Hi. My situation
involves solving a problem with a beam on the gable end of a great room that
has a vaulted/cathedral ceiling. The beam is 5 inches wide by 9 1/2 inches tall
and sets on top of a 2x6 double plate, for a total thickness of 12 1/2 inches
when including the double plate. The beam spans exactly 21 feet (no inches)
measuring to outside wall sheeting. A 2x6 stud wall is below the double plate
and beam. The double plate and beam bear and are secured on top of 7 inch
square posts at each end of the span. These two posts make the outside corners
to the room. The roof above this room is 7/12 slope is conventional 3 tab
asphalt shingles on 5/8 inch sheeting, has rafters made of 2x10's spaced 24
inches on center, and the birds mouths set on a 2x6 double plate on top of the
eave side walls; the ridge board is made of a single run of 2x10's the length
of the room. The eave sidewalls are tied together with continuous beams across
the room from the top of one wall to the top of the opposite wall. The remodeling
request at hand is the removal of the gable end studs under the beam to provide
a clear opening to capture the expanse of a panoramic view with wall to wall
sliding glass doors (i.e, approximately 20 feet of sliding glass). The double
plate will remain. Unfortunately the beam is not one complete beam, but two
equal lengths of beam butted together at the center (10 feet 6"). A stud
above this center point connects to the underside of the ridge board above. A
pair of triangular windows are above the beam. The question is how to connect
the two beams without a supporting stud wall below it. One proposal is to place
a flat steel gusset alongside the beam bolted to the beam at an acceptable
interval. What thickness should this steel be? 1/4 inch, 3/8, or 1/2 inch? How
long should the steel gusset be? a couple feet on each side of the center
point, or longer, or should it run the length of the span. What interval should
the gusset be bolted, and what size bolt would be appropriate. And, should the
steel gusset be needed on only one side of the beam, or both inside and
outside? Ideally the width the steel gusset would not be more than 4 1/2 inches
or 5 inches wide. The flat steel will not be exposed to the room since it will
be covered when the room is finished out. Is this the best way to tackle this
situation or are other better methods available to consider? Thanks for your
help.