A beam is a load-bearing structural and flexural concrete element that transfers the incoming dead load, live load, and self-load of the RCC slab vertically to the column via the column beam joint.
The size of the beam is determined by the span between two supports and the total weight operating on it.
Determining the loads operating on structural beams allows you to find the correct beam size for a 32-foot span easily.
What Size Beam Do You Need For A 32-Foot Span?
For a 32-foot span, the reinforced beam has to be 12′′ x 24′′ in size, with a minimum of 4 nos. of 16 mm bar at the top and 4 nos. of 20 mm bar at the bottom. By enhancing the grade and strengthening the concrete, RCC beams may be made smaller.
32 Foot Span Beam Size Chart:
| Beam | Size |
|---|---|
| RCC beam | 12’’x24’’ |
| Steal beam | 500×180 UB |
| LVL beam | 16’’x18’’ |
What Are The Various Beam Sizes For A 32-Foot Span?
The size of the reinforced beam for a 32-foot span is 12′′ x 24′′ or 16′′ x 18′′ GLULAM or LVL, or 2′′ x 18′′ dimensional lumber or wood beam at 16′′ from the center as floor joists.
Residential buildings can employ spans up to 32 feet long, such as ISMB 500, UB 500180, or W20.
RCC Beam
By increasing reinforcing and concrete grade, you may make RCC beams smaller.
According to the thumb rule, a reinforced beam should be roughly 12′′ x 24′′ in size, with a 12′′ x 12′′ beam width and a 24′′ beam depth.
Fe500 with stirrups T10@6′′C/C, M25 grade concrete ratio, and transparent cover 25mm.
Steal Beam
For residential buildings or projects or construction, a steel beam, universal beam, w beam, I beam, UB’s, hot rolled section, or rolling steel joist (RSJ) of 500 mm (20 inches) in depth and 180 mm (7 inches) in width is required.
Under normal load conditions, this is the optimal, typical, and most acceptable size to be utilized for 32-foot spans.
LVL Beam
LVL beams, or GLULAM, should be 16 to 18 inches deep and 4 inches wide for a 32-foot span.
You may use standard 2×18 dimensional timber spaced 16 inches from the center as floor joists for residential construction.
How To Determine The Size Of The Beam For A Span Of 32 Feet?
In some circumstances, the maximum bending moment, the width of the wall under the beam, and experience determine the allowable beam width for beams.
Wide enough to provide rebars with enough side protection and room between the bars.
- The adequate depth of the beam is then calculated using the bending moment under the width assumption.
- The adequate depth and calculated effective cover are then multiplied to determine the total depth of the beam.
The width and depth of a beam can be determined in various ways, including the thumb rule approach, IS 456:2000.
IS 456:2000.
According to the specification, the cantilever beam should have a span to effective depth ratio of 7.
In contrast, the supported beam should have a span to effective depth ratio of 20.
When planning the smallest size of RCC columns for 2-to 3-story structures, the continuous beam’s span to effective depth ratio should be 26 (span/effective depth = 26).
Apply The Thumb Rule
The following method can also calculate the beam’s width and depth.
The depth and width of a beam with a 16-foot span are 16 inches and 16/1.5, respectively, or 10.66 inches and 12 inches, respectively.
What Is The Consideration For 32 Foot Span
When choosing a beam size for a 32 foot span, there are several factors to consider.
These include the load capacity of different beam sizes, calculating the load capacity of different options, and selecting a beam material that will meet your needs and budget.
One key factor to consider when choosing a beam size is the amount of weight or force that it will be required to bear.
This can typically be calculated by multiplying the length of the beam by its width, and then dividing this number by two.
In addition, you should also take into account any additional loads that may be placed on the structure, such as snow accumulation or wind pressure.
Another important consideration is determining how much weight your chosen beam size can actually support.
One way to do this is to calculate the load capacity of your options by using a beam sizing calculator or another online tool.
These tools will typically ask you to enter specific parameters, such as the length, width, and height of the structure, in order to provide an accurate estimate of the maximum load that can be supported by each beam size.
When choosing a beam size for your project, it is also important to consider factors like cost, durability, and strength.
For example, while certain materials may be more affordable up front, they may not offer the same level of structural integrity or lifespan as others.
Similarly, some beam styles and designs may be more aesthetically appealing than others, but may not offer sufficient support or stability over time.
FAQs About The Right Size Beam For Span Of 32 Feet
How Is The Structural Load Of A Beam For A 32-Foot Span Determined?
“Dead load” is calculated as member volume times material unit weight. An exact dead load can be derived for each component by calculating the unit weight of the materials used to make it.
How Much Does A Wooden Structural Beam Spanning 32 Feet Cost To Repair?
The typical cost of replacing a support beam is between $1,500 and $5,000. However, more expensive replacements may be necessary.
It’s time to consult a structural engineer when a timber support beam deteriorates due to dry rot, water damage, a moving structure, or even vermin.
How Much Space Can A Beam Support?
In this example, how much further space can there be between a double 2 x 8 span without support? Without supports, a 2 x 8 beam may span roughly 8 feet.
The surface will have to support the weight. But it’s better to put supports where you believe you’ll need them than to put them in the wrong location and regret it afterward.
The Final Verdict
Buildings’ structural stability depends on support beams. Calculating the ideal beam size required to span a 32-foot distance is not always simple.
Fortunately, you can take a straightforward approach to determine the correct size. So here are our suggestions for the best-size beam for a 32-foot span.
