Rotated main beam - What is too much?
Rotated main beam - What is too much?
(OP)
100+ year old home. Main beam (7"x9") has rotated about 8 degrees out of the vertical. Beam rests on brick piers that have wood shims (appeared to be tongue-0in-groove boards) on top.
I know that some beam rotation (especially for a solid member) can be expected; however, is there a practical limit?
Any ideas on how to provide some bracing without replacement?
I know that some beam rotation (especially for a solid member) can be expected; however, is there a practical limit?
Any ideas on how to provide some bracing without replacement?






RE: Rotated main beam - What is too much?
RE: Rotated main beam - What is too much?
How long is the beam? Is there any evidence of shims where the beam sits on the masonry piers?
A 7"x9" beam seems somewhat small for a main beam if it's 20' long and has a tributary area of 10'. It "seems" to be okay for a 10' long beam.
But as always, I could be wrong.
RE: Rotated main beam - What is too much?
1. Beam is about 8 feet long - tributary loading is only about 12 feet.
2. When constructed, wood shims (actually a board) was installed on top of the column.
3. If I had to make an educated guess, this condition has been like this for some time.
4. Unfortunately, photos taken did not come out.
5. Previous owner installed 2 screw jack columns just to the inside of the brick piers under the beam section that is the most twisted (generally the middle of 3 sections - outer two sections are relatively plumb).
6. Because the home was framed with recycled/reclaimed lumber (lack of uniformity; previous mortise and tenon holes in joists, etc), there are many shims/blocks between the joists and the tops of the beam.
7. There was no visible distress as a result.
My guess is to leave it along, though I wonder if placing a permanent column under the middle of the section that is twisted the most (to replace the ugly and unapproved screw jacks) would be a visually preferable alternative. I was not provided any reason why the jacks were installed.
RE: Rotated main beam - What is too much?
Sorry.
RE: Rotated main beam - What is too much?