rac
Active member
Does anyone know the best online calculator for ridge beam sizes and rafter lengths?Trying to see if 2 2x12 will span 32ft with no center post. And what pitch a 16 ft rafter will go 14 ft. and leave about 1ft. overhang.Thanks.
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Free online calculator
- Thread starter rac
- Start date
Jaxrunner
Member
good luck finding a 32' 2x12.
speed bump
Well-known member
Why don't you just call your local truss company and ask them?
DCLXVI
Member
Try http://www.southernpine.com/
Didn't see anything 32 feet long though.
Didn't see anything 32 feet long though.
Jaxrunner
Member
A 24' is going to be the largest 2x12 w/ grade stamp on it. You can get larger one's milled if you are lucky. Then you have get them dry and inspected. Your best bet is going to be to get an engineered beam.
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32' is a long way for a free span.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
32 foot unsupported span, in structural wood, no way, no building department would allow it.
According to the link, seems possible but impractical/expensive in engineered wood...
Guessing you would need roughly 36-40" beam height, and your retirement savings to pay for them.
http://www.datummarketing.com/articles/lumber.pdf
According to the link, seems possible but impractical/expensive in engineered wood...
Guessing you would need roughly 36-40" beam height, and your retirement savings to pay for them.
http://www.datummarketing.com/articles/lumber.pdf
Jaxrunner
Member
There are several variables to sizing your ridge beam. You really need to give us a better idea of your garage design. If you give me more information I do not mind doing a quick calculation to give you an idea on the size beam you will need. I have never in 9 years sized an engineered beam larger than a 24" depth. You might want to also think about using ceiling joists. That will reduce the size of the beam.
Jaxrunner
Member
I would say no. In general, when ever you have a splice in the beam you need a support directly under it. The other option in to make a connection strong enough for the loads in every direction. The cable seems like it is just holding the walls from falling out.
White 99
Well-known member
Could the garage be made with joists and a ridge board? Then the rafters hold the ridge board and the joist holds the walls together. You will have a ceiling then.
I am no carpenter but that is how my 24X50 garage was made. I wanted stem walls upstairs but it got too complicated getting a ridge beam so I went with conventional construction and a ridge board. Again I am no carpenter but that was how it was explained to me.
I am no carpenter but that is how my 24X50 garage was made. I wanted stem walls upstairs but it got too complicated getting a ridge beam so I went with conventional construction and a ridge board. Again I am no carpenter but that was how it was explained to me.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
Go with a flitch beam (steel plate sandwiched between 2 2x12's) or a steel beam with nailers added to the top flange.
ddawg16
Well-known member
My ridge beam spans 27'. It's 2 6"x12 tied together with a Simpson connector and center support beam. The support sits on top of a PSL beam, 7"x16"x20'.
From what you are asking....it looks like you need to get an engineer to works things up....
From what you are asking....it looks like you need to get an engineer to works things up....
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
According to the Pocket Reference Guide, the maximum joist recommended is a 24' 2x12 ans max span for it is 18' give or take a couple of inches. As far as pitch you are going to roughly get 3:12 or 3.5:12 out of a 16' long board
charlie_nj
Well-known member
This one won't help you with beam sizing, but it will give you rafter lengths for various pitches and overhangs. I like it a lot and best of all its free.
http://www.northbridgesoftware.com/calc.html
http://www.northbridgesoftware.com/calc.html
RPH
Well-known member
Look at Lite Steel Beam.com
They have a new product for this purpose and does not need crane to place it.
Two people can install.
They have a new product for this purpose and does not need crane to place it.
Two people can install.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Hi there , new to this site. I am building a 16' long by 12' wide workshop. I am planing to use 2"X8" roof joists @ 16" oc. Trying to figure out what size ridge be would work.
What roof pitch are you planning on using?
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Try http://www.southernpine.com/
Didn't see anything 32 feet long though.
It is called a "span table". You typically can not find SPF (spruce/pine/fir) in anything longer than about 24'. Douglas Fir (west of the Mississippi) probably a bit longer.
OP, 32' is easy with an LVL (laminated verneer lumber). Of course you will need about 6-8 guys or a crane to lift it !
ssdave
Banned
If you're just trying to get your ceiling height higher by having an open ridge construction, it might be more cost effective (and a whole lot more stable structurally) to either make the walls higher and then use trusses, or use scissor trusses. You could also make the walls higher and then use a ridge board and ceiling joist type construction instead of a ridge beam.
You see a lot of old barns and sheds built with ridge beam construction fail by the walls bowing and the roof sagging. Not so much so with platform framing with ceilings to tie the walls together.
You see a lot of old barns and sheds built with ridge beam construction fail by the walls bowing and the roof sagging. Not so much so with platform framing with ceilings to tie the walls together.
skipperguy
New member
adding a 12 w by 14' long room to existing house. one 12' side adjoins the house, fully supported up to ridge. ridge beam will be 14' long, perpendicular to the house. celing will be vaulted fully to ridge beam. pitch around 7/12. rafters can be as required but 2 x 10 x 16" oc would be convenient. climate zone is 5 (lakes region of NH)
trying to calculate proper size for ridge beam
trying to calculate proper size for ridge beam
Jlbc212
Well-known member
adding a 12 w by 14' long room to existing house. one 12' side adjoins the house, fully supported up to ridge. ridge beam will be 14' long, perpendicular to the house. celing will be vaulted fully to ridge beam. pitch around 7/12. rafters can be as required but 2 x 10 x 16" oc would be convenient. climate zone is 5 (lakes region of NH)
trying to calculate proper size for ridge beam
Boise Cascade has on on-line calculator.
https://www.bc.com/manufacturing/bc-calc-software/