Question about span beam strength

[NLMURPHY]

I have an old hay barn , the door/horizontal beam span is 14’. It’s a 6”x6” and reduces to 4”x4” where it connects to the vertical 9”x9” beams. I’m just wondering what weight I should expect that horizontal beam to support if I wanted to add a hoist/chainfall to it?
Not sure how to factor in the reduction at the joint ? Would you calculate strength of entire beam at 4x4” since that’s the connecting point ?

 

[carlaisle]

A 6x6 what? A 6x6 1/8" wall aluminum extrusion is somewhat different from a white oak timber. The missing information notwithstanding, the method of reduction from 6x6 to 4x4 is pertinent to this question, as is the load supported by this 6x6 that reduces to a 4x4. Too many unknowns to make even a reasonably informed guesstimate. What are you planning to lift?

 

[kwb]

Spam isn't considered a structural material.

 

[Beamer]

Free structural advice is a risky thing.

 

[Beamer]

Spam isn't considered a structural material.

That might depend on how old it is.

 

[Innovate1]

If the beam is reduced only at the very end where it connects it shouldn't reduce the load capacity in the middle as the peak stress is at the center when the load is applied in this case. Otherwise it depends on the type of wood (I am guessing this is wood).

WWPA has or at least had a free excel spreadsheet to calculate loads on wood beams, joists, etc.

 

[NLMURPHY]

It’s a 100+ year old wooden beam, I’m not sure the species of tree, just curious about a rough estimation of what it might handle , is it crazy to think it could handle 8/900 pounds? Now that I know the calculation is based more on center size than the connected point I can go off that , thank you.

 

[Innovate1]

14' is a large span. I just ran the numbers for SPF (spruce/pine/fir) and got about 250lbs allowable load. If it is Douglas Fir it's about 500 lbs. No way I would be putting 800 lbs on it. If you can put some supports closer to the load so the span is much less it might be doable.

 

[mike93lx]

14' is a large span. I just ran the numbers for SPF (spruce/pine/fir) and got about 250lbs allowable load. If it is Douglas Fir it's about 500 lbs. No way I would be putting 800 lbs on it. If you can put some supports closer to the load so the span is much less it might be doable.

Temporary column when in use might work?

Tiger Brand 6 ft. 6 in. to 6 ft. 10 in. Adjustable Steel Building Support Column 3 in. O.D. 3A-66610 - The Home Depot

The Tiger Brand Jack Post 6 ft. 10 in. Adjustable Steel Building-Support Column is used for primary support under wood or steel beams in new-home construction or re-modeling projects. It is adjustable

www.homedepot.com

 

[Beamer]

He didn't say where he is.
In the northeast the historic wood is often chestnut.
Tough to find references on that.