We've got a beam that we replaced two years ago due to some damage. The beam is out front and is above all the other beams it supports, which makes the whole thing a bit strange. We made our own laminated beam, put it in place and then fastened with metal straps as was done in the original construction. The lower beams come out of the house and are attached to a short porch overhang. They travel under the big beam and connected by some more boards parallel to the front door.
The beam has sagged in the middle and is pulling the center under-beams down, causing some separation from the porch.
Here you can see the beam sag, a good inch or two, with the visible angle at the joint of two boards that join in line with the left entrance door.
We could probably build a better beam, or buy one that is professionally done. But it seems we'll still have the issue of the bottom beams sagging after they are attached. I'm looking for some other way to attached the lower beams, so they can be pulled upwards to the proper position. Or perhaps we need to detach the lower beams, jack them up and refasten. I am able to push them back up in place with my own body power, but maybe that flexed beam is helping me a bit. My partner on the previous repair is concerned the beam will simply sag more if we re-attach higher.
One other note, the old beam had some interesting hardware installed on the main beam with adjustable bolts that attached to the lower beams. I'm assuming this was to fix this same issue. I foolishly threw these parts away a few months ago!
Thanks for any advice and fresh perspectives.
Best Answer
If I'm reading this right(and looking at the final picture), the beam itself is sagging. It may have reached an equilibrium point, and simply jacking up an reattaching it will fix it. But you'll still have a bowed beam.
My inclination is, a properly built beam should be able to span that distance and hold the weight without sagging. I have smaller, longer glulams spanning my basement, supporting two stories. But maybe someone who knows a bit more about structural engineering will chime in.
If you want to create one yourself, I would use like 3 2x12's laminated vertically. Boards are much stronger vertically oriented than horizontally. Think floor joists or door/window headers.