may be this is just lintel beam not the structure beam, alto there is steel bar but the shear links spacing is >1m , may be design by some renovation engineer

the load from roof & the 1st floor slab & wall all transfer to the column, think twice if just want to remove it just like that

the proper way is consult a structure engineer, build/ enlarge the beam to transfer the load to nearest column --> foundation , if the column/ foundation not strong enough, build/ enlarge the column/ foundation

wow you are super daring, cut down the thickness of the horizontal beam, and also plan to remove the supporting pillar..... the house gonna collapse soon, or cracks will start appear if your neighbour or nearby do some 'kong kong kong' hard work =.="

Some of these renovation contractors will just do what the house owners ask. They do not have any understanding of the structures. They just want to please the house owners without considering the consequences. When problem crop up, they will just run away leaving the house owner to face the consequences. If no one is hurt, maybe they can get away. What happens if the structure collapse? What happen if someone is hurt?

Is that a main beam? Or only use for cover the Kitchen?

But I agreed with other members concern as well, but it all depend on individual, as sometime owner just dont like to listening or avoid advide, as they believe Contractor too lazy to do it, or other way round that some contractor just want the business lol, once done $ come the rest it is your problem.

I saw above the beam are toiler too? hope it will not cause leaking after that....

How to leak when it going to fall? any earthquake happen around Indonesia will sure crack the floor of that building.

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Added on August 18, 2011, 11:00 amI hope this house is not your neighbor.




This post has been edited by weikee: Aug 18 2011, 11:00 AM

agree with skng03, the shear link spacing is quite far between one another.

first thing first, why do you want to cut down that pillar?

another way, MAYBE, im not sure, make the current beam as secondary beam, support by a new primary beam, which transfer load to a new pillar, which of coz, bigger than current 1.

This post has been edited by b0oDak_Ba1k: Aug 18 2011, 03:15 PM

found this http://www.yell.com/food-drink/blog/kitche...sure-carefully/

The column is there to support the beam. The beam is use to support the floor slab.

If the beam can be supported without the column then they would not have built the column in the first place.

That is a structural column. Do Not hack unless you transfer the load somewhere else. It will not break immediately. It will slowly sag then crack.

Again, my advise is always to hire a proper consultant to do your design works. You have spent a lot of money buying the house and going to spend a lot more renovating it. Just pay someone 5-10% to do the design for you and save you all the headache.

This post has been edited by Bishop: Aug 26 2011, 04:42 PM