Main Beam to span 9 metres

[Fourbarewalls]

Have just had a call from a builder quoting on our renovation project, we need to replace an old wall and cross member and replace it with a beam to span the 9 metres width of the barn (this includes the area within the wall to house the beam 0.3mts each side). The builder cannot find any beam large enough to span the width, we have had this done last year by the french builder who used a Douglas Pine spanning the same width, the beam was some 18-20 inches in width, this was supported with a granite block and oak upright positioned in the centre of the beam. The builder is also concern about the load on this beam and is concerned that the upright support will not be enough to to the weight from above. His thinking of making the beam out of 3 pieces and having 2 supports, wiith the beam joins meeting on the uprigt supports.

Does nayone have any advice on where we can locate a beam of 9mtrsx18-20inches width douglas pine or reclaimed, and any thoughts on the load bearing on the beam and the supports required.

[Albert the InfoGipsy]

If you have a central support then you're only spanning 4.5m. I'd expect that it would be cheaper & easier to get two shorter lengths. These would be a helluva lot easier to install as well.

Also the cross section could be much less, although you may want to keep it big for aesthetic reasons.

[La Guerriere]

Do you need same depth as width i.e. 18-20 inches ? Depth is far more critical for structure than width.

[Nick Trollope]

I can "do" a 9M span in a single go, if you would care to PM me...

[BIG MAC]

Oak clad steel maybe?

Just a thought....