Posted By M. S. on 27 Nov 2014 02:20 PM
I am in the design process of a full basement + 2 story ICF home (ICF only on exterior walls up to the roof level) and I would like some advice/feedback on the structural elements if possible.
Some questions:
Q1. What type of beams should I use (Glulam, LVL, steel I-Beam) and which depth will they have?
Q2. Would the reinforced concrete beam on top of the garage be able to support the main floor and the second floor weight?
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Q3: What structural elements will be needed for roof support? Will a couple of load bearing walls be enough?
Q4: Anything else that I may have missed?
Note: I will take the plan to a structural engineer for approval, but at this point I want to make sure that my structural design is correct before taking it further so I will avoid if possible a major redesign.
This is where an architect would come into play. An architect is required to have background knowledge in basic engineering principles so when an architect designs a building he/she knows what will come into play as far as design vs engineering feasibility. The engineer then takes the architects plan and engineers it. Sometimes design changes have to be made by the architect to accommodate the engineers requests.
Not to disparage you but here is where the problem occurs. You are designing a home and you are not an architect. The complexity of a two story home with ICF adds to the equation. Becoming an architect requires a university degree. It is a field of science/study and justly so. During the course of their studies they are required to take an engineering course.
Again, I don't mean to offend you but you basically began to operate on someone and then asked for help and stated that you are not a medical doctor.