I am not an engineer and I don't see any comments from below from anyone else who claims to be one. And we can't see the thickness of the steel in those beams either.
As a structural engineer, I can say you are correct in theory. Whether an engineer was actually involved and sized/detailed it accordingly, or the welds were properly performed, I cannot say from this picture.
yep. can’t know what all it’s supporting without seeing the whole structure, but my guess is that this thing is waaaaaaaayyyy stronger than it needs to be. there’s some creative plumbing in that wall to route around the opening they made, so it goes to figure that it’s just your basic interior wet wall; no guarantee it’s even supporting the upper floor system and, at most, it might be supporting a portion of the roof load through a beam under the ridge or a dormer wall above. still, if the scale of the room isn’t distorted by the camera angle, i’d bet the 2 walls running perpendicular to this one are carrying more load
It doesn't look like it is load bearing, I would say it was just to stiffen the length of the wall?. If it was there for 30 years with no problems, why would it not last another 30?
I’m not asking if this is a bearing wall (it is). I’m not asking what to put in place of this steel (LVL beam). I’m asking what reddit thinks of the homeowner/hobbyist welder/shadetree PE header from 1994 (_____________).
Wow. Can't believe you found it. When I started in construction over 30 years ago I often heard whispers and rumours from the old timers of the "lightning bolt header.". I thought it was just a legend. But holy shit there it is right on my phone. I can't even. /s
This is very creative. I think it is doing the job as needed. My hunch is the two rooms were not connected or the Hme owners wanted a wider door at the same time the plumbing needed fixing.
I don't get the point of the wall at all. Did this wall run clear to the floor at some point and the header marks the end of where it was shortened? Ive seen dividing walls like this, but usually only a foot or so from the ceiling. It looks like maybe they were too lazy to re-route the vent pipe and since they discovered it after wanting to remove the wall, didn't want to put the wall back to the original ceiling to floor area.
It is hard to make out the beam from the wood. I have not seen the likes of it. One would think the two 90's would not affect the strength as long as it spans the bearing points.
Based on the stud gaps to the steel and the room being longer away from that wall, my guess would be the two perpendicular walls are load bearing and the joist/trusses above run parallel to that wall.
Architect here… if the ends of the steel tubes are fixed in place with some amount of backspan into the walls then sure it could maybe support something. I can’t see enough in the photo to be sure. And that would be one heck of a cantilever…
Sitting on at least 6x6 posts ends pinned and a tube at least 4" wide and 4" deep, guess that it is 3/8 wall. 10ft span with a 2000 lb center point load, deflection would be less than 30 thou, as long as the welds are good, and based on the marking that was done by someone who has done one or two. Im not saying it is good, but you cant just call it bonkers without doing the math.
I mean it's an interior wall so bearing shouldn't really be a concern. If it was a bearing wall then it would matter. However, as no weight is carried by this wall, you're just being a crybaby.
Since the room is narrower in the direction that the beam runs, it is likely that it is a non-load bearing section of wall/ header. I say this because the joists are likely running so I decide in this picture and that piece of steel may be holding up but you should open the ceiling on either side of it to visually verify that information. There could be a joist or joists above it that carry a load from above or it could be carrying nothing more than itself and a little bit of wood and drywall above it. That being said, then it doesn't look like anything an engineer would put they're stamp on. You would think it at least have some large triangular gussets from the drop piece to the horizontal piece on the right
If you do that you might as well just run both sides to a "peak" and have a triangular gusset resisting the tension at the joint. The member below the blue becomes unessesary.
Gusset not sufficient. Poorly designed. Point load right of gusset causes multiple moment arms in that shape that reduce strength of the beam radically.
Decent static diagram, but missing moment arms. Would typically solve this by splitting the beam at the zig, calculate moments to resist load on right side, apply resultant moment to left side, solve left side.
I am a metal worker, it looks safe. If you want some extra piece of mind, just make a slim wooden support beam to stand underneath the connection, i am guessing it will be covered by a wall anyways?
It depends on the weight distribution on the steel. In this universe that steel could be anywhere between completely insufficient and hellacious overkill. If the steel on either side of the picture cantilevers into the wall with load bearing down on it, or has downward tension on it via cables or redi-rod attached to a sufficient foundation anchor, then you aren’t relying on the welds alone for structural capacity. If there aren’t any cantilevers then the welds seem like they’d be insufficient but it depends on the load paths.
Yes. I can not think of any reason that someone would go through that much trouble if it was not. But out a little ceiling above one of the joists and check to see if two joists come together on that top plate.
I'm a structural engineer and this thing is actually over built in my opinion. I personally would recommend removing the short vertical piece of steel that joins the two horizontal ones. However this is not financial advise.
