Moving support column
#1
08-04-16, 11:35 AM
Moving support column
Hello,
I have a 4 level split home built in 1959 which has a basement area that is 23' x 23'.
There is a beam which runs down the middle of the basement and sits on the concrete foundation and is supported by two wood support columns with a concrete base.
The column at the furthest end of the building is about 77" from the concrete foundation. This column sits in the way of adding a room the way I'd like to, so I'd really like to get rid of it and add a column 24" away.
Here is a mockup of the current column location and what I'd like the room to be. I'd like to move the column to the left.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]69213[/ATTACH]
Questions are:
Would removing the column and replacing with a column such as this 24" away be ok?
Steel Column
Perhaps removing the column and replacing with two of the steel columns listed above on either side of the room.
I'm no engineer but I don't see this taking away from the structural integrity of the beam.
I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you for your time!
I have a 4 level split home built in 1959 which has a basement area that is 23' x 23'.
There is a beam which runs down the middle of the basement and sits on the concrete foundation and is supported by two wood support columns with a concrete base.
The column at the furthest end of the building is about 77" from the concrete foundation. This column sits in the way of adding a room the way I'd like to, so I'd really like to get rid of it and add a column 24" away.
Here is a mockup of the current column location and what I'd like the room to be. I'd like to move the column to the left.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]69213[/ATTACH]
Questions are:
Would removing the column and replacing with a column such as this 24" away be ok?
Steel Column
Perhaps removing the column and replacing with two of the steel columns listed above on either side of the room.
I'm no engineer but I don't see this taking away from the structural integrity of the beam.
I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you for your time!
#2
08-04-16, 12:38 PM
Group Moderator
Your drawing shows a seam/joint in the beam right where the current column is located. Moving the column away from that location would be a big NO NO. If there is no seam or joint in your beam at that location then you need an Engineer to calculate whether or not the beam can be relocated.
Another problem is that a column can not (should not) be located just on a concrete slab. A column needs a footing. Footings can be poured into the slab so they are not visible from above. If you move the columns location it's likely it will not be on a footer which is a NO NO.
Putting a column on either side of the room is not much an option. A new column on the left side would put it right next to the beam's support in the wall so that's no real help. As for a column on the right you have the same problem regarding a seam/joint in the beam and if there is no seam you still have the beam's span and footer issue.
Another problem is that a column can not (should not) be located just on a concrete slab. A column needs a footing. Footings can be poured into the slab so they are not visible from above. If you move the columns location it's likely it will not be on a footer which is a NO NO.
Putting a column on either side of the room is not much an option. A new column on the left side would put it right next to the beam's support in the wall so that's no real help. As for a column on the right you have the same problem regarding a seam/joint in the beam and if there is no seam you still have the beam's span and footer issue.
#3
08-04-16, 12:42 PM
Member
Do you mean move the column to the right?
Columns like that are often used to support basement beams. But the base of the column should rest on a footer, not just on the basement slab. Slabs are not designed to support point loads like a column. So you would have to cut an opening in the slab, excavate the dirt through the opening, and pour a concrete footer to support the post. How big and how deep is dependent on loading on the beam and post; that's an engineer's job to figure.
You would also need to determine if increasing the unsupported span of that section of beam is a problem. That post may have been placed there because it lines up with structure above and moving it may overload that part of the beam.
Now the engineer may tell you the beam is lightly loaded and you can move the post without issue, but the only way to know is to do the analysis.
Columns like that are often used to support basement beams. But the base of the column should rest on a footer, not just on the basement slab. Slabs are not designed to support point loads like a column. So you would have to cut an opening in the slab, excavate the dirt through the opening, and pour a concrete footer to support the post. How big and how deep is dependent on loading on the beam and post; that's an engineer's job to figure.
You would also need to determine if increasing the unsupported span of that section of beam is a problem. That post may have been placed there because it lines up with structure above and moving it may overload that part of the beam.
Now the engineer may tell you the beam is lightly loaded and you can move the post without issue, but the only way to know is to do the analysis.
#4
08-04-16, 12:58 PM
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I would recommend you find a local architect. I've worked on projects like this and the consultation fee and structural calculations are reasonable if drawings aren't required.
Assuming the existing beam is continuous across the top of the post, I would still want to know if the post can be moved and if a new footing would be required under it.
The architect can also review the specs on the steel posts and approve them if they qualify.
Assuming the existing beam is continuous across the top of the post, I would still want to know if the post can be moved and if a new footing would be required under it.
The architect can also review the specs on the steel posts and approve them if they qualify.
#5
08-04-16, 07:31 PM
Thank you for the feedback.
The beam spanning the basement is one continuous beam with no splits. The Google Sketchup drawing wasn't meant to reflect that. I've just started learning how to use it.
Any ideas on how much moving a support column generally runs if something could be done?
The beam spanning the basement is one continuous beam with no splits. The Google Sketchup drawing wasn't meant to reflect that. I've just started learning how to use it.
Any ideas on how much moving a support column generally runs if something could be done?
#6
08-05-16, 04:49 AM
Group Moderator
An Engineer will probably start at about $500. Then how much moving the support column will cost will depend on what the Engineer finds. It will also depend on whether or not you hire all the work or do it yourself. This work will likely require a building permit so there will be the permit cost. You're probably in for cutting a square out of your concrete floor. Hand digging and pouring a concrete footer for the new post location. Then the cost of a column.
