I beam fact sheet

I want to build an overhead trolley system with a hoist on it. I want to let one end of the top I beam extend past the support so that it will stick out over a pickup bed to unload the truck. Where can I find out what the max load is going to be for the length of stickout for a particular beam?

Steve

Reply to
Steve B
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This question, phrased variously, comes up all the time. Think for a moment, Steve, and you will realize that in this litigious society nobody is about to advise someone on something as risky as overhead beam loading. Then go buy a steel databook. In the last few years I've picked up a couple, one is the Ryerson Steel Data Book (very good) and the other is simply titled "Pocket Companion" by U. S. Steel Corporation, also excellent. Steel handbooks will give you a good guideline. I can only suggest you build conservatively.

BTW your "stickout" beam is loaded in cantilever, if you search try that term.

GWE

Reply to
Grant Erwin

I have a pretty good background in construction and rigging. I generally figure in a factor of 3 when calculating. So, if I want to lift a maximum of 500#, I would build it to support over 1500#. It allows for wind and cerebral flatulence, things that sooner or later are going to occur.

But, now, I can call my steel supplier and ask what is the cantilever info on X I-beam.

Steve

Steve

Reply to
Steve B

Ah, just tell him to get a 8" X 16" I beam. That should manage anything he can get in a pickup! LOL Bugs

Reply to
Bugs

Hoists and cranes for material lifting services are designed with a factor of safety of 5, based on the ultimate tensile strength of the steel.

If you want to lift persons the factor of safety is 10, plus a whole lot of regulatory grief.

Wolfgang

Reply to
wfhabicher

todays free software download should be Beam Boy v2.2

Reply to
c.henry

for 6 feet of stick out with a load of 1500 lbs at the end of that stick out , using a single beam ,

s12x31.8 lb per foot beam

you get .0951 deflection at the end of the beam

you get a max bending stress of 2970 psi at the support 6 feet from end

this is a safty facto of 10

using an 8 inch S8x23 lb per foot

you get .32 inch of deflection at 6 feet with 1500 lbs

the max bending stress is 6660 psi at the last support , this would be a safety factor of 6 for a 1500 lb load [ about the max in a half ton pick up

the problem is going to be pushing that load up the 3/8 inch deflection hill

if you can build support into the top of the beam and use an underhung trolly you could safely use a 4- 6 inch beam , but this would take an engineered support for the top of the beam

also remember that as you load the cantilevered section it will create a pulling load on the supports past the closest support to the load

also i can email beam boy zips to any body who needs one the web site seems to be down

i can also design supported beams and engineered gussets if you need them .

no p.e. stamps mind you , that costs more as i have to walk to the end of the office to have the boss stamp it

Reply to
c.henry

"c.henry" wrote

Thank you, sir. I have copied this to a file, and will apply it at the proper time.

Steve

Reply to
Steve B

Liability does not attach to giving free advice and expressing opinions such as this forum. You must be thinking of professional liability.

Reply to
Richard J Kinch

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