WELCOME TO OUR Increasing the strength of timber beams PROJECT
This project is presented by Property Repair Systems
Summary: How to increase the strength of timber beams and joists when the load on them increases or their size is incorrect for their span.
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If you need any help with any type of Beam strengthening, timber repair, maintenance or other damp problems Property Repair Systems will be pleased to give you completely free, no obligation advice on 01626 331351. The information you need may be in the project below, if not, call them.
There are a variety of reasons why a timber beam or joist may no longer be suitable for the purpose it was installed for. A barn conversion for example, may include a "mezzanine" floor suitable, at its construction, for supporting only light goods, but with the conversion it is now required to carry a piano, a bed and other furniture. There are many many occasions where it is considerably cheaper and far more practical to upgrade a suitable beam rather than to replace it and in a lot of conservation work, keeping the integrity of the original building materials can suit both the owner and the preservation and heritage agencies.
Property Repair Systems , who are experts in designing repairs and strength upgrades, with Structural Calculations, are happy to provide a free telephone help line for all queries regarding timber beam improvements and repair. Click through and call them if you cannot find your answer on the site.
There are many common problems which can be solved by repairing and strengthening timber beams and joists using a simple technique involving cutting a slot, or slots, along the length to within about 30-40mm of the base and bonding in a High Tensile Reinforcing bar with Structural Epoxy Pouring Grout. This is known as a 'modified flitch' design and approximately doubles the bending stiffness of a typical timber. This process can be seen in more detail by clicking here .
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Problems can include:
Excessive bending, bowing and warping of timber beams and joists by overloading.
Undersize timber sections. Timber beams and joists may have been included in floors and roofs which are simply not strong enough for the job. Replacing these timbers can sometimes cost thousands of pounds, where strengthening can be a fraction of that cost.
Building regulations have changed considerably and often over the years. To effect a refurbishment to current regulations may involve upgrading timber beams and joists.
Maximum head height in loft conversions, extensions, stairways, alterations and refurbishments can be gained by using smaller, strengthened timbers rather than the specifics section shown in the regulations. Structural loading calculations are required to alter the size of the timbers involved and these calculations can be done for you by clicking through to Property Repair Systems.
A timber beam or joist can simply break, crack or split due to overloading and decay; this too can be repaired and strengthened using this technique. Visit Property Repair Systems to find out more.
Cross grain breakage - partial or complete failure, usually across a defect like a knot, often caused by overloading or decay.
Method:
Upgrading a beam or joist - cut a slot, or slots, along the length to within about 30-40mm of the base and bond in BS4449 High Tensile Rebar with Structural Epoxy Pouring Grout. This is known as a 'modified flitch' design and approximately doubles the bending stiffness of a typical timber.
Example:
Farmhouse, Crediton - under strength timber carrier beams for proposed use as a first floor bedroom for holiday letting. These were slotted from above and rebar bonded in using Structural Epoxy Pouring Grout.
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