Steel Beam for Garage

[shortgoroper]

I am planning on putting a steel beam in my garage to attach a chain hoist and trolley to it.

It will not have any structural support of the garage and intended to be used for pulling some engines, and some other vehicle parts for repair and restoration. I am looking at getting a 1 ton chain hoist and trolley.

My question to you is... What size beam do I need for a clear span of 12 feet?

[monte55]

Your local steel supplier can give you that info. Don't guess. Talk to an expert.

[JSFAB]

Your local steel supplier, unlike what monte thinks, is not noted for engineers. They simply stock, and supply steel. They deliver, whatever size and length of steel you order, that's all.

This calculation is fairly simple, look to Dave's links. Some of the oldtimers here (poke-poke), will have books, that specify what's needed. You have simply, a max xxxx pound load, that may be centered between two supports, xx feet apart.

I would be more concerned with, how you plan to hold up (not really a big deal), and how you plan to stabilize the load (both ways).

[m.k.swelding]

whatever you got out back on the scrap pile will work.

[shortgoroper]

The beam will be set on the exterior wall (cinder block). then across to a perpendicular wooden beam. The steel I beam will then be fastened to that cross wooden beam, and the top of the cinderblock wall.

That link you guys mentioned does not exist.. got some type of error on their web page.

I will keep looking at that site though!

[davedarragh]

The beam will be set on the exterior wall (cinder block). then across to a perpendicular wooden beam. The steel I beam will then be fastened to that cross wooden beam, and the top of the cinderblock wall.

That link you guys mentioned does not exist.. got some type of error on their web page.

I will keep looking at that site though!

Try this:

www.engineersedge.com

navigate through the website, and you'll find the calculators

[Broccoli1]

The beam will be set on the exterior wall (cinder block). then across to a perpendicular wooden beam. The steel I beam will then be fastened to that cross wooden beam, and the top of the cinderblock wall.

That link you guys mentioned does not exist.. got some type of error on their web page.

I will keep looking at that site though!

Just find the Beam Deflection calculator once yer in the sire.

[fjk]

The beam will be set on the exterior wall (cinder block). then across to a perpendicular wooden beam.

how big/strong is that wooden beam?
how long is it?
what kind of wood?
what is it supported by?
any joints in the wood?
how are you joining the steel to the wood?
where in the wood beam's span does the steel beam join?
...

you have a more complex design than your first post implied.

the load on the steel beam is being supported by the cinder block
wall and the wood beam. worst case, all of the load is at one end
or the other, which means that either the wood beam or the cinder
block wall has to support the full load. plus, of course, half the weight
of the steel beam, plus the full weight of the lifting gear.
so now you have to also model the wood beam in the same manner
as you have to model the steel beam

plus the load is dynamic (lifting up/down, traveling side to side,
and swaying), that adds a complication to the work.

plus there is going to be a thrust (sideways force) on the wood
beam -- imagine lifting an x00 pound engine and then sliding
the trolley all they way in the direction of the wood beam
and letting it crash into the wood beam (or the stops on the steel
beam -- which will still transfer the force to the wood beam).
that's a side-force on the wood beam, which probably can't handle
it...


frank

[monte55]

Your local steel supplier, unlike what monte thinks, is not noted for engineers. They simply stock, and supply steel. They deliver, whatever size and length of steel you order, that's all.

This calculation is fairly simple, look to Dave's links. Some of the oldtimers here (poke-poke), will have books, that specify what's needed. You have simply, a max xxxx pound load, that may be centered between two supports, xx feet apart.

I would be more concerned with, how you plan to hold up (not really a big deal), and how you plan to stabilize the load (both ways).

Your local steel supplier should have this info of what I beams will carry per span with deflection etc. If not, they should. They do not need to be engineers. They should have charts on their steel from their suppliers.

[Desertrider33]

I would build it as a self-supporting gantry crane. Otherwise, you also need to know how much weight the wood beam and cinder block wall will support. Finding the needed size for the cross I-beam is easy compared to finding what the wood beam and wall will support.

Google 'gantry crane' and see how they're made.