high wind (130) vaulted gable wall build
Hi all, new here. I am building a garage with a TV room/kitchen/office above. It is on pilings. There will be two floors above the garage, the first is the full length of the garage below, the second only about 2/3 where it overlooks the second floor below. Problem is, there is (at the roof peak) about 23′ span that is a 2X6 studded gable wall where the cathedral cieling opens to the top floor. Code will not allow even 2X6’s in this wind-zone (130 mph). I have thought about building a 2X6 X 2X10 (height) box beam into the gable wall at the same level as the third floor, thus breaking it up. THere would be no lateral bracing across the open space though. Code says the gable studs should be continuous from floor to cieling/roof. It is a catch 22. I intend on using 3/4″ structural sheathing on the exterior and probably interior of the shear wall orthogonal to the gable wall, thus shoring that box beam back to the foundation. ANy suggestions? THanks!
Replies
Other than steel columns, you need a structural engineer. Ive built these walls using LVL studs also.
Great info all! Thanks! Any suggestions where I could get ahold of either steel studs/columns or the LVL studs? I am more than willing to do these, either one, I just need a lead on where to go. Our local suppliers don't have much of a clue (SE NC). THanks again!!!
I usually work out the concept, draw up some basic elevations and a floor plan and bring the works to my engineer. A few dollars later and I have a solution that will fly with the plan review folks and the inspectors.
If you look at some of the Marvin window ads you'll see a wall to wall and floor to ceiling view of the great outdoors. It can be done.
On a particular window wall, before we were required to spread the liability to the engineers, I used square steel tube to give strength to a long curved wall. The 9 single lite windows were 3' wide and 8' tall each and separated by just the 2" square tube and the window frames. Tubes were cut and welded on site. Inspectors loved the overkill.
In my neck of the woods we use "TALL WALL" done through the lumber yard they do all of the structural calcs and an elevation blue print. It's basically lvl studs calc'd for shear and wind loads. I believe TALL WALL is an lp trade mark. Try a google search and see what you can find. good luck KJELL