TOPIC: Who needs support anyway

I know what I think-structural engineer; what do you guys think? This is a steel beam in the garage that supports the floor above the garage. They added the garage door opener and cut the beam. Can you ever cut a beam?

Mike

I was reading this post over at Nachi and as much as I respect the responders opinions I think he is way off on his recommendations.

I would of called it out. And no I am not an iron worker.

The illustration is from Carson/Dunlop and there may be codes that say you can notch a girder, but in this case this is not a notch!!

The needed to do something different with the garage door track.

David, thanks, I agree with you. I also think that is way to much cut, and as you have pointed out, there should be no cuts in that area. There is no sag in the beam, but the client is concerned, so I will recommend an engineer. Maybe you should post that image on the NACHI board.

Cover you’re butt first, structural engineer let him/her make the call. As a former certified welder in a past life, the area cutout should have had a plate welded on first to reinforce it, and then make the cutout. I've seen engineers look at some bad cuts I would never have passed and say no problem.

I was thinking the same thing, sister it. A 3 foot section of the same gauge steel then make the cut.