I have spent the past 3 hours trying to do a web search on the subject - and I just can't find the information I am looking for.

Maybe I do not know the right clips and phrases to search for, perhaps one of you people know te right words or know how to run a search which will get me the results I am looking for.

Here it the deal:

I would like to design a roof that has a long single span. I would like the length of that span to be along the direction of the ridge beam.

Now I call the piece of wood that runs the length of the roof at the peace the Ridge Beam - Maybe its called something else? I call the pieces of wood that runs from the peak to the walls rafters - Maybe that is wrong too?

What I would like to know is just how far of a clear (free) single span of supporting ridge beam is possible out of a laminated beam.

Now I call them laminated beams - but I've come across the following terms "Engineered wood" "Glulam", Man Made wood.

What I know it is made out of is smaller pieces of material, say 2 x 4s glued together staggered and under pressure to create a single long beam which is stronger and more dimensionally sound.

Once I can get a fair idea of just how long I could expect to make this clear span along the ridge beam, I would (I imagine) have some idea of just how deep the beam would be and how wide.

And I assume I would also have a weight so I could design the concrete/rebar pylons that support it at either end.

Now I have seen these used in modern homes, the laminated beam is usually of a higher quality wood, stained and clear coated because it is exposed beneath for all to view.

I am looking for something like that.

It would be nice if the beam could be 50' long with a clear span of 40 to 45 - however I am willing to go a little smaller.

If you know of anyplace where I can get that information (as well as price and shipping and handling) I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks and Cheers

David

David, I'm going to do some looking for you to see if I can give you a more definitive answer. But I don't think that the ridge beam (or pole, or board) is what you need to reinforce in order to span a long space. All the ridge beam really does is locate the rafters. It doesn't bear any significant load, as I understand it. The rafters and the ceiling joists are the load bearing members.

I'll be back to tell you what I've learned.

This site looks like it might be useful.

And this one looks particularly promising. But it looks like there was a preceeding article that needs to be found.

Here is the first article. And here is a list of all the publications available on that site.

You should be able to find what you need from one of these last links. The glossary one should be helpful too.

Let me know if any of this helps.

Well. Not exactly what I want. Close.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words: So I drew a picture:

http://www.geocities.com/dvdgstwrt2000/temporarypreviewfile.html?1080244367859

Then let's try again. Here is an offer for software that will calculate beam sizes for you.