WOOD BEAM SIZINGTM LOAD module

SELECTIONS - header or girder

Select floor location
Select roof construction

Rafter framing with attic floor
Roof truss
Neither for open ceiling

Select center bearing or full span
Enter building width

Header selections

Header location is shown in red.

Headers and girders are always parallel to the ridge.
Header or girder span is selected at Beam module

In Wood Beam Sizing, headers are located in the exterior wall. Girders are central carrying beams.

BEAM LOADS

Shaded area above floor or roof is the beam support domain which
indicates area supported by the beam and contributing to the total beam
load - tributary area.

See Basic 2013 manual for examples.

CENTER BEARING

If selected, shows continuous load bearing wall from attic floor or ridge to basement footing.

If roof truss is selected, center bearing supports only floors below; roof trusses always span total building width.

BUILDING WIDTH

Outside cross section dimension of the structure.

Setting building width

Use arrow buttons to select whole numbers or enter decimal widths from the keyboard.

SEE also Joists or Rafters for LOAD module