Any structural engineers?

[crossy67]

We have a large barn we are going to be converting into a house. It's 10meters by 17 meters, stone built with stone rubble walls 700mm thick. I asked the builder who's going to be doing the work with us what he thought the chances of having the first floor spanning the 10 meters with no supports using either gluelam beams or some form of light weight steel. He spoke to his materials supplier who said that sort of span isn't possible as the stone walls won't stand the weight or they will belly. I am having trouble believing this as the roof sits higher up and there is evidence of the old floor that fell down in a fire 80 yeas ago.

We have to use an architect to have plans drawn up because of the area we live in, I would like a 2nd opinion before we visit them so we know what our options are.

Main reason for wanting a light weight solution is logistically access to half of the building from outside is not possible, it's joined by neighbours on one side and our current house on the other.

[crossy67]

Depth in what way? The walls are stone and mud sitting on soil. The barn is very old.

[crossy67]

"I" see

Within reason unlimited. The barn is 8 meters tall and we only want two stories.

[crossy67]

Yes, in very un-Pistonheads fashion we're having to be very very budget concious. If I was going to build a steel structure I could just build a 2nd skin of concrete block inside to support the floor. My original plan was to build a load bearing wall half way down the middle, have a lintel over to a pillar and another into the far end wall, basically bisecting the barn and reducing the span to 5m. Doing it this way would be cheaper and easy but will restrict layout.
There is a very good concrete floor but I don't know exactly how thick it is.

I'll try to get some pictures up when I get back on my main pc.

[crossy67]

Thanks to all for the advice and Topolino for your kind offer.

I'm in France and as such we don't have building regs here. However, if your construction is over 150m2 (used to be 170m2) you need to get an architect involved so we will have to employ one but I'm not sure how far into the engineering side of things they go to here. Also being in France steel is really expensive and generally not of the highest standard.

[crossy67]

Thanks for taking the time to work that out Tom.

Looks like a spinal wall with steels at ~3m intervals into the wall then hanging joists off these is the way to go.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice, much appreciated.