Structural engineer anyone?

[Michael J. Merino]

This is an automatic recommendation for a structural engineer. They cut the beam, which carries the second floor weight, to fit the garage door opener track. This got me wondering, can you ever cut a steel beam?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Yes you can, but without more information, it's difficult to tell whether this will be a problem.

[Michael J. Merino]

What else do you need to know, I will provide it. 2 car garage with bedrooms above, post on each end of beam, more than 50% of that beam is cut. No sag in the beam, post bolts are loose, finished ceiling above the beam.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

If there's no deflection, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. The top and bottom flanges are still intact, there's not enough of the web missing to worry me, and it's not over a support.

As a former Ironworker, I may have a tendency to "minimize" the effect of this type of cut, simply because I've seen it so often. As a home inspector, it would be within reason to seek a second opinion, but I doubt an engineer would disapprove.

[Michael J. Merino]

Thanks Jeff, I will most likely recommend that and engineer take a look, the client was really concerned about it.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Not a problem at all in my book, but that is thinking about it under a different hat and book.

At least it could have been done in a more professional way where it would not raise as many eyebrowse.

Typically, a round hole would have been preffered by the Engineer and away from the center span of the beam.

So your call to have an Engineer look at it is in a true prudent way of handling this.

Nice find, not something we see here everyday.

[Michael J. Merino]

Thanks Marcel.

[David C. Macy]

I was looking online for specifications on steel girder notching and I did not locate anything. I went through my illustrations and found a picture from Carson & Dunlop.

It states the girder should not be notched.

I wonder if they could of done something different with the garage door opener instead of cutting a large hole in a structural component.

I understand the columns and load are not located at the hole in the girder but over time would there not be a concern of splitting/sagging.

I would also call out for further evaluation.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by dmacy

I wonder if they could of done something different with the garage door opener instead of cutting a large hole in a structural component.

3800 LIFTMASTER JACKSHAFT GARAGE DOOR OPENER

[Michael J. Merino]

Exactly, Mr. Larson!!

[David C. Macy]

Good posts Mike & Mike. (Sounds like an ESPN sports show)
Never new or have seen this type of opener.

This may be a good link to forward to the concerned client.

[Bruce M. Graham, III]

That jack shaft opener still uses a torsion spring.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

That is correct, and Wayne Dalton has also come out with this newer model that installs in the center of the door.

Pretty neat model.

[David C. Macy]

Marcel

Very Nice!!

Great information for future inspections. I have seen at least 3 main girders cut for GDO's.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by dmacy

It states the girder should not be notched.

That's for dimensional lumber David.

Steel I-beams are similar to an engineered joist. Cuts and holes are allowed in specific locations within the web.