Extending a RSJ

[Jonleeper]

When we uncovered the external wall, in the 1950's semi I am extending, we discovered a small RSJ running accross the room. The room is the corner of the detached end and has two internal walls to complete it. The RSJ is about 35mm x 75mm and runs from the internal deviding wall, on the flat wall side of the chimney, to the external wall. This effectivly splits the room in half and the floor joists simply fit into the web of the RSJ. This reduces the outside joist length (fixed to the other external wall) to a bit less than 2m and the internal one to about 1.8m. This is now supported by the, considerably bigger, steel inserted into the first external wall. As I want to take out the chimney from the room on the other side of the internal wall I did some investigation and this too has a RSJ running into the front of the chimney. If I take out the chimney the RSJ will be about 250mm short of resting on the deviding wall and thus the floor will fall down! Is there a, realtivly, easy way of extending the RSJ to reach the deviding wall or do I have to leave the ground floor part of the chimney in place. I have not got the funds or time to remove the RSJ and replace.

many thanks,

Jon

[redgriff500]

In my Dads steel barn they have joined RSJ's by bolting steel plates both sides of the web.

I'd suggest that you'd want a calc confirming this will hold BEFORE doing it but I can't see why it wouldn't work and be fairly simple to do.

[russ_a]

As mentioned you will need a structural engineer to take a look. We just had two calcs done for two beams, cost £150 ish including VAT.

My un-professional opinion was the existing beams would be sufficient and we could just knock a bit of a wall out. I was wrong!!

[Simpo Two]

russ_a said:

My un-professional opinion was the existing beams would be sufficient and we could just knock a bit of a wall out. I was wrong!!

Russ, last month:

[Nobby Diesel]

1. Engage a structural engineer.
2. You can fish plate and bolt the extension.
3. You will not find an RSJ of the dimensions you state.
4. An RSC of the dimensions that you mention SHOULD be available from a steel stockist. I would suggest you hunt around though, as most stockists will only want to sell you 6000mm lengths.
5. Good luck.