New guy here looking for some advice. Had a task thrown in my lap that is not really in my wheelhouse. Got a fellow that is building a 26′ x 26′ garage and wants to add a workshop above it. The garage is more of a walkout basement, so the workshop will be at ground level.
Here is the situation: No vehicles, other than a couple dirtbikes will be in the workshop. need to span 26′ and support a 4″ thick concrete floor on this upper level. I have figured using W12x26 spaced about 5′ apart. 1 1/2″ deep 18ga steel deck under the concrete.
Not looking for free engineering here…..just don’t want to look like a complete dumb dumb when I go to an engineer for approval. Wondering if I am way off on my calcs?
Replies
Why would you take any calcs to an engineer? Isn't that what you hire the engineer for? You shouldn't be figuring anything.
a 12" deep beam works well
a 12" deep beam works well with all the constraints on the project (mainly head room in lower garage). Just didn't want to appear completely ignorant when I told the engineer that's what I would like to use,if possible.
Typically you take your plans to the engineer who figures out how to make them work. If you need headroom you tell the engineer who calculates what will work in your situation to get you what you want. Or, the engineer might tell you it can't be done the way you want. The engineer won't care what size steel beams you think will work since he has to work with the real world. Real world merans the next people who own the house might park a car in the space instead of a motorcycle or bike.
I don't know enough about steel beams to comment on the specific design.
But I do think you should take it seriously. Any large open space at ground level will probably end up with a vehicle in it at some point. It needs to be designed for that.
Why would ...
Why would you want a concrete floor in a shop on a second floor (ie you need some kind of a floor) which wouold not have anything but a couple of dirt bikes. Frame it as a residental floor, simple and cheap. And if anyone ever wished it to be living space you are set to go with relatively easy means to add plumbing in the floor.
i suppose the flip side is someone might some day wish to drive a car in there in which case a concrete floor is ready to go.
Just a thought or two.