickness the beam is and be done with it?

 

[Al "ley Cat"]

Thanks Al. I do realize what is involved. This is the beam that supports the second story floor joists. No electrical runs to worry about. May have to move a heat duct or two but I think I can run a central chase to get everything where it needs to go. What I really hate is having this beam that divides the room. Still working through all the details.

I miss understood your ? sounded like basement beam.So it is just a short beam than.8 to 12 feet? between dining and living rms.

 

[Al "ley Cat"]

Forgot to tell you Barton just go down to your city hall building department and ask them what is needed to be done and still be legal.Ive done this many times in Edmonton and they dont ask for any names or address.

 

[Barton]

i take it your house will be completely torn apart? because the second floor joists will need to be supported and cut so the beam can be raised.

what do you need the structural engineer for? sizing of the joist hangers>?

the other issue is the supporting ends...how is the beam supported at either end now? does it run the full length of the house? is there teleposts?

how deep is the beam? if it is deeper than the floor joists you will need to resize the beam. so it is hidden. may require adding an additional telepost.

i can size all of these things for you i am a construction engineer. cant sign anything though!

House is a Nascor home built about 18 years ago.

Yes...the main floor is getting a major overhaul. Beam measures 9" (4-2x10's)...Floor joists are a Nascor NJ series 9-1/2". (I found the specs on the Joist hangers on Nascors website so I don't think that is an issue now.) The beam is supported at the outside wall. (Haven't opened that up yet to see what is supprting it.) Runs 11' to an interior wall and is supported by 4-2x6's and then a telepost in the basement. From this interior wall it is then tucked into the floor joists for three feet to the wall that supports the stairs. Again supported by a telepost in the basement.

What I am looking at now is running one continuous beam from the outside wall to the stair wall flush with the floor joists. I think this will accomplish 2 goals. Getting rid of the seperation of the two rooms and possibly getting rid of one telepost in the basement that now supports under the interior wall.

Let me know if you think I'm on track here.

I appreciate all the feedback guys. Keep it coming.
Barton