To answer some questions, roof trusses run perpendicular to this wall. It is the only wall in the span. Steel is 3-1/2” square 1/8” wall, and the welds are not the work of a professional (looks like MIG solid wire, no gas). Cripples are attached to the header with one 1/4-20 carriage bolt per. Supports are two trimmers on the right and one on the left. Why’s it shaped like this you ask? Hard sayin. There used to be a narrow pass-through at about chest height. Picture a sweaty kitchen with a line cook bending over to stick his head through and shouting order up
If the reason for this was to get that pipe through the beam, they could have done a square tube steel beam with a hole drilled for the pipe and reinforced the area. Even a second section of HSS welded below would have probably been sufficient. Even a rectangular section alone may have been enough.
That is truly bizarre, it would be very strong if the highest horizontal went clear across but this way it's not that strong but obviously strong enough for what it was built for.
Metal is stronger than wood my man 👉🏻
Steel sharpens Steel.
How do I upvote this 10x
Interestingly enough, in this case you are incorrect. Wood actually has a higher tensile strength than metal! (When being stretched)
Steel is stronger than wood. But if the wood that the steel is holding up, isn't touching the steel. It's not holding up shit.
“my man” and “my dude” just always roll off as condescending
I am not an engineer and I don't see any comments from below from anyone else who claims to be one. And we can't see the thickness of the steel in those beams either.
As a structural engineer, I can say you are correct in theory. Whether an engineer was actually involved and sized/detailed it accordingly, or the welds were properly performed, I cannot say from this picture.
yep. can’t know what all it’s supporting without seeing the whole structure, but my guess is that this thing is waaaaaaaayyyy stronger than it needs to be. there’s some creative plumbing in that wall to route around the opening they made, so it goes to figure that it’s just your basic interior wet wall; no guarantee it’s even supporting the upper floor system and, at most, it might be supporting a portion of the roof load through a beam under the ridge or a dormer wall above. still, if the scale of the room isn’t distorted by the camera angle, i’d bet the 2 walls running perpendicular to this one are carrying more load
I agree with this, but have a couple counter points.
I weld all kinds of shit for diy. You would be suprised
Looks like no one’s answered your question. So here it is:
Pros and cons that place also has giant telepathic spiders
Sounds like a place I need to figure out how to get to. My fiancée is always telling me about celebrity weddings and shit.
Is this also the universe where 9/11 never happened and instead is marshmallow it’s peanut butter in rocky road ice cream?
Epic 😄😄
I mean... the welds haven't broken? I'd definitely want to triangulate.
If you look really close there is a tiny brace plate in the internal corner at the bottom
I mean….. it’s bearing something. Not the way I’d have gone about it but sure, why not?
Yeah definitely creative
It doesn't look like it is load bearing, I would say it was just to stiffen the length of the wall?. If it was there for 30 years with no problems, why would it not last another 30?
I think you’re right about the stiffening. It did a pretty good job at that.
Hey bro, nice seeing you here.
Good eye airman
Looks to me like the beam above the steel, is actually the load bearing. And the steel is just to stiffen up whatever used to be there.
Don’t ask Reddit, ask an engineer.
I’m not asking if this is a bearing wall (it is). I’m not asking what to put in place of this steel (LVL beam). I’m asking what reddit thinks of the homeowner/hobbyist welder/shadetree PE header from 1994 (_____________).
Why the @#$& is the there...?
Wow. Can't believe you found it. When I started in construction over 30 years ago I often heard whispers and rumours from the old timers of the "lightning bolt header.". I thought it was just a legend. But holy shit there it is right on my phone. I can't even. /s
I heard when Boise Cascade got wind of this they offed the guy before he could put them out of business
Cute
dude it doesnt even make sense. and the way the plumbing is routed. yikes.
Would it make you feel better if I told you that carefully rerouted vent pipe was just dangling wide open in the floor for the last 30 years?
Don't worry its made from adamantium.
Both ends
This is very creative. I think it is doing the job as needed. My hunch is the two rooms were not connected or the Hme owners wanted a wider door at the same time the plumbing needed fixing.
I don't get the point of the wall at all. Did this wall run clear to the floor at some point and the header marks the end of where it was shortened? Ive seen dividing walls like this, but usually only a foot or so from the ceiling. It looks like maybe they were too lazy to re-route the vent pipe and since they discovered it after wanting to remove the wall, didn't want to put the wall back to the original ceiling to floor area.
That's got "free steel" written all over it. Doesn't look like they are a welder by trade though.
That is one hell of a moment weld …. Good ingenuity however lacking in engineering logic
What in the... this displeased me.
It is hard to make out the beam from the wood. I have not seen the likes of it. One would think the two 90's would not affect the strength as long as it spans the bearing points.
That's hot fucked up this is your brain can't even see it. It's protecting you.
That would be when it is demoed and laying securely on the ground....
Based on the stud gaps to the steel and the room being longer away from that wall, my guess would be the two perpendicular walls are load bearing and the joist/trusses above run parallel to that wall.
would have been welded off site and installed in place
That's not a problem from an engineering point of view if designed properly by someone competent.
Architect here… if the ends of the steel tubes are fixed in place with some amount of backspan into the walls then sure it could maybe support something. I can’t see enough in the photo to be sure. And that would be one heck of a cantilever…
Sitting on at least 6x6 posts ends pinned and a tube at least 4" wide and 4" deep, guess that it is 3/8 wall. 10ft span with a 2000 lb center point load, deflection would be less than 30 thou, as long as the welds are good, and based on the marking that was done by someone who has done one or two. Im not saying it is good, but you cant just call it bonkers without doing the math.
I mean it's an interior wall so bearing shouldn't really be a concern. If it was a bearing wall then it would matter. However, as no weight is carried by this wall, you're just being a crybaby.
Well you already demoed the wall, demo the ceiling as well to determine which way the joists run
Since the room is narrower in the direction that the beam runs, it is likely that it is a non-load bearing section of wall/ header. I say this because the joists are likely running so I decide in this picture and that piece of steel may be holding up but you should open the ceiling on either side of it to visually verify that information. There could be a joist or joists above it that carry a load from above or it could be carrying nothing more than itself and a little bit of wood and drywall above it. That being said, then it doesn't look like anything an engineer would put they're stamp on. You would think it at least have some large triangular gussets from the drop piece to the horizontal piece on the right
Yeah metal is stronger than wood but how strong are those welds....
Yes my man yes.
Should be fine
[удалено]
If you do that you might as well just run both sides to a "peak" and have a triangular gusset resisting the tension at the joint. The member below the blue becomes unessesary.
Gusset not sufficient. Poorly designed. Point load right of gusset causes multiple moment arms in that shape that reduce strength of the beam radically.
Decent static diagram, but missing moment arms. Would typically solve this by splitting the beam at the zig, calculate moments to resist load on right side, apply resultant moment to left side, solve left side.
Mechanical engineer… that baby will take the biggest of loads.
Like
I am a metal worker, it looks safe. If you want some extra piece of mind, just make a slim wooden support beam to stand underneath the connection, i am guessing it will be covered by a wall anyways?
It depends on the weight distribution on the steel. In this universe that steel could be anywhere between completely insufficient and hellacious overkill. If the steel on either side of the picture cantilevers into the wall with load bearing down on it, or has downward tension on it via cables or redi-rod attached to a sufficient foundation anchor, then you aren’t relying on the welds alone for structural capacity. If there aren’t any cantilevers then the welds seem like they’d be insufficient but it depends on the load paths.
Yes. I can not think of any reason that someone would go through that much trouble if it was not. But out a little ceiling above one of the joists and check to see if two joists come together on that top plate.
Thank God they put one random gusset plate on it
As a welder...those two steel tubings are not welded correctly. So whatever strength it has is by the grace of god. But if it holds it holds :)
Well it’s got a gusset so ya good
I'm a structural engineer and this thing is actually over built in my opinion. I personally would recommend removing the short vertical piece of steel that joins the two horizontal ones. However this is not financial advise.
This guy fucks
Matters what you have above it.
I'd be willing to bet it's 4x4 quarter inch tube steel, you could probably land a tank on that beam and it wouldn't move
I think in this universe
I think in this universe
Is it cantilevered?
What you see is essentially what you get. Two 2x4 trimmers on the right, one on the left.
To answer some questions, roof trusses run perpendicular to this wall. It is the only wall in the span. Steel is 3-1/2” square 1/8” wall, and the welds are not the work of a professional (looks like MIG solid wire, no gas). Cripples are attached to the header with one 1/4-20 carriage bolt per. Supports are two trimmers on the right and one on the left. Why’s it shaped like this you ask? Hard sayin. There used to be a narrow pass-through at about chest height. Picture a sweaty kitchen with a line cook bending over to stick his head through and shouting order up
Why would someone do that? It’s weird. Omg the vent is routed through the pillar??
If the reason for this was to get that pipe through the beam, they could have done a square tube steel beam with a hole drilled for the pipe and reinforced the area. Even a second section of HSS welded below would have probably been sufficient. Even a rectangular section alone may have been enough.
I do have relevant training and will repeat what was said above. It could be acceptable. Too many unknowns to tell from the picture.
I can't even fathom why someone would do this. Way easier to just toss in a beam, right?
That is truly bizarre, it would be very strong if the highest horizontal went clear across but this way it's not that strong but obviously strong enough for what it was built for.