I don't know too many reputable builders who deviate from the approved plans because it opens them up to liabilities. Ask your builder if he is following the plans or ask to look at the plans to confirm that this was part of the initial design. Alternatively you can use the Lumberworx design tool. To cover a 30-foot span, one can utilize either a multiple-ply 2×12 or opt for engineered. Lumberworx has created the span tables below to assist in the specification of the Lumberworx members. The distance an LVL beam can span depends on its width and depth. SPAN AND SIZE CHARTS FOR ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS. These beams are often custom-manufactured to precisely meet the specific requirements of your project. Many permit offices will require engineering if there are no span tables available for the specific application. As a general guideline, for a 30-foot span, it is typically recommended to use LVL beams with dimensions of 5-1/4 × 13 1/2 or 5-1/4 × 16. Table 2: Purlin Span Guidance Product Span i-Beams (LVL flanged i-beams) >7.0mm hySPAN® (Solid LVL Section) <7.0mm MGP (Sawn Timber Sections) <4.8mm 3. Continuous Span Beamsare beams supported at three or more points along their length.
Single Span Beamsare beams supported at two points only. If a lumber rafter of similar or less size can work here, then the LVL definitely can as well. For the purpose of using these tables, span may be interpreted as the clear distance between supports measured along the beam. Using your numbers, the rafter span you are looking for in the code table 10'-1 11/16" An LVL is manufactured without the natural defects that can be found in lumber, therefore an LVL can deliver better performance than a similar sized piece of lumber. 1 1/2 VERSA-LAM 1.7 2650 Joists Residential Floor Span Tables LVL-18: Tech Note: View: tech-note: us-east us-west: Allowable Fastener Spacing & Design for BCI Joists and VERSA-LAM GE-3: Tech Note: View: tech-note: us-east us-west: Alternate Power and Hand Driven Nailing of Multiple Ply 1 3/4 Wide VERSA-LAM Beams LVL-17: Tech.