Felix,

I don't think you will find a U beam. You can have a good steel
yard brake a steel U for you. You would be at the mercy of what
dimension their equipment is capable of braking. 1/4" should be
readily available.

I wonder what it is that you are trying to accomplish. Is your
existing beam sagging or failing in some way? Are you just
wanting to wrap it in steel for some other reason? If you think
that you are going to remove the center post, I think you better
get some better advice. There are ways to move the post(s) to
different loading conditions (this would still require engineering
sizes, spacing, and footings), but pulling posts out to provide a
clearspan will require more beam than I think you can duck under.

(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Felix" wrote in message
news:42177b12$1_1@aeinews....
I have a wood 8" x 10" beam in my basement that runs the long of
my house
about 23' supported by 1 jack post midway through the length of
the beam
which is right in the middle of my basement.
I'm wanting to encompass the wood beam with a metal "U" beam to
add strength
and then add 2 jack posts at the end of the beam.

My question is ... what thickness must the metal be of in order
to have the
necessary strength to support my home?

thanks
Felix