True floor joist span calculations can only be made by a structural engineer or contractor.
Floor joist beams supports.
Joists also may get support from beams located at or near the middle of the joist span.
In many countries the fabrication and installation of all framing members including joists must meet building code standards.
Joists must exhibit the strength to support the anticipated load over a long period of time.
In some cases additional joist supports will have to be installed before there can be extra heavy objects on the floor.
The most common example can be seen in a basement or crawlspace where a large main beam runs down the center of the space and is supported every 8 feet or so with a column or concrete pier.
Though joists may be any size that you desire using typical floor joist and beam specifications ensures that you can find hardware to fit the joists and that the floor provides adequate support for furniture and other items in a room.
This sample table gives minimum floor joist sizes for joists spaced at 16 inches and 24 inches on center o c for 2 grade lumber with 10 pounds per square foot of dead load and 40 pounds of live load which is typical of normal residential construction.
Moving from beam calculations to beam supports.
In the table above the widest floor beam span for 12 of supported floor joists is 14 7 if using a 5 ply 2 x 12.
Floor joists or beams provide the below surface support for the wood subfloor of a room.
A joist support is the horizontal beam that supports the floor joists.
Considering the cross section of a typical joist the overall depth of the joist is critical in establishing a safe and stable floor or ceiling system.
This beam supports the floor joists of the house s ground floor.