support a chimney upstairs

[elephant]

We have purchased a house that has had various improvements(?) such as removing a fireplace downstairs, but leaving the chimney upstairs, resulting in a beam across our living room that is 3 RSJ's wide. I could live with the beam if it were not so imposing and wondered whether it is possible to leave the 2 RSJ's that support the old external wall, and put in a steel plate or something to take the weight of the chimney? the house is lovely it is just a shame that some people feel the need to take the soul out of a property, we hope to put some back.

[Sludge]

It is quite a simple job to design a beam to take that sort of weight with the thickness of the beam mostly or totally concealed within a floor. However, it is not a job that can be done through Answerbank and you will have to employ a Structural Engineer (not a builder). Do nothing without consulting a Structural Engineer otherwise you might weaken the structure and bring it all down around you.

[Marsh]

When we were altering our building we wanted to run two rooms together.  Our architect needed to get a structural engineer in to calculate the loading and size of RSJ's needed.  I think you are going to have to buy professional advice.

[qaswqasw]

Could you rebuild the chimney to be as original looking as possible.   This would cure your problem and put the soul back into your property.  Technically you may need building regs, but that would be your choice.