Beam sizing for interior loft

[Imusprofit]

I'm putting a loft in my pole barn, but can't find any tables on the web that would fit my situation. Decking tables include snow loads, and general framing tables include load bearing walls, neither of which I have. Can someone point me to a table or give me their thoughts?

Here is my design. A elevated platform, 6' 2" off the floor (bottom of beam), which will span the full width of my building. 6 x 6 posts to support beam with floor mounting plates, spaced 11' 6" apart, center to center. Joists will be 8' long and fasten to beam and ledger using ticos. Outdoor deck tables suggest I use double 2x12s, but that includes snow loading. Can I get by with a double 2x10? The difference is only 2 inches, but head clearance is at a premium.
Thx.

 

[Samh]

I'd use an LVL. Depending on the length of your barn, you could get it in once piece. 1 9-1/4 beam should be able to handle that load, or two 7-1/4 beams.

http://www.buildoncenter.com/assets/onCENTER Product Guide Addendum - All 2.0E LVL Depths.pdf

Edit to Add: My assumption is using 50lbs/sqft load

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Is this "free-standing"?
Or, are the joists tied to the structure's wall on the other end?
And, when you say "headroom at a premium"- are you referring to under the loft or above the loft?

A 12' free span is not huge- what you use will be dependent on the load you're putting on it. Figure 50psf. You can find several span charts on-line.

 

[Imusprofit]

Is this "free-standing"?
Or, are the joists tied to the structure's wall on the other end?
And, when you say "headroom at a premium"- are you referring to under the loft or above the loft?

A 12' free span is not huge- what you use will be dependent on the load you're putting on it. Figure 50psf. You can find several span charts on-line.

Not free standing. Ledger board along back wall bolted to 2x6 studs. headroom premium above loft. 50psf is high, no? Deck designs around here are 40psf and that includes dead and live load. This space will be used for storage mostly.

Unless someone else chimes in, I'm going to go with double 2x10s with 2x6 joists, 16" on center. Thanks for feedback.

 

[ericlar80]

Check out this link:
https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/arch264/calculators/example8.1/index.html

With 6" beams and 11'6" center to center, you have an 11' unsupported span.

2x8 is the lightest joist you should use for 24" spacing, or you can get away with 2x6 with 16" spacing, both for live loads. Go one size taller if you don't want any bounce. I would do 2x8 on 16".

For the beam, you should double up two 2x14s that are grade structural select, or triple 2x14s in grade No1. Another option is a 6x14 beam in No1. You can probably step down in size if you take the span from 11' to 10'.

 

[Imusprofit]

I'd use an LVL. Depending on the length of your barn, you could get it in once piece. 1 9-1/4 beam should be able to handle that load, or two 7-1/4 beams.

http://www.buildoncenter.com/assets/onCENTER Product Guide Addendum - All 2.0E LVL Depths.pdf

Edit to Add: My assumption is using 50lbs/sqft load

YIKES! I just check prices for LVL beams. Stronger, yes but not cost effective. More than double the price of conventional.