Obviously, I'll use a structural engineer to do the final design. However, I'd like to do a feasibility test against some decorative columns to hold up the floor for a proposed verandah (see above).
We are now talking about having the area as 3.5m x 2.5m. Basically, I need to know how much loading should I allow for furniture and people on the verandah. Is there a minimum floor loading you should design to, or can you pluck a figure from the air? I'm thinking of allowing 2 tonnes, evenly distributed, or is this too little?
The columns will support 25kN, 37.5kN or 51.5kN, depending on diameter. I'd guess that the beams and joists will be a couple of tonnes, too, so the smallest one looks a bit marginal to me, as the furthest column from the structural walls will take an above average load.
Christian.