How to tell if a beam is load bearing

We are renovating and would like to remove a wall section that sticks out into a bedroom, however I don't know how to tell if the corner beam is load bearing or not. It certainly looks pretty solid (see photo), but from looking underneath the house, it doesn't seem to be resting on top of any beams beneath, just straight onto the floor boards.

Do I need to get an engineer in?

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Comments

Jason

Welcome to Workshop @EarlAJ. It's fantastic to have you join us. I hope you have plenty of fun on the site, and learn a thing or two from other community members.

I'm sure our resident engineering expert @BIM_Engineer could provide some assistance with your question about the beam.

I'm also keen to read more about what you are planning with your renovation.

Jason

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2045#Comment_2045

Hi @EarlAJ
All structural member/component designs require good sound Engineering principles
Having said this its a bit hard to tell from your photo? Basically the quality of the engineering/design advice that is given will be reflected by the quality of the information and photos that is provided. heres a fews tips
Provide a wide shot for perspective, close ups are great for details and rough sketches show hidden items and provide insight to what your are trying to achieve. This also assists others and becomes a valuable resource.Cheers

Jason

Hi @EarlAJ,

Thanks again for joining Workshop. Just wondering if you could provide some more detail and photos so that @BIM_Engineer can assist as per his helpful message earlier in the week?

Jason

Andy_Mann

G'day @EarlAJ, a big welcome to the Workshop family, you're going to love it here, & we can learn from your adventures. 😀

@BIM_Engineer's put up his hand, & he's just the bloke to give you the answers in structural engineering.

From your photo, I'm wondering if it's been transposed by 90degrees, going by what look like being the cornices on the lefthand side. It may also be helpful when you send @BIM_Engineer your next batch of photos, if you remove the drywall at/near beam intersections etc.

Good luck with your renos, I'll be tuning in to see how it progresses.

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2087#Comment_2087

@Andy_MannI think you are right. the picture does look sideways.

Not sure if @BIM_Engineerwill agree with me but that joint should be in compression where the photo as is shows as shear...

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63321#Comment_63321

Roof Inspection Sketch.jpg Guys, Its a bit of a guessing game so a roof inspection is required without this additional info it is difficult to determine what type of roof/wind loads are transferred to the wall ->the door jamb->joints-> crack-> ground?
@EarlAJ try to determine the load source first and then the load path to the crack
If you are able to carefully/safely inspect the roof frame/truss structure note down the position of struts/bearing for future reference.. this is easily done when building a new house from the ground before the ceiling goes in..great for identifying load sources->Potential future crack/hazards/etc
If you are unable to inspect the roof frame /truss get someone competent who can.
A roof structure inspection sketch plan is attached .HTH

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94161#Comment_94161

@EarlAJ could post some photos of your roof setup, & your underfloor where the problem wall is mate? It'll help @BIM_Engineer make more sense of the situation.

From your original post, "We are renovating and would like to remove a wall section that sticks out into a bedroom, however I don't know how to tell if the corner beam is load bearing or not. It certainly looks pretty solid (see photo), but from looking underneath the house, it doesn't seem to be resting on top of any beams beneath, just straight onto the floor boards."

To me, it's kinda weird to me that it'd being resting just on the floorboards, without any subfloor support. 🤔 😕

Mind you, I saw a brick veneer home that was in the final stages of Gyprocking, it had a fibro column, that was for no other reason than for visual effect. I can say that with confidence, because there was a gap between the column & ceiling Gyprock, the only connection was via flimsy angle brackets, & tiny screws.

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113429#Comment_113429

Thanks @Andy_Mann... I must have skipped through that bit it sounds like a non load bearing partition wall
@EarlAJ have they compensated with larger joists or closer bearers beneath in the floor under the wall and which way do the structural support members span..?

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124298#Comment_124298

quote @BIM_Engineer:

"@EarlAJ have they compensated with larger joists or closer bearers beneath in the floor under the wall and which way do the structural support members span..?"

Very good points @BIM_Engineer, I'd hope that at the very least, the floorboard supports (structural support members) would run across the line of the wall in question, but that may kind of add doubt to whether it's a load bearing wall. 😕

What are you thought?

EarlAJ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131575#Comment_131575

Thanks for all of the responses, and apologies for not getting back sooner. Once the work week starts, I don't have time for much else.
I'll attach some more photos soon, but for now the good news seems to be the bit of wall we want to remove isn't in the original house plans and after removing some more plaster, I can see where the original wall ended, with what I think is far more likely load bearing.
Unfortunately, getting into the roof isn't an option as it's a very low pitch roof, so now crawl space.

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136013#Comment_136013

Hi @EarlAJ thanks for the update

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136013#Comment_136013

All good @EarlAJ, & glad that you're removing the tacked on addition wall, to make more room for yourselves.

Enjoy the reno. 🙂

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