I-beam specs and spans

[johnmaheu]

I'm building a garage with a second floor. The 24' X 28' structure will have an i-beam spanning the 24' width at the 14' mid-point of the other wall. There will be no center post. The floor / ceiling joists will be 2" X 10", 16" on center.

Will a W8 X 18 [8" high, 5.25 flange and 180 pounds per foot bearing capacity] i-beam do the job without being unsafe or making me feel the second floor is "spongy"?

Thanks, John

[Rich]

I don't believe that will work. The joists will probably work but I don't think the I-Beam will. Now I'm not engineer but in the current project I am building we've got about 12-14' joist spans and a W16x50 spanning about 22' @ L/480 deflection criteria.
Honestly I would check with an engineer.

[johnmaheu]

I don't believe that will work. The joists will probably work but I don't think the I-Beam will. Now I'm not engineer but in the current project I am building we've got about 12-14' joist spans and a W16x50 spanning about 22' @ L/480 deflection criteria.
Honestly I would check with an engineer.Thank you for your input. I look forward to heaqring other input and, thanks to your's, I will ask a professional engineer, as well.

[utahcutter]

I'm no engineer either but do work on steel buildings day in day out. I think you will probably want to beef that up. Depending on loading you may be able to go with something along the lines of a w12X14 but I agree with Rich, it wouldn't hurt to run it by an engineer.

[johnmaheu]

I thank you both for your help. I did consult a professional engineer in my home state and he suggested that I go to a W12 X 26 beam. He also gave two other options that would serve the same need.

Anyway, the beam has been replaced and I'm happy with the result. Thank you, again!

John

[Rich]

Right on.. glad it all worked out.