Ok, one last thought on my 9ft beam situation. I was considering lagging a steel plate on the flat to the bottom of the beam and then placing posts at both ends. I realize that the steel plate would be stronger if I sandwiched it between the 2x10's, but that would be difficult at this point. Anyone ever hear5d of that??? Is the steel plate still strong laying flat underneath the beam??

We are throwing around solutions when we don't know what the problem is here. No, the steel plate would not contribute much, if any, strength to the beam if installed flat on the bottom. What exactly is the problem with the beam?

Nothing really, I just want to make it all as strong as possible before I close it up, which will be soon. This is a new beam, much heftier than what was there previously which was 2x6. Remember the part of New York that got all that snow last year??? That's where this camp is located. I can say one thing, the camp, roof and all stood up to that pounding with cut trusses and a 2x6 beam supporting the ceiling joists. I now have rebuilt the trusses( engineers approval) and my friend built a 2x10 beam to support the c.joists. I then built another 2x10 beam 2 in from the first. I guess I just keep reading varying opinions , etc, etc, and start doubting things. Not trying to be a pain in the --- here, and I appreciate all responses, but I'm not educated in loads, spans. I read one thing and feel comfortable, then read another and think it's undersized. I do know that I need to take the load path from the supporting posts of the beam through the foundation to ground. Trying to do it correct and safe , that's all.

If you had an engineer for the rebuilding of the trusses, why not ask the same engineer, since he knows the issues, and we don't?

I've been trying to, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. I will say that the beam was in place when they came out and performed an on-site inspection. Their signed letter said the camp was structurally sound, but no mention of the beam. Anyway, thanks again.