I beam size.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]I have a 4 story house and I’d like to make a swing stagesystem for it to gain access to a few of the otherwise unreachable walls. I’d like to use a collapsible swing 6’ wideetc. To traverse the walls horizontally, I’ll need a trolley system and thus anI beam track above.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]It’s the I beam sizing that is in question. I’d like the beam to be capable of 1000lbscapacity load at the combined trolleys which will be separated by a 6’ spreaderbar. The span of the Beam will be just under 9’ between supports. My questionis; will a common 2.5” X 4” steel I beam suffice? If not, what would the minimum size?

Thanks,
Mike Smallwood[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Pictures of the loading configuration would be helpful.

morepics

Also, see:

[URL]https://www.engineersedge.com/beam_calc_menu.shtml[/URL]

and

[URL]https://www.engineersedge.com/standard_material/Steel_ibeam_properties.htm[/URL]

[URL]https://www.engineersedge.com/standard_material/Steel_ibeam_properties_2.htm[/URL]

[URL]https://www.engineersedge.com/beam_bending/w_flange-monorail/w_flange_monorail_calculator.htm[/URL]

[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]A picture you say eh? [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Sorry I don’t know how to draw pictures. Maybe below will help? ;)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]If 9 white ducks are in a line on a pond and two additional ducks that are yellow always stay next to the white ducks and the two yellow ducks additionally always stay 6 white ducks away from one another; how many white ducks can a yellow duck swim along side of?
Answer-3[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]
Now mentally visualize the 9 white ducks and imagine they mysteriously become an I beam 9' long. Now visualize the 2 yellow ducks and imagine they become two yellow trolleys with a 6 foot spreader bar always distancing them from one another. How far can the trolley move along the beam in either direction? Now imagine the trolleys carry a 1000lb load (500lbs ea) of magic green sparkling sugar that mysteriously becomes a person and tools on a swing stage. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Need a picture of one beam trolley on a beam too? That I can do.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]649[/ATTACH]

If a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day in a half, how long would it take a grass hopper with a wooden leg to separate all the seeds out of a dill pickle?

What does a grass hopper separating seeds from a pickle got to do with chickens?

The best answer comes from the best question......

The solution to your original post is within the link below.

[URL]https://www.engineersedge.com/beam_bending/w_flange-monorail/w_flange_monorail_calculator.htm[/URL]

This tool will determine requirements per. AISC 9th Edition ASD Manual and CMAA Specification No. 74 (2004).



[QUOTE=Tradewinds63;6318][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]A picture you say eh? [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Sorry I don’t know how to draw pictures. Maybe below will help? ;)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]If 9 white ducks are in a line on a pond and two additional ducks that are yellow always stay next to the white ducks and the two yellow ducks additionally always stay 6 white ducks away from one another; how many white ducks can a yellow duck swim along side of?
Answer-3[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]
Now mentally visualize the 9 white ducks and imagine they mysteriously become an I beam 9' long. Now visualize the 2 yellow ducks and imagine they become two yellow trolleys with a 6 foot spreader bar always distancing them from one another. How far can the trolley move along the beam in either direction? Now imagine the trolleys carry a 1000lb load (500lbs ea) of magic green sparkling sugar that mysteriously becomes a person and tools on a swing stage. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Need a picture of one beam trolley on a beam too? That I can do.[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Tradewinds63;6318]
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]Need a picture of one beam trolley on a beam too? That I can do.[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Ducks, eggs and grasshoppers aside, you will catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

This could have all been done for you if only you had supplied a sketch of what you required. So now you are left with the online calculator and your wit.

That seemed to work well for you. :)

I can't understand why you need to bother with trolleys when you're only moving what would be an arms reach away either direction? 1-1/2 ducks left of center... 1-1/2 ducks to the right...?

When you say collapsible swing... you lost me there...?
Maybe you should look into a rolling library ladder? There are some really good looking systems out there... Maybe a window washers rigging?

I do agree with Kelly. It will be more understandable if there are more pics. What do you think?

RWOLFEJR is right. You should try other systems.