Howdy Johnny,

You could use a WF4X13 wide flange I beam.
Width is 4.06 inches, height is 4.16 inches,
weight is 13 pound per foot.

Are you SURE the beam is hardwood????

Pat  http://www.aquasite.com/skonkworks

Ppl's in my neck of the woods call them "H" beams, seen many a house with one, the problem with them here, is that the local code guy's don't like giving approval for residential const. as there is no "flame" load that they can assign to it, so I said one of them, "and you are worried about it burning ?" and he said, "LOL, no, the problem is, at what point does it start to bend, and everything falls in..... I replied "at that point, would it matter ??"

my 2 cents worth.

I've always heard that the trouble with steel is that it expands as it heats popping the building when it twists and warps.

Nick
I love materials science!

try a micro lam beam all woood but manuly constructed for the job no beanding at the melting point

LMAO ! I guess I missed my own point... that is (was) if the steel beam got to the point of bending because of heat, wouldn't the rest of the wood frame home be a write-off anyhow ????

:)

Is there a company that sell connecting system for steel beam/joist for residential housing ? I am thinking something like Simpson ties except for steel beam/joists. Much appreciated.