Deck beam span calculator

Deck beam span calculator beam geometry and loads to get started analysing the beam. The beam calculator automatically uses ClearCalcs' powerful finite element analysis engine to determine moment, shear, and deflection as you work. Start your free ClearCalcs trial to unlock saving and export, as well as even more calculators for wood, steel, and concrete beams, columns, and footings. Experience the full power of ClearCalcs with a 14 day free trial and start being more productive.

Each joist is one of a series of long, horizontal structures that support the decking itself. While posts are vertical, joists lay horizontally on top of each beam to provide a sturdy, level surface to lay your decking materials across. Joists can be made from wood or steel. Use the joist span and spacing calculator below to plug in your desired type of wood, the size of your joists, and the required spacing between each joist. Do it with the brand that invented composite decking, backed by , and year limited warranties. As a rule, the larger the deck, the larger the joists. For example, joists spaced 16 inches from the center of the joist next to it can span 1.

Deck beam span calculator

Building a deck? Then you need to know how to compute the spans for it to be structurally sound. These tips and this information will help. Building a deck can create an outdoor oasis for entertaining , but the project must be safe and structurally sound, with proper decking beam spacing, so you can enjoy your deck for years to come. Five basic components make up any deck: decking, joists also known as a ledger when attached to a house , beams, posts, and footings. To ensure that a deck is safe and strong, local building departments have strict code requirements for these components. Before building a deck, take the time to look up your local codes. The following guide will walk you through basic deck requirements and best practices for calculating deck joist and beam spans. The strength of a board depends on two factors: its species and its quality. Among lumber commonly available in a pressure-treated form for deck framing, Douglas fir and Southern yellow pine are strongest, but Southern pine has more of a tendency to warp.

Input Key Properties. It is supported at both ends one end pinned and one end as a roller and is free to rotate and deflect under the applied loads.

Deck beams and joists go hand-in-hand as the framing materials for your deck. While joists provide a horizontal support system for deck boards, beams provide support for the joists. Your beams will need to bear the load of not only your decking materials, but additional components of the frame itself. Use this calculator to find out the beam span and deck footing size for your project. Be sure to have your joist span calculations ready to enter for an accurate reading and check out our concrete calculator to determine the size of your footings. Three tiers of premium composite and aluminum deck and porch railing provide low-maintenance options for all tastes and budgets. According to our beam span chart resource , the span of a beam is dependent on a few variables: the species of lumber, size of lumber, and the load it carries.

Deck beams and joists go hand-in-hand as the framing materials for your deck. While joists provide a horizontal support system for deck boards, beams provide support for the joists. Your beams will need to bear the load of not only your decking materials, but additional components of the frame itself. Use this calculator to find out the beam span and deck footing size for your project. Be sure to have your joist span calculations ready to enter for an accurate reading and check out our concrete calculator to determine the size of your footings. Three tiers of premium composite and aluminum deck and porch railing provide low-maintenance options for all tastes and budgets. According to our beam span chart resource , the span of a beam is dependent on a few variables: the species of lumber, size of lumber, and the load it carries. Some of the most common types of wood used for beams include:. All are high-quality woods to use for framing purposes, however, your geographic region plays a role in which woods will be available to you. Redwoods, Hem-Fir, and some of the other combination woods are not available outside of the Western part of the United States.

Deck beam span calculator

A beam is a solid structural member that is supported by posts and footings that accepts and transfers the load from joists. Once you know the distance between support posts and the length of the joists that will be supported you can determine the required size by checking our beam-sizing chart. The size of a beam is a function of the amount of weight it must support and the distance it must span. A common beam is composed of the same size and type of lumber used for the joists by nailing 2 or 3 together side by side. Even if you are allowed to use a smaller beam, you should maintain the same depth of material as the joists to present a uniform appearance. The relationship between directly applied and fastened boards is what bonds the strength of a multiply beam. Occasionally a beam application may require spanning a long distance that exceeds the design limits for conventional beams.

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Similarly, Southern Yellow Pine is less common on the West coast. Redwoods, Hem-Fir, and some of the other combination woods are not available outside of the Western part of the United States. ClearCalcs makes it easy to adjust design parameters and instantaneously see the effect they have on the structural adequacy without having to perform the entire arduous design process again. Decking boards span from joist to joist. Bending moment is crucial for understanding how the beam will behave and deform under different loading conditions. Beam span is typically dictated by the architect or site constraints and usually it is up to the engineer to find the appropriate beam size based on this requirement refer below section. This means there are fewer holes to dig and fewer posts to look at from the ground floor of your home. Related Articles. The ClearCalcs Free Beam Calculator can be utilised to assess continuous beams moment demand, shear demand and deflection by inputting as many fixed, pinned and roller supports as required. How to Use The Free Beam Analysis Calculator The ClearCalcs beam calculator allows the user to input the geometry and loading of a beam for analysis in a few simple steps. Each joist is one of a series of long, horizontal structures that support the decking itself. ClearCalcs wood , steel , cold-formed steel and concrete beam calculators greatly speed up this process as different beam sizes can be assessed using the member selector providing instant results! ClearCalcs offers a header beam calculator , allowing engineers to determine the required size and span of header beams for various openings in their projects.

Each joist is one of a series of long, horizontal structures that support the decking itself. While posts are vertical, joists lay horizontally on top of each beam to provide a sturdy, level surface to lay your decking materials across. Joists can be made from wood or steel.

Find the best deck boards and materials near you. For example, these can represent reactions from other members connecting to the beam. ClearCalcs provides a ridge beam calculator , which helps engineers determine the appropriate span and size of ridge beams based on the specific roof design and loading conditions. Here are some common beam support types:. The example diagram below, from the summary section, shows a two-span continuous beam with a linear distributed patch load and point load. This information is then used to generate a bending moment diagram, which provides a visual representation of the bending moment along the beam. They make for a stronger, straighter, safer, and smarter alternative to wood substructures and may be more economical in the long-run. An appropriate beam size is typically determined by iteration: testing different cross sections sizes and assessing the load utilisation before coming up with the most efficient design. Joist: 2x6— If joists are spaced 24": Span: 8'. Skip to search Skip to main content. It provides additional support and stability compared to simply supported beams, as the load is distributed across multiple support points. Treated Hemlock or Pine may be a better solution. Due to their strength, fewer beams or posts are needed.