Support column removal

[cdhale3]

I have recently completed remodeling my basement, part of which consisted of removing one of the support columns for the I-beam that runs the width of the basement. I did do my homework, hired a structural engineer, and followed his plans to strengthen the I-beam prior to removing the support column.

Basically, the plans called for the installation of 2 20' steel channels, one for each side of the I-beam. The channels stretched from just about over the foundation to approximately 4' past what was the 2nd support column from the foundation. The channels were attached to the I-beam using 20 3/4" bolts spaced evenly, about 1 foot apart down the entire length of the channels.

This may sound silly, but I've been paranoid that my house is gonna collapse, and I'm really just looking for some reassurance that my solution is a good one. The numbers on the engineer's report all look good, and everything has been in place for about 2 months now. Has anyone done anything similar to this, or know enough about it to comment?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[Rich]

It sounds pretty good to me. What size size are the channels and the I-Beam?

[cdhale3]

The I-beam is a W8x18, and the steel channels are C7x9.8. These numbers are is they are indicated on the Engineer's report.

Thanks,
Chris

[Rich]

I can't speak for if the modified beam will hold the specified loads but the method of increasing the capacity of the beam should be acceptable.

[mjpliv]

Not being a structural engineer I can't verify the new capacity of the open span but the execution sounds correct. I have had to beef up undersized beams in the past and bolting/welding on additional steel has worked.

[cdhale3]

One more quick thing, and then i'll let this go...

I was reading over the engineer's report, and it seems that the beam isn't really the issue. Since it has been reinforced, the numbers indicated that it is far below the overstress limit. however, the column that was next to the one that was removed is much closer to the overstress level. At any rate, i can take some comfort in that this column is concealed in a wall that i built out of several 2x6s (many doubled up) down the remainder of the length of the beam